Trafalgar - Colours of Sicily (04/2023 - 10/2023) (ISICZN18)

9 Days From Palermo to Catania
Tour Style: Country Explorer
Trafalgar Brochure Price from $2,115.00
Brochures: Europe & Britain 2023 v2, Europe & Britain 2024 v1
Visits: Italy

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Sicily’s vibrant palette of colours comes alive on this trip. Sip local wine on the slopes of Mount Etna, wander the chic streets of Taormina and meet the locals in colourful fishing villages. Top it all off with a sweet treat – all the Modican chocolate you can lay your hands on.
Choice Highlights

Must-see Highlights

• : Explore Palermo, Monreale, Valley of the Temples, Ragusa, Syracuse and Taormina with a Local Specialist
• : Discover Modica and Catania
• : Visit Monreale Norman Cathedral, Mondello, Erice, Infersa Mill in Marsala, Valley of the Temples, the Syracuse Archaeological Museum, Ortygia and the Greek Theatre in Taormina
• : View Mount Etna

Iconic Experience

• Monreale: The sombre exterior of the cathedral at Monreale gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th-century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world.
• Mondello: Take a moment to soak up the relaxing atmosphere of coastal Mondello.
• Erice: Led by your Travel Director, explore the quiet alleys of this ancient walled town, as if you've stepped into the Middle Ages. See the medieval churches and marvel at the sea views from the gardens of the Castle of Venus.
• Agrigento: A Local Specialist will lead you through the magnificent remains of the Greek colony in the Valley in the Temples. See the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno.
• Ragusa: Join a Local Specialist on an insightful look into the historic devastation at the root of Ragusa's two distinctive districts.
• Syracuse: Walk with a Local Specialist through the historic island of Ortygia and visit the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse.
• Catania: During an exploration with your Travel Director see the Duomo, Piazza and the noble buildings of Palazzo Senatorio.
• Taormina: Visit the ancient Greek Ampitheatre with your Local Specialist. Set on a cliff, open to the sky, take your seats and enjoy the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna.

Dive Into Culture

• Marsala: Explore Sicily's 'Culture of Salt' at the Salina della Laguna.
• Modica: Learn how the local Modica chocolate is made and enjoy a chocolate tasting.

Be My Guest

• Catania: Learn how to make homemade macaroni and sit down to a delicious local meal with your charming hosts, the locals of Castiglione di Sicilia, a Jewish Village.

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Trafalgar Tour Itinerary

Day 1	Welcome to Palermo
	You'll start your Sicilian journey in Palermo, whose rich trading history has left its unforgettable mark on the city’s Italian, Arab and Norman-styled piazzas, street markets and churches. Enjoy some free time to relax before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception to kick-start your Sicilian adventure.
	Visits: Palermo
	Meals: Welcome Reception
	Accommodation: Garibaldi
Day 2	Explore the Capital of Sicily Make Travel Matter
	Discover hidden Palermo as you join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, and learn about the civil anti-mafia movement. Head to Monreale on the slopes of Monte Caputo where a Local Specialist will guide you through one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture, the 12th-century Cattedrale di Monreale. This evening, why not join an Optional Experience to the beautiful fishing village of Sferracavallo, at the foot of Mount Capo Gallo? Here you’ll feast on Palermitano specialties, perfectly paired with delicious Sicilian wine.
	Visits: Palermo, Monreale, Palermo
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Garibaldi
Day 3	Journey to Ancient Marsala Dive Into Culture
	Leaving Palermo behind, we stop in the fishing village of Mondello, historically a favourite seaside retreat for the who’s who of Palermo. Breathe in the cool sea air and savour the easy-going atmosphere before you head to Erice, the hilltop 'Town of a Hundred Churches'. You’ll have some free time for lunch before continuing to Marsala, home to the nutty-flavoured wine which shares its name. Dive Into Culture along the way, stopping at the salt pans to visit the Infersa Mill to learn about the ancient 'culture of salt' and industry which has shaped this region. You’ll be thrilled with an evening at leisure in picture-perfect Marsala with its marble streets and expansive piazze filled with colourful restaurants.
	Visits: Palermo, Erice, Marsala
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Seawater
Day 4	Onwards to Agrigento and Ragusa
	Today’s first stop is Agrigento where you’ll join a Local Specialist for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples. You’ll explore one of the world’s most treasured centres of Greek art and architecture, including the seven sandstone Doric temples overlooking the city. There’s time for lunch before we head to Ragusa, a city with two very different souls – the lower and older Ragusa Ibla and higher Ragusa Superiore are separated dramatically by a deep ravine, the Valle dei Ponti.
	Visits: Marsala, Agrigento, Ragusa
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Poggio del Sole
Day 5	Explore Beautiful Baroque Modica Dive Into Culture
	This morning we pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Modica. Your Travel Director will show you the sights on an orientation of this Baroque beauty before we Dive Into Culture  and learn the secrets of Modican chocolate. Later we return to Ragusa to learn about the rebuilding of the city following a 17th-century earthquake which destroyed most of it. Your Local Specialist will reveal how this devastating seismic event led to the development of an entirely new city on a nearby ridge, while some of its brave residents remained to rebuild what was lost. You’ll hear how it was only in the early 20th century that the two were eventually fused together. This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, or perhaps consider joining an Optional Experience to a unique local farm restaurant.
	Visits: Ragusa, Modica, Ragusa
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Poggio del Sole
Day 6	Off to Historic Syracuse
	Once a major Mediterranean power and the birthplace of Archimedes, the historic city of Syracuse takes centre stage this morning as you join your Local Specialist for in-depth insights into its colourful past. You'll see some of its treasures at the Archaeological Museum, then visit the island of Ortygia, the ancient heart of the city connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. Your afternoon is open to spend as you wish. This evening you’ll join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.
	Visits: Ragusa, Syracuse
	Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner
	Accommodation: Mercure
Day 7	Venture Past Mount Etna to Taormina
	Continue up the coast to Catania, the city that lies in Mount Etna’s shadow. You’ll have some free time to explore on your own and perhaps sample arancini, a favourite Catania snack. Later join a Local Specialist to delve into the history and culture of the ancient town of Taormina. A particular highlight of this afternoon will be a visit to the beautifully preserved ruins of the Teatro di Taormina. Imagine masked actors performing against the backdrop of glorious sea views more than 2,500 years ago. You’ll have an evening on your own to spend as you wish or consider joining our Optional Experience evening enjoying Sicilian specialties.
	Visits: Syracuse, Catania, Taormina
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Caesar Palace Giardini Naxos
Day 8	Taormina Free Day Connect with Locals
	Taormina is yours for the taking today. You could choose to visit the 10th-century Palazzo Corvaja with its Islamic-style tower or explore the elegant boutiques along Corso Umberto. Work up an appetite and stop for some of the city's signature cannoli or cool down with a famous Sicilian granita, a half-frozen dessert served with a piping-hot brioche. Movie buffs will delight in an Optional Experience to Mount Etna and Savoca, the hilltop village of 'The Godfather'. Later this evening, learn the art of Sicilian cuisine on a charming Be My Guest experience.
	Visits: Taormina
	Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
	Accommodation: Caesar Palace Giardini Naxos
Day 9	Farewell Sicily
	Your journey through Sicily has come to an end. All that's left is to say a fond farewell to new friends and take your airport transfer for your return journey home. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
	Visits: Taormina, Catania
	Meals: Breakfast

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Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin, Twinshare
Child: ages 5 to 17