10D9N The Sicilian (LP)

Welcome to Palermo! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Sicilian Specialties PALERMO Guided sightseeing includes the Church of Immacolata and a visit to the cathedral. Scenic drive to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d'Oro and a visit to the Norman Cathedral. Enjoy [LF] lunch with Sicilian specialties panelle (chickpea fritters), arancini (stuffed rice balls), and cannoli (fried pastry rolls with sweet ricotta cheese). (B,L) LOCAL FAVOURITE LOCAL TASTES Sicily's love affair with food goes back a long way. Cooking traditions originating from the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans blend with those from Spain and North Africa resulting in a fabulous melting pot of flavours and unique dishes. Celebrate this feast of cultures with traditional specialties and sweet confections savouring some of the world-renowned delicacies.

Sweet & Salty Sicily ERICE Visit the hilltop town and sample almond biscuits and Marsala wine at the well-known Pasticceria Maria Grammatico. MARSALA Visit a salt mill en route to Mazara del Vallo. (B,D) 99 mi / 160 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Lagoons, salt pans and windmills can be found along the coastline near Marsala. Learn all about the production of salt when visiting one of the original salt mills.

Timeless Temples MAZARA DEL VALLO Guided sightseeing includes the cathedral and a walk in the Old Town. SCIACCA Photo stop at the panoramic viewpoint. AGRIGENTO Take a guided walking tour at the Valley of Temples. (B,D) 93 mi / 150 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY The ruins of Akragas remain Sicily's most amazing archaeological site. The impressively well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in spectacular setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the remarkable Valley of the Temples.

Ancient Artistry in Sicily PIAZZA ARMERINA Take a guided visit to the Villa Romana del Casale with the largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world. CALTAGIRONE Orientation and free time to see the Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte en route to Ragusa. (B,D) 130 mi / 210 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE Explore the extraordinary example of Roman power in one of the most luxurious villas of its kind in the Italian countryside. Marvel at the magnificently preserved mosaics that embellish the Villa Romana del Casale, designed and installed by African mosaic workers and the strength of the Roman influence and power throughout the Mediterranean region.

Historic Streets & Sweets RAGUSA Guided walking tour includes the city's oldest district, the Ibla, the 19th-century gardens of Giardini Iblei, and St. George Cathedral. Visit an authentic Carrettieri (Sicilian carts) workshop. Free time. MODICA Enjoy an orientation walk with a [LF] chocolate tasting at the famous Dolceria Bonajuto, Sicily's oldest chocolate factory. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) 20 mi / 32 km LOCAL FAVOURITE LOCAL TASTES For 150 years, the family tradition of chocolate making has been passed down through the generations of the Banajuto family in Modica. L'Antica Dolceria Bonajuto delights chocolate lovers with its traditional recipes and confections as it has done for more than a century.

World Stages NOTO Walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to admire San Nicolo Cathedral. SYRACUSE Guided visit to the Archaeological Park features the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheatre. (B) 56 mi / 90 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT ARCHITECTURE & ARCHAEOLOGY Discover the extraordinary evidence of history found at Neapolis Archaeological Park of Siracusa. The stars of this show are the magnificent ancient ruins of the Greek Theatre and remarkable Roman Amphitheatre which are revered as one of the greatest archaeological sites in all of Italy.

Coastal Treasures CATANIA Take an orientation walk with free time to browse in Piazza del Duomo and Via Etnea. Take a scenic drive en route to Taormina Riviera with free time this afternoon and evening. (B) 75 mi / 120 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Catania is an ancient port city on Sicily's east coast. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, Europe's tallest volcano. The city's wide central square, Piazza del Duomo, features the whimsical Fontana dell 'Elefante statue and richly decorated St. Agata Cathedral. Nearby, La Pescheria weekday fish market is a rowdy spectacle surrounded by seafood restaurants.

Frozen in Time SAVOCA Orientation walk followed by a [LF] Granita (semi-frozen drink), and brioche tasting at Bar Vitelli. TAORMINA RIVIERA Orientation walk and free time for lunch. Visit the Greek Theatre, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) 43 mi / 70 km LOCAL FAVOURITE LOCAL TASTES Not quite the same as sorbet, the Sicilian invention of granita is Sicily's take on frozen concoctions that varies with the delightful tastes of lemon, mandarin orange, jasmine, almond, mint, coffee, or berries. A frozen blend of Sicilian pistachios is also a tempting way to enjoy this traditional treat.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. The nearest airport is Catania