Sicily: History, Cuisine and more… October 6 – 16, 2013

Sicily
History, People, Cuisine and more…

The best way to see Sicily is with people who know it well! TunisUSA‘s hosts have lived more than three decades in Sicily. Bringing the curiosity and pursuit of knowledge that often comes with this “outsiders eye” has allowed them to become the ultimate “Sicily Insiders”. Whether it is history, crafts, food, architecture or the most unexplored rural road are farm, they have the connections and an approach that results in a program that will let you enjoy a wonderful Sicilian, as few visitors do.

Your trip will have you arriving in Catania and then exploring Sicily with a circular route, starting with Siracusa. The east of the island is where it all began: from prehistoric Sicily, to the coast where the Greeks arrived, to Syracuse where the first and greatest golden age of Sicily flowered.  As our tour circles Sicily, you will enjoy the greatest sights of the island, returning to a restful epilogue in the east…including opportunities to enjoy the best wines, restaurants and shopping, with a delightful end at Taormina. A wonderful way to enjoy and learn about Sicily and her people!

Sunday, October 6 – Arrive in Catania
We meet you at the airport and take you to Siracusa. We check in at a small hotel in the Siracusa ancient city quarter of Ortigia, and when everyone is in we’ll have a welcome and group meeting.  As you will be arriving jet-lagged, the first day will be settling in and getting oriented with a walk around the incredible island-peninsula of Ortigia, its rich history, palaces, narrow lanes, Jewish Quarter, and shops. Perhaps enjoy a traditional Sicilian puppet show…always plenty of gore and guts! Welcome dinner at a Siracusa restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Livingston in Siracusa. (D)

Monday, October 7 – Siracusa
Today is our grand tour of Siracusa, the greatest of ancient Greek cities; beginning with the world’s only surviving ancient Greek fort and its lovely overlook of the coast, then continuing on to the Greek Theatre, Ear of Dionysius, and Roman Amphitheatre. In the late afternoon, we will have a cooking class with a renowned local chef, dining on our creations. Overnight at Hotel Livingston in Siracusa. (B, D)

Tuesday, October 8 – Modica, Ragusa and more…
We visit the charming town of Modica where chocolate is made in the traditional way brought to the island by the Spaniards. Lunch at a dairy farm where Ornella and her husband Salvo treats us to produce of the farm. Afternoon visit to various Montalbano sites.Overnight in Ragusa at Eremo della Giubiliano.  (B, L)

Wednesday, October 9 – Piazza Armerina, Agrigento and more… -
Early departure from Ragusa for the amazing Roman villa del Casale at Piazza Armerina with its wonderful mosaic floors. We visit the vineyards of Feudo Principi di Butera where we have a tasting and a light lunch. After, we take an afternoon drive on country roads to Agrigento.  Here we find the Greeks again, and temples equal to those found in Greece. Dinner at a great seafood restaurant and overnight in Agrigento at Domus Aurea, a delightful hotel overlooking the temples.  (B, L, D)

Greek temple at Agrigenta

Thursday, October 10  – Selinunte, Marsala
We travel west along the remote south coast to the Greek city of Selinunte. After lunch we travel to Marsala, for a winery tour and tasting in the Florio winery, as well as afternoon stops at the salt flats and their romantic windmills. Overnight in a lovely hotel in Marsala, Hotel Carmine. (B, L)

Friday, October 11 – Erice, Segesta, Palermo and more…
Today we continue to Erice and tour the ancient mountaintop town founded by Aphrodit and ruled by Hercules, where a cult of sex once flourished. We visit a famous pastry shop, Maria Grammatico’s, made famous by Mary Simeti’s book Bitter Almonds. We turn north to visit the incomparably beautiful  temple at Segesta. Dinner at one of the best restaurants for real Sicilian cuisine  and overnight in Palermo, at Hotel Piazza Borsa. (B,D)

Saturday, October 12 – Palermo
A morning walking tour of all those incredible sites in Palermo. For those who wish to join, we will arrange lunch at the famous Foccaceria. For all, the remainder of the day and evening is at your leisure to explore Palermo. Overnight in Palermo (B )

Sunday, October 13 – Palermo and Cefalu
We visit the cathedral of Monreale, the Normans in all their splendour before driving along the  coast to Cefalù; for a tour of this charming seacoast town with its Norman cathedral. Onto your hotel in the mountains overlooking the sea in a 13^th century monastery set in its own organic wine yard for a pre-dinner wine tasting and then dinner. Overnight in Cefalu and the beautiful Relais Sant’ Anastasia. (B, D)

Monday, October 14 – Mount Etna, Savoca, Taormina
Today’s travels take you to the area of Mount Etna, home of Cyclops, through volcanic landscapes to the end of the road. Then onto the charming village of Savoca where scenes from The Godfather were filmed.

Afternoon arrival to your hotel in Taormina, with views over the sea and over to Mount Etna. Overnight  in Taormina at Hotel Villa Belvedere. (B)

Tuesday, October 15  – Taormina
Visit the Roman theatre in Taormina with its famous view over the sea towards Etna. Rest of the day afternoon is independent to explore Taormina and sample the many lunch options.

Tonight, your farewell dinner with authentic Sicilian pizza at a local restaurant. Overnight in Taormina. (B, L)

Wednesday, October 16 – Sicily departure  –
Morning transfer to the Catania airport for your departure flight. (B)

HOTELS

Seracusa:HotelLivingston
http://www.livingstonhotel.it/

Ragusa:EremodellaGiubiliana
http://www.eremodellagiubiliana.it/

Agrigenta: Domus Aurea
http://www.hoteldomusaurea.it/hotel-agrigento-sicily.html

Marsala:CarmineHotel

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g194817-d611405-Reviews-Carmine_Hotel-

Marsala_Province_of_Trapani_Sicily.html

Palermo: Piazza Borsa

http://grand-hotel-piazza-borsa.h-rez.com/index.htm?lbl=ggl-en

Celafu:RelaisSantaAnastasia
http://www.charmingsicily.com/en/relais-santa-anastasia-castelbuono

Taormina:HotelBelvedere
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187892-d239205-Reviews-Villa_Belvedere-Taormina_Province_of_Messina_Sicily.html

COST PER PERSON: $3,800. Per Person, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement: $775
Price is per person, based on double occupancy.

What is included
* Meals included are indicated as B, L, D
* Airport transfer before 3Pm for arrival to Catania on March 10th. Airport transfers morning of March 20th to Catania
* All touring as described

What is not included
* International airfare is additional. TunisUSA will be happy to advise the best options.
* Any purchases of a personal nature, hotel expenditures such as laundry, mini-bar, business center related expenses and spa expenses.
* All expenses in addition to included room and breakfast.
* Gratuities to guide and driver
* Alcoholic drinks not included during group meals.

To make reservations,

Fill out and print this form and mail it to TunisUSA below, OR
print out the form and fax to TunisUSA at 484 754 0088, OR
Scan and e-mail to: info@tunisusa.com

TunisUSA

175 Strafford Avenue, Suite ONE # 500

Wayne, PA 19087-3396

Tel: Toll Free from US and Canada 888 474-5502, Tel 484 754 0086.   Fax 484 754 0088