RMC Travel

Sicily Tour

Raymond

RMC presents
SICILY
Tour postponed to April 2023. New dates will be indicated soon

Eternal crossroads of the Mediterranean, the gorgeous island of Sicily continues to seduce travelers with its dazzling diversity of landscapes and cultural treasures. It is the great melting pot of the ancient world. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Normans, French and Spanish have left their mark and contributed to its rich heritage. Whether in the classical perfection of Agrigento’s Concordia Temple, the monumental rubble of Selinunte’s Columns or the rare grace of a dancing satyr statue rescued from Mazara del Vallo’s watery depths, reminders of bygone civilizations are everywhere.

Sicily is also a delectable layer-cake of culinary influences, Sicily’s ancient cuisine continues to rely on a few key island-grown ingredients: shellfish and citrus, tuna and swordfish, pistachios, almonds and ricotta.

Sicily’s varied landscape makes a dramatic first impression. As if its classical heritage weren’t formidable enough, Sicily is bursting at the seams with later artistic and architectural gems. In a short walk around Palermo you’ll see Arab domes and arches, Byzantine mosaics and Norman palace walls. Circle around to southeast Sicily and you’ll find a stunning array of baroque architectural masterpieces, from the golden-hued domes and palaces of Noto to the multi-tiered cathedral facades of Ragusa and Modica. Meanwhile, throughout the island you’ll find yourself stumbling upon the evocative remains of Arab and Norman castles. These cultural riches remain one of the island’s most distinctive attractions.

TOUR INCLUDES

SPECIAL FEATURES

SICILY TOUR ITINERARY

Tour postponed to April 2023. New dates will be indicated soon
1st day: Friday, April 15 – To Italy
Depart the East End for JFK to board our flights for Sicily, Italy.

2nd day- Saturday, April 16: Arrival Palermo (D)
We connect in Europe for our flight to Palermo. Upon arrival, we will be escorted to our hotel where we have some time to relax before our welcome dinner.

3rd day-Sunday, April 17: In Palermo. Visit to Monreale (B)
After breakfast, the morning will be free for those who want to attend Easter services at a nearby local church. For those not attending church, it’s a morning at leisure. In the afternoon, we start our visit with a walking tour through the narrow streets of old Palermo. Here we will view the ornate Piazza Bellini, the Cathedral and the Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel. Then we board our coach and proceed to Monreale for a visit to the 12th century Norman Cathedral, famous for its 50,000 square feet of precious Byzantine mosaics. We return to Palermo over the scenic, history steeped Monte Pellegrino. Dinner on our own this evening and a chance to experience some of the wonderful local restaurants.

 

4th day-Monday, April 18: To Agrigento (B/L/D)
After breakfast we depart for Agrigento. The morning will be spent visiting one of the most important Greek historical sites in the world: the breathtaking Valley of the Temples. Even travelers who have visited Athens and Delphi in Greece are awed by the gigantic yet graceful Greek structures that have survived 24 centuries of tormented history. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will have the afternoon free to do some independent exploration and shopping before we have dinner at our hotel.

5th day-Tuesday, April 19: To Mount Etna and Taormina (B/L/D)
We start our day by traveling up to Mount Etna’s top, over 5,000 feet high. It’s the highest and the most active volcano in Europe. We will visit the Silvestri Craters – five extinct craters and enjoy their panoramic scenery. Then we will experience a special treat as we have lunch and a wine tasting at the Mt Etna vineyards. The vineyards are a unique wine growing area that has gotten a lot of attention recently. Its dark volcanic soils, high elevation, snow on the top of the mountain for five months of the year and the Mediterranean Sea nearby create singularly distinctive wines. After lunch we proceed to Taormina to visit the Ancient Greek- Roman Theatre. It is one of the most beautiful sites in the world with its well-preserved stones and stage and the snow-covered Mount Etna in the background. A bit of time to explore the town on our own before we have dinner at our hotel.

 

6th day- Wednesday, April 20: To Siracusa (B/D)
After breakfast we depart for Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian) to visit the most beautiful Greek colony of Sicily. This area attracted the philosopher Plato and the Apostle Paul. At one time, its naval fleet was feared throughout the Mediterranean. Here our visit will include the famous Latomie of the Garden of Paradise, the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Ear of Dionysius known for its extraordinary acoustics. We continue on with a visit to the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city center of Siracusa, built by the Aragonians. Return to our hotel in Siracusa for dinner and our overnight.

 

7th day- Thursday, April 21: In Siracusa (B/L)
After breakfast we depart for Noto and Nero d’Avola for lunch and a wine tasting. Noto is a magnificent baroque town and is famous for its opulent architecture and beauty. Its 18th-century cathedral is a local highlight, as is Caffe Sicilia, which is rumored to make some of the best gelato in all of Italy. We will have lunch at a local well renowned farmhouse that will feature both an olive oil tasting and a wine tasting. Afterwards we return to Siracusa where we have the evening on our own to enjoy some local dining at one of the town’s restaurants.

8th day-Friday, April 22: To Catania (B/D)
The last town on our itinerary is Catania, one of the most picturesque cities in Sicily. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Etna which gives the city its suggestive lava rock palate. After our arrival and some free time for lunch on our own, we will meet at our hotel and have a panoramic tour of the baroque town including the Roman Amphitheatre, the Duomo with its beautiful Cathedral and the Opera House. The city is affectionately named Mamma Etna, which is seen by locals as both a blessing and a curse. Etna is viewed as a symbol of fertility that although it destroyed the city several times during its history, it has also given Catania some of the best wines in the world. Its mouthwatering cuisine drenched with this agriculturally fantastic flavor will be enjoyed at our farewell dinner at a local countryside villa.

9th day-Saturday, April 23: To JFK (B)
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for connecting flights back to New York. Same day arrival at JFK and then back to the East End.

Hotels or similar

Please Read the Terms and Conditions for this Tour

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PRICE PER PERSON

Per Person in Double Occupancy room:
$3,399 payments via check or money order
$3,599 payments via credit card

Per Person in Single Occupancy Room:
$4,049 payments via check or money order
$4,259 payments via credit card

Add to above costs:
U.S. airline facility security and tax charges $599 ($629 via credit card)
Prepaid Gratuities $80 ($89 via credit card)

INITIAL DEPOSIT
$500 ($525 by credit card) Non-Refundable deposit due on or before December 1, 2021 to guarantee space.

FINAL PAYMENTS: Due on or before February 1, 2022

Tour postponed to April 2023. New dates will be indicated soon

If you already registered online and want to access the Payment Information page, click here.

Travel Insurance

RMC Travel highly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation/Interruption Travel Insurance, and we therefore provide you with an easy way to contact RMC’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323

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