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Summer
Itinerary : Departures Every Saturday (scroll down for
winter itinerary)
31 March - 27th Oct 2012
1st day SATURDAY
PALERMO
Independent arrival at Hotel Principe di Villafranca in Palermo. Enjoy a
welcome cocktail. Dinner and overnight in your hotel.
2nd day SUNDAY PALERMO - CEFALŮ - CAPO
D’ORLANDO - TAORMINA - CATANIA
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Cefalů, a charming coastal
town, a former fishing village, which is also home to a
breathtaking Norman Cathedral with dazzling mosaics. Take a
stroll to the city center and down main street to reach the
Cathedral and the medieval wash-house built in the rock. Proceed
to Capo d’Orlando along the Tyrrhenian coast and stop for lunch.
Continue to Taormina called “the pearl of the Ionic Sea”,
founded in 400 BC and beautifully located overlooking the sea
and the peak of Mount Etna. Enjoy time at leisure to shop for
handmade lace, coral jewels, ceramics, home-made sweets and
preserves down “Corso Umberto” or simply walk through the tiny
streets. Possibility to visit the fascinating Roman - Greek
theatre. Proceed to Catania. Accommodation, dinner and overnight at the Hotel Katane Palace.
(2012: Exelsior Grand Hotel Catania)
3rd day MONDAY CATANIA - MONTE ETNA with lunch
in a farmhouse - CATANIA
After a buffet breakfast, weather conditions permitting,
excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.
Across fascinating landscape, we will reach a height of 2000
metres, where we will enjoy a fantastic panorama of the Ionic
Sea. Lunch in a farmhouse on the slopes of Etna and wine tasting
of local production. Back to Catania, the town known for its
original baroque style and for its streets built with black lava
stone from mount Etna. Walking tour through Via Etnea, the
Baroque street “Via Crociferi”, the Piazza Duomo with the
Cathedral and the “Liotru” statue, symbol of the city, the roman
Amphitheatre, the Opera House (external visit), the University,
and the noble Palace of Biscari (external visit). Dinner and
overnight in your Hotel.
4th day TUESDAY CATANIA - SIRACUSA - NOTO -
MODICA - RAGUSA
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse to visit the most
beautiful Greek colony of Sicily. Visit of the archaeological
area including the famous Latomie of the Paradise, the Greek
Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Dyonisios “Ear”. Visit
the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of
Siracusa, built by the Aragonians: here you can admire the
Cathedral and the “Fontana Aretusa”. Lunch in a local
restaurant. In the afternoon, depart to Noto, one of the most
beautiful cities in Sicily renowned for the harmony and unity of
its Baroque style and today declared a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO. Proceed to Modica, one of the most picturesque
cities of Sicily. Panoramic tour of Modica. Continue to Ragusa, a city that is divided into two
parts: the upper part built after the earthquake in 1693 and the
lower part that is called Ragusa Ibla, one of the most important
testimony of the Baroque architecture. Enjoy a tasting of
typical Sicilian products in a
nice bar in the main square by the Dome, “Basilica di San
Giorgio”. Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel
Mediterraneo Palace.
5th day 2011: WEDNESDAY - RAGUSA - CALTAGIRONE
- PIAZZA ARMERINA - AGRIGENTO
After a buffet breakfast,
depart to Caltagirone famous for the
production of ceramics and pottery: visit of a ceramics
laboratory and
opportunity of shopping. Continue to Piazza Armerina and visit
the
worldwide known Villa Romana del Casale: it is the richest,
largest
and most complex collection of late Roman mosaics in the world Lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to Agrigento: visit of the
Valley
of the Temples including the Temple of Juno, Concord, Heracles,
Zeus, Castor & Pollux that represent the most beautiful example
of the Greek Civilization in Sicily. Dinner at Hotel Della
Valle. After
dinner enjoy an unforgettable panoramic tour of the Valley of
the
Temples illuminated (in 2011 only) Overnight in Agrigento.
6th day THURSDAY AGRIGENTO - SELINUNTE with
lunch in a farmhouse - SEGESTA - PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast, depart to the Archaeological park of
Selinunte, the largest in the Mediterranean area with the
impressive Temples and Acropolis. After the visit stop in a
local farmhouse (famous for olive oil
production) where before lunch it will be possible to have a
wine and oil tasting of local production. Proceed to Segesta to
visit the Doric Temple which keeps in its stones the weight of a
long history, surrounded by a unique landscape. Proceed to
Palermo. Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel Principe
di Villafranca Palermo.
7th day FRIDAY PALERMO - MONREALE - (ERICE
OPTIONAL) - PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast. morning visit of the Capital of
Sicily, one of the richest towns in the island for history and
art: the Cathedral, the “Palatina” Chapel, and panoramic tour of
the town (the “Quattro Canti”, the Opera House, the Pretoria
Square). We will continue to Monreale to admire the Cathedral
with its splendid 12th century mosaics and the cloister of the
Benedictines monastery with Moorish architecture. Lunch in your
Hotel. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursion to Erice, a
medieval town full of myth, history and art which sits on top of
Mt. Erice, overlooking the city of Trapani and the Egadi
Islands. Panoramic tour of the salt-woks of Trapani. Dinner and
overnight in your Hotel.
8th day SATURDAY PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast, end of the Tour.
2012
Summer tour - Price per person in Euro ($ rate varies
depending the exchange):
E 845,00 in double room / Single supplement: E 190,00
3rd passenger in triple room: E 810,00
Hotels used for
the Summer tour:
Palermo: Hotel Principe Di Villafranca or similar / Catania: Excelsio Grand Hotel or
similar /Ragusa: Hotel Mediterrraneo Place or similar /
Hotel Della Valle or similar in Agrigento
Pre
and post tour accommodation in Palermo for summer tour - 2012 :
Hotel Principe Di Villafranca****:
19Mar-30jun/3Sep-31Oct'12: Euro 57 per person based on double / Euro
88 per person based on single / Euro 54 per person based on triple
1Jul-2sep'12:
Euro 49 per person based on double / Euro 78 per person based on
single / Euro 47 per person based on triple
Tour Includes:
-
7 nights
first class accommodation with daily breakfast at first
class (4star) hotels with porterage at the hotels
-
Full board (dinner on first day till breakfast on last day -
in between 3 meals per day)
-
Welcome
cocktail
-
Transportation
by modern air-conditioned motor-coach or minivan
-
Professional
English speaking guide throughout the tour (Tour is
multilingual m, conducted in English, Spanish and Italian)
-
Discovery of
the territory and of the wine and food tradition by: visit
and wine/oil
tasting in farmhouses in Selinunte and on the Etna Mount -
tasting of typical Sicilian
products (wine, chocolate, biscuits, etc) in one of the most
enchanting
square in Ragusa
-
Land taxes
and service charges
-
Porterage at
hotels
Rates do not
include:
-
Transfers,
entrance fees (approximately E 65 per person), drinks, everything which is not clearly
specified under rate includes
Transfers from Apt Palermo to Hotel or vice-versa
2012:
(only valid in connection with the escorted tour and on Saturdays
only) Euro 28 per person based on min 2 passengers (supplement
for 1 passenger: Euro 15)
Private car transfer
Euro 60 per car (max 2 pax),
Supplement for transfer services performed from 10 pm to 8 am:: 20%
Winter Itinerary
Departures : Nov 5, Dec 3, Dec 30* 2011, Jan 21,
Feb 18, March 3, 19, 24 2012
Day 1 SATURDAY PALERMO
Independent arrival at Hotel Principe di Villafranca in Palermo.
Enjoy a welcome cocktail. Dinner and overnight in your hotel.
Day 2 SUNDAY - PALERMO - CEFALŮ - CAPO D’ORLANDO - TAORMINA -
CATANIA
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Cefalů, a charming coastal
town, a former fishing village, which is also home to a
breathtaking Norman Cathedral with dazzling mosaics. Take a
stroll to the city centre and down main street to reach the
Cathedral and the medieval wash-house built in the rock. Proceed
to Capo d’Orlando along the Tyrrhenian coast and stop for lunch.
Continue to Taormina called “the pearl of the Ionic Sea”,
founded in 400 BC and beautifully located overlooking the sea
and the peak of Mount Etna. Enjoy time at leisure to shop for
handmade lace, coral jewels, ceramics, home-made sweets and
preserves down “Corso Umberto” or simply walk through the tiny
streets. Possibility to visit the fascinating Roman - Greek
theatre. Proceed to Catania. Accommodation, dinner and overnight
at the Excelsior Grand Hotel Catania.
Day 3 MONDAY CATANIA - MONTE ETNA with lunch in a farmhouse -
CATANIA
After a buffet breakfast, weather conditions permitting,
excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.
Across fascinating landscape, we will reach a height of 2000
metres, where we will enjoy a fantastic panorama of the Ionic
Sea. Lunch in a farmhouse on the slopes of Etna and wine tasting
of local production. Back to Catania, the town known for its
original baroque style and for its streets built with black lava
stone from mount Etna. Walking tour through Via Etnea, the
Baroque street “Via Crociferi”, Piazza Duomo with the Cathedral
and the “Liotru” statue, symbol of the city, the roman
Amphitheatre, the Opera House (external visit), the University,
and the noble Palace of Biscari (external visit). Dinner and
overnight in your Hotel.
Day 4 TUESDAY CATANIA - SIRACUSA - NOTO - RAGUSA with
Sicilian typical products tasting
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse to visit the most
beautiful Greek colony of Sicily. Visit of the archaeological
area including the famous Latomie of the Paradise, the Greek
Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Dyonisios “Ear”. Visit
the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of
Siracusa, built by the Aragonians: here you can admire the
Cathedral and the “Fontana Aretusa”. Lunch
in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, depart to Noto, one of
the most beautiful cities in Sicily renowned for the harmony and
unity of its Baroque style and today declared a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO. Proceed to Ragusa, a city that is divided into
two parts: the upper part built after the earthquake in 1693 and
the
lower part that is called Ragusa Ibla, one of the most important
testimony of the Baroque architecture. Enjoy a tasting of
Sicilian typical products in a nice bar in the main square by
the Dome, “Basilica di San Giorgio”. Accommodation, dinner and
overnight at Hotel Mediterraneo Palace.
Day 5 WEDNESDAY RAGUSA - PIAZZA ARMERINA - AGRIGENTO
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Piazza Armerina and visit
the worldwide known Villa Romana del Casale: it is the richest,
largest and most complex collection of late Roman mosaics in the
world. Continue to Agrigento. Lunch in a local restaurant. In
the afternoon, visit of the Valley of the Temples including the
Temple of Juno, Concord, Heracles, Zeus, Castor & Pollux that
represent the most beautiful example of the Greek Civilization
in Sicily. Before reaching your Hotel, enjoy an unforgettable
panoramic tour of the Valley of the Temples illuminated.
Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel Della Valle.
Day 6 THURSDAY AGRIGENTO - SELINUNTE with lunch in a
farmhouse- SEGESTA - PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast, depart to the Archaeological park of
Selinunte, the largest in the Mediterranean area with the
impressive Temples and Acropolis. Proceed to Castelvetrano and
stop in a local farmhouse (famous for olive oil production)
where before lunch it will be possible to have a wine and oil
tasting of local production. Continue to Segesta to visit the
Doric Temple which keeps in its stones the weight of a long
history, surrounded by a unique landscape. Proceed to Palermo.
Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel Principe di
Villafranca.
Day 7 FRIDAY PALERMO - MONREALE - (MONTE
PELLEGRINO/CATACOMBS/CAPO MARKET OPTIONAL) - PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast. morning visit of the Capital of
Sicily, one of the richest towns in the island for history and
art: the Cathedral, the “Palatina” Chapel, and panoramic tour of
the town (the “Quattro Canti”, the Opera House, the Pretoria
Square). Continue to Monreale to admire the Cathedral with its
splendid 12th century mosaics and the cloister of the
Benedictines monastery with Moorish architecture. Lunch in your
Hotel. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursion to Monte
Pellegrino, the most famous mountain in Palermo, to arrive at
the shrine of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of the city; from
the viewpoint enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the Conca d’Oro.
Visit the Catacombs of Cappuccini,a haunting experience, where
in a maze of corridors are held about 8,000 bodies embalmed. End
the afternoon with a walk to the discover of one of the most
colorful historical markets of Palermo: “The Capo Market”
immersed in an explosion of vegetables, and fruits. Dinner and
overnight in your Hotel.
Day 8 SATURDAY PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast, end of the Tour.
*Dec 30 Special New Years Eve departure - itinerary slightly
different and price (see below)
2011 & 2012 Winter tour - Price per person in Euro ($ rate varies
depending the exchange):
E 700,00 in double room / Single supplement: E 180,00
3rd passenger in triple room: E 665,00
Price for special New Years Eve
Departure:
Euro 720 per person in double room / Single supplement 180 / 3rd
passenger in triple room: Euro 685
Special Gala Dinner : Euro 275 per person (optional)
Hotels used for
the Winter tour:
Palermo: Hotel Principe Di Villafranca or similar / Catania:
Excelsior Grand Hotel or
similar /Ragusa: Hotel Mediterrraneo Place or similar /
Hotel Della Valle or similar in Agrigento
Pre
and post tour accommodation in Palermo - prices on request):
Hotel Principe Di Villafranca****:
1Nov-28Dec/1JAN-18mAR'12: Euro 44 per person based on double / Euro
73 per person based on single / Euro 42 per person based on triple
Tour Includes:
-
7 nights
first class accommodation with daily breakfast at first
class (4star) hotels with porterage at the hotels
-
Full board (dinner on first day till breakfast on last day -
in between 3 meals per day)
-
Welcome
cocktail
-
Transportation
by modern air-conditioned motor-coach or minivan
-
Professional
English speaking guide throughout the tour (Tour is
multilingual m, conducted in English, Spanish and Italian)
-
Discovery of
the territory and of the wine and food tradition by: visit
and wine/oil
tasting in farmhouses in Selinunte and on the Etna Mount -
tasting of typical Sicilian
products (wine, chocolate, biscuits, etc) in one of the most
enchanting
square in Ragusa
-
Land taxes
and service charges
-
Porterage at
hotels
Rates do not
include:
-
Transfers,
entrance fees (approximately E 65 per person), drinks, everything which is not clearly
specified under rate includes
Transfers from Apt Palermo to Hotel or vice-versa
2012:
(only valid in connection with the escorted tour and on Saturdays
only) Euro 28 per person based on min 2 passengers (supplement
for 1 passenger: Euro 15)
Private car transfer
Euro 60 per car (max 2 pax),
Supplement for transfer services performed from 10 pm to 8 am:: 20%
Special New Years Departure - Itinerary:
DEC 30th THURSDAY PALERMO
Independent arrival at Hotel Principe di Villafranca in Palermo.
Enjoy a welcome cocktail. Dinner and overnight in your hotel.
DEC 31st FRIDAY PALERMO - MONREALE - (MONTE
PELLEGRINO/CATACOMBS/CAPO MARKET OPTIONAL) - PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast. morning visit of the Capital of
Sicily, one of the richest towns in the island for history and
art: the Cathedral, the “Palatina” Chapel, and panoramic tour of
the town (the “Quattro Canti”, the Opera House, the Pretoria
Square). Continue to Monreale to admire the Cathedral with its
splendid 12th century mosaics and the cloister of the
Benedictines monastery with Moorish architecture. Lunch in your
Hotel. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursion to Monte
Pellegrino to arrive at the shrine of Santa Rosalia, the patron
saint of the city. From the viewpoint enjoy a breathtaking
panorama of the Conca d’Oro. Visit the
Catacombs of Cappuccini, a haunting experience, where in a maze
of corridors are held about 8,000 bodies embalmed . End the
afternoon with a walk to the discover of one of the most
colorful historical markets of Palermo: “The Capo Market”.
Dinner in Hotel. The remainder of the night is at leisure to
enjoy the celebrations and performances that will take place in
the nearby Piazza Politeama in Palermo, just a
few steps’ away from your Hotel. Overnight.
JAN 1st SATURDAY PALERMO - CEFALU’ - CAPO D’ORLANDO - TAORMINA -
CATANIA
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Cefalů, a charming coastal
town, a former fishing village, which is also home to a
breathtaking Norman Cathedral with dazzling mosaics. Take a
stroll to the city center and down main street to reach the
Cathedral and the medieval wash-house built in the rock. Proceed
to Capo d’Orlando along the Tyrrhenian coast and stop for lunch.
Continue to Taormina called “the pearl of the Ionic Sea”,
founded in 400 BC and beautifully located overlooking the sea
and the peak of Mount Etna. Enjoy time at leisure to shop for
handmade lace, coral jewels, ceramics, home-made sweets and
preserves down “Corso Umberto” or simply walk through the tiny
streets. Possibility to visit the fascinating Roman - Greek
theatre. Proceed to Catania. Accommodation, dinner and overnight
at the Excelsior Grand Hotel Catania.
JAN 2nd SUNDAY CATANIA - MONTE ETNA with lunch in a farmhouse -
CATANIA
After a buffet breakfast, weather conditions permitting,
excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.
Across fascinating landscape, we will reach a height of 2000
metres, where we will enjoy a fantastic panorama of the Ionic
Sea. Lunch in a farmhouse on the slopes of Etna and wine tasting
of local production.
Back to Catania, the town known for its original baroque style
and for its streets built with black lava stone from mount Etna.
Walking tour through Via Etnea, the Baroque street “Via
Crociferi”, the Piazza Duomo with the Cathedral and the “Liotru”
statue, symbol of the city, the roman Amphitheatre, the Opera
House (external
visit), the University, and the noble Palace of Biscari
(external visit). Dinner and overnight in your Hotel.
JAN 3rd MONDAY CATANIA - SIRACUSA - NOTO - RAGUSA with Sicilian
typical products tasting
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse to visit the most
beautiful Greek colony of Sicily. Visit of the archaeological
area including the famous Latomie of the Paradise, the Greek
Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Dyonisios “Ear”. Visit
the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of
Siracusa, built by the Aragonians: here you can admire the
Cathedral and the “Fontana Aretusa”. Lunch in a local
restaurant. In the afternoon, depart to Noto, one of the most
beautiful cities in Sicily renowned for
the harmony and unity of its Baroque style and today declared a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Proceed to Ragusa, a city that is
divided into two parts: the upper part built after the
earthquake in 1693 and the lower part that is called Ragusa Ibla,
one of the most important testimony of the Baroque architecture.
Enjoy a tasting of Sicilian typical products in a nice bar in
the main square by the Dome, “Basilica di San Giorgio”.
Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel Mediterraneo
Palace.
JAN 4th TUESDAY RAGUSA - PIAZZA ARMERINA - AGRIGENTO
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Piazza Armerina and visit
the worldwide known Villa Romana del Casale: it is the richest,
largest and most complex collection of late Roman mosaics in the
world. Continue to Agrigento. Lunch in a local restaurant. In
the afternoon, visit of the Valley of the Temples including the
Temple of Juno, Concord, Heracles, Zeus, Castor & Pollux that
represent the most beautiful example of the Greek Civilization
in Sicily. Before reaching your Hotel, enjoy an unforgettable
panoramic tour of the Valley of the Temples illuminated.
Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel Della Valle.
JAN 5th WEDNESDAY AGRIGENTO - SELINUNTE with lunch in a
farmhouse - SEGESTA - PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast, depart to the Archaeological park of
Selinunte, the largest in the Mediterranean area with the
impressive Temples and Acropolis. Proceed to Castelvetrano and
stop in a local farmhouse (famous for olive oil production)
where before lunch it will be possible to have a wine and oil
tasting of local production. Continue to Segesta to visit the
Doric Temple which keeps in its stones the
weight of a long history, surrounded by a unique landscape.
Proceed to Palermo.
Accommodation, dinner and Overnight at Hotel Principe di
Villafranca.
JAN 6th THURSDAY PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast, end of the Tour. |
