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Guaranteed departures (minimum 4 pax) The most original and refined tour of Sicily, for individuals. A programme of “global” discovery in small groups (max 14 pax in minibus): from the major, not to be missed, classical sites (Segesta, The Valley of Temples, Piazza Armerina, Syracuse) to the historical and artistic sites of the Medieval, Norman, Baroque and Liberty eras (Erice, Taormina, Ortigia, Acireale, Catania, Palermo) and the boldest exhibitions of contemporary art. Accommodation in small and charming hotels: Grand Hotel Excelsior in Catania , Centrale Palace in the heart of Palermo, Tonnara di Bonagia at the foot of Erice or Baglio Oneto in Marsala. Baglio della Luna in Agrigento, Excelsior Palace in the city centre of Taormina. Half board basis (dinner) with exception on the day of arrival. The challenge is to offer visitors original, unexpected emotions and allow them to discover, in the most representative pieces of the Sicilian mosaic, the unifying theme which brings them all together to form a splendid whole.
ITINERARY 1st day Saturday: (Catania) 10 Km
Arrival at Catania and accommodation at hotel (transfer on request). Welcome drink and meeting with the assistant (6.30 p.m.)
Evening at leisure. Overnight stay. 2nd day Sunday: (P. Armerina/Cefalù) 300 Km
Breakfast.
Meeting with the escort (h. 8 a.m.). Departure for Piazza Armerina: visit to the Roman Villa of Casale, and its magnificent mosaics. Continuation to Cefalù.
Free time to explore the characteristic town, famous for its Norman Cathedral. Departure for Palermo.
Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner at restaurant .Overnight stay . 3rd day Monday: (Monreale/Palermo) 30 Km
Breakfast.
Guided tour of Monreale (The Cathedral and its golden mosaics, the Benedictine Cloister). Palermo (Palazzo dei Normanni and Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, Piazza Pretoria, the Martorana, Villa Malfitano).
Afternoon, visit and drink at private, ancient aristocratic palace* (or visit of a wine museum).
Dinner at restaurant and overnight. 4th day Tuesday: (Segesta/Erice) 130 Km
Breakfast.
Departure for Segesta, the ancient city of the Elimi with the inspiring Doric Temple. Proceed to visit the medieval town of Erice with pastry tasting.
Accommodation at hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. 5th day Wednesday: (Marsala/Agrigento) 200 Km
Breakfast.
Visit of the salt-pans and the antique mills of Trapani. Break/wine tasting in a Cellar of the famous Marsala.
Proceding to Agrigento. Visit of the archaeological park of the Valley of Temples.
Accommodation at hotel. Dinner.
After dinner panoramic tour of the illuminated Valley of Temples.
Overnight stay. 6th day Thursday: (Siracusa) 340 Km
Breakfast.
Departure for Syracuse (Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and the Baroque island-city of Ortygia (Cathedral Square, Arethusa Fountain).
Proceed to Catania .
Accommodation at the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. 7th day Friday: (Etna/Taormina) 90 Km
Breakfast.
Excursion to Mount Etna: visit of the extinct craters (1.900 m.) and stop for wine tasting.
Afternoon visit of Taormina (Greek Theatre and historic centre) return to Catania. Farewell dinner. Overnight stay. 8th day Saturday: (Departure) 70 Km
Breakfast.
End of services (individual transfer on request) or extension.
SELECTED CHARMING HOTELS Excelsior Grand Hotel***** (Catania): Stop-over, deluxe, centrally located hotel. Centrale Palace **** (Palermo): In the heart of Palermo’s historical centre, few metres from the main monuments (or Grand Hotel Sole**** Palermo) Tonnara Bonagia**** (Valderice Sea-Trapani): A charming hotel created by restructuring an ancient tunny-fishing industry with a 17th century tower a small fishermen’s church and the tuna preservation and store rooms. Swimmingpool and garden. (or Baglio Oneto****Marsala or Crystal Palace **** Trapani). Baglio della Luna**** (Agrigento-Valley of Temples): charming hotels created by the careful restoration of ancient structures” .Garden. Antique furniture. (or Domus Aurea ****) Excelsior Grand Hotel***** (Catania): Deluxe, centrally located hotel (or Baia Verde****S/Una Palace****S)
THE PRICE INCLUDES
- tours 8 days/7 nts in air-conditioned car/minibus
- accommodation in double room with private bathroom
- half board, from dinner of the 2st day to breakfast of the 8th day
- english language driver-tour escort from the 2nd to 7th day. (other languages on request)
- entrance fees for archaeological parks
- visit to a private noble palace(only with minimum 6 pax) or to a wine museum
- n. 2 restaurant dinner in Palermo (specialities of the Palermo area)
- farewell dinner
- pastry tasting
- visit at cellar
- little gift
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- porterage
- drinks at meals
- Transfer in/out and night supplement
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