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Day 1 — USA/Palermo,Sicily
We board our trans-Atlantic flight to Palermo, Italy. Dinner and entertainment aloft. For those not flying with the group, a time schedule and meeting points will be given prior to departure. Also, for those flying independently, overnights in hotels can be arranged through the agent/tour manager. (D, B)
Day 2 — Palermo
Upon arrival at Palermo Airport, welcome and transfer to the hotel in Palermo. An orientation tour of the city will be offered today. A typical Sicilian fare at dinner tonight will be in one of Palermo’s best restaurants. Overnight in Palermo. (D)
Day 3 — Palermo/Monreale
After breakfast a full day’s tour of Palermo and its main Arab, Norman and Baroque monuments. We will walk through a typical street market, heritage of the Arab civilization. This afternoon, we continue on to Monreale, famous for the splendid Cathedral plated with golden mosaics and the adjacent Benedictine cloister. This evening, a gala dinner in an aristocratic Palazzo where some of the city’s most renowned culinary traditions will be served. Overnight in Palermo. (B, D)
Day 4 – Palermo – “The Bizarre, the Mythical, the Sinister”
Today after breakfast, we will begin an unusual and diverse tour in Palermo. We will visit the Convento dei Cappuccini, a macabre museum featuring 8000 mummies organized by their life profession or bagheria. Also on today’s agenda we will visit a folk workshop of one of the last painters of puppets and colorful Sicilian Carts. As a end to the day’s tour we will stop at a local cantina for a glass of wine while our local guide tells us a bit about the factors that account for the origin, development and influence of Sicily’s peculiar criminal phenomenon known as the “mafia”. Dinner and overnight in Palermo. (B, D)
Day 5 — Palermo/Madonie/Cefalu`/Palermo
After breakfast today we will depart for the Madonie Mountains Natural Park and a visit to an old, working farm. We will witness the centuries old art of making “ricotta” (re-cooked). Ricotta is one of the most renowned of Sicilian cheeses, and a basis for many recipes. Lunch (included) with wine will be at the farm, that is to say, lunch by your own hand! This working farm, with a restaurant attached, affords you the opportunity to get into the kitchen and get your hands dirty. Typical Sicilian dishes will be prepared by you with the guidance of the experts. We will return to Palermo late in the afternoon but not before a short stop in the wonderful city of Cefalu` on the northern coast of the island. One of the Mediterranean's undiscovered jewels, Cefalu`, “an epitome of picturesque grandeur” is a good description of this captivating seaside town beneath a steep mountain. Dinner this evening will be on your own. Overnight will be in Palermo. (B, L)
Day 6 — Palermo/Marsala/Agrigento
Today we will set out to the area of Trapani, in the western part of Sicily. The hills of this region produce some of the best wines and olive oils. The first stop on today’s agenda will be to the vineyards of Donnafugata, a top wine producer in this region. Today, wine tasting with “assagi” (food tasting) will be in one of the ancient wine cellars of Marsala. In the afternoon, (time allowing) we will make a short visit to one of the most ancient salt plants still in operation, explaining the primitive art of extracting salt, once a precious commodity, from seawater. Dinner will be in a lovely open-air “loggia” type restaurant overlooking the Valley of the Temples. Overnight in Agrigento. (B, D)
Day 7 — Agrigento/Taormina
Today we will begin our day with a sightseeing tour of the Valley of the Temples for that aesthetical thrill described by former travelers. These Temples are among some of the best preserved Greek structures in existence today. Our final destination is Taormina, one the Europe’s most impressive resorts for the jet-setters. It was here, in romantic Taormina, that a self-exiled D.H. Lawrence was inspired to write Lady Chatterly's Lover, one of the most passionate and erotic love stories of its era. Taormina has endlessly winding medieval streets and tiny passages, each with its own secrets - great restaurants, cafés and ice cream bars. Taormina is beautiful by day but in the evenings its atmosphere is simply enchanting, whether you stroll through its illuminated streets or indulge in the view of the coast over a delicious dinner. Dinner in one of the city’s many trattorias and overnight. (B, D)
Day 8 — Mt. Etna/ Savoca - Forza D'Agro (Godfather)/Taormina
Today will be one of the most impressive natural sites and experiences of the entire trip. We will begin the long climb to the summit of Etna. The most active volcano in Europe, with it’s year round snow cap. Lunch today will be along the slopes of Etna. Later in the afternoon we will experience a delightful trip to the fascinating catacombs of the Cappuccini convent in Savoca and Bar Vitelli - used in the shooting of the "Godfather" in 1971. Afterwards we will have a a scenic drive to Forza D'Agrň, including a short walking tour through the peaceful streets. Dinner (on your own) and overnight in Taormina. (B, L)
Day 9 — Taormina/Syracuse
After breakfast today you will depart for the 2000 year old city of Siracusa (Syracuse), once one of the most important cities of the ancient world. You will visit the Archaeological Park with its Greek and Roman Theaters and the Paradise Quarry. Afterwards you continue to Ortygia, this is the heart of the ancient city, with its Baroque Cathedral built around Temple of Athena. Dinner (on your own) and overnight in Taormina. (B)
Day 10 — Free Day
Today will be a free day to enjoy or explore the serenity of Taormina on your own. A great day to shop for those last minute gifts and souvenirs. OR A leisurely day to treasure this beautiful resort city, sip a cocktail at poolside or venture down to the beach via cable car to enjoy the magnificent water of the Mediterranean Sea. Other options will be made available through your tour manager. Tonight, overnight will be in Taormina. (B)
Day 11 – Taormina – Aeolian Islands
Today we depart early for the seaport city of Milazzo. Here we board a boat for the islands. We will stop on the island of Panarea after an amazing view of the bay of Calajunco. Visit the little village, enjoy a lunch break (on your own) and than re-board for the volcanic island of Stromboli. At sunset a pasta supper will take place on board before reaching the "sciara del fuoco" from where the magnificent volcanic eruptions, nature’s own fireworks, can be admired. Return to Milazzo and then on to Taormina. A lovely farewell to our Sicilian Adventure! Overnight in Taormina. (B, D)
Day 12 – Italy – USA
Today after breakfast we depart for the airport for our trans-Atlantic flight back to the USA. Lunch onboard your trans-Atlantic flight. Again, for those flying independently, overnights in hotels can be arranged through the agent/tour manager if necessary. (B, L)
INCLUDES:
English Speaking Tour Manager from arrival day to departure day
Buffet Breakfast Daily & All other meals as per itinerary
B = Breakfast /L= Lunch / D = Dinner
First Class Four Star Hotels with Luggage Handling – see Baggage Regulations
Guided English Speaking Tours as per itinerary
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