THE BEST OF SICILY AND AMALFI

Sicily: SOLD OUT

12 Days – 11 Nights

Amalfi: SOLD OUT

6 Days – 5 Nights

Sicily is an island that has a fascinating history, wonderful architecture, roaring volcanos, rich cuisine and a coastline of stunning variety and beauty sculpted by the sea. Join Ann’s Adventures in Travel on this wonderful singles boutique tour to experience everything Sicily has to offer. Expect to be surprised, expect to be enchanted, expect to come away wanting more!

ITINERARY

Day 1: Palermo (D)

Fly into Palermo, Sicily’s vibrant capital. From the airport, our guide will take us to the Ai Cavalieri Hotel. After we check into our hotel, we will have an orientation tour of the City Center. Some of the famous sites are the Norman Palace, the Palatine Chapel, walking Via Vittorio Emanuele winding near the old gate of what used to be the city wall, the fountain in Piazza Pretoria and the “Four Corners.” You will have the rest of the day free to explore the lively Capo Market, a large open-air street market that captures the flavor of Palermo’s Moorish past. We will meet for an included welcome group dinner in the lobby at 7:00 PM.

Day 2: Monreale – Erice – Castellammare Del Golfo (B,L)

After breakfast we will check out of the hotel and take a short drive to the quaint, small town of Monreale to see the Duomo which is surrounded by citrus groves and olive trees.

Then, we will drive to the beautiful medieval town of Erice. Towering over the west of Sicily, Erice offers breathtaking views and amazing history. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the world-famous homemade pastry shops and enjoy a nice lunch. After, we will take a cable car ride and visit the Venus Castle. Erice is an important religious site associated with the Goddess of Venus.

Early evening, we will arrive at the seaside town of Castellammare del Golfo and check into our beautiful hotel and spa, the Marina di Petrolo. Explore the town and have dinner in one of the delicious cafes near the hotel.

Day 3: Castellammare del Golfo (B)

Today, get set for a full day Penelope Boat Tour. We will enjoy a magical experience where you will have the opportunity to admire one of the most beautiful areas of western Sicily. There will be many stops along the way for swimming. After a full day of sun and fun, we will go back to our hotel for some free time. Enjoy the pool, spa, restaurant at the hotel or go back into town for dinner.

Day 4: Corleone to Agrigento (B)

After a delicious breakfast, we will drive to Agrigento with some exciting stops along the way. First, we will visit Planeta–Ulmo Winery and see the vineyards as well as taste the great wines from this region.

Next, we will go to Corleone, to visit the Anti-Mafia Museum. For those of you who love the Godfather movies, we will ride through the town where many scenes were set and perhaps have a drink at the renowned Bar Vitelli.

We will continue driving south through the Sicilian countryside to Agrigento for the city’s fascinating Greek Ruins. Arrive and check into the lovely Colleverde Park Hotel.

Day 5: Agrigento – Modica – Ragusa (B)

After breakfast, we will have a half day excursion to the Valley of Temples and the Archeological Museum. These are two of Sicily’s most famous historical attractions.

On the way to Ragusa we will stop at the town of Modica for lunch, which is world-famous for its chocolate and chocolate museum.

Last stop of the day is our overnight stop in Ragusa at the Itria Palace. Have dinner in Ragusa Ibla – the older and lower town of Ragusa.

Day 6: Piazza Armerina – Caltagirone – Ragusa (B)

The next stop will be Piazza Armerina, a splendid art city woven into the heart of Sicily that has many monuments to its glorious past. The Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO Heritage Site, houses the most extensive and best preserved examples of Roman mosaics.

Next, welcome to Caltagirone. All the buildings in the old town are decorated in stunning tiles. The highlight is the 142 steps that connect the upper town with the lower town. The culture of ceramics is what distinguishes Caltagirone from other towns in Italy.

Day 7: Ragusa to Siracusa (B)

After breakfast, you have 1-2 hours to explore Ragusa or choose to relax in the hotel. Then drive to Siracusa and check-in to the Hotel Parco Delle Fontane. We start our tour with a visit to the Archeological Park and Ortygia Cathedral. The highlights of the Park are the Greek Theater, the most complete theater still in existence, the Roman Amphitheater and the Paradise Quarry. The Park contains some of the most extraordinary monuments. Then there is free time to stroll through the streets of Ortygia Island, the heart of the city center, to visit the dome and shop! Time to have some gelato!

Day 8: Siracusa (B,D)

After breakfast we will have a free day to explore Siracusa on our own. There is an optional activity to take a boat ride around Ortygia island as well. Get ready for tonight’s Food Tasting Tour for dinner!

Day 9: Siracusa to Taormina (B,L)

Drive to Nicolosi for a tour of Mount Etna including 4X4 trucks, cable car and Alpine Guide. Then stop off at Santa Venerina-Murgo Wineries. There will be plenty of food tasting which will be good for lunch or we will go to a restaurant when we finish. We will then drive to Taormina, a scenic town perched high above the sea. and check into our last hotel, the Excelsior Palace. Have some free time to enjoy our hotel’s facilities, breathtaking pool, beach or shop. Maybe even a massage?

Day 10: Taormina (B)

After breakfast, take a tour of Taormina and the Greek Theater which is optional if you choose to sleep in. The rest of the day is free to explore the area, shop, enjoy the hotel’s facilities, or go to the beach. In the evening we will go to the Villa Britannia cooking school for a superb group dinner, as well as to learn how to cook some Sicilian specialties.

Day 11: Taormina (B,D)

Today you must pack up in the AM for tonight’s hotel in Catania, and leave your bags at the desk. I will try to get us a late check-out, or that is what your carry-on bag is for (bathing suit, clothes for later, etc). You can choose any activity that you did not have time to do or a new optional one. Some places to explore are Isola Bella Beach, Alcantara Gorge, the Piazza Duomo and Fountain, Corso Umberto and Piazza 1X Aprile (Bam Bar Granita). In the late afternoon on our way to Catania, we will stop at the “Bee Whisperer” – Oro d’Etna. Get ready to taste fabulous honeys, olives, olive oil, pesto and liquors. Bring bubble wrap in your suitcase because you will want to shop and fill your bag with great products! We will get to Catania in the early evening and check into the NH Hotel Catania Centro.

Day 12: Depart from Catania for Home or Fly to Naples (B)

Since many of us are leaving so early in the morning, we will get a boxed breakfast at the hotel. Our fantastic Italian adventure comes to an end for some. You will be transferred to the airport in Catania for your flight home or your flight to Naples to start on your next adventure.

*Remember you are flying into Palermo and out of Catania.

AMALFI ITINERARY

Day 12: Sorrento

Fly from Catania, Sicily to Naples (1 hour). We will have a private car service taking us to the beautiful Hotel Antiche Mura Sorrento. There are so many things to do. You can wander through stores, visit Chiesa di San Francesco (a 14th-century church), Valley of the Mills or walk down the steps to Marina Grande. Whatever you choose to do, the amazing sights on the Amalfi coast are just gorgeous.

Day 13: Sorrento

After breakfast, enjoy our morning lemon tour with lunch included. We will have a private transfer from our Sorrento hotel to the farm and back, guided visit of the farm, tasting of their products and lunch. Just wait till you taste their homemade Limoncello. In the late afternoon, is an optional activity to go to Pompeii by train, where you will meet your private guide. Everyone else has a free afternoon to enjoy the hotel pool or the beach. You can reach Marina Piccola beach with a public lift, located in the gardens of the municipal Villa, or on foot, starting from Sorrento’s main square.

Day 14: Praiano

Today we have to pack to go to Praiano, a breathtaking small town on the Amalfi Coast near Positano. But first we will hike the famous Path of the Gods. Our driver will take us to Agerola, where we will start our hike. He will then meet us at the end of the pathway in Torre Le Nocelle to bring us to our hotel. This is the easiest direction to hike the pathway, because it is lightly downhill. It will take about 3-4 hours. For lunch, we will check into the Hotel Margherita. The rest of the day we can go to our pool, the beach, or explore the town. Tonight we will go to Positano for dinner.

Day 15: Ravello and Small Towns

Today we will have a full day, starting with shopping in Positano before heading to the little town of Minori for dessert at the most amazing bakery, the Pasticceria Sal De Riso. We will explore Ravello as well, with its gorgeous ceramic store, Vietri sul Mare, Hotel Villa Cimbrone, Terrace of Infinity and Villa Rufolo.

Day 16: Praiano

Today most of us will be going on an Amalfi Coast boat tour aboard a private yacht to see the Emerald Grotto and so much more. Other options are still available.

Optional Activities:

A) Take the public ferry to Amalfi Town. This is the largest town on the coast and has great shopping and the magnificent Duomo di Amalfi.

B) Take a private cruise to swim and explore the Emerald Cave. This gem is a blend of dazzling beauty and historic legend.

C) Take a boat to the island of Capri which is famous for its rugged landscape, yachts, upscale hotels, and shopping. One of its best known natural sites is the Blue Grotto, a dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue, the result of sunlight passing through an underwater cave.

Day 17: Depart Naples

Our sensational trip has come to an end. We will transfer to Naples for our flight home.

The Best of Sicily

Double Occupancy: $3699.00
Single Supplement: $700.00

Amalfi Coast

Double Occupancy: $1530.00
Single Supplement: $725.00

Package Price:

Double Occupancy: $5229.00
Single Supplement: $1425.00
Deposit: $500.00
Balance Due: June 5th

INCLUDED

11 Nights Accommodations
Breakfast Daily – 2 Lunch – 3 Dinners
English-Speaking Tour Leader
All Private Guided Tours, Activities and Admissions
Airport/Hotel Transfers
All Taxes and Surcharges

*Amalfi Extension

5 Nights Accommodations*
Breakfast Daily and Other Listed Meals*
Guided Tours and Activities per Itinerary*
Dedicated Group Leader*
Airport/Hotel Transfers on Tour Dates*
All Taxes and Surcharges*

NOT INCLUDED

International Airfare to Sicily
Airfare to Naples*
Gratuities