Agrigento Concord's Temple

Departure from Catania 8 days/7 nights
multiple weekly departures

Typical Itinerary

1st Day/Saturday : CATANIA

Arrival in Catania and self transfer to the hotel. In the evening dinner and overnight in hotel.

2nd Day/Sunday: ETNA – TAORMINA

After breakfast, departure to Mt. Etna Volcano, the highest active volcano in Europe. We will reach the “Crateri Silvestri”, small volcanic cones now inactive, surrounded by ancient lava flows. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Taormina, charming town offering a lovely panorama of the Ionic Sea and Etna, famous for its fascinating Greek theatre, the ancient Cathedral and Palazzo Corvaja. You can take a nice walk among the typical small streets for shopping (coral jewels, precious laces, ceramics, sweets and much more). Back to hotel in Catania for dinner and overnight.

3rd Day/Monday: SIRACUSA – RAGUSA IBLA – MODICA

Prima colazione in albergo e partenza per il museo di Aidone dove si potrà ammirare la statua della dea di Morgantina che fu scolpita nel V sec. a.C. Trasferimento nella vicina Piazza Armerina, per il pranzo libero, dove si potranno ammirare gli splendi mosaici pavimentali della nota Villa Romana del Casale che ospita la più bella collezione di mosaici policromi romani raffiguranti scene di caccia e di svago, episodi mitologici e raffigurazioni storiche. Si proseguirà per Palermo e sistemazione in albergo per il pernottamento; cena in hotel o ristorante nelle vicinanze.

4th Day/Tuesday: AIDONE/MORGANTINA – PIAZZA ARMERINA – AGRIGENTO

After breakfast in hotel we will leave to see the statue of the “Venus of Morgantina” carved in the 5th century BC. Transfer to Piazza Armerina where you will have free time for lunch. It will be possible to admire the splendid polychrome mosaics of the famous Villa Romana del Casale, representing mythological and historical episodes and scenes of hunting and entertainments. We will proceed to Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples where, among hundreds of almond trees, the rests of the ancient Akragas rise. It was defined by Pyndar “the most beautiful city of mortals”. You will see the “Temple of Hera”, the “Temple of Concordia” and the “Temple of Heracles”. After dinner in hotel it will be possible to enjoy a panoramic tour of the Valley of the Temples illuminated. Overnight.

5th Day/Wednesday: SELINUNTE – SALEMI – GIBELLINA

Breakfast in hotel and departure for Selinunte where, surrounded by a splendid landscape near the African Sea, we will walk among the rests of the ancient Greek city, which today represent the largest archaeological site in the Mediterranean. Free time for lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to the visit of Salemi, proclaimed the first Capital of Italy in 1860. We will see the Norman Castle erected in 12th century and the Piazza Alicia, proclaimed the sixth most beautiful square in Europe and where the rests of the Mother Church lie. This Church was destroyed in 1615 by an earthquake and restored in 1968 by a Portuguese architect: today it appears as a magnificent theatre in the open air. We will proceed to Gibellina to visit the “Cretto di Burri” (Burri’s Crevice), one of the widest works of contemporary art, whose giant slabs just follow the paths of the town’s streets and alleys. This huge monument of death is what remains today of the old city. We will go back to Salemi passing through the town of Poggioreale, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1968 and where still today the ruins of the city are a real evidence of how life was before that date. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Salemi. After dinner it will be possible to visit the Museum (of Sacred Art, of Risorgimento, of the Mafia) which will be open exclusively for those who travel with this tour.

6th Day/Thursday: SEGESTA – ERICE – MOTHIA – MARSALA

After breakfast in hotel we will leave for Segesta, to see its famous Doric Temple, unusually well preserved. We will proceed to Erice to visit this nice medieval town situated in a charming position, offering a pleasant panorama of the Egadi Islands. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the small island of Mothia, situated at the centre of a large lagoon in Marsala, known today as ‘Stagnone’. Thanks to its particularly favourable location, in the past it was one of the most prosperous Punic colonies in the Mediterranean. Before going back to the hotel we will stop in Marsala to visit a cellar and to taste the famous strong sweet wine, exported all-over the world. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Salemi.

7th Day/Friday: PALERMO – MONREALE

Breakfast in hotel and departure for Palermo to visit the capital of Sicily, one of the richest towns in the island for history and art. We will visit the Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Normanni with its precious Palatine Chapel, the fountain in Pretoria Square, adorned with sculptures. Free time for lunch. We will continue with the visit of Monreale with its huge Norman Cathedral which has been proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and the splendid Cloister. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Palermo.

8th Day/Saturday PALERMO

Breakfast in hotel and end of services.

Transfers to Palermo ad/or Catania airport are available but not included in the tour price, please, do not hesitate to ask ud for information.

SATURDAY – DEPARTURE FROM PALERMO

Breakfast at the hotel; End of services for clients arrived in Palermo on Saturday.

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PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Transportation service and driver escort/guide for the whole tour (from day 2nd to 7th)
• 7 nights accomodation at three/four stars hotels as indicated in the tour or similars
• Breakafast daily
• 6 dinners
• Chocolate tasting in Modica
• Wine tasting in Marsala
• Fully escorted
• Local taxes
• Local guides as per itinerary

2012 Departure Calendar

From March 31st – October 31st guarantee departure every saturday.

PACKAGE PRICE:

• €750 per person, based on double occupancy.
• Single room €995.

Tour booking code DS01/PC

AIRPORT TRANSFERS (Not included in the package cost) Please, call 1-888-287-8733 for information
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE:
Entrance fees, airfare, airport transfers, international departure taxes and fees, applicable passenger facility charges,insurance and overtime charges for car rentals, items of a personal nature, such as gratuities, drinks of any kind, excess baggage charges, and any charges in excess of those covered by the prepaid package.
Package prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice, availability and confirmation. Gabriele’s Travels to Italy is not responsible for typing mistakes and/or tour features descriptions.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: 1-507/287-8733
or email: info@travelingtoitaly.com

Mt. Etna Volcano in the Winter