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DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Italy
Depart for Italy
DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Palermo
Arrive in Palermo and transfer to your hotel. The energetic city of Palermo is the capital of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting at approximately 6 PM (exact time will be advised on tour arrival day) with your Tour Manager to discuss the upcoming journey that awaits you in Italy. We recommend you to select flights that arrive no later than 4 PM. The meeting will be followed by a dinner with your fellow travelers
Overnight: Palermo
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Monday - Monreale Cathedral, Tour Palermo's Old City
Travel to the hilltop town of Monreale to visit the Norman Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece, with its interior of glittering 12th century Byzantine mosaics. Return to Palermo for a tour of the ancient Old City with its incredible mix of architectural styles, including its magnificent Cathedral. In the afternoon, discover Palermo on your own with its bustling street markets, winding alleyways, and colorful back streets. Perhaps choose to join the optional tour to the charming seaside town of Cefalu, distinguished by its medieval settings. Here, see the magnificent Piazza del Duomo and the delightful Fisherman's Village nestled on one of Sicily's most beautiful sand beaches. Stroll the picturesque lanes in the historical center before returning to Palermo
Optional: Cefalu Tour (PM)
Overnight: Palermo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Tuesday - Erice, Farm Lunch
Drive the winding roads to mountaintop Erice, a wonderfully preserved medieval town with breathtaking views and a great historical presence. Walk along the cobbled streets lined with superb examples of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture. Savor the island's landmark windmills and salt mines before reaching a local farm. Your lunch will feature some of the area's local delicacies, including extra virgin olive oil and wine. Arrive in Agrigento and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening, dinner together in Agrigento
Overnight: Agrigento
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5, Wednesday - Tour Agrigento's Valley of the Temples
Today, discover Agrigento's celebrated Valley of the Temples, the largest and best preserved temple ruins outside of mainland Greece. Tour this magnificent archaeological park that consists of eight Greek temples, built between 430 and 510 B.C., all majestically positioned in the same area on rocky crests south of modern day Agrigento. Indeed, it is an amazing sight to behold! After lunch, travel to the coastal town of Giardini Naxos. Evening is at leisure in this resort town
Overnight: Giardini Naxos
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6, Thursday - Mt. Etna and Taormina
Begin the day with a visit to the lava-crusted slopes of Mt. Etna, which stands 11,000 feet tall, dominates the scenery, and is the most active volcano in Europe! Ascend the Mount to reach the Silvestri Craters; step carefully on the varied layers of lava which have solidified over the centuries. Learn about Etna's impact on the surrounding area and its unique geology before returning to Giardini Naxos. In the afternoon, a panoramic tour of the city that includes the massive Greek Theater, one of the largest in Sicily, from where you can enjoy remarkable panoramas of the city and countryside. The rest of the day is at leisure in the upper town of Taormina to enjoy all of the many delights in this marvelous city. Shop to your heart's content at some of the chicest boutiques in Italy, have an aperitif overlooking the Bay of Naxos, or indulge in some of Italy's most delectable food
Overnight: Giardini Naxos
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Friday - Full Day in Giardini Naxos
Full day at leisure in Giardini Naxos, or join the not to be missed optional tour to Siracusa. Here, you can step back in time to the bygone era of Greek Sicily, and explore the birthplace of Archimedes. Visit Neapolis Archaeological Park, the Greek Theatre, the remains of Roman Amphitheater and the "Ear of Dionysius," an awe-inspiring artificial limestone cave renowned for its outstanding acoustics. Then, admire its old quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on the island of Ortygia before returning to Giardini Naxos. Tonight, savor dinner together
Optional: Siracusa Tour (AM)
Overnight: Giardini Naxos
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Saturday - Visit Piazza Armerina en Route to Palermo
Begin today by traveling to Piazza Armerina to view the intricate examples of Roman mosaics at the famous Roman Villa del Casale, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These extraordinarily vivid mosaics deal with numerous subjects, ranging from Homeric escapades and mythological scenes to portrayals of daily life. The villa itself was rediscovered in the 19th century after being almost completely covered by a landslide. After lunch, continue to Palermo, where you bid farewell to your newfound friends on your last night in Sicily
Overnight: Palermo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 9, Sunday - Depart Italy
Arrivederci! Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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