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Highlights of
Sicily and Southern Italy
October 5 - 16, 2023
visiting: Palermo, Taormina, Sorrento, Pompeii,
Amalfi Coast, Capri and more!
Program Cost from Chicago
$4,939.00 per person - double occupancy
† A limited number of single rooms may be available at a supplemental cost of $1,189.
† Price is based on a minimum of 27 group members. Space is limited
Deposit Schedule
• $500per person due with reservation
• An additional $1200 per person is due by March 1,2023
• Final payment is due by June15, 2023
Thursday, October 5, 2023 - Chicago Departure: This afternoon we will depart from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport en route to Europe. Meals and beverages will be served during the overnight flight.
Friday, October 6 - Arrive Palermo: Upon arrival in Pal- ermo this afternoon we will meet our Tour Manager and proceed to our waiting motorcoach. During the drive to our hotel, our tour manager will share general information about our tour and details of today’s schedule. Strategically poised between Europe and Africa, Sicily is a treasure trove of the countless civilizations which have influenced its de- velopment and exploited its riches. We proceed to our hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight. (D)
Saturday, October 7 - Palermo (Erice Excursion): We will enjoy a mini-tour of Palermo before driving to the hill- top town of Erice, one of the oldest inhabited places on the whole island of Sicily. Wandering the narrow alleys and small piazzas is like taking a step back in time. Later we will return to Palermo for an evening at leisure. (B)
Sunday, October 8 - Palermo / Monreale / Agrigento: This morning we depart the Sicilian capital and drive to Monreale for a visit to the beautiful Norman Cathedral with its breathtaking mosaics. We then cross the island to fin- ish our day with a walk through the breathtaking Valley of Temples to view some of the finest Greek ruins in the world. Dinner and overnight in Agrigento. (B, D)
Monday, October 9 - Agrigento / Piazza Armerina / Taormina: Today we will drive to the town of Piazza Armerina where we will visit the well-preserved mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale, which was probably a Roman Emperor’s country mansion. In the afternoon we continue to the chic resort of Taormina, perched above the Mediter- ranean, for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Tuesday, October 10 - Taormina: Favored by its climate, Taormina is famous for bougainvillea, cacti and exotic gar- den terraces, but also for the historic legacy of its ancient ruins. No wonder that Sir Winston Churchill made this a fa- vorite vacation spot. During our walking tour, we will visit the Greek and Roman outdoor theater, enjoy the panoramic views of Mt. Etna and Taormina’s beautiful coastline and stroll through the alleys and squares of the atmospheric old town. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the Public Gardens, visit the local shops and boutiques or just relax in a sidewalk café and watch the world go by. (B)
Wednesday, October 11 - Taormina (Siracusa Excur- sion): This morning we drive to Siracusa, birthplace of the mathematician Archimedes. It attracted visitors such as the philosopher Plato and later the Apostle Paul. Here we will visit the 5th century B.C. Greek Theater that could seat up to 16,000 people, the Altar of Hieron II, and the Roman Am- phitheater. We return to Taormina for a free evening. (B)
Thursday, October 12 - Taormina / Sorrento area: This morning we will drive to the Straits of Messina, where we board our ferry to sail to the Italian mainland. Our jour- ney continues north through Calabria, which although one of the poorest, is also one of the most spectacular parts of Italy. Later in the day we pass Salerno and drive along the clifftop road of the Sorrentine Penninsula to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Friday, October 13 - Sorrento area (Pompeii & Hercu- laneum Excursion): This morning we’ll travel a short dis- tance to explore the ruins of Pompeii, the sumptuous town that was buried in 79 A.D. by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. We will walk through the ancient streets and see the baths, forums and villas built by the prosperous Romans. Later, we visit Herculaneum, a popular resort of the 1st century, where the homes of the ordinary townspeople were spectac- ularly preserved by the mud from the eruption of Vesuvius. We return to the Sorrento area for an evening at leisure (B)
Saturday, October 14 - Sorrento area (Capri Excursion): Today we will cross the Bay of Naples to the Isle of Capri, playground of Emperors, aristocracy and high society for 2000 years. We will explore the island to the highest point of Anacapri and the Gardens of Augustus, and there will be free time to enjoy the spectacular scenery before returning to the Sorrento area for free time and overnight. (B)
Sunday, October 15 – Sorrento (Amalfi Coast Excur- sion): Today we will take one of the most dramatic and spectacular drives in the whole of Italy. The road clings to the rocky peninsula as it passes through the famous villages of Positano and Amalfi, perched precariously on the cliff face. We will spend time in Amalfi to experience the unique atmosphere of this once powerful maritime city state, before returning to the Sorrento area for free time and our farewell dinner. (B, D)
Monday, October 16 - Naples / Chicago: This morning we will transfer to the Naples airport to begin our journey home. We will arrive in Chicago this evening. (B)
B - Breakfast, D - Dinner
Program Highlights
• Round trip air transportation from Chicago, including taxes and fees in effect as of November, 2022
• 10 nights accommodations in first class (3 & 4 star) hotels
• Breakfast daily and 5 dinners as noted in the itinerary
• Professional tour manager to accompany the group in Europe
• European transportation via private motorcoach
• Comprehensive sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary, including applicable entrance fees
• Masses to be scheduled during the tour
• Porterage of one suitcase per person at European hotels