9 Days ~ Italy & Sicily
Tour Pace - This is a well
paced itinerary with two night stops in every
centre. This means once your morning sightseeing
is completed, there is free time in the
afternoon to rest, shop or explore at your own
pace.
Fellow Passengers - This
tour is ideal for second time visitors to Italy
and Europe. Also, most of Sicily is mild and
sunny all winter long, making it attractive to
those wanting to avoid the extremes of the
European weather.
DAY 1 – ARRIVE ROME
Welcome to Rome - one of the greatest centres of
Western Civilisation, bejeweled with ancient
monuments. On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino
Leonardo da Vinci Airport there are
complimentary transfers to the tour hotel at
09.30, 12.30 and 15.30. Then time to relax and
enjoy your hotel’s wide range of services!
Later, join your Tour Director and fellow
travellers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters.
DAY 2 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, meet your local guide, who will
reveal the grandeur of Rome on your city
sightseeing tour. Begin with a visit to the
Vatican City, complete with its own flag,
anthem, stamps and coins. Once you have a photo
of the colourful Swiss guards, venture inside St
Peter’s Basilica to marvel at the Popes’ Altar
by Bernini and Michelangelo’s powerful Pieta.
Now cross the river Tiber where another
highlight takes you inside the massive Colosseum,
scene of great entertainment and occasional
martyrdoms in imperial times. Your tour
concludes with a view over the ruins of the
Roman Forum.There is time at leisure this
afternoon. This evening, drive to a local
restaurant for a Highlight Dinner, complete with
vino and entertainment. (BB,HD)
DAY 3 – ROME – SORRENTO
Heading south, stop briefly at the Commonwealth
War Cemetery at Cassino, before continuing to
Pompeii. With your local guide, stroll through
the streets of this Roman town engulfed in AD79
by an eruption of Mt Vesuvius. This is a unique
opportunity to glimpse a moment of every day
Roman life, frozen for over 2,000 years. Now on
to your hotel in the scenic cliff top resort of
Sorrento.
Hotel: Michelangelo. (BB,D)
DAY 4 – SORRENTO
Today’s excursion is to Capri, the island of
dreams! Arriving at the Marina Grande by boat,
ascend to Capri Town by funicular railway. Here,
there is time to explore the alleyways, small
squares and enjoy the fabulous views. Perhaps
join an optional excursion to Anacapri before
returning to Sorrento? As evening falls, don’t
miss the opportunity of a delicious dinner of
local specialities at one of Sorrento’s top
restaurants. (BB)
DAY 5 – SORRENTO – TAORMINA
Take the smooth Autostrada south along the edge
of the mountainous Calabria region, so often
compared to Switzerland. Continue along the
Purple Coast to the very toe of Italy where you
board your ferry for the short crossing to
Sicily. According to ancient legend it was here
at the Straits of Messina where the twin
whirlpools of Scylla and Charybdis carried away
unwary seafarers to their doom! Continue now to
your hotel in the resort of Giardini Naxos,
within close proximity to Taormina, Mount Etna
and the Mediterranean Sea.
Hotel: Sant Alphio Garden. (BB,D)
DAY 6 – TAORMINA
Taormina, founded in 400BC, is beautifully
located overlooking the sea and facing the snowy
peak of Mount Etna. Enjoy a guided visit to the
Greek Theatre (3rd Century B.C.), then continue
to the glorious sub-tropical terraced gardens.
Stroll with your Tour Director along the elegant
Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for splendid
panoramic views across the bay to the Ionian
Sea. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps
ask your Tour Director about the possibility of
an optional excursion to the active volcano of
Mt Etna to witness the lava flow? (BB,D)
DAY 7 – TAORMINA – PALERMO
Cross the island to the small fishing town of
Cefalu, hemmed between the sea and a rocky
promontory. Visit the impressive cathedral,
which was erected to fulfil a vow made by the
Norman King Roger II. Later, follow the coast to
the historical Sicilian capital of Palermo. This
evening, maybe take the option of a fabulous
dinner at a rustic farmhouse where Giuseppe
Garibaldi was once a guest?
Hotel: Astoria Palace. (BB)
DAY 8 – PALERMO
Palermo was the setting of some of the film
locations for the 'Godfather' and you will
surely recognise some of the scenes! Your guided
tour shows you the Piazza Bellini, Cathedral and
Palace of the Normans with its Palatine Chapel
and dazzling mosaics. Then drive out to Monreale
to admire the multi-coloured marble, paintings
and mosaics inside the Cathedral and enjoy views
over the fertile plain known as the Conca d’Oro
(Golden Conch Shell). Return to Palermo this
afternoon for time at leisure. (BB)
DAY 9 – PALERMO
Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast
this morning. Transfers from the hotel arrive at
Palermo Airport at 05.00 and 07.30 hrs. (BB)
