1 Spot available
SICILY… The Land of the Myths and Legends
October 16 - 24, 2022
Led by Historian and Roman Expert Mohamed Halouani
Situated at the toe of the boot of Italy, Sicily is an archaeological treasure. Sikania to its most ancient peoples, Sicily was Sikelia, Plato's utopian society, to the ancient Greeks. This small island serves as a museum to the many ancient civilizations that colonized it throughout the centuries. It is a land where Archimedes taught and Saint Paul preached. Asians, Africans and Europeans have ruled it, as it was once a Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate and a Norman kingdom. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Swabians, Angevins and Aragonese all left their mark on Sicily. Experience their legacy in Phoenician settlements, Punic cities, Greek temples, Roman amphitheaters, Norman Arab castles and Aragonese churches. Sunny Sicily is Punic Palermo, towering Taormina, ancient Agrigento, splendid Siracusa, and medieval Monreale and Cefalù.
Can be combined with Malta (October 24 - 28, 2022)
Tour cost (Land Only): $4,995.00
per person in double occupancy
Single Supplement: $595.00
Price based on group size minimum of 8 participants and maximum of 16 participants
Trip Grade: III Lodging Level: **
Tour Includes
Airport/Hotel/Airport transfers.
Accommodations at 4* (First class) centrally located hotels.
Meals as specified in the itinerary (B: breakfast, L: lunch and D: Dinner).
Local English Speaking guides in Palermo & Monreale (FD), Segesta (2hrs), Selinunte (2hrs), Valley Temples Agrigento (2hrs), Villa Romana Casale in Piazza Armerina (2hrs), Ortygia and Archaeological Park Syracuse (max. 4 hrs.), Taormina (max. 2hrs).
Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach.
Entrance fees in Palermo (Cathedral, Royal Palace with Palatine Chapel, San Giovanni Eremiti), Monreale (Cathedral and its cloister), Segesta (Temple), Selinunte (Archaeological Park including mini shuttle to join the Acropoli), Agrigento (Valley of Temples), Piazza Armerina (Villa Romana del Casale), Syracuse-Ortigia (Cathedral), Syracuse (archaeological park), Taormina (Greek theatre).
All local taxes and service charges on included items.
1 lunch in winery in Mount Etna that includes 4 wines tasting during lunch and cellar visit.
Wine and Honey tasting in Mt. Etna.
Beverages during farewell dinner (1/4 bottle of local wine & ½ bottle water).
Olive oil tasting in Selinunte, Wine, and honey tasting on Etna.
Tour Does Not Include
International Airfare USA/Sicily/USA.
Sicily visa (currently Gratis to US citizens).
The ferry to Malta and all the services in Malta.
Ascension Etna from 1.800 mt up to 2.900mt. (Cable car + jeeps).
Beverages with or without meals.
Trip surcharge to operate below required minimum participants.
Items of a personal nature (camera fees at Afghan sites, laundry, phone calls, emails, excess luggage, etc.).
Transfers if not arriving/departing on scheduled tour dates.
Dayroom/overnights necessitated by changes in airline schedules or early arrival.
Travel protection insurance. (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
Trip Grade:
II - III Active: Some hikes over gravel or on sandy sites and few walks at/or to sites on uneven terrain, few elevations, several winding mountain drives, and comfortable, but busy schedule of touring days.
LODGING Level:
**** Superior: 4 star hotels with western style service and comfort level acceptable to western standards.
Supplements: Cable car + Unimog 4x4 (in Mount Etna) approx. $75-$100
