Donna Franca Vacations

DAY 1 PALERMO
Dinner

After your independent 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. This evening enjoy your first taste of authentic Sicilian cuisine as you partake in a deliciously prepared welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

DAY 2 PALERMO - MONDELLO - MONREALE - PALERMO
Breakfast & Dinner

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 Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, the Norman Palace and famous Quattro Canti district. Next proceed to Mondello, a quintessential fishing village on the outskirts of Palermo, where you will have some free time to enjoy your surroundings. After lunch on your own, journey to nearby Monreale to view the magnificent Norman Cathedral, the Cappuccine Catacombs 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 - SEGESTA - MARSALA - AGRIGENTO
Breakfast, Wine Tasting & Dinner

Enjoy buffet breakfast at the hotel before departing for Agrigento, located on the southwestern part of the island. Enjoy a stop at the ancient Greek City of Segesta to view its famous temple, a gem of Doric architecture before continuing along the salt roads of Sicily, passing historic windmills and salt flats, before reaching the Pellegrino Winery in Marsala. Here you will enjoy a specially arranged tasting of the famous Marsala wine served with rustic biscotti. 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 - SYRACUSE
Breakfast & Dinner

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 you will find the most interesting collection of Roman mosaics ever discovered. After lunch on your own, proceed
to nearby 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 restaurant.

DAY 5 SYRACUSE
Breakfast & Dinner

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. Next, continue on to the tiny island of Ortigia where you will see the Fountain of Arethusa and the Cordari Grotto. The balance of day is at your leisure. Continue your personal exploration of Syracuse or perhaps do some shopping prior to this evening’s scrumptious dinner with wine at one of Syracuse’s best restaurants.

DAY 6 SYRACUSE - MT. ETNA - TAORMINA
Breakfast, Wine Tasting & Dinner

Enjoy your buffet breakfast at the hotel before departing by motor coach for the eastern coast of Sicily in pursuit of your Mt. Etna adventure. On the northeastern slopes of Mt. Etna, enjoy a specially arranged wine tasting with typical rustic snacks at one of the area’s most prestigious wineries. Afterwards, journey onward to Taormina, a resort town perched high on the cliffs of Mount Tauro. Taormina is
renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty, history and friendly atmosphere. After check-in at your centrally located first class hotel, you 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

Enjoy buffet breakfast prior to this morning’s guided walking tour of this quintessential seaside resort, highlighting the Church of San Domenico, 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 & Dinner

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 gift for your love ones. Later this evening, enjoy a deliciously prepared dinner with wine at the hotel’s restaurant as you bid farewell to Sicily and her centuries of diverse culture.

DAY 9 DEPARTURE
Breakfast

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

• Palermo: Hotel Excelsior Palace, or cimilar
• Agrigento: Jolly della Valle or similar
• Siracusa: Des Etrangers et Miramare or similar
• Taormina: Villa Diodoro or similar