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$1,885**

Departures from Apr. 05, 2020 – Oct. 11, 2020

Escorted Tour: 9 Days/ 7 Nights

Visit as much Sicily as you can in this spectacular fully escorted tour of Sicily. See the wonders of Mt. Etna and “The Godfather’s” Corleone to name a few.  This tour operates in English only!

Taormina, Mount Etna, Siracusa, Agrigento, Segesta, Marsala, Trapani, Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, Corleone.

ITINERARY:

Note: First day of tour is your departure date from the USA. Actual tour in Italy begins the next day.

Day 1: USA/Palermo
Departure from USA to Italy – with your own purchased airline tickets.
Day 2:  Palermo
Welcome to Sicily!
Arrive in Palermo airport. Meet our driver and relax in a private transfer to your hotel in Palermo. Meeting with the participants. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Overnight in Palermo.
(Dinner)
Day 3:  Palermo — Palermo/Corleone/Palermo
After a buffet breakfast at your hotel you will enjoy this special day dedicated to one of the famous social phenomena in Sicily. We will depart in the morning to the inland of Sicily and specifically to the area of Corleone, known for being the place where the Mafia phenomena was born but also know nowadays for being the place where the Mafia is staunchly fought. First we will participate in a cooking lesson: we will be able to prepare some of the most genuine and traditional Sicilian dishes (only for who desire to participate).  After the lesson, enjoy this special lunch. Then we will experience an interesting LECTURE on the Mafia. One of the inhabitants of Corleone, born in the UK, will present a fascinating discussion on the topic of the Sicilian Mafia, explains its origins and the steps taken by the Corleone inhabitants to eliminate organized crime.
Overnight in Palermo.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 4: Monreale  (OPTIONAL: tour to Cefalu’) — Palermo
Buffet breakfast at your hotel then enjoy a morning tour of Palermo, a city full of character, featuring Quattro Canti – a splendid example of Spanish Baroque architecture, the Palace of the Normans and its superb Palatine Chapel, and the Cathedral. Then take a trip to nearby Monreale where you’ll go to the famous Benedictine Abbey, a 12th century cathedral housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments. Balance of the day is at leisure to relax in Palermo or take an optional tour with your tour director to the picturesque fishing village of Cefalù.
Overnight in Palermo.
(Breakfast,Dinner)
Day 5:  Palermo/Segesta/Marsala/Trapani
After breakfast today we journey to Segesta, a large archaeological zone, with a magnificent Doric Temple, 420 B.C to 430 B.C., located within a beautiful and natural setting that ranks as one of the best-preserved Greek architectural sites. Continue to the sea town of Marsala, re-discovered in the 18th century by English merchant John Woodhouse and known for its sweet wines. Visit a wine cellar and sample some Marsala during a special wine tasting session. Drive along Trapani’s coastline and stop for a special Sicilian lunch in a restaurant before your return to Palermo. Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight in Palermo.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6:  Palermo/Agrigento/Taormina
Today, after a buffet breakfast at your hotel, depart for Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided tour of the valley, dating back to the 5th century B.C. The poet Pindar described the site “as the most beautiful city built by mortal men”. The Doric style temples, all constructed within a century, face east, a standard criteria for both Greek and Roman temples so the statue of the god housed in each temple faced the rising sun. The best temple is that of Concordia (similar in design to the Partenon in Athens) which is in almost perfectly preserved condition. Your local guide will highlight the history and architecture of Concordia and of the other temples that are part of this archaeological treasure-trove.  After visiting the Valley of the Temples continue on to Taormina,  where you arrive in the evening in time for an enjoyable and relaxing dinner at your hotel.
Overnight in Taormina.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7:  Taormina/Mount Etna/Taormina (OPTIONAL: tour to Savoca, Forza D’Agro’)
Buffet breakfast at your hotel and morning walking tour of Taormina’s charming city center which includes the Greek/Roman amphitheatre, with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. Enjoy an excursion to Mount Etna, to 1800 meters and visit the Sylvester Craters where you can enjoy the best views, as you drive through the fertile slopes and villages that sit on ancient volcanic eruptions. On the way back to Taormina, we offer a once in a lifetime experience. You may take an optional “Godfather” tour featuring the authentic villages chosen by Francis Coppola for most of the scenes in the Godfather movies. This is a good way to explore the real untouched Sicilian countryside, local lifestyle and culture.  Tonight you may experience dinner on your own in one of the many colorful restaurants of Taormina.
Overnight in Taormina.
(Breakfast)
Day 8: Taormina/Siracusa/Taormina
After breakfast at your hotel, experience an excursion to Siracusa.  A guided tour of this venerable city highlights the Archaeological Park, Greek Theater, Latomia del Paradiso and Cave of Dyonisius’ Ear. This evening savor a special Sicilian dinner with wine in a restaurant characteristic of this region.
Overnight in Taormina.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9:  Taormina/Catania
After breakfast, say farewell to Catania and take your shuttle transfer to Catania airport for your return flight home.
(Breakfast)

Includes:

• Hotel accommodations at 4* hotels for seven nights (Palermo 4 nights, Taormina 3 nights) based on 2 persons sharing a room.
• Breakfast daily.
• Round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Italy.
• 5 dinners.
• 2 lunches.
• Wine tasting at a local cellar in Marsala,
• Cooking lesson and lecture in Corleone.
• Sightseeing as indicated in itinerary.
• Excursion to Mt. Etna up to 1800 meters.
• Professional English Speaking Tour Escort throughout.
• Local guides in Taormina, Siracusa, Agrigento, Palermo.
• Air-conditioned motorcoach or minivan depending on the number of participants.
• Hotel taxes and service charges.

Does not include:

• Round-trip air transportation from USA or Canada to Italy.
• Porterage at airports.
• Beverages and meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Entrance fees (please prepare to pay approximately 50 euros per person locally).
• Tips and optional excursions.
• Transit tax to be paid locally.
• Travel Insurance.

Please note that for operational reasons it may be necessary to substitute hotels and adjust itineraries due to local conditions.  Hotel may be substituted based on availability.  Black-out dates apply during trade shows, holidays and events.

DEPOSITS/PAYMENTS:
We accept American Express, Visa, Master Card and Discover credit cards as well as checks as forms of payment.  A deposit of 25% of the total price of the land services, inclusive of taxes and fees or full payment (depending on departure date) is required to confirm a reservation. Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure.  Airline tickets must be paid in full prior to issuance regardless of departure date. Ticket prices cannot be guaranteed until paid in full and ticketed.  For full Terms and Conditions please click here.

Tour operated by Ciao Italy & Carrani Tours  (166612)

TRAVEL TIPS:

Gratuities:
Tips to waiters, chambermaids, and to the Tour Directors, local guides, and drivers are not included. The following is a suggested guideline on tipping:
(a.) Euro 1.00 per person/per day for waiters and chambermaids
(b.) Euro 2.00 per person/per day for drivers and local guides
(c.) Euro 3.00 per person/per day for your Tour Director
Transfers:
Add transfers to your tour so you don’t have to worry about how to get to your hotel and back. Prices available upon request.
Transit Tax:
As of July 1, 2011 all visitors to Italy are required to pay an additional tourist tax for their hotel stay. The new tax has been created mainly to help re-build the ancient cities and is based on how many stars a hotel has. This tax may vary by city and can range from 1 to 6 Euro per person, per night, for a maximum of 10 consecutive nights. This must be paid by the visitor, in Euro, directly to the hotel at time of check-out. It will be presented as a separate charge from any other charges accrued at the hotel. (Children under the age of 10 are exempt from this tax).
Baggage:
Different airlines have different policies. For information on specific airline policies, please check your carriers web site.
Air Transportation:
Air fares change often and vary by gateway city, season, day of week and seat availability. Our air fares will be quoted to you within two business days of your tour reservation and will include the air fare, fuel surcharges and government taxes as quoted by the airlines. You are under no obligation to accept our airfare quote and may elect to use your reward miles or your preferred airline. Typical airfares from New York to Rome varies from $1200 in March – May and September – October to $1500 in June – August but can change without prior notice. We highly recommend to reserve your seats early in order to obtain the best air fare.