Sicilian Trilogy Tour from Siracusa
BEGINS ON FRIDAYS FROM SYRACUSE
ENDS IN TAORMINA
SEMI ESCORTED HOSTED TOUR | Sicilian Trilogy
8 nights / 9 days | Syracuse (2 nights), Palermo (3 nights), Taormina (3 nights)
Provided with: minimum of 2 clients
Limited to maximum: 25 people
Style of Accommodation: First Class
Day 1 (Friday) Syracuse
Our Staff Disposal: no
Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily! Upon arrival at Catania airport (CTA) please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then independent transfer to your hotel.
The balance of the day is at leisure.
Day 2 (Saturday) Syracuse/Ragusa & Modica/Syracuse
Our Staff Disposal: full day from h 8:30AM
Today departure for Ragusa. The city is situated in the Iblean mountains and, along with Ragusa, it is part of the UNESCO Heritage Sites in Sicily. The main economy of the area revolves around dairy cheese & agricultural products like olives, carobs, legumes, and grains. Upon arrival we walk through the historical town of Ragusa Ibla highlights the wide array of Baroque architecture in Sicily, including several stunning palaces and churches. Light lunch in a local trattoria. This afternoon a short drive takes us to Modica a small village famous for the chocolate. Modica’s chocolate is one of the most famous products of the Ragusa area. It is still made the same way the ancient Aztecs made chocolate in Mexico and its tradition dates back to the 16th century. The technique was brought over by the Spaniards who in turn learned about it in what is now Mexico. Later we return to Syracuse. (BB L)
Day 3 (Sunday) Syracuse/Agrigento/Palermo
Our Staff Disposal: full day from h 8:30AM
Following breakfast, we drive through the interior of Sicily to reach the Archaeological Park of Agrigento. On arrival independent visit of the Archaeological Museum (Admission fee: not included) that offers a fine introduction to the splendors of ancient Akragas and gives an insight into the life of the Greek settlers. Then you will visit the finest of all ancient Greek sites—the complete Doric Temples (Admission fee: not included). Later transfer to Palermo. (BB)
Day 4 (Monday) Palermo & Monreale
Our Staff Disposal: half day from h 8:30AM
Information: walking tour of Palermo for around 2 hours to explore the town
Breakfast at hotel.
Today a short drive take us to Monreale, to see where the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Duomo (Admission fee: not included), launched in 1174 by William II. It represents scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics. Then transfer to Palermo and walking tour of the city center. The walking tour will start with the lively Ballarò Market, a place overflowing with beautiful fresh fish, and local vegetables and cheeses. Originating from the era when Sicily was occupied by the moors, this 1000 year old market has run much in the same manner for centuries. It has strong Arab influences, resembling an eastern souk, and these influences are also evident in the merchandise itself. Next to mounds of ricotta and caciocavallo cheeses, barrels of olives and fat slabs of swordfish sit saffron and other spices, as well as sacks of beans and gorgeous indigenous fruit and local vegetables. Here we have the opportunity to taste a typical palermitano dish, such as the famous Panelle (a thin paste of crushed ceci/garbanzo beans rolled into sheets, fried and served in pizza-like slices). Then by walk we reach Piazza Pretoria and the famous “four corners” converge in a quartet of baroque palaces from the climax of the Spanish rule dating from 1560. Then our short stroll will continue through Via Maqueda with the external view of Massimo
Theater (The Opera House). The visit will end in Piazza Politeama. from there you
will have the opportunity to join your hotel (walking distance). Afternoon and evening at leisure. (BB)
Day 5 (Tuesday) Palermo/Erice, Segesta, Olive Oil & Winery/Palermo
Our Staff Disposal: full day from h 8:30AM
Information: walking tour of Erice for around 2 hours up-and-down to explore the town
Early departure to tour western Sicily where we reach Erice uptown. The Elymians settled the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. Later we proceed to have a light-lunch in a local winery-farmhouse including tasting of mixed local product such as cheese, salumi, olives, local bread combined with their production of olive oil and wine. This afternoon we continue onto Segesta, one of the major cities of the ancient indigenous Elymian people, to visit the unfinished Doric temple (Admission fee: not included), late 5th century BC, built on a hilltop just outside of the ancient city and has a commanding view of the surrounding area. Later we return to Palermo. (BB L)
Day 6 (Wednesday) Palermo/Piazza Armerina/Taormina
Our Staff Disposal: full day from h 8:30AM
Breakfast at hotel.
Today departure for Piazza Armerina. Upon arrival we visit the amazing Roman Villa of Casale (Admission Fee: not included) in Piazza Armerina. The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. This afternoon we then continue to Taormina, the world famous resort town of Sicily. (BB)
Day 7 (Thursday) Taormina at leisure
Our Staff Disposal: no
Breakfast at hotel.
Today is at leisure: Taormina is a hill-village with a glossy sheen of glamour. A drink at the tables of Caffè Wunderbar (or similar) in Piazza IX Aprile may set you back a few euros, but you’ll be basking where Tennessee Williams and Elizabeth Taylor basked before you. As well as the famed Greek-Roman Theatre (Admission fee: not included), there are several minor sites to be discovered around Taormina. The attractive principal thoroughfare, Corso Umberto is pedestrian and ideal for strolling and window-shopping. Picturesque lanes above and below the Corso are interesting to explore, while if you want to stretch your legs further there are attractive walks up into the hills, or down to the sea. Given its compact size, Taormina has a huge range of bars, cafes and restaurants where you can while away pleasant hours while admiring the views. (BB)
Enjoy your stay at leisure in Taormina or inquiry us for an Optional Excursion!
Day 8 (Friday) Taormina/Syracuse/Taormina
Our Staff Disposal: full day from h 8:30AM
Information: walking tour of Ortygia island for around 2 hours to explore the town
Breakfast at hotel.
Today we depart for Syracuse, founded by colonists from Cornith in 735 B.C. and once the most important competitor to Athens. On arrival visit through the Archaeological Park (Admission fee: not included) highlights the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise Quarry. Then stroll through the streets of Ortygia Island, the heart of the city center. Later we return to Taormina. (BB)
Day 9 (Saturday) Taormina
Our Staff Disposal: no
Breakfast at hotel.
Time to say goodbye to Sicily. Independent transfer to Catania airport (CTA). (BB)
Meal Legend: BB Buffet Breakfast S Snack L Lunch or Light Lunch D Dinner
Full Day: around 7 hours and always in accordance with the itinerary and route
Half Day: around 3 to 4 hours
HIGHLIGHTS:
Syracuse: Archaeological Park and Ortigia Island
Ragusa & Modica: Baroque Sites
Agrigento: Valley of the Temples
Palermo: The Sicilian capital and capo market
Monreale: Dome and the golden mosaics
Segesta: Doric Temple
Erice: Castle built on the remnants of Venus Temple
Piazza Armerina: Ancient mosaics in the Roman Villa
Taormina: Worldrenowned Mediterranean resort town
PRICE AND BOOKING INFORMATION:
For departures up to March 31th 2018:
– Double Room: Euro 1.795,00 per Person
– Single Room: Euro 2.145,00 per Person
For departures from April 1st 2018:
– Double Room: Euro 1.890,00 per Person
– Single Room: Euro 2.240,00 per Person
Booking process system:
Send us all Your details by filling in the automatic form. Your booking will be in pending until we will confirm the availability (within 2 days, weekend excluded). If not available, we will refund the deposit paid on Your credit card. As per our policy, the payment is needed to guarantee the booking.
The balance is due within two months before tour begins.
THIS TOUR IS OPERATED WITH:
This tour is operated only with a Driver-Guide up to 5 people.
The Driver Guide is not a Licensed Tourist Guide –Licensed Tourist Guide: are the only professionals, with a Regional license, permitted to conduct visits and tours in all sites and museums within a city — and he cannot escort you inside the monuments because this is not allowed by Italian Rules.
From 6 people, the tour is operated with a Tour Director. Licensed Tourist Guide are provided on the spot as below specified:
–Agrigento: to see the Archaeological Park;
–Monreale: to see the Dome;
–Piazza Armerina: to see the Roman Villa of Casale;
–Syracuse: to see the Archaeological Park and Ortigia Island.
HOSTED TOUR
This tour includes Hotel Accommodation, transportation, sightseeing and some meals. This tour will be conducted by a driver escort or a tour escort (depending the number of people confirmed on the activity planned for the day) and can include licensed local guide (as per tour details and conditions).
The person that will conduct the tour could be different day by day.
An hosted Tour is ideal for people who want some freedom but still have the comfort of a Tour leader who will take care of group and will orchestrate all services.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
– Syracuse: two nights accommodation
– Palermo: three nights accommodation
– Taormina: three nights accommodation
– Daily breakfast buffet
– Trapani area: one light lunch in a local winery-farmhouse with tasting of local dishes, wine and olive oil tastings
– Ragusa: one light lunch in a local trattoria
– Vehicle/coach with air conditioning, no toilet
– English speaking Tour Director/Driver-Escort as per program
– Local Guide from minimum 6 people on the tour when needed
– All sightseeing, tasting and excursions as specified in the itinerary
– Hotel & VAT
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
– Intercontinental Flight
– Porterage at airport
– Airport transfers
– Fee for luggage handling fee at hotel
– City Taxes
– Beverages and meals not mentioned in the program
– Licensed tourist guide if less than 6 people on the tour
– Gratuities to Tour Director/Driver-Escort, Local Guide and Driver
– Admission fees
– Optional Excursions
– Travel Insurance
– Tips
FEATURED PROPERTIES USED:
Palermo: Hotel Plaza Opera, Hotel Principe di Villafranca, OR similar Hotel.
Taormina area: Hilton Giardini Naxos (seaside area), Hotel Villa Diodoro, OR similar Hotel.
Syracuse: Grande Albergo Alfeo, OR similar Hotel.
Hotel may be substituted with similar categories.
We do not guarantee all people on the tour will be lodging in the same Hotel.
ROOMS DEFINITIONS
Single Room: room with a single bed for 1 person only
Double for Single use: double/twin room for 1 person only
Twin Room: room with a pair of single beds for 2 persons
Double Room: room with a large/double bed ideally for a couple
Triple Room: double with extra small single bed ideally for a couple with kid
IMPORTANT:
We do accommodate solo-travelers in Single Room
Double for single use surcharge is available ON REQUEST
PRE-POST NIGHTS: per person, per night, breakfast included
Using the same properties used for the tour
Pre-nights:
-Syracuse: Euros 75,00 per person per night in double/twin occupancy
-Syracuse: Euros 130,00 per person per night in single use
Post-nights:
-Taormina: Euros 130,00 per person per night in double/twin occupancy
-Taormina: Euros 170,00 per person per night in single use
AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
Arrival Transfer: from Catania airport to Siracusa hotel
-Euro 95,00 based on 2 people travelling together and sharing the same vehicle.
Departure Transfer: from Taormina hotel to Catania airport
-Euro 90,00 based on 2 people travelling together and sharing the same vehicle.
