The real secret of this tour is that smaller is better. We never allow groups to exceed the maximum number of participants. By thinking small you avoid the crowds. Attention to little details is important, too... When you compare tours, that's a BIG difference!

An impression that touches your imagination lasts forever

Reservation info (with departure dates) follows the itinerary and summary. Visit our general tours page for faqs and purchase conditions.

This is a slightly "abbreviated" version of our popular Golden Tour. Discover the real Sicily and its unique sights and sites with this tour scheduled several times a month to suit your holiday schedule. 29 departure dates in 2009! No other agency in Sicily offers this many departures during every month of the year. Group size is 2 to 20.

Itinerary:

(Please note: Summary follows. All breakfasts are included, other meals included are indicated in bold face. Locality and site names link to detailed descriptions on Best of Sicily.)

Saturday: Arrival at Palermo. Meet your tour escort for a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Palermo.

Sunday: Following breakfast, we'll visit the Norman abbey of Monreale, overlooking the city, famous for its Byzantine mosaics and Norman-Arab cloister. Next we'll discover medieval Palermo with a visit to Palermo's medieval Palatine Chapel and Martorana Church, the Baroque Quattro Canti and Piazza Pretoria. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight in Palermo.

Monday: Breakfast followed by early check-out and departure for eastern Sicily. First we'll visit Cefalù, famous for its medieval cathedral. En route to Taormina on the Ionian coast, we'll stop at Polizzi Generosa in the Madonie Mountains for a light lunch at a country house where we'll sample some local dishes. Then we'll depart for Taormina for an evening at leiure. Overnight in Taormina.

Tuesday: Following breakfast, excursion to Siracusa (Syracuse), home of Archimedes and one of the most important cities of the ancient Greek world. First you'll explore the old city, the island of Ortygia, where we'll have lunch. In the afternoon we'll discover the Syracuse archeological site. Return to Taormina for evening at leisure. Overnight in Taormina.

Wednesday: Breakfast followed by an entire day at leisure in charming Taormina. The atmosphere of this hilltop town, full of winding streets and enticing shops and restaurtants, makes it a great place to spend a day indulging personal tastes and unexpected curiosities. Optional excursion up the slopes toward the summit of Mount Etna, Sicily's highest mountain and Europe's largest active volcano. Another option is a cooking class. (See optional excursions below.) Evening and overnight in Taormina.

Thursday: Breakfast and check-out. Independent transfer to Catania Airport.

Summary:

Prices: €1049.00 per person double occupancy (i.e. two persons per room), €1300.00 single occupancy, payable by bank wire transfer or major credit card. See our general tours page for purchase conditions and cancellation policies.

Includes: Five (5) nights accomodation in 4-star hotels listed here or the equivalent substitution (usually Politeama in Palermo and Hotel Lido Caparena in Taormina), transportation (coach or minibus) and tour escort for the entire trip, with all breakfasts, 1 dinner and 2 lunches (beverages not included), all taxes.

Does not include: Beverages, tips (gratuities) to escorts (or guides/drivers), airfare, meals not indicated, entrance fees at 6 archeological/historical sites (total approximately €25), trip insurance, airport transfers (available upon request as described below), porterage, anything not mentioned under "Includes" above.

Accomodation: Double room with private bathroom. Single room (double room for single use) at price indicated.

Guide/Escort Language: English.

Group Size: From 2 to 20 participants.

Dates offered for 2009: Departures as indicated here. No other agency in Sicily offers this frequency and number of departures!

Tours begin Saturday from Palermo and end Thursday at Taormina:
10 January, 24 January, 7 February, 21 February, 14 March, 28 March, 4 April, 18 April, 25 April, 2 May, 9 May, 23 May, 30 May, 13 June, 20 June, 27 June, 4 July, 25 July, 29 August, 12 September, 19 September, 26 September, 3 October, 10 October, 24 October, 31 October, 7 November, 14 November, 12 December.
Note major Italian legal holidays in 2009: 1 January, 6 January, 11 April (Easter), 12 April, 25 April, 1 May, 2 June, 15 August, 1 November, 8 December, 25 December, 26 December.

Reservations:

To reserve contact us at historic-tour@bestofsicily.com indicating "Impressions" in the subject line, or by phone at +39 091 626 9685, or fax +39 091 380 9900. From the United States or Canada you may also contact us by SkypeIn at 718-473-0803. (Please remember that there's a six-hour time difference between Central European Time here in Italy and American Eastern Time in Toronto and New York.)

This tour is organized by Chat & Tour (Tradizione Turismo), Via Autonomia Siciliana 23, 90143 Palermo, Italy. Visit our general tours page for faqs and purchase conditions regarding this and other tours.

Download Itinerary in PDF

Optional Excursions:
This tour includes just about everything while allowing for free time and offering a few exceptional choices, yet without structuring the itinerary as a mere "frame" for a series of options and extra excursions. This tour has these options on Wednesday, with a choice of two excursions to the Mount Etna region and a cooking class in Taormina. This permits you to choose which one, if any, is best for you. (Or you might simply choose to relax, go to the beach or go shopping!) If you decide to participate in an excursion or cooking class, please mention this when you reserve your tour. Each presumes a minimum of two participants.

1) Etna Volcano & Winery Lunch: You'll be taken to the medium-high altitude of the volcano slopes where (weather and volcanic conditions permitting) you may hire a jeep ride or cable car for the highest area, around the craters. Then you'll enjoy a light lunch at a winery offering typical Sicilian cuisine. €75.00 per person

2) Etna Jeep Excursion & Country Lunch: You'll be taken by jeep to the higher altitude of the volcano slopes, including Fontana Peak the 'extinct' craters of the Sartorius Peaks and the lava flow from the 2002 eruption. Then you'll enjoy a light lunch at a farmhouse offering typical Sicilian cuisine. Returning to Taormina, the partially off-road drive will pass the Alcantara Gorge. €110.00 per person

3) Market Gourmet Cooking Class: This is the epitome of food preparation from start to finish. Independent transfer to a local restaurant (near your hotel) where you'll be met by chefs Antonio Orlando and Maria. At an open-air market you'll select the fresh ingredients of your culinary creation --which (accompanied by the perfect wine) you'll enjoy as your lunch, followed by dessert. Preparing and tasting this piece of Sicily is an experience you'll never forget. The class runs from 9 AM to 1 PM (lunch time). €110.00 per person

Airport Transfers & Extra Nights:
Please mention these when you reserve your tour.

Airport Transfer to Palermo: Though there are buses, trains and taxis from the airport to central Palermo, we can arrange a personalized transfer at €70.00 per person (based on a minimum of two passengers) from 8 AM to 7 PM, or €90.00 per person from 7:30 PM to 7:30 AM.

Pre-Night in Palermo: A night (or more) immediately before the tour begins. Double occupancy (double or twin) €70.00 per person, Single occupancy €99.00. Whenever possible, lodging will be in the same hotel used during the tour.

Post-Night in Taormina: A night (or more) immediately after the tour ends. Double occupancy (double or twin) €120.00 per person, Single occupancy €160.00. Whenever possible, lodging will be in the same hotel used during the tour.

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