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Day 1: Palermo
Arrive at Palermo’s Punta Raisi Airport, then transfer downtown for check-in at your hotel. The afternoon visit is to
the International Marionette Museum to learn about the colorful Sicilian puppets, and enjoy a private ‘puppet show’.
Later this evening, have your first taste of authentic Sicilian cuisine during dinner at one of Palermo’s best restaurants.
Day 2: Palermo
After breakfast, tour of Palermo with your expert guide, exploring the various influences that other cultures, namely the
Moors, the Normans and the Arabs, have left on this fascinating city. Your tour includes a visit to the main Cathedral and
stunning Norman Palace with its intricate mosaics adorning the chapel.
On to Monreale to visit the majestic Cathedral
and adjoining cloisters, long-considered one of the most beautiful edifices in Sicily.
The afternoon is at leisure
perhaps to shop or even visit to the famous ‘vucceria’ open-air market with delicious regional specialties based
on Palermo’s diverse culinary heritage.
This evening, enjoy a specially arranged dinner in a stunning Patrician
Palazzo. The local nobleman and his wife will host a once in a lifetime gathering complemented by a tenor who will perform
some of Italy’s most beloved operatic arias.
Day 3: Palermo / Erice / Marsala / Trapani / Palermo
After breakfast, depart on today’s escorted excursion to explore the northwestern portion of the island. Today’s
first stop will be in Erice, one of Sicily’s most beautiful hill towns. Here, you will have a chance to stroll along
tiny streets and through charming squares as you explore this quintessential town.
While in Erice, visit the famous
‘Pasticceria Maria Grammatico’ where you can see one of the most delicious arrays of traditional Sicilian pastries,
along with the hand-painted marzipans. You will have a special demonstration of how this delicate confection is made and hand-painted,
followed by a sampling of these traditional Sicilian sweets
From Erice, continue on to nearby Marsala, located on the
western seashore of the island where you will enjoy a special visit to the ‘Cantine Florio’ for an informative
tasting of the well-known Marsala wine. Travel to Trapani, once a thriving fishing village which still maintains century old
traditions and is the largest processor of fresh tuna on the island. You will stop for a brief visit to the salt mines to
see how this precious commodity is extracted from the sea prior to this evening’s exciting dinner at one of the local
‘salt windmill’ restaurants located in nearby Ettore ed Infersa.
Late evening return to Palermo for
overnight at the hotel.
 Day 4: Palermo /Segesta / Agrigento
After breakfast, depart for the ancient Greek colony of Agrigento, located on the southern side of the island, facing North
Africa. En-route, stop for an escorted visit to another ancient Greek colony, known as Segesta, where
you will have the
opportunity to walk through the site, dotted with temples paying homage to the ancient Greek deities.
After checking
into your hotel in Agrigento, enjoy an afternoon at the Valley of the Temples with your expert guide.
Later this evening,
you will have a relaxing dinner at the hotel prior to this evening’s special treat. Enjoy a drive along the boulevard that
flanks the Valley of the Temples. The stunning relics of the past are illuminated in all their majestic glory. Late
evening return to hotel for overnight.
Day 5: Agrigento / Ragusa / Siracusa
After breakfast, journey along Sicily’s southern coast towards Ragusa. Special arrangements have been made at a local consortium
for a private tasting of delicious ‘Ragusano’ cheese. While in Ragusa, enjoy a wonderful prepared luncheon followed by a sampling
of various traditional pastries before departing for Siracusa.
Late afternoon arrival in Siracusa at your hotel. Relax
and enjoy dinner on your on the tiny island of Ortigia.
Day 6: Siracusa / Piazza / Armerina / Taormina
After breakfast, explore Siracusa with an expert local guide who will lead you through the Archeological Park, including the
Roman amphitheater, Greek theatre, and Ear of Dionysius and will offer great insight about this once-thriving Greek Colony.
After
a light lunch on your own, board your motorcoach and traverse the interior points of Sicily, en-route to Piazza Armerina.
Meet an expert guide who will lead you on an informative visit to the Villa del Casale. Once the hunting lodge of the Roman
Emperors, you will see some of the world’s most beautiful and intricate mosaics.
Later in the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing
journey to the seaside resort of Taormina, perched high in the cliffs, overlooking the shimmering blue Ionian Sea. Upon arrival,
check-in at your hotel prior to this afternoon’s informal ‘passeggiata’ or stroll through this quintessential resort town.
This
evening, enjoy dinner on your own at anyone of Taormina’s great restaurants.
Day 7: Taormina
After breakfast, you will have a walking guided tour of Taormina, through the beautiful public gardens. On to the Palazzo
Coravaja to see its interesting façade. Your final stop will be a visit to the famous Greek Theatre which overlooks the
Ionian Sea and offers a glimpse of Mt. Etna in the distance. The remainder of your day is at leisure, and dinner is on your
own.
Day 8: Taormina / Catacia/ Mt. Etna / Taormina
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, depart for Catania the birthplace of Vincenzo Bellini, one of Italy’s great opera
composers. Your escort will lead another informal ‘passeggiata’ through the pedestrian area or consider purchasing an optional
‘hands-on’ cooking lesson at the ‘Cucina del Sole’ under the expert guise of Eleanora Consoli, the Julia Child of Italy.
In
the early afternoon, head towards Mt. Etna, to enjoy an escorted excursion to this active volcano. Here you will climb winding
roads, above the tree lines, to the base of the volcano which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area.
As an option, you may purchase a special mountain trek, where you ascend to 9,000 feet above sea level by funicular, meet
a special mountain guide and then head off in a 4 x 4 vehicle in search of smoking craters.
Later this evening you
will stop at a local ‘masseria’ for this evening’s farewell dinner with music and waiters in traditional Sicilian costume.
Day 8: Departure
After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Catania’s Airport to board your connecting flight back to the USA or extend
your stay in Italy.
For more information contact us at:
Cultural Crossroads
20 Meadowcrest Lane
Barre, VT 05641
Ph: 802-479-7040
Fax: 802-479-3442
Toll Free: 877-479-7040
info@culturalcrossroadstravel.com
www.culturalcrossroadstravel.com
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