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Insight Vacations
OFFER ID 1556468
Sicily In Depth - Classic Group
See every slice of Sicily during this 9-day guided tour. Take off to Paradise Quarry in Syracuse with a Local Expert, who will show you its Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped limestone grotto: call out to your fellow travelers here, and your voice may echo as many as 16 times. Visit the Palatine Chapel to marvel at the glittering gold mosaics for a stunning sight. Travel to the salt pans and windmills on the western coast and taste Marsala wine in its home town. In Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea, join a Local Expert at the city’s cliffside Greek theater, from which you can see Mount Etna, the island’s active Strato volcano.
Dining Summary
8 nights from $2,775 per person
Insight Vacations: Sicily in Depth - Classic Group
Day 1 - Arrival in Palermo
Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director for a dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: NH Palermo
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Day 2 - Palermo & the Golden Age of the Normans
Discover Palermo through Insight Choice. Opt for a walking tour featuring the stunning 12th century Palatine Chapel with a Local Expert. Alternatively, engage in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on the Anti-Mafia tour, learning about modern efforts to combat organized crime in Palermo. This afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring Palermo Cathedral, a fascinating site with its unique blend of architectural styles reflecting centuries of history. For your dining pleasure, you can try the foods the locals like to eat and experience how they like to eat it on your Dine-Around Evening.
Accommodations: NH Palermo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Trapani and Marsala
Nestled along its crescent-shaped coastline, Trapani is embraced by the Mediterranean Sea. Discover the age-old tradition of salt production when you visit the colorful salt pans and an ancient stone windmill during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to see where sea water is transformed into salt crystals. Then, savor the flavors of Marsala with a tasting at a local winery, where you’ll enjoy the town’s renowned wine amidst beautiful surroundings.
Accommodations: Seawater, Marsala
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 - Explore the Valley of the Temples
Travel along the southern coast of Sicily en route to Agrigento. In Agrigento, explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. Recognized by UNESCO, these temples are exceptional examples of ancient Greek architecture. Marvel at the imposing Temple of Concordia and the cliff-top Temple of Juno, both overlooking the sea. Reflect on this unforgettable day with your fellow travelers over dinner at the hotel, sharing insights and experiences.
Accommodations: The Scala dei Turchi Resort, Agrigento
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5 - Discover Villa Romana del Casale and Ragusa
Travel inland to the Villa Romana del Casale, a luxurious Roman villa renowned for its rich and intricate mosaics. This UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized since 1997, showcases the opulence of ancient Rome. Continue to Ragusa and explore the labyrinthine alleyways of Ragusa Ibla with our Local Expert. This town, with origins dating back to the Bronze Age, was inhabited by the Sicels tribe, who lent their name to Sicily. Admire the significant Sicilian Baroque architecture that has earned Ragusa UNESCO recognition.
Accommodations: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6 - Modica
Enjoy a Relaxed Start this morning or join an Optional Experience to the Val di Noto and the town of Noto. Later discover Modica's artisanal techniques used to create the town's celebrated handmade chocolate.
Accommodations: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 - Ancient Syracuse
Sightseeing with your Local Expert begins at Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry, home to the unique Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with remarkable acoustics. Next, visit the impressive Greek theater, carved from solid rock, and one of the largest of the ancient world. Take time to explore the atmospheric Old City on the island of Ortygia, a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with palaces. This historic area is where the famed mathematician Archimedes famously ran through the streets, exclaiming 'Eureka!' Continue your journey along Sicily’s picturesque Ionian Riviera to the charming town of Giardini Naxos.
Accommodations: RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Taormina and the Dawn Coast of Europe
Your hotel faces east, offering early risers a glimpse of why D.H. Lawrence dubbed this 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.' After breakfast, consider an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Journey to the charming old town of Taormina, perched on Mount Tauro with views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the ancient Greek theater, set on a cliff and open to the sky. Sit and absorb the breath-taking view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll along the elegant Corso Umberto and enjoy panoramic views from Piazza IX Aprile. Conclude your day with dinner at a local restaurant, featuring delicious, freshly prepared Farm-to-Table cuisine and exquisite Italian wines.
Accommodations: RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9 - Depart Catania
Appreciate views of Mount Etna on your way to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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