Magnificent Sicily Tour
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Tour highlights (March 25 - April 04)
One of a kind tour for lovers of Italian food and wine. The tour offers four-course dinners accompanied by wine. Enjoy the world-famous Marsala wines during a winetasting at Cantine Fiorio. Discover the main sights of Palermo and visit the Church of Monreale, located on the slope of Monte Caputo. The church overlooks the fertile valley called "La Conca d'oro", famous for its orange orchards and almond trees. Other highlights include a cooking lesson, tours of Siracusa and Agrigento, plus a stay in beautiful Taormina. Join us on this magnificent adventure!
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Tour itinerary
Day 1 (Friday, March 25) - Day of departure
Depart on your overnight flight from Ottawa or Toronto to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be on board your flight.
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Day 2 (Saturday, March 26) - Palermo
On arrival in Rome, you will take your connecting flight to Palermo.
Transfer to your hotel in Palermo.
Welcome dinner at your hotel.
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Day 3 (Sunday, March 27) - Palermo
Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Half day guided sightseeing tour of Palermo, to include the main sights: Ornate Piazza Bellini, the Cathedral, and the Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel in the Royal Palace.
Time for independent lunch.
We will drive up to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d'Oro and a visit to the 12th century Norman Cathedral famous for its 50,000 square feet of precious Byzantine mosaics.
Dinner this evening will be at your hotel.
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Day 4 (Monday, April 28) - Palermo / Marsala / Erice
Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Depart for Marsala.
Visit the Cantine Florio winery, for a wine tasting (the tasting will include 6 wines, snacks, cheese, almonds, salty biscuits).
Depart for Erice, perched on a crag overlooking Trapani.
Visit the Gothic Cathedral of Erice, which dates back to the 14th century (at your own pace - no guide).
Enjoy an olive-oil tasting and cooking lesson at Casa Giuffre (items to be cooked will include Sicilian style pasta with garlic and sardines, and a typical Sicilian cake).
Dinner this evening will consist of some of the items cooked during the cooking lesson.
Return to Palermo.
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Day 5 (Tuesday, March 29) Palermo / Agrigento / Siracusa
Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Depart for Agrigento.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples. Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., Agrigento became one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean world. Its supremacy and pride are demonstrated by the remains of the magnificent Doric temples that dominate the ancient town, much of which still lies intact under today's fields and orchards.
Time to buy lunch.
Depart for Siracusa. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
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Day 6 (Wednesday, March 30) Siracusa
Breakfast at your hotel.
Half day guided tour of the Neapolis Archaeological Site with a local guide. See the 5th-century B.C. sparkling white Greek Theater, the Garden of Paradise, the Ear of Dionysus, the Altar of Hieron II, the Roman Amphitheater, and the Cordmakers' Cave. The rest of the day is free to stroll the historic town center on your own.
Dinner at your hotel.
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Day 7 (Thursday, March 31) Siracusa / Ragusa
Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Depart for Ragusa.
Tour of Ragusa. The town's baroque architecture has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. The town is divided into two parts - the Upper Town and Ibla. After the earthquake of 1693 destroyed most of the town, half the people decided to build on the ridge above town and the other half renovated the old town. Ibla, the lower town, is reached on foot by a series of stairways or by bus or car on a winding downhill road. From the upper town there are enchanting views of Ibla.
Lunch will be at "Trattoria U Saracinu" (9 Via Convento).
Return to Siracusa.
Dinner at your hotel.
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Day 8 (Friday, April 1) Siracusa / Taormina
Leisurely breakfast at your hotel.
Depart for Taormina, Sicily's best known resort. It is known for its sandy beaches and a wide range of restaurants.
Time to buy lunch in Taormina.
Transfer to your hotel for check-in (early check-in will be requested - to be provided depending on availability). The afternoon is at leisure to discover Taormina and enjoy the facilities at your hotel.
Dinner at your hotel.
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Day 9 (Saturday, April 2) Taormina / Mt. Etna
Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Depart for Mt. Etna.
Visit Mt. Etna, facing the Ionian Sea. Mount Etna is the biggest active volcano in Europe, an exciting and fascinating world of its own, constantly shaped by lava-flows which condition the landscape as the life of those who live in the villages on the skirts of the Volcano.
Enjoy a wine tasting at the Don Saro Winery (winetasting will include 10 wines, cheese, salami, salty biscuits).
Return to Taormina. The afternoon is at leisure.
Dinner at your hotel.
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Day 10 (Sunday, April 3) Taormina / Alcantara Gorge
Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Half day tour to the Alcantara Gorge. The rock formations are considered the most beautiful natural monuments on the island (the hiking tour is about 2 hours at a moderate pace).
The afternoon is at leisure.
Dinner at your hotel.
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Day 11 (Monday, April 4) Taormina / Catania / Rome / Toronto or Ottawa
Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Transfer to the airport in Catania, where you will board your flight to Rome.
Flight from Rome to Toronto or Ottawa.
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Contact Touringhouse
Our Tour Escorts are personable and knowledgeable. Contact us for more information on any of the travel experiences we offer.
Tour costs include:
Airfare from Ottawa or Toronto to Rome and back via a European gateway
Transfers between airports and hotels
Airfare from Rome to Palermo and from Catania to Rome
9-night accommodations in superior 4-star hotels as follows:
- 3 nights in Palermo
- 3 nights in Siracusa
- 3 nights in Taormina
Buffet breakfast and 4-course dinner at the hotels every day (including mineral water, 2 glasses of wine and coffee)
One lunch at Trattoria u' Saracinu or similar establishment in Ragusa
Ground transportation by 24-seater coach throughout the tour
Sightseeing tours, excursions and visits (including entrance fees):
- Half day guided tour of Palermo
- Half day tour to Monreale and Conca d'Oro
- Full day excursion to Marsala and Erice
- Half day Agrigento
- Half day tour of Siracusa
- Half day tour of Ragusa
- Half day tour to Mount Etna
- Half day tour to the Alcantara Gorge
Entrance fees to the following places:
- Cappella Palatina and Palazzo dei Normanni (Palermo)
- Abatellis Palace (Palermo), Cathedral (Palermo)
- Monreale dome and Cloister (Palermo)
- Erice Cathedral (Erice)
- Valley of the temples (Agrigento)
- Archaeological site (Siracusa)
- Alcantara Gorge (near Taormina)
The following special activities:
- Wine tasting at the Cantine Florio winery in Marsala (including light snacks)
- Olive oil tasting and cooking lesson at Casa Giuffre (or similar) in Erice (dinner on that day will consist of items cooked during cooking lesson)
- Winetasting at the Don Saro winery near Mt. Etna (including light snacks)
Services of a Tour Escort/guide;
All service charges and taxes
Tour cost does not include:
Tips to bus drivers and guides
Any other items not specifically mentioned in the inclusions
Cost per person (all-inclusive):
Cost per person:
| Based on double occupancy | $6,929.00 | ||
| Based on single supplement | $1,429.00 | ||
| Based on land package (no flights) | $5,629.00 | ||
| Optional package tour insurance (covers up to $7,000.00 prior to departure): | |||
| Ages | Up to $7,000.00 | ||
| Up to age 59 | $643.00 | ||
| Age 60 - 64 | 784.00 | ||
| Age 65 - 69 | $905.00 | ||
| Age 70 - 74 | $1,149.00 | ||
| Age 75 - 79 | $1,303.00 | ||
| Age 80+ | Will be quoted depending on age | ||
| Insurance costs are subject to change any time until booked | |||
Touringhouse Certifications
ACTA certified
Tico certified
TIDS certified
OBR certified
GST number
Offered by Touringhouse
$5,000,000.00
liability insurance