Sicily, March 9-17 2007 then on to Tuscany til March 24 DO BOTH TRIPS AND RECEIVE A $100 DISCOUNT. and free membership for you and your friend if you bring a buddy.
March 9 Depart on various flights for Palermo, Italy. Our flight is AZ1761 arriving into Palermo at 11:30AM but we will pick you up for free on other flights also. March 10 Welcome in Palermo by our Club rep, then transfer to our hotel in Cefalu, a seaside village 30 minutes away. Charming Cefalu is noted for its massive Norman cathedral with outstanding mosaics. Welcome dinner at our hotel. Transfers are based on our Alitalia flight from Newark arriving in Palermo at noon. B and welcome D with wine. March 11 Cefalu-Taormina After breakfast at our hotel, we board our private bus for Taormina, a jet setters’ town overlooking the Ionian Sea, facing Sicily’s volcano, Mt. Etna. Sicily is rich in classical sites, especially well preserved Greek ruins including the Theater in which we have a guided tour. This beautiful island with its fertile lands, rocky landscape, and pleasant March climate was considered a prize and conquered by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Byzantines and Normans. Tonight dinner is at the hotel. Overnight Taormina BD. March 12 Taormina After breakfast we have half day guided tour of the Theater which sits in the shadow of Mt. Etna overlooking the sea to Calabria, then free time in this gorgeous hill top town. Taormina has a funicular, which connects it to secluded beaches on the Mediterranean below. March 13 Ragusa/ Castello di Donnafugata/ Modica After breakfast, depart for a full day excursion to Ragusa and Modica. Explore the stunning town of Modica, listed as a World Heritage site for its architecture and 100 Baroque churches, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake. It’s divided into Modica Bassa, whose main thoroughfare is lined with pastry, clothes and shoe shops; and Modica Alta whose limestone spur is capped by a castle and clock tower. Between them is the cathedral of San Pietro, whose stepped approach is lined with statues of the apostles 15 minutes away is Ragusa, another impressively sited town on a cliff-ringed spur, with a steepled duomo rising above the jumble of tiled medieval roofs. Overnight Taormina B March 14 Taormina/ Palermo via Agrigento. In Agrigento we enjoy a guided tour of the Valley of The Temples, one of the greatest concentrations of Greek ruins. Located on a plateau, Agrigento was founded around 580BC. In the Valley of the Temples are the ruins of numerous temples but also necropoli, houses, streets and all expected in an ancient city. There is a small amphitheatre, and a fine archeological museum. Part of the Temple of Juno, built around 450 BC, is still intact. Temple of Concord built around 440 BC, is in far better condition. A number of large segmented stone columns in the form of human figures have been preserved. The medieval city of Agrigento, nearby, was later founded by the Romans and greatly enhanced by the Normans who built all over Sicily. BD March 15 Excursion to Monreale, dominating a green valley south of Palermo and famous for one of the most important Norman cathedrals in Italy. This trip will also include a visit to Segesta and Erice, the former founded in 650 BC, a vaste archaeological site and magnificent medieval Erice, partially walled, with two amazing castles, stone streets, and surrounded by a lovely park. Cannoli tasting in a local bakery B. March 16 Half day guided tour of Palermo. BD, farewell with wine. March 17 Depart for Florence, in which case we need to recalculate your airfare and add the Palermo-Florence leg ( from $200) or return to the US. Our transfer is for flights leaving at noon. Our flight departing is AZ1758 at 6:10AM, but we will transfer you to the airport for free for other flights also.
om Palermo to Flore |
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*Itineraries subject to minor changes- fuel surcharges included in trip prices where airfare is included. Not included: airport taxes, government fees and September 11th Security Fee. Prices per person based on double occupancy. To book this trip please fill out our new member application if applicable and then the booking form. The Women's Travel Club (USA), Inc.
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