HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR:

Exclusively In English

Charming Hotels Located In The Historical Centres of the main sicilian towns

Visit of the Main Sicilian UNESCO SITES (The late Baroque towns of the “Val di Noto”: Ragusa and Modica, Siracusa, Valley of Temples, Villa Romana del Casale, Etna volcan*, the Arab-Norman Palermo itinerary and the Cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù)

Especially Selected Menus in local Restaurants

Mineral water (1/2 per person) at all meals

Wine ¼ and Coffee Included only at lunch in local restaurants

Whispers Kit

 

PROGRAM:

1st Day /Saturday CATANIA

Independent arrival at the hotel in Catania, accommodation, welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight.

2nd Day /Sunday    CATANIA – SIRACUSA – CATANIA

After a buffet breakfast, departure to Syracuse: visit the archaeological area “Neapolis” including the famous Greek theatre, Latomie of the Paradise and the “Dyionisios Ear”. Continue to the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of Siracusa; visit of the Cathedral, which is built upon the site of the Temple of Minerva, the legendary Arethuse Fountain and the Temple of Apollo. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon return to Catania for a nice walking tour. During the tour in Catania, stroll through the city centre with your professional guide who will charm you with the history of the city. Dinner and Overnight at hotel in Catania.

3rd Day /Monday CATANIA – MODICA – RAGUSA

After a buffet breakfast, departure to Modica a town whose architecture has been recognised as providing outstanding testimony to the exuberant genius and final flowering of Baroque art in Europe. Modica is a town with an ancient history, nicknamed "the city of 100 churches" and some of its most representative monuments, such as the Cathedral of San Pietro and the Church of San Giorgio, have been proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The tour will then continue with a visit inside the Artisan chocolate workshop; there you will have the chance to discover the techniques leading to the production of an amazing quality of "the Modican's chocolate". Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, continue to the ancient city “Ragusa Ibla", cradle of Sicilian baroque, with its Cathedral and the “giardino Ibleo”; followed by free time to explore the town and shopping. Return to the hotel. Dinner and Overnight.

4th Day /Tuesday RAGUSA – PIAZZA ARMERINA – AGRIGENTO

After a buffet breakfast, departure to Piazza Armerina to visit the worldwide known Villa Romana del Casale, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its well preserved mosaics depicting mythological themes and hunting scenes. Lunch in a local restaurant with a special menu chosen to give the opportunity to taste the local specialities. Departure to Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; guided tour of the Valley, including the Temple of Concordia, which is in almost perfectly preserved condition, the temples of Juno and Heracles. Accommodation and dinner at hotel in Agrigento.

5th Day /Wednesday AGRIGENTO – MONREALE - PALERMO

After a buffet breakfast departure to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. At the arrival visit the town of Monreale, situated on a hill at few kms far from Palermo in panoramic position. Visit of the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monuments in the world with its Moorish architecture, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments in Arab-Norman style. Lunch in a Local restaurant. After lunch continuation for a panoramic tour of Palermo, passing by the Normand Palace, Teatro Massimo and the guided visit of the Cathedral. Then transfer to your hotel, accommodation, dinner and overnight.

6th Day /Thursday PALERMO - CEFALU’ - TAORMINA

After a buffet breakfast, morning dedicated to the visit of the historical centre of the town, one of the largest in Europe; the walking tour will begin from "I Quattro Canti di Città” with Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini and internal visit of Martorana Church; we continue to S. Giuseppe dei Teatini Church, “Ballarò Market” and Casa Professa Church with its fantastic marbles.

Departure to Cefalù a former fishing village, now a charming coastal town. Lunch in a local restaurant; after lunch, enjoy a walk to the city centre and down main street to reach the Arab-Norman Cathedral and the medieval wash-house built in the rock.

Proceed to Taormina. At the arrival accommodation, dinner and overnight at hotel.

7th Day /Friday TAORMINA - MT ETNA (Optional excursion) - TAORMINA

After a buffet breakfast, morning at leisure or for those who are interested, opportunity to take an optional excursion to the Mount Etna, the highest active Volcano in Europe. Weather conditions permitting, across fascinating landscape, we will reach a height of 1800 metres to visit the Sylvester Craters where you can enjoy a spectacular panorama over the Ionian Sea (supplement on the spot; the excursion will take place with a minimum of participants). Lunch on your own. Afternoon in Taormina, charming city called "the pearl of the Ionian Sea": enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through its tiny streets. Possibility to visit the Greek-Roman Theatre on your own (Ticket €.12,00 p.p.), with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna. Return to your hotel, dinner and overnight.

8th Day /Saturday TAORMINA

After buffet breakfast, end of the Tour

 

 

PRICES:

Rate per Person                 Low Season         High Season

In Double room                    € 1.209,00            € 1.247,00

Suppl. Single room              €   250,00             € 267,00

3rd pax in triple room          € 1.142,00            € 1.184,00

 

DEPARTURE DATES Summer 2022:

Catania:                               Every Saturday

From April 2nd till October 22rd (Last Departure)

LOW SEASON                                             HIGH SEASON

April …02…09                                              April …16...23..30

June …25                                                     May ..07..14..21..28

July .…02…09…16…23…30                   June..04..11..18

August..06..13..20..27                                September.03..10..17..24

October…22                                                October ..01..08..15

 

RATE INCLUDES:

-       Accommodation in 4 stars Hotels

-          Welcome cocktail

-          7 Dinners, 5 Lunches in local restaurants, 7 Breakfasts

-          Visit of an artisan chocolate workshop in Modica

-          Beverage at meals:

-         Mineral water (1/2 per person) at meals

-         1/4 of wine & coffee (only at lunch in restaurants)

-          Transportation de Luxe motor coach* with free wi-fi

*a minivan with driver/guide, normally not equipped with wifi, will be provided if the number of participants is equal to or less than eight

-          English speaking Tour Escort

-          Local guides where necessary

-          Whispers Kit

-          Porterage at hotels

-          Retevacanze staff assistance

 

RATE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

- Transfers in/out
- Entrance tickets to sites and museums
- City Tax: to be paid directly at the Hotel
- Beverages (Coffee and Wine at meals in the Hotels)
- Optional excursion* Etna Volcano on Day 7°
(the optional excursions will take place with a minimum of participants, book and pay on the spot).
- Everything which is not clearly specified under ”rate includes”

 

HOTELS 4 STARS

CATANIA             IL PRINCIPE HOTEL**** , Mercure Excelsior**** or similar

RAGUSA               POGGIO DEL SOLE RESORT **** , Mediterraneo Palace **** or similar

AGRIGENTO        DIOSCURI BAY PALACE**** or similar

PALERMO            GRAND HOTEL PIAZZA BORSA****, Federico II **** or similar

 TAORMINA          VILLA DIODORO****, Hotel Caparena **** or similar

 

SUPPLEMENTS OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS     

Book and pay on the spot

the excursions will take place with a minimum of participants

- Mt Etna:                             € 55,00 per person

 

ENTRANCE FEES SUPPLEMENT (OPTIONAL):    

TOTAL € 50,50 (net rate) per person up-to-date - 2022

SIRACUSA: Neapolis € 16,50 + Dome € 2,00

PIAZZA ARMERINA: Villa Romana del Casale € 10,00 AGRIGENTO: Valley of Temples € 12,00

PALERMO: Martorana Church € 1,00

MONREALE: Dome € 4,00 + € 5,00 presale fees

 

Attention:

In case of price increases, we will have to update it.

For organizational reasons (related to measures against the spread of covid), the entrance tickets to the sites and museums, must be booked and purchased in advance. At this time, without a reservation, it is not possible to purchase tickets for groups at the box office on the same day of the visit.

For this reason it is mandatory to book the entrance package together with the purchase of the tour. We cannot guarantee the purchase of the single ticket (and therefore also the visit together with the group) on the same day of the visit.

 

CANCELLATION FEES:

- 100 % penalty from 2 days before and NO SHOW

-   80 % from 3 to 7 days before the beginning of theTour.

-   40 %  from 8 to 14 days before the beginning of the Tour

-   20 %   from 15 to 30 days before the beginning of the Tour

* For organizational reasons, the itinerary may be reversed or modified without notice; in this case we ensure similar visits and excursions in accordance with the spirit of the tour program. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum of 15 pax, we will guarantee the departure in partnership with other operators, reserving the right to make changes to the travel program by giving notice within 21 days before the departure date; in this case the tour could be operated in two languages