Compare Taormina by Alexander+Roberts vs Sicily in Depth - Small Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 4 days | 9 days |
| Price From | Check price | $ 3,250 |
| Price Per Day | Check price | $ 361 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes | N/A |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
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See every slice of Sicily during this 8-day guided tour. Take off to Paradise Quarry in Syracuse with a Local Expert, who will show you its Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped limestone grotto: call out to your fellow travelers here, and your voice may echo as many as 16 times. Visit the Palermo Cathedral, a blend of architecture styles that combine for a stunning sight. Sample fresh olive oil at a lunch made of local produce from a farm near Trapani. Travel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu, where you will stroll to the Porta Marina for a picture-perfect view of the harbor. In Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea, join a Local Expert at the city’s cliffside Greek theatre, from which you can see Mount Etna, the island’s active stratovolcano. |
: Day 1 – Welcome to Taormina, Sicily
Upon arrival at the airport or cruise ship terminal, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted by private car to your choice of hotel. Spectacularly set on the side of a mountain overlooking the clear waters of the Gulf of Naxos, Taormina is an ancient town that has evolved into one of the region’s finest resorts. The balance of this day is yours to explore at your own pace through the town’s ancient cobblestone streets, now home to charming boutiques, cafes, galleries and restaurants.
: Day 2 – Privately Guided Sightseeing
This morning after breakfast, your private guide will be waiting to show you the highlights of the town he loves and knows so well. Founded in the 4th century BC, Taormina grew into an important city of the ancient Greek world and later continued to prosper during the Roman Empire. When Sicily was conquered by Norman invaders in the 11th century, Taormina fell into quiet obscurity. By the early 1900’s, however, Taormina had found new life as a popular destination for northern Europeans on their Grand Tour of the Continent. Among the highlights you’ll explore today are Taormina’s handsome medieval quarter and the splendidly preserved Greek Theater with its fine views of Mt. Etna and the Sicilian coastline. Built into a hillside, this ancient theater has nearly perfect acoustics and still used today for concerts and other cultural performances. After sightseeing, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Meals B
: Day 3 – At Leisure in Taormina
This entire day is free to explore at your own pace. You might wish to take a stroll along the Corso Umberto. This lively main street through Taormina is lined with popular shops and eateries. You can also explore the town’s charming people-filled squares including the Piazza IX Aprile with its fine views of the sea or the Piazza Vittoria Emanuele with its distinctive mix of Arab, Norman and Catalan-Gothic architecture. At the Piazza Del Duomo, you can admire the 600-year-old Church of San Nicola and a Baroque fountain with an imposing centaur – the symbol of Taormina. Meals B
: Day 4 – Depart Taormina
After breakfast, your private car and driver will take you to the airport or cruise ship terminal for your onward journey. Meals B
Day 1: Welcome to Sicily
On arrival at Catania airport, transfers leave for your hotel at 10:00, 12:30 and 15:30. Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director at 17:30, for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
NH Catania Centro.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Ancient Syracuse
Sightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry with its unusual Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with an unusual echo. Continue to the superb Greek theatre, carved out of solid rock, one of the largest of the ancient world. There is time to explore the atmospheric Old City, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces, sprawling over the island of Ortygia. It was here that the famous geometrician Archimedes ran naked through the streets, crying ‘Eureka!' Continue around the southeastern corner of Sicily to Ragusa.
Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa.
Breakfast
Day 3: Explore the Valley of the Temples and on to Palermo
Journey along the southern coast of the island, past the oil producing town of Gela to Agrigento. Explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. See the massive Temple of Concordia and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Your travels continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo.
NH Palermo.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Palermo & the Golden Age of the Normans
Explore Palermo with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the spectacular Arab-Norman Monreale Cathedral with a Local Expert. Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively market. This afternoon, visit Palermo Cathedral which has been altered many times over the years and observe its unique blend of architectural styles. For your dining pleasure, you are offered a selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening, each with their own ambience and cuisine.
NH Palermo.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5: Exploring Erice
Venture to the charming hilltop walled town of Erice and explore the labyrinth of quiet alleyways. Pause to enjoy the sea views from the gardens alongside the Castle of Venus. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the enchanting Villa Immacolatella near Trapani, enjoy a light lunch and a tasting of some of the island's freshest olive oil and Sicilian wines. The estate employs innovative farming techniques that favour the productive rhythm of the olive grove, including organic pest control and natural decantation of the oil. Back in Palermo the evening is at your leisure.
NH Palermo.
Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 6: Cefalu and the Taormina Riviera
Travel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu. The town's imposing cathedral was erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II. Stroll down to the medieval stone fountain and seek out the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina for a picture-perfect view of the little harbour.
RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
Breakfast
Day 7: Taormina and the Dawn Coast of Europe Relaxed Start
Your hotel faces east, so early risers may experience why D.H. Lawrence christened this 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.' After breakfast, perhaps take an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Travel to the old town of Taormina, which clings to the side of Mount Tauro overlooking the Ionian Sea and the peak of Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the Greek theatre set on a cliff and open to the sky. Take a moment to sit in this ancient theatre and absorb the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll on to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina’s grandest building and further along the elegant Corso Umberto, the Piazza IX Aprile offers panoramic views. At a local restaurant, rejoice with your new-found friends over your Celebration Dinner of delicious, freshly prepared Farm-to-Table cuisine, accompanied with exquisite Italian wines.
RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Depart Catania
Appreciate the vistas of Mount Etna one last time on your departure transfer to Catania Airport. Transfers arrive at the airport at 06:30 and 08:30.
Breakfast
