Welcome to Palermo!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
Sicilian Specialties
PALERMO: Guided sightseeing includes the Church of Immacolata, and a visit to the cathedral. Drive up to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d'Oro and visit the Norman Cathedral. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The story of the splendid Monreale cathedral starts when the Arabs took control of Palermo. They transformed the cathedral into a mosque and banished the Bishop of Palermo from town. Not wishing to venture too far from his beloved cathedral, the Bishop settled in a small village in the hills overlooking Palermo, the site of modern-day Monreale. There, he built a modest church to keep the flame of local Christian worship alive. Today the cathedral is known for its stunning mosaics that cover an area of over 64.500sq ft.
Timeless Temples
AGRIGENTO: Take a guided walking tour of the Valley of Temples. (B/D) 87 mi / 140 km.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY: The ruins of Akragas remain Sicily's most amazing archaeological site. The impressively well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in spectacular setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the remarkable Valley of the Temples.
Ancient Artistry In Sicily
PIAZZA ARMERINA: Take a guided visit of the Villa Romana del Casale with the largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world. Enjoy lunch with regional specialties at a local restaurant. (B/L) 162 mi / 260 km.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ART & ARCHITECTURE: Explore the extraordinary example of Roman power in one of the most luxurious villas of its kind in the Italian countryside. Marvel at the magnificently preserved mosaics that embellish the Villa Romana del Casale, designed and installed by African mosaic workers and the strength of the Roman influence and power throughout the Mediterranean region.
Coastal Treasures
SYRACUSE: Guided visit to the Greek and Roman ruins of the Archaeological Park features the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheater.
CATANIA: Arancino tasting and free time on the way to Taormina Riviera. (B) 75 mi / 120 km.
LOCAL FAVORITE - LOCAL TASTES: Sicily's love affair with food goes back a long way. Cooking traditions originating from the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans blend with those from Spain and North Africa resulting in a fabulous melting pot of flavors and unique dishes. Celebrate this feast of cultures with a traditional arancino tasting one of Sicily's most famous street food.
The Pearl of the Mediterranean
TAORMINA RIVIERA: Guided excursion to Mount Etna. Orientation walk through Taormina town and free time. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NATURAL WONDER: Mount Etna, Europe's tallest volcano and one of the most active in the world. Learn how in 1669, an eruption that lasted 112 days developed a record long stream of lava that destroyed the city of Catania.
Gardens and a Grand Harbor
CATANIA: Fly to La Valletta airport.
LA VALLETTA: Orientation walk includes the Barakka Gardens. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - HISTORIC SPOT: Welcome to the marvelous sights of Malta with an overnight stay in St. Julian. Named for the patron Saint that bears his name, this seaside town is rich with history and lovely views of the rocky stretch along the promenade.
Home of Giants
ST. JULIAN: Free day to explore the city. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME - EXPLORE MORE: with a visit to the little island of Gozo, home to the oldest freestanding structures in the world: the 5,500-year-old complex of the Ggantija Temples. Locals claim the site was built by giants, hence the name “Ggantija.”
Catacombs & Silent Cities
RABAT: Stop in the city famous for its catacombs
MOSTA: Take pictures of the stunning Roman Catholic church with a unique architectural history.
MDINA: Walk through the “Silent City” and take in views of the ancient walls followed by a glass blowing demonstration.
Farewell dinner at local restaurant. (B/D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CULTURAL GEM: When the capital city was moved out of Mdina, the city was left uninhabited so people started to consider it a ghost town and the “silent city” nickname was born. This name is still fitting today as there are many signs around the city urging to be silent and no cars are allowed in the city.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Welcome to Palermo!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
Sicilian Specialties
PALERMO: Guided sightseeing includes the Church of Immacolata, and a visit to the cathedral. Drive up to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d'Oro and visit the Norman Cathedral. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The story of the splendid Monreale cathedral starts when the Arabs took control of Palermo. They transformed the cathedral into a mosque and banished the Bishop of Palermo from town. Not wishing to venture too far from his beloved cathedral, the Bishop settled in a small village in the hills overlooking Palermo, the site of modern-day Monreale. There, he built a modest church to keep the flame of local Christian worship alive. Today the cathedral is known for its stunning mosaics that cover an area of over 64.500sq ft.
Timeless Temples
AGRIGENTO: Take a guided walking tour of the Valley of Temples. (B/D) 87 mi / 140 km.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY: The ruins of Akragas remain Sicily's most amazing archaeological site. The impressively well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in spectacular setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the remarkable Valley of the Temples.
Ancient Artistry In Sicily
PIAZZA ARMERINA: Take a guided visit of the Villa Romana del Casale with the largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world. Enjoy lunch with regional specialties at a local restaurant. (B/L) 162 mi / 260 km.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ART & ARCHITECTURE: Explore the extraordinary example of Roman power in one of the most luxurious villas of its kind in the Italian countryside. Marvel at the magnificently preserved mosaics that embellish the Villa Romana del Casale, designed and installed by African mosaic workers and the strength of the Roman influence and power throughout the Mediterranean region.
Coastal Treasures
SYRACUSE: Guided visit to the Greek and Roman ruins of the Archaeological Park features the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheater.
CATANIA: Arancino tasting and free time on the way to Taormina Riviera. (B) 75 mi / 120 km.
LOCAL FAVORITE - LOCAL TASTES: Sicily's love affair with food goes back a long way. Cooking traditions originating from the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans blend with those from Spain and North Africa resulting in a fabulous melting pot of flavors and unique dishes. Celebrate this feast of cultures with a traditional arancino tasting one of Sicily's most famous street food.
The Pearl of the Mediterranean
TAORMINA RIVIERA: Guided excursion to Mount Etna. Orientation walk through Taormina town and free time. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NATURAL WONDER: Mount Etna, Europe's tallest volcano and one of the most active in the world. Learn how in 1669, an eruption that lasted 112 days developed a record long stream of lava that destroyed the city of Catania.
Gardens and a Grand Harbor
CATANIA: Fly to La Valletta airport.
LA VALLETTA: Orientation walk includes the Barakka Gardens. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - HISTORIC SPOT: Welcome to the marvelous sights of Malta with an overnight stay in St. Julian. Named for the patron Saint that bears his name, this seaside town is rich with history and lovely views of the rocky stretch along the promenade.
Home of Giants
ST. JULIAN: Free day to explore the city. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME - EXPLORE MORE: with a visit to the little island of Gozo, home to the oldest freestanding structures in the world: the 5,500-year-old complex of the Ggantija Temples. Locals claim the site was built by giants, hence the name “Ggantija.”
Catacombs & Silent Cities
RABAT: Stop in the city famous for its catacombs
MOSTA: Take pictures of the stunning Roman Catholic church with a unique architectural history.
MDINA: Walk through the “Silent City” and take in views of the ancient walls.
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CULTURAL GEM: When the capital city was moved out of Mdina, the city was left uninhabited so people started to consider it a ghost town and the “silent city” nickname was born. This name is still fitting today as there are many signs around the city urging to be silent and no cars are allowed in the city.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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