11 Days Best of Sicily Tour Package

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Priced From: $2,185 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Apr - Oct 

With its vibrant capital, fresh cuisine, and ancient ruins and temples that rival the grandeur of Athens, there's no other place quite like Sicily!

Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights)
Welcome to Rome, capital of Italy, and the Eternal City! The rest of the day is free to relax or explore on your own. This evening we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelers. Afterwards, maybe enjoy an evening illuminations tour of the city or join the evening throng in cosmopolitan Piazza Navona with its centerpiece of Bernini’s magnificent fountain.

Hotel: Grand Hotel Tiberio (2 nights)

Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
A local guide introduces you to the grandeur of the city today. Your tour begins at St. Peter’s Basilica, mother church of the Catholic faith and built around the tomb of St Peter. Once inside, marvel at Michelangelo’s early masterpiece- the ‘Pieta’, as well as the splendid dome, completed after his death. Now cross the River Tiber to see one of the wonders of ancient Rome - the Colosseum, where gladiators, and sometimes martyrs, fought to the death against armed warriors or wild beasts. Your tour concludes with a view over the remains of the Roman Forum, once the bustling center of commerce, law and religion. This afternoon is free to shop, relax on the Via Veneto, or continue sightseeing? Perhaps visit the Catacombs, the Pantheon, or the Spanish Steps. This evening, why not try a typically Roman dinner in one of the many restaurants? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 4 - Rome – Capri – Sorrento – Bay of Naples
Passing Monte Cassino, we drive to Naples where we cruise to the Isle of Capri. Our local guide takes us by funicular to Capri town to visit the famous gardens and admire the Faraglioni Rocks. Later we head for cliff-top Sorrento by boat and continue to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Grand Hotel La Medusa

Day 5 - Bay of Naples – Taormina (Giardini Naxos) (3 nights)
After visiting an inlaid wood workshop, we drive to Calabria via Salerno. Later we take the ferry across the Straits of Messina to Sicily and to the resort of Taormina for three nights. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Caesar Palace (3 nights)

Day 6 - Taormina orientation & at leisure
Today we will discover a Hidden Treasure! But first we explore Taormina with our local guide, founded in 400 BC and beautifully located perched on the slopes of Mount Tauro, overlooking the sea. We see the Greek theater and the glorious subtropical terraced gardens before strolling along elegant Corso Umberto to the Piazza for splendid panoramic views across the bay to the Ionian Sea. Later, enjoy free time perhaps to shop for handmade lace on the Corso. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 7 - Syracuse excursion
Today we leave for Syracuse, the ‘Greek city’ and birthplace of the mathematician Archimedes, where the local guide, using the audio system, shows us the archeological excavations including the Greek theater, the so-called Ear of Dionysius and the Roman amphitheater. In the afternoon we visit the Ortygia Island, the historical centre of Syracuse. Later we return to Taormina and enjoy a delicious dinner in a family run restaurant where we taste all the local specialties. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be My Guest' Dinner)

Day 8 - Taormina – Enna – Piazza Armerina – Agrigento
This morning we leave Taormina and soon have views of the impressive fortress town of Enna. Then we visit Piazza Armerina where we find the 4th century Roman Villa of Casale which is renowned for its unique mosaics covering almost the entire floor. Later, on arrival in Agrigento, our local guide takes us to visit the Valley of the Temples, considered the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily and rivaling those of Athens in their Grecian grandeur. We see the splendid Temple of Concord and the Temple of Juno overlooking the sea before continuing to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Grand Hotel Dei Templi

Day 9 - Agrigento – Erice – Palermo (2 nights)
This morning we drive to Erice, the only Sicilian town that has been inhabited since pre-history, and which lies 800 metres above sea level on a small peak near the coastal town of Trapani. The oldest structure in the town is the protective thick boundary wall which dates back to Punic times. Since then, the town has been home to the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Greeks and the Romans, the Arabs and the Normans who built the castle above the harbor. We enjoy wonderful views from the castle gardens before continuing to Palermo the vibrant Sicilian capital which was founded by the Phoenicians and later became part of the Roman Empire. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Astoria Palace (2 nights)

Day 10 - Palermo sightseeing & at leisure
Our morning guided sightseeing tour, using the audio equipment, takes us to Piazza Bellini and the cathedral. Later we stop to view the Conca d’Oro from Monreale where we visit the 12th century Norman Cathedral. Finally we visit the fishing village of Mondello before time at leisure. Tonight, we get together with our traveling companions and Tour Director for a festive Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant to celebrate the end of our tour together. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 11 - Palermo – USA
Farewell to Sicily, our Tour Director and new-found friends as our Italian vacation comes to an end. There are airport transfers available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)

Rome

Taormina

Syracuse

Piazza Armerina

Enna

Agrigento

Selinunte

Erice

Palermo

Monreale

Mondello

Monte Cassino

Isle of Capri

Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252

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