Donna Franca Vacations

DAY 1 • PALERMO

Welcome Dinner with Wine at a the Hotel

Arrival transfer from the Palermo Borsellino Airport to your downtown first class hotel, check in and take some time to freshen up prior to meeting with your professional English-speaking tour escort who will remain with you throughout the tour. In the mid-afternoon, enjoy a leisurely escorted ‘passeggiata’ through downtown Palermo prior to your first taste of authentic Sicilian cuisine as you partake in a deliciously prepared welcome dinner with wine at the hotel.

DAY 2 • PALERMO – MONDELLO – MONREALE – PALERMO Breakfast & Dinner with Wine at a Restaurant After buffet breakfast at the hotel, enjoy this morning’s guided tour of Palermo, the synthesis of the ‘planet Sicily’, a hybrid of Baroque, Saracen, Norman and Spanish cultures. See the Cathedral, the Norman Palace, the Palatine Chapel, the Capuchin Catacombs and famous Quattro Canti District. Continue on to Mondello, a quintessential fishing village on the outskirts of Palermo, where we will have some free time to enjoy our surroundings. After lunch on our own, journey to nearby Monreale to view the magnificent Norman Cathedral, and adjoining Benedictine Abbey. That afternoon return to Palermo for time to freshen up prior to a wonderful dinner with wine at a well-known family run restaurant featuring local specialties.

DAY 3 • PALERMO – ERICE – CALTABELLOTTA – AGRIGENTO Breakfast, Marzipan and Ricotta Tasting, & Dinner with Wine at Hotel

Enjoy buffet breakfast at the hotel before departing for Agrigento, located on the southwestern part of the island. En-route, stop in the medieval hill town of Erice where we will enjoy a specially arranged tasting of the intricately painted marzipan at one of Sicily’s most famous pastry shops. Continue along the salt roads of Trapani to admire the historic windmills before heading south to Caltabellotta for a specially arranged visit to a well-known ‘caseificio’ for a tasting of the locally produced ricotta. Late afternoon arrival in Agrigento for check-in at your first class hotel followed by a savory dinner with wine in the hotel’s dining room.

DAY 4 • AGRIGENTO – PIAZZA ARMERINA – CALTAGIRONE – SYRACUSE Breakfast & Dinner with Wine at Hotel After buffet breakfast at the hotel, proceed to the Valley of the Temples for a guided tour of this amazing archeological site. Marvel at the majestic Temple of Juno, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Concordia; all symbols of this once-thriving Greek enclave. From here continue by motor coach to Piazza Armerina for an escorted visit of the famous Villa Casale where we will find the most interesting collection of Roman mosaics ever discovered. During your visit, take some time to stroll along centuries old narrow streets which lead to the majestic cathedral. After lunch on your own, proceed to nearby Caltagirone, one of Italy’s most famous ceramic pottery centers to admire the impressive ‘Scala di Santa Maria’ whose 142 steps are individually decorated with ceramic tiles dating back to the 17th century. Today’s last stop will be in Syracuse, located on the southeastern tip of the island, for check-in at your centrally located hotel. Later this evening, enjoy dinner with wine at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant.

DAY 5 • SYRACUSE – RAGUSA – NOTO – SYRACUSE

Breakfast, Sicilian Gelato Tasting, & Dinner with Wine at Local Restaurant Enjoy buffet breakfast at the hotel before this morning’s guided tour of Syracuse visiting the Greek Amphitheater, the Ear of Dionysus and the Latomie, followed by a walk to the tiny island of Ortigia to the Fountain of Arethusa, the Cordari Grotto and one of Italy’s most beautiful squares. After lunch on our own, we head to nearby Ragusa for an orientation tour of this important Baroque city which is now a World Heritage Site. Our last stop will be in Noto, another Baroque gem where we experience the richness of one of Sicily’s most beloved sweets as we partake in a specially organized ‘gelato tasting’ at a prestigious ‘gelateria’. Late afternoon return to Syracuse for dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 6 • SYRACUSE – CATANIA – MT. ETNA – TAORMINA

Breakfast, Wine Tasting at Winery on Slopes of Mount Etna. Dinner with Wine at Hotel Enjoy your buffet breakfast at the hotel before departing by motor coach for the eastern coast of Sicily, starting with an escorted visit to Catania with its colorful fish market, main piazza and stunning cathedral where the famous opera composer, Bellini, is buried. Continue on to the northeastern slopes of Mount Etna to enjoy a specially arranged wine tasting with delicious rustic treats at one of the area’s most prestigious wineries. Journey onward to Taormina, a resort town perched high on the cliffs of Mount Tauro and renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty, history and friendly atmosphere. After check-in at your centrally located first class hotel, we will have time to unpack, relax and freshen up prior to this evening’s tasty dinner with wine at the hotel’s restaurant.

DAY 7 • TAORMINA

Breakfast & Dinner with Wine at Hotel

Enjoy buffet breakfast prior to this morning’s guided walking tour of this quintessential seaside resort, highlighting the Duomo, Church of St. George, the trendy Corso Umberto, Palazzo Corvaja and the Botanical Gardens. The tour culminates with a visit to the stunning Greco-Roman Amphitheater overlooking the shimmering blue Ionian Sea. The balance of the day is at your leisure to do some shopping in the many tiny boutiques which line the Corso Umberto prior to this evening’s delightful dinner with wine at the hotel’s restaurant.

DAY 8 • TAORMINA

Breakfast and farewell Dinner with Wine at Local Restaurant

After buffet breakfast at the hotel, the entire day is at your leisure to enjoy your beautiful surroundings. Bask in the sun at the pool side or perhaps take time for some last minute shopping, those forgotten post cards or purchase some special gifts for your loved ones. Later this evening, enjoy a deliciously prepared farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant as we bid farewell to Sicily and her centuries of diverse culture.

DAY 9 • DEPARTURE

Breakfast

After buffet breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Catania Bellini Airport to board your return flight back to the USA or extend your stay in Italy.