ITINERARY
Day 1 - Rome
Arrival in Rome on your own. Day at leisure. Arrival at hotel and overnight.
Day 2 - Rome/Naples/Pompeii/Sorrento
Breakfast at hotel. The coach will take the “Sun Route” motorway, driving through the regions of Lazio and Campania, with a view of the Abbey of Montecassino. Upon arrival in Naples there will be a short panoramic city tour: Mergellina, Castel dell'Ovo Plebiscito Square, the Royal Palace, the Maschio Angioino and the port. Lunch in a restaurant on our way to Pompeii and then visit the excavations of the famous Roman city, destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Leave and drive along the coast, arrival in Sorrento. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 3 - Capri/Sorrento
After breakfast board boat for the Island of Capri, where, weather and sea conditions permitting, visit the Blue Grotto in small rowing boats. Lunch in a restaurant and free time. Return to Sorrento, Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 4 - Sorrento/Palermo
Breakfast at hotel and morning at leisure. In the afternoon departure towards Naples harbour to board the Tirrenia Ferry Boat to Palermo. Overnight on boat.
Day 5 - Palermo
Transfer to the hotel. Meet with guide. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6 - Palermo/Monreale/Palermo
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit the town of Palermo including: the Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral of Palermo. In Moreale visit the Cathedral and its Cloister. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon free time with an optional excursion (paid locally) to Cefalù to visit the Cathedral and Castelbuono village on the Madonie mountains. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 7 - Segesta/Erice/Marsala
Buffet breakfast at hotel and departure to Segesta to visit the Doric Temple placed on a hill surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Continue to the medieval village of Erice, with a view of Trapani. Explore the tiny, cobblestone medieval streets. Time at leisure for lunch. Continue to Trapani to view the salt windmills and then to Marsala. We will close this exciting day with a special dinner, but before that a wine tasting of the well-known Marsala wine will delight us.
Day 8 - Agrigento/Piazza Armerina/Catania
Buffet breakfast at hotel and departure to Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples, holding in their stone the weight of an important history. These temples are better preserved than the ones in Greece. Continue to Piazza Armerina. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon visit on your own the Roman Villa del Casale famous for its 3500 sqm of well-preserved mosaics. Continue to Catania. Dinner and overnight.
Day 9 - Catania/Syracuse/Ragusa
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. In the morning, panoramic visit of Catania and depart for Syracuse to visit the archaeological area, including the Greek theatre, Dyonisios Ear, the Latomie of the Paradise. The visit continues with the historical and baroque center situated on Ortigia Island. Enjoy the beautiful atmosphere on this small piece of land. Time at leisure for lunch and depart to Ragusa to visit the historical center in Ragusa Ibla. After this amazing visit enjoy your dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation at hotel.
Day 10 - Etna/Taormina
Buffet breakfast at hotel and then, conditions permitting, departure to Mt. Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. We will reach 1800 meters and visit some of the Sylvester craters. After this unforgettable experience with nature, enjoy a special lunch at a farmhouse with Etna wine tasting. Continue to Taormina, the Mediterranean pearl. Dinner and overnight.
Day 11 - Taormina
Buffet breakfast at hotel and visit on your own the Greek Theater viewing the beautiful bay of Naxos. Time at leisure for lunch. In the afternoon time at leisure or enjoy an optional excursion (to be paid locally) to visit in the village of Savoca the famous catacombs of the Cappuccini convent and Bar Vitelli - used in the shooting of the “Godfather” in 1971. Then a scenic drive to Forza D’Agro’. Includes a walking tour through the peaceful streets, churches and cathedrals. Return to Taormina. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 12 - Taormina
Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour. |
