Day 1 – Departure

Depart New York this evening for Italy. 

Day 2 – Palermo

Welcome to Palermo, Sicily “the Island in the Sun”. Upon arrival your tour representative will greet you. After checking in at the hotel and time to freshen up meet your Learning Through Travel guide for a visit to Monreale. World re-known for its cathedral, a dazzling mixture of Arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles framed by traditional Romanesque architecture, combined in a perfect blend both the Christian and Muslim worlds of the 12th century had to offer. The beautiful mosaics in the Monreale Cathedral are said to be one of the world's largest displays of this art, surpassed only by Istanbul's famous Basilica of Haiga Sofia, once an Orthodox church. Monreale's mosaics emblazon 6,340 square meters of the duomo's interior surface, more than in the splendid church of Saint Mark in Venice. This evening enjoy a welcome cocktail and a briefing followed by dinner.

Day 3 – Palermo

Palermo once an Arab emirate and seat of a Norman kingdom, was at one time known as the grandest city in Europe. This morning visit the many churches and architectural wonders of the city.  At the Quattro Canti – the “four corners of Palermo” and the oldest part of the city notice that each corner is marked by a 17th century Spanish Baroque facade decorated with a fountain and a statue. Across from this see Chiesa di San Guiseppe dei Teatini. The marble interior is breathtaking and should not be missed. Continue with a visit to the Palazzo dei Normanni with its Palatine Chapel, the Church of San Giobanni degli Eremiti and cathedral. Before the end of the day see the catacombs in the Capuchin convent in Oiazza Cappuccino, where there are mummified bodies and skeletons of over 8000 Palermitans (17th to 19th centuries), including the mummified body of two-year old Rosalina Lombardi, who looks as if she is sleeping. End the day with a stroll through the picturesque markets.  

Day 4 – Palermo/Segesta Erice/Palermo

After breakfast leave Palermo and enjoy the panoramic view of Trapani en-route to Erice. Here visit the Norman Castle and wander the towns cobble stoned streets where conquerors once rode their chariots. In the afternoon visit Segesta to see the Doric Greek temple, dramatically situated atop Monte Barbaro. Return to Palermo. 

Day 5 – Palermo/Agrigento/Palermo

After breakfast depart for Agrigento. Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC, it became one of the leading cities of the Mediterranean.   Explore the Valley of the Temples, where you will see Doric-style temples. The one to see is the Temple of Hercules, built towards the end of the sixth century BCE and believed to be the oldest of the temples of the valley. The most intact site is the Temple of Concord, built in 440 BCE. See the Temple of Juno, part of its colonnade remains and is an impressive sacrificial altar.  Enjoy a wonderful view of the Mediterranean from here. Before returning to Palermo there is a stop in Seliunte to visit the Acropolis.

Day 6 – Palermo/Cefalu/Tindari/Taormina

After breakfast leave Palermo for Taormina. Along the way make a stop at the seaside town of Cefalu, which has a scenic fishing harbor, quaint shops and a museum that houses the “Portrait of a Man” by Antonello da Messina. Afterwards visit the 12th century Cathedral built by Roger II, and the romantic Arabic baths. Continue to Tindari where you will see the famous Black Madonna and Greek Temple.  Arrive in Taormina for your overnight stay.

Day 7 – Taormina/Mt. Etna/Taormina

After breakfast visit Sicily’s (stil)l active volcano Mt. Etna. Ascend 1800 meters, (weather permitting) an optional jeep or cable car ride will be offered. In mythology, Etna was identified as the location for the forge of Volcan, home of the Cyclopses, and where the giant Enceladus laid (eruptions being his breath and earthquakes his motion). Etna's beauty and long record of eruptions make it one of the world's best known volcanoes. This afternoon is at your leisure.

Day 8 – Taormina/Piazza Armenia/Siracusa

Journey through Sicily’s interior to the wooded hill town of Piazza Armenia.  Visit the Roman Villa della Casale, whose 40 mosaic floors are considered among the most beautiful and well-preserved in the world. Lunch will be served at a countryside restaurant. Continue to Siracusa, once the most powerful city of Magna Grecia.

Day 9 – Siracusa/Noto/Siracusa

Today is Good Friday and arrangements will be made for you to take part in a procession and celebration. Travel to the beautiful village of Noto, which offers an architectural panorama unique in the whole world for its unity and harmony of a baroque style that is clear and floral, evident by the rosy color of the stone utilized to build the village.  Return to Siracusa for overnight. 

Day 10-  Siracusa

After breakfast visit the Archeological Park where you see the white Greek Theater. Completed in 215 BC, it could host as many as 15,000 people, who were introduced to the plays of Aeschylus, tragedies written by their own ruler Dionysius I, comedies by Epicarmus and pantomimes by Sophronus. The theater is still used today for summer performances. See the Fountain of Arethusa, a sunken pond adorned with a bright green shock of papyrus and inhabited by myriad white ducks, it offers one of several opportunities here to actually see Greek mythology incarnate. This particular legend was that a nymph named Arethusa, who lived in the Peloponnese Mountains, was mercilessly courted by the river god Alpheus. To escape his ardor she jumped into the sea, but Artemis saved her and transformed her into the source of a stream, which flowed to Ortygia and gathered in this spot before emptying into the bay. View the Garden of Paradise; it is here that the Greeks operated a rock quarry. In the gardens see a grotto called the Ear of Dionysius and a 2nd century Roman amphitheater, used for gladiator fights and other sporting events.

Day 11 – Easter Sunday Siracusa

The day will be at your leisure. Holiday activities will be announced. Farewell dinner is served this evening.

Day 12 – Departure

Farewell to Sicily as you transfer to the airport for your return flight to New York. Arrive home your hearts and minds filled with many happy memories of Sicily.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• International air New York/Palermo-Catania/New York 
  

• 4 nights accommodation in Palermo at 4-star deluxe hotel
  

• 2 nights accommodation in Taormina a 4-star deluxe hotel
  

• 4 nights accommodation in Syracuse at a 4-star deluxe hotel
  

• 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners
  

• English speaking guides throughout
  

• All  transfers and sightseeing by deluxe air conditioned mini-coach
  

• All entrance fees as per program
  

• Hotel taxes and service charges
  

• Porterage
  

NOT INCLUDED

• U.S. Departure Tax and Airport Security fees
  

• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, inter-net services, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, tea (except at breakfast and dinner), tips to drivers, guides, transfer personnel, travel insurance, etc
  

PLEASE NOTE: Itinerary sequence subject to change.