Sicily in Depth (Winter 2012/13) - Insight Vacations - W934WC07

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Price from: for 9 Days

Board your overnight flight (not included).

Welcome to Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean Islands, and compendium of the greatest civilisations and cultures of all time. On arrival at Catania Airport, your airport transfers leave for the Taormina hotel at 10:00, 12:30 & 15:30. Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Reception with drinks and a light informal meal. Taormina’s old town clings to the side of Mount Tauro, overlooking the Ionian Sea and Mt. Etna. During your stay join a local guide for a visit to the Greek Theatre, graced with the most spectacular of backdrops. Stroll on to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina’s grandest building. Further along elegant Corso Umberto the Piazza IX Aprile offers panoramic views. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Once the day trippers have gone home, it’s easy to see why Taormina was the favourite summer resort for movie stars and aristocrats.(Welcome Reception / Buffet Breakfast)

Drive past the toe of mainland Italy and along the northern coast to the tiny fishing town of Cefalu, hemmed between the sea and a rocky promontory. Visit the cathedral which was erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II. Stroll on to the medieval stone fountain and seek out the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina for a picture perfect view of the little harbour. Maybe enjoy lunch down by the beach before continuing to the Sicilian capital of Palermo. Next morning, a local guide shows you the highlights of the city. Pass the huge Teatro Massimo, the baroque Quattro Canti Square and glimpse the beauties of the ‘fountain of shame’. See Palermo Cathedral, a mixture of styles, having been altered over the years. Then drive out to the finely decorated cathedral of Monreale - it’s magnificent gold mosaics are a masterpiece of Arab-Norman art. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, for your diningpleasure, you are offered a selection of local restaurants.(Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)

Head for the hill top walled town 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! Next stop is the windmills and marshes of Trapani to learn about the extraction of salt. The rolling hills around Marsala have been producing wine for centuries, so visit a typical cellar and taste some of the product. Continue around the coast to Agrigento.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Explore the Valley of the Temples, considered the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. Especially impressive are the massive Temple of Concordia and 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 baroque churches and scenic views.(Buffet Breakfast)

Drive around the southeastern corner of Sicily to Syracuse, founded by Corinthians eight centuries before Christ. Sightseeing with a guide takes you to the Paradise Quarry and its unusual ‘Ear of Dionysius’ - a grotto in the shape of an earlobe. Next door lies 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’! Tonight in Catania, rejoice with your friends at a finalé Celebration Dinner complete with wine.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Take your final glimpse of Mount Etna this morning on your departure transfer to Catania Airport arriving at 6:30 & 8:30.(Buffet Breakfast)