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Best of Sicily |
10 day
tour from US$1899
Tour Type: Regional Europe |
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Highlight |
Itinerary |
What's
Included |
Optionals |
Dates
& Rates |
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HIGHLIGHT |
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Highlights:
- Rome
- Monte Cassino
- Sorrento
- Taormina
- Syracuse
- Piazza Armerina
- Enna
- Agrigento
- Selinunte
- Erice
- Palermo
- Monreale
- Mondello
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ITINERARY |
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| Best
of Sicily |
Day
1 - Arrive Rome (2 nights)
On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you're met and transferred to
your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure. This afternoon,
enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
Hotel: Abitart (2 nights)
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Day
2 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Today's highlight is a visit to the Sistine Chapel. Then we make our
way to St. Peter's Basilica before we cross to ancient Rome stopping
at the Forum to admire the Colosseum. Next our local guide shows us
the Circus Maximus – scene in the past of 'Ben Hur' style chariot
races. All made clear and enjoyable by the use of an audio system.
Then free time to perhaps visit the Catacombs. (Buffet Breakfast)
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Day
3 - Rome – Sorrento
We drive into the Campania and past the Abbey of Monte Cassino to
the Bay of Naples. Here we cruise to the Isle of Capri. With a local
guide, we ascend to Capri town by funicular, stroll in the gardens
and view the Faraglioni Rocks. Maybe visit the Blue Grotto before
sailing back to Sorrento and our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast /
Dinner)
Hotel: Corallo
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Day
4 - Sorrento – Taormina (Giardini Naxos) (3 nights)
We enjoy an orientation tour of Sorrento which includes a visit to
an Inlaid Wood workshop. After some time on your own, we travel via
Salerno and on through Calabria to board our ferry and cross the
Straits of Messina. Then into Sicily we make our way to the seaside
resort, Taormina, where we spend the next three nights. (Buffet
Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Caesar Palace (3 nights)
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Day
5 - Taormina orientation & at leisure
This morning after breakfast an orientation includes the Corso
Umberto and views of Mount Etna. Later, enjoy free time perhaps to
shop for hand-made lace on the Corso. (Buffet Breakfast)
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Day
6 - Syracuse Excursion
Today we head to Syracuse where a local guide takes us to visit the
celebrated archeological Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and
more. Later, we walk on Ortygia island before returning to Taormina.
Tonight, we enjoy dinner in a typical restaurant. (Buffet
Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
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Day
7 - Taormina (Giardini Naxos) – Piazza Armerina – Enna –
Agrigento
We visit Piazza Armerina to visit and see the mosaics of the Roman
Villa of Casale. From here, we stop at Enna en route to Agrigento.
Here our local guide takes us to visit the Valley of Temples. We
dine at our
hotel tonight. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Grand dei Templi
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Day
8 - Agrigento – Selinunte – Palermo (2 nights)
Today we're off to Selinunte to visit the Dorian Temples and the
Acropolis. Then, on to Erice to visit the Castle gardens before we
reach the Sicilian capital, Palermo. (Buffet Breakfast /
Dinner)
Hotel: Astoria Palace (2 nights)
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Day
9 - Palermo sightseeing & at leisure
Our morning sightseeing with a local guide takes us to the Piazza
Bellini and the Cathedral. Later, we will stop to view the Conca
d'Oro from Monreale and visit the Cathedral before a visit to
beautiful Mondello. (Buffet Breakfast)
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Day
10 - Palermo – Depart Rome
This morning we transfer to Palermo Airport to board our flight to
Rome. You will arrive at Rome Fiumicino airport aproximately 08.00am
to connect with your return flight home. (Buffet Breakfast)
Please do not schedule flights before 10.00am.
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WHAT'S
INCLUDED
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Best of Sicily
What's Included
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Sightseeing
Highlights
- Rome:
Sightseeing tour with special audio system includes views
of the Forum, Colosseum, the Circus Maximus plus visits
St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel.
- Monte Cassino: View
the Abbey.
- Isle of Capri:
Orientation includes views of the Faraglioni Rocks.
Funicular to Capri town.
- Sorrento: Orientation
includes a visit to an Inlaid Wood factory.
- Taormina: Orientation
tour includes the Corso Umberto.
- Syracuse: Visit its
archeological excavations and visit Ortygia island.
- Piazza Armerina:
Visit the Roman Villa of Casale.
- Enna: View this town.
- Agrigento: Visit the
Valley of the Temples.
- Selinunte: Visit the
Dorian Temples and Acropolis.
- Erice: Visit the
Castle gardens.
- Palermo: Sightseeing
including Piazza Bellini and the Cathedral.
- Monreale: View the
Conca d'Oro and visit the Norman Cathedral.
- Mondello: Visit the
fishing village.
- Scenic drives through
the province of the Campania and along the Sorrento
Peninsula.
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Dining
Highlights
- A welcome drink with your Tour
Director in Rome
- 9 Buffet breakfasts
- 4 three-course dinners in hotels
- 1 local speciality restaurant
dinner in Taormina
14 meals in total (see day-by-day
itinerary)
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First
Class Travel Highlights
- The services of one of Trafalgar's
top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
- A qualified local city guide in
Rome, Isle of Capri, Syracuse, Agrigento and Palermo.
- Chauffeur driven on Trafalgar's
luxury air-conditioned motorcoaches with reclining seats and
washroom.
- Cruise to the Isle of Capri.
- Ferry across the Straits of
Messina to Sicily.
- Internal flight Palermo to Rome,
including airport transfers.
- You'll stay in twin-bedded rooms
with private facilities.
- All hotel service charges and
tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
- A stylish travel bag and wallet
containing tour documents and helpful information.
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Airport
Transfers
- London Gateways:
Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the Airport and
central London. When you book your tour with Trafalgar your
transfers to and from the airport are included. It's that
simple. Trafalgar has included a Free transfer to and from your
airport and Central London.
- Important – Please Note: Passengers
will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports
providing the following conditions are met:
- You are staying at a London hotel,
booked by Trafalgar, on the night of your arrival and the night
prior to the date of your departure.
- Flights are either booked by
Trafalgar or detailed information on flights is provided by your
Travel Agent not less than 21 days prior to departure.
- Only one included transfer both
inbound and outbound per tour is included by Trafalgar.
Transfers are by express train to a Central London Rail Station.
- Only one included transfer both
inbound and outbound per tour is included by Trafalgar.
Transfers are by express train to a Central London Rail Station.
- Heathrow Express operates between
05.10-23.30. Gatwick Express operates inbound services between
05.20-23.45 and outbound services from 04.30-23.45. Transfers
outside of these times are at the passengers own expense.
- In the event of unforeseen events
(road or rail works, demonstrations, strikes) Trafalgar will not
be held responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
- No refund is available for
passengers not utilising this service.
- Why not upgrade to a Hotelink
transfer from the Airport to-the-door of your Trafalgar London
hotel? (please ask Trafalgar or your travel agent of the
additional upgrade price per person when booking)
- European Gateways: With
Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and
departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day
of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your
Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the
transfer times shown.
- Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who
book Trafalgar's Land+Air package and who arrive or depart
outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and
departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
- Passengers arriving before or
leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a
transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar
providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post
tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of
transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
- Land only passengers arriving or
departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but
whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times
below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details
must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the
flight departure.
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OPTIONALS |
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Best of Sicily
Optional Excursions
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Note:
All optional excursions listed are for
2004/2005 please use the information as a guide only.
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- ROME. Evening Tour: Fountains and Dinner
A lighthearted introduction to the “Eternal City”. Make sure of
a safe return to Rome as you toss coins in to the Trevi Fountain.
Drive along the glamorous Via Veneto - famed as the setting of “la
dolce vita”, and the splendour of the monuments in magnificent
Piazza Venezia. Then relax and enjoy a typical Italian meal with
drinks included.
55.00 (€)
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I11
- ROME. Tivoli and Dinner
An excursion to the ancient Sabine town of Tivoli situated a few
miles outside Rome to enjoy the gardens and fountains of the Villa
D’Este. You will visit its grottos and pavilions, the Avenue of a
Hundred Fountains, and the Dragon Fountain of the Organ. We end the
evening with a typical Italian dinner, wine, soft drinks and music.
58 (without dinner 39) (€)
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I14
- ROME. Ancient and Christian Rome
Explore Rome’s past. Visit the Catacombs where the early
Christians assembled to escape persecution and which were used as
underground cemeteries. Then, on to the best preserved of the Roman
Temples, the Pantheon - today used as a Christian church! On some
tours a visit to the Chuch of St. Peter in Chains to see
Michelangelo’s statue of Moses, will be visited instead of the
Pantheon. Our visit will be enhanced by the effective use of our
excellent audio system.
32.00 (€)
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I26
- TAORMINA. Mount Etna Excursion
A half day excursion up to this famous volcano, the only one active
in the whole of Europe. You will have time to photograph the
spectacular scenery before our return descent to Taormina.
26.00 (€)
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I35
- ROME. Visit to Piazza Navona followed by Roman dinner and concert
of live musical entertainment
We will first visit Piazza Navona (when available) with its
beautiful fountains and street artists before a short drive to one
of Rome’s finest restaurants. Here we will enjoy a delicious
dinner, punctuated by a concert of typical Italian songs and ‘bel
canto’ for which this country is justifiably famous! Sit back,
relax and imbibe the special Roman atmosphere – the wine or soft
drinks are also included!
58.00 (without the visit to Piazza Navona or another Roman site
or monument the price is 55.00) (€)
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I37
- PALERMO. Half Day Visit to Santa Rosalia and the Capuchin
Catacombs. (ITIS Only)
A panoramic drive through verdant forest and then spectacular views
over the city of Palermo, brings us to the summit of Mount
Pellegrino. Here we visit the grotto of Santa Rosalia, Palermo’s
patron saint, with its traditional offerings and devotions. Then
downtown we visit the Capuchin catacombs where we may wonder at the
impressive sight of about 8,000 mummies of people from all age
groups, including babies, but mainly of monks. These, often
well-dressed figures, have been perfectly preserved by the very dry
air present in the catacombs.
20.00 (€)
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I38
- PALERMO. Half Day Visit to the medieval fishing town of Cefalu
An hour’s drive along the blue coastal highway brings us to the
quaint medieval town of Cefalu. Here we will stroll from the long
golden beach into the winding Arab streets, stopping first at the
‘Lavatoio’ - the 9th century washing area, with its original
stone basin and fresh running water where, of old, the Arabs used to
wash their linen. Then we reach the central square with its famous
Norman Cathedral – resplendent with Byzantine mosaics. Free time
in this central area where you have the opportunity to buy Sicilian
handicrafts, Italian Fashions or to enjoy the traditional almond
pastries or ‘croissants’ with delicious icecream (With Dinner
Euro 58).
23.00 (€)
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I40
- ROME. Introduction to Rome by Night
Cameras at the ready for the many magnificent sights awaiting us as
we ‘do as the Romans do’ and start the evening with a
‘passegiata’ (evening stroll) along the Via Condotti to the
world-famous Spanish Steps in Rome’s most fashionable shopping
area. The ‘Campidoglio’, Piazza Venezia and so much more are
included on this evening visit before we linger in Piazza Navona
with its many pavement cafés and trattorias to admire the
seventeenth century fountains and architecture. NB On certain
departures, the Spanish Steps will be substituted by the Piazza
Rotonda, dominated by the mighty Pantheon.
30.00 (€)
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I41
- ISLE OF CAPRI. Cruise around the Island (weather permitting)
including Lunch
A cruise around this spectacular island to visit some of its rocky
and hidden grottos! First we take our ‘white cruise’ around the
eastern part of the island seeing the white and green grottos, as
well as the cliff from which the Emperor Tiberius is said to have
thrown women and slaves to their death! Then via the natural Arch
and the Faraglioni rocks, we view Marina Piccola and return to
Marina Grande, where we disembark and board special minibuses for a
breathtaking trip up to our scenically located restaurant for lunch.
When the weather is inclement the cruise is not possible, we will
enjoy a tour of the island by minibus, visiting the white-washed
villa of Dr. Axel Munthe in Anacapri and seeing Gracie Field’s
restaurant when we visit charming Marina Piccola.
49.00 (€)
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I63
- PALERMO. Half day visit to Santa Rosalia and the Vucciria Market
A panoramic drive through verdant forest and spectacular views over
the city of Palermo brings us to the summit of Mount Pellegrino.
Here we visit the grotto of Santa Rosalia, Palermo’s patron Saint,
with its traditional offerings and devotions. Then downtown we visit
one of the most colourful markets of the city with its stalls of
olives, spices and giant lemons – an opportunity to enjoy
picturesque Sicilian everyday life!
23.00 (For 47.00 a delicious lunch of local specialities can also
be included in a charming restaurant) (€)
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I67
- TAORMINA. Dinner Sicilian Style
A fantastic ‘Sicilian’ evening with a delicious dinner of
Southern Italian specialities.
43.00 (€)
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I70
- ROME. Ancient and Baroque Christian sites
First we drive past the ancient baths of the Emperor Caracalla,
scene of the ‘3 tenors concert’ in 1990, to the Catacombs
outside the Roman Walls. Christians used these underground churches
and cemeteries for assemblies and to escape persecution. Then on to
visit the 5th century Church of St. Peter in Chains*, housing not
only the chains which are said to have fettered St. Peter, but also
one of Michelangelo’s greatest works of sculpture – Moses – a
statue belonging to the mausoleum of Julius II. (* on certain
departures the Church of St. Paul without the Walls will be visited
instead of the Church of St. Peter in Chains) Our visit will be
enhanced by the effective use of our excellent audio system.
32.00 (€)
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I76
- ROME. Dinner and Evening Tour
First we enjoy a robust and delicious dinner of excellent Roman
cuisine, followed by a night-time drive around the illuminated city,
stopping to visit the Spanish Steps at the Church of the Holy
Trinity and time to experience the ‘dolce vita’ along the famous
Via Veneto.
52.00 (€)
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I78
- PALERMO. Jewels of Sicily
A panoramic drive through verdant forest with spectacular views over
the city of Palermo, brings us the the summit of Mount Pellegrino.
Here we visit the grotto of Santa Rosalia, Palermo’s patron saint,
with its traditional offerings and devotions. Then a drive along the
blue coastal highway brings us to the quaint medieval village of
Cefalu. Here we stroll from the long golden beaches into the winding
Arab streets. Back in Palermo, we visit one of the most famous and
colourful markets with its stalls of olives and spices. An
opportunity to enjoy picturesque Sicilian everyday life.
45.00 (€)
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I79
- TAORMINA. Sicilian Folklore and Show
Singers and dancers in traditional colourful costume bring the
emotion and spirit of the Sicilian soul to life. A Sicilian dessert
and one drink are included.
35.00 (€)
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DATES
& RATES |
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*These prices are correct at
the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at
the time of booking.
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