Trafalgar > Best of Sicily 2009

Best of Sicily 2009
8 Days starting from $1,499

Countries Visited:
Italy

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Length: 8 Days
Type: First Class Europe & Britain 2009
Category: Regional
Operator: Trafalgar
Tour Code: ITSC-2009
   
 
 
About This Tour


Cities Visited:
Taormina, Syracuse, Agrigento, Palermo, Monreale, Mondello

With its vibrant capital, fresh cuisine, and ancient ruins and temples that rival the grandeur of Athens, there''s no other place quite like Sicily!
 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • Details
  • SPECIALS
Sightseeing Highlights
  • Taormina Orientation tour includes the Corso Umberto.
  • Syracuse Visit its archeological excavations and visit Ortygia Island.
  • Piazza Armerina Visit the Roman Villa of Casale.
  • Enna View this town.
  • Agrigento Visit the Valley of the Temples.
  • Selinunte Visit the Dorian Temples and Acropolis.
  • Erice Visit the castle gardens.
  • Palermo Sightseeing including Piazza Bellini and the cathedral.
  • Monreale View the Conca d''Oro and visit the Norman cathedral.
  • Mondello Visit the fishing village.
Dining Highlights
  • 6 hot buffet breakfasts.
  • 2 three-course dinners.
  • ‘Be My Guest’ speciality dinner with wine in a family run restaurant.
  • Farewell Dinner with wine in Palermo.
10 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)
First Class Travel Highlights
  • All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
  • Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
  • The services of one of Trafalgar''s top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
  • Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
  • A qualified local city guide in Syracuse, Agrigento and Palermo.
  • Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 8.
  • A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.
Airport Transfers
Catania Airport Transfer will be provided on Day 2 and Palermo Airport Transfer will be provided on Day 8. Group transfers on arrival at Catania airport will operate at 10.00, 12.30 & 15.30. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at Palermo Airport at 06.30 and 08.30.
  • London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the airport and your London hotel. But when you book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and air packages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London’s airports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who have their own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity to purchase inexpensive transfers to and from London’s Heathrow – Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transfer from London’s Heathr
  • Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
  • For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly by Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeable transfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight information to Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed.
  • For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
  • Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
  • In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar’s control, the transfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
  • All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers, or passengers not using this service.
  • In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works, strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
  • Heathrow Airport: National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London’s Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Trafalgar hotel.
  • Gatwick Airport Passengers who have booked Trafalgar’s Land and Air packages arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. The Gatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London’s Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make their way from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
  • European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
  • Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar''s Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
  • Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
  • Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don''t coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
  • Click here to see scheduled transfer times.
  • Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Catania.


  • Day 2 - Arrive Catania - Taormina (3 nights) Welcome to Sicily! After check-in at your hotel, time to relax and unwind. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink and tour briefing with your Tour Director and fellow travelers. 

    Hotel: Caesar Palace (3 nights)


  • Day 3 - Taormina Orientation & at leisure Today we will discover a Hidden Treasure! But first we explore Taormina, founded in 400 BC and beautifully located overlooking the sea and the peak of Mount Etna. We see the Greek theatre and the glorious sub-tropical terraced gardens before strolling along elegant Corso Umberto to the Piazza for splendid panoramic views across the bay to the Ionian Sea. Later, enjoy free time perhaps to shop for handmade lace on the Corso. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)


  • Day 4 - Syracuse Excursion Today we leave for Syracuse, the ‘Greek city’ and birthplace of the mathematician Archimedes, where the local guide, using the audio system, shows us the archeological excavations including the Greek theatre, the so-called Ear of Dionysius and the Roman amphitheatre. In the afternoon we visit the Ortygia Island, the historical centre of Syracuse. Later we return to Taormina and enjoy a delicious dinner in a family run restaurant where we taste all the local specialities. (Buffet breakfast / ''Be My Guest'' Dinner)


  • Day 5 - Taormina - Piazza Armerina - Enna - Agrigento This morning we leave Taormina and soon have views of the impressive fortress town of Enna. Then we visit Piazza Armerina where we find the 4th century Roman Villa of Casale which is renowned for its unique mosaics covering almost the entire floor. Later, on arrival in Agrigento, our local guide takes us to visit the Valley of the Temples, considered the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily and rivaling those of Athens in their Grecian grandeur. We see the splendid Temple of Concord and the Temple of Juno overlooking the sea before continuing to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 

    Hotel: Kore


  • Day 6 - Agrigento - Selinunte - Palermo (2 nights) Today we drive north to Selinunte to visit the Dorian Temples and Acropolis, which are built on a natural balcony overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Then we drive on to Erice, the only Sicilian town that has been inhabited since pre-history, and which lies 800 metres above sea level on a small peak near the coastal town of Trapani. The oldest structure in the town is the protective thick boundary wall which dates back to Punic times. Since then, the town has been home to the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Greeks and the Romans, the Arabs and the Normans who built the castle above the harbour. We enjoy wonderful views from the castle gardens before continuing to Palermo the vibrant Sicilian capital.  (Buffet breakfast) 

    Hotel: Astoria Palace (2 nights)


  • Day 7 - Palermo Sightseeing & at leisure Our morning guided sightseeing tour, using the audio equipment, takes us to Piazza Bellini and the cathedral. Later we stop to view the Conca d’Oro from Monreale where we visit the 12th century Norman Cathedral. Finally we visit the fishing village of Mondello before time at leisure. Tonight, we get together with our travelling companions and Tour Director for a festive Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant to celebrate the end of our tour together. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)


  • Day 8 - Palermo - USA Farewell to Sicily, our Tour Director and new-found friends as we are accompanied by our return flights. (Buffet breakfast)


  • Free airport transfers: Transfers on Day 2 at Catania Airport will operate at 10.00, 12.30 & 15.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Palermo Airport at 06.30 and 08.30.



Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.
         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
4/26/2009 - 5/3/2009
$1,550
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5/3/2009 - 5/10/2009
$1,550
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5/17/2009 - 5/24/2009
$1,550
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5/24/2009 - 5/31/2009
$1,535
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5/31/2009 - 6/7/2009
$1,535
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6/7/2009 - 6/14/2009
$1,535
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6/14/2009 - 6/21/2009
$1,535
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6/21/2009 - 6/28/2009
$1,535
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6/28/2009 - 7/5/2009
$1,535
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7/5/2009 - 7/12/2009
$1,535
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7/12/2009 - 7/19/2009
$1,535
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7/19/2009 - 7/26/2009
$1,535
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7/26/2009 - 8/2/2009
$1,599
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8/2/2009 - 8/9/2009
$1,599
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8/9/2009 - 8/16/2009
$1,599
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8/16/2009 - 8/23/2009
$1,599
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8/23/2009 - 8/30/2009
$1,550
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8/30/2009 - 9/6/2009
$1,550
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9/6/2009 - 9/13/2009
$1,550
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9/13/2009 - 9/20/2009
$1,550
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9/20/2009 - 9/27/2009
$1,550
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9/27/2009 - 10/4/2009
$1,550
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10/4/2009 - 10/11/2009
$1,550
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10/11/2009 - 10/18/2009
$1,499
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10/18/2009 - 10/25/2009
$1,499
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This list indicates brochure rates and dates.
* For single travellers purchasing the twin-share option, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms.
Please note: In addition to being sold out or on a request basis only, a tour departure may not be displayed on this site for operation reasons.
For details on discounts that apply to this tour please refer to a brochure or see your Travel Agent.
The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.
  • Taormina
  • Syracuse
  • Piazza Armerina
  • Enna
  • Agrigento
  • Selinunte
  • Erice
  • Palermo
  • Monreale
  • Mondello
This list indicates brochure rates and dates.
* For single travellers purchasing the twin-share option, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms.
Please note: In addition to being sold out or on a request basis only, a tour departure may not be displayed on this site for operation reasons.
For details on discounts that apply to this tour please refer to a brochure or see your Travel Agent.
The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Cruise Solo at NO Additional Charge

Trafalgar / Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has waived single supplements on a variety of 2009 Europe river cruises, which means solo travelers can cruise at no additional charge.

This offer is valid on the following cruises:

Burgundy & Provence

Tulips & Windmills

Enchanting Danube

Eastern Europe Explorer

Danube Discovery

Rhine Discovery

Grand European Discovery

Paris and Normandy

Grand France

Portugal, Spain, & the Douro River Valley (Cruise Only)

Paris & European River Romance

Paris & Grand European Waterways

Paris & the Heart of Europe

Contact your travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301.

**Conditions apply. Valid on select departures. See you travel agent for further details.


   
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