Sicily in Depth - 8 days

Come experience the unique legacy of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, crusading Knights of St. John, Ottoman Turks and even the Mafia!

Included Premium Highlights

    * Visit the beautiful town of Cefalu, situated between the sea & rocky promontory
    * Visit a family run cellar & taste the Sicilian Marsala wine
    * A guided visit to Syracuse's archaeological area including the Greek theatre & Paradise Quarry

Included Personal Insights

    * Hear from our guest lecturer about the 'Sicilian Way' the customs, superstitions & above all, the Sicilian Mafia, known as the 'Cosa Nostra'

Included Other Excursions & Sights

    * Guided visit to the Greek Theatre in Taormina, with its views of Mt. Etna & the sea
    * Visit the courtyard of Taormina's Palazzo Corvaja, seat of the first Sicilian parliament
    * Stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile in Taormina for panoramic views
    * See Quattro Canti Square, Fontana Pretoria & visit Palermo Cathedral
    * Witness the dazzling mosaics adorning the Palatine Chapel in the Palace of the Normans
    * Enjoy glorious views over the countryside as your ascend to the ancient walled town of Erice
    * Hear the history & taste the wines grown in the region of Marsala
    * Visit the Valley of the Temples, Temple of Concordia & the Temple of Juno in Agrigento
    * See the famous Baroque buildings & churches of Ragusa
    * Explore the ancient streets & delightful squares on the island of Ortygia

Included First Class Services

    * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
    * Headsets for all guided visits & walking tours
    * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room & onboard restroom
    * Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes & porterage
    * Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal & information pack
    * Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 8
    * Should your flights not coincide with these arrival & departure transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport

Included Quality Dining

    * Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Palermo (DA)
    * Highlight Farewell Dinner in Catania. (HD)
    * 7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 3 three-course table d'hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
 

ITINERARY Insight Vacations - Sicily in Depth

Day 1 - ARRIVE CATANIA – GIARDINI NAXOS

Welcome to Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean Islands, & compendium of the greatest civilisations & cultures of all time. On arrival at Catania Airport, your airport transfers leave for the tour hotel in Giardini Naxos at 10:00, 12:30 & 15:30. Tonight, join your Tour Director & fellow guests for a Welcome Drink, before enjoying dinner 'Sicilian style' at the hotel.

Hotel: Sant Alphio Garden (D)

Day 2 - TAORMINA EXCURSION

Drive up to Taormina, clinging to the side of Mount Tauro. Walk with your guide to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja. Visit the Greek Theatre, overlooking the sea & Mount Etna. Now stroll along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile for more panoramic views. The rest of the day is yours to relax & enjoy at your own pace. (BB)

Day 3 - GIARDINI NAXOS – CEFALU – PALERMO

Cross over to the northern side of the islands & drive along the coast to the small fishing town of Cefalu, hemmed between the sea & a rocky promontory. Visit the cathedral which was erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II. Stroll down to the medieval stone fountain, & seek out the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina for a picture perfect view of the little harbour. Continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo. Tonight, for your dining pleasure, you are offered a selection of local restaurants.

Hotel: Best Western Al Cavalieri (BB,DA)

Day 4 - PALERMO SIGHTSEEING

This morning, if you wish, learn from our guest lecturer & local expert about the 'Sicilian Way' the folklore, traditions & the Sicilian Mafia, known as the 'Cosa Nostra'. A local guide then shows you the highlights of the city. Pass the huge Teatro Massimo to the baroque Quattro Canti Square & glimpse the beauties of the 'fountain of shame'. Then visit the Palace of the Normans where the dazzling mosaics in the Palatine Chapel are a masterpiece of Arab-Norman art. In contrast, Palermo Cathedral is a mixture of styles, having been altered over the years. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

Day 5 - PALERMO – ERICE – AGRIGENTO.

Head for the hill top walled city of Erice, with it's labyrinth of quiet alleyways. Enjoy sea views from the gardens next to the Castle of Venus - on a clear day you see the Tunisian coast! The rolling hills around Marsala have been producing wine for centuries. Visit a typical cellar & taste some of the product. Continue around the coast to Agrigento.

Hotel: Colleverde (BB,D)

Day 6 - AGRIGENTO – RAGUSA

Explore the Valley of the Temples, considered the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. Especially impressive are the massive Temple of Concordia & cliff-top Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Along the southern part of the island now, past the oil producing town of Gela to Ragusa, one of the most fascinating towns in Sicily, a magnificent blend of narrow streets, old churches & scenic views.

Hotel: Mediterraneo (BB,D)

Day 7 - RAGUSA - SYRACUSE - CATANIA

Drive through the southeastern corner of Sicily to Syracuse, founded by Corinthians eight centuries before Christ. Sightseeing with a guide takes you to the Paradise Quarry & its unusual 'Ear of Dionysius' - a grotto in the superb Greek theatre, carved out of solid rock. There is also time to explore the Old City, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces, sprawling over the island of Ortygia. It was here that the famous geometrician Archimedes ran naked through the streets, crying 'Eureka'! Return to Catania tonight where you can celebrate the tour finalé at a Highlight Dinner.

Hotel: NH Bellini (BB,HD)

Day 8 - CATANIA

Take your final glimpse of Mount Etna this morning. Departure transfers arrive at Catania Airport at 06:30 & 08:30. (BB)

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately EURO 45 per person per day for optional excursions.

TAO06 - MT ETNA, SAVOCA & THE GODFATHER
Enter the rustic village life of Sicily with our local guide as we visit Savoca, the town also chosen by Frances F. Coppola for his movie "The Godfather". Enjoy the stunning views and visit Vitelli's bar, used in one of the scenes of the film, famous for its tasty, ice cold, "granite di limone". Then up Mt. Etna, the famous active volcano - the highest in Europe. you will have time to photograph the spectacular scenery before our return to Taormina. EURO 54

PAL01A - MONREALE AND CULINARY DELIGHT IN PALERMO
Visit the town of Monreale, famous for its Cathedral, one of the grandest sights in Norman Sicily. It's entire interior decorated in splendid 12th Century mosaics. Later, a unique experience in a local, rustic farmhouse awaits you! The meal is an abundant feast of homemade specialities including wine. This historical property is where Giuseppe Garibaldi was once a guest and it was also used as Carabinieri barracks in their search for the famous bandit Salvatore Giuliani. A wonderful culinary treat. EURO 55

PAL02 - THE OPEN AIR MARKET AND THE CAPUCHIN CATACOMBS
Experience the rich colours this fascinating city affords in the bustling open-air market. Crammed in the narrow alleys of the Old Town we discover the Vucceria - with its gorgeous arrays of fruit, produce and flowers and the animated haggling between vendors and shoppers. It hasn't changed much since Phoenician times! Then proceed to what has to be the most unique - and certainly macabre - attraction of Palermo: the Capuchin Catacombs. Eight thousand mummies - dressed in their 18th century finery - are perfectly preserved and on display in a labyrinth of corridors grouped according to class or profession - even a hallway of Brides! EURO 23

PAL03 - SEAFOOD SPECTACULAR IN THE BAY OF PALERMO
The word "panorama" derives from the ancients' name for Palermo and you will understand why on this magnificent seaside drive along the ridge of Monte Pellegrino - sacred to Sicilians as the burial place of patron saint Rosalia. We travel down to the perfectly horseshoe shaped Bay of Sferacavallo where you join the locals for a typical seafood feast in one of the area's finest hostelries. You will savour this multi-course dining extravaganza! EURO 52

RAG01 - GUIDED TOUR OF RAGUSA IBLA
A visit to the spectacularly situated old town of Ragusa with a local guide. The original town was destroyed in an earthquake in 1693 and consequently rebuilt. It has now achieved UNESCO World Heritage Site status due to its beautiful Baroque Churches and squares. EURO 23