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 yourself stumbling upon the evocative remains of Arab and Norman castles. These cultural riches remain one of the island’s most distinctive attractions.
Pluswe will have an exciting tour up to Mount Etna, a “Godfather” tour and visiting many places featured in the “White Lotus” TV series.
TOUR INCLUDES
Round trip transportation from Montauk to JFK
Round trip air to Sicily
6 night’s accommodations
Hotel service charges and taxes
Breakfast every day
2 lunches
3 dinners
Transportation in Sicily by coach
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Sightseeing entrance fees
SPECIAL FEATURES
Welcome to Sicily “Cooking with the Duchess” dinner
A Norman Castle visit that features 50,000 square feet of mosaics
View the breathtaking Valley of the Temples
Travel to the top of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest volcano
A “Godfather Tour where you visit the actual places & sites from the Godfather movies
A Sicilian vineyard visit for lunch and wine tasting
Farewell dinner at wonderful outdoor Taormina restaurant
SICILY TOUR ITINERARY
1st day: Saturday, April 12 – To Italy
Depart the East End for JFK to board our flights for Sicily, Italy.
2nd day- Sunday, April 13: Arrival Palermo. (D) Late afternoon arrival in Palermo. We will transfer to our accommodations.Then after checking into our hotel to our hotel we have a Welcome Dinner and a well-deserved rest.
3rd day-Monday, April 14: In Palermo. Visit to Monreale & “Cooking with the Dutchess” (B/D) After breakfast, we board our coach and proceed to Monreale, slightly south of Palermo on a panoramic upland overlooking the Conca d’Oro and the Oreto River valley. We visit the Cathedral (Santa Maria la Nuovo) begun in 1174. This cathedral was built at the order of William II. The interior walls of the Cathedral are completely decorated with mosaics. We return to Palermo for lunch on our own at a and get ready for our “Cooking with the Duchess.” It’s not simply a Sicilian cooking lesson in an extraordinary location, but we will be doing it in a fabulous 18th century Palazzo by the sea, the last home of Prince Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, author of the world-famous novel The Leopard. What better surroundings to begin a captivating journey into the wondrous world of Sicilian culture and food? The Duchess of Palma will accompany us to the organic gardens on the luscious terrace to pick fresh herbs, flowers and lemons that will enhance both the flavors and the uniqueness of our dishes. Then in the welcoming kitchen, we will create a mouthwatering Sicilian menu under the Duchess’s expert guidance. Afterwards we’ll enjoy the fruits of our labor in the comfort of the Palazzo’s elegant dining room. White-gloved waiters will serve you the delicious Sicilian dishes you have created. Back to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.
4th day-Tuesday, April 15: To Cefalu, Agrigento & Taormina (B/L/D) After breakfast we depart for Cefalu (featured in White Lotus). Cefalù, one of the most beautiful evocative destinations on the island. For the Greeks, it was Kephaloidion, “head” or “headland” (most likely referring to its promontory), and the Romans knew it as Coephaledium. The Arabs called it Gafludi, “fortified city with abundant waters.” The town is dominated by a monumental rock rising to a height of about 1,000 feet and its historic Duomo, a gigantic cathedral commissioned by Ruggero II The Norman. There is also much to admire in medieval Cefalù. The Palazzo Maria in Piazza Duomo and the 13th-century Osterio Magno in Corso Ruggero, owned by the Conti Ventimiglia, have two beautiful 13th-century mullioned windows and a 14th-century triple lancet window.This is a visit not to be missed – a place that offers a magnificent glimpse of medieval Sicilian life. After lunch at a local restaurant, we depart for Agrigento, 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 we proceed to Taormina 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. Dinner at our hotel.
5th day-Wednesday, April 16: In Taormina. Tour to Noto & Siracusa (B) After breakfast we depart for Noto (featured in the White Lotus) a magnificent baroque town and is famous for its opulent architecture and beauty. Noto was founded at the time of the fall of Troy. This small town in the south-east was founded again in the 1700s. It is the heart and the starting point for a visit to the valley of the Sicilian Baroque. Its cathedral was perfectly raised and then rebuilt again 10 years later and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A local highlight is Caffe Sicilia, which is rumored to make some of the best gelato in all of Italy. Then visit 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. Lunch is on our own before we return to our hotel in the late afternoon for dinner on our own at the hotel or one of the local restaurants.
6th day, Thursday, April 17: In Taormina. To Mount Etna & Wine Tasting tour (B/L) 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 back 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. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free for independent activities.
7th day- Friday, April 18: In Taormina. Godfather Tour (B/D) An early start as we depart this morning for our Godfather tour that will take us back in time to discover the ancient and sunny Sicilian villages chosen by Francis Ford Coppola as the setting for the film “The Godfather.” The first stop is the Castello degli Schiavi, nicknamed “Villa Corleone,” where you will have the opportunity to relive the famous scenes of the film, read the original documents of the production, admire photographs taken during filming, and become protagonists being immortalized with photos and videos in those same places, recreating the famous scenes from “The Godfather.” The second stop is Savoca, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, where you can visit the famous Bar Vitelli, where Don Micheal Corleone asked for the hand of Apollonia. We will conclude our tour with a visit to the Church of San Nicolò, where the wedding scene between Michael Corleone and Apollonia was set. With this tour you can relive the magic of the film and discover the hidden beauty of Sicily! Afterwards, our coach takes us back to our hotel where we have the balance of the day free on our own to relax by the pool or go into town for some shopping before our farewell dinner.
8th day-Saturday, April 19: To JFK (B) After breakfast we will transfer to the Catania airport for connecting flights back to New York. Same day arrival at JFK and then back to the East End.
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.
