Escorted Tours,New Years
Upon arrival, make your way independently to the Hotel in Catania for check-in (optional private transfer on request). After check-in, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
After breakfast at the Hotel, depart to Syracuse to visit the most beautiful and greatest Greek Colony in Sicily and a World Heritage Site! The visit will start with the Archaeological Park of Neapolis with its Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise and the Ear of Dionysius. Afterwards, we will continue on and visit of the splendid Ortigia, a small Island, which is the historical centre of Syracuse. In Ortigia you will admire the beautiful Cathedral, which dominates the Square with its authoritative presence. The façade is a powerful Sicilian Baroque composition but it gives no hint that this building was once a Doric Temple! From Piazza Duomo, you will reach a wide terrace on the waterfront surrounding the famous Arethusa’s Fountain, one of the most famous fresh water sources of the Greek world. Lunch today will be served in a typical restaurant. After lunch, we depart to Noto, the Capital of Sicilian Baroque, famous for its fine buildings of the early 18th Century and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by Baroque ideals of an 'Open City', Noto is a rare masterpiece and the clearest example of Theatrical tastes in 18th Century architecture whose local Limestone has been burnt Gold by the Sun. Noto's Baroque is a game of elegant curves, floral weaves, perspective views, Palaces and gardens, Capitals and ornaments that adorn the façades of Churches and Monasteries. Enjoy some free time for a walk along the Town. Transfer to Catania for your overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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After breakfast, depart for Piazza Armerina to visit the famous Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and admire the splendid polychrome mosaics! This majestic Villa belonged to a member of the Roman Senatorial Aristocracy and hosts prestigious mosaics representing Mythological and historical episodes and scenes of hunting and entertainments. You will love it! After a delicious lunch in a local Farmhouse, the tour continues towards Caltagirone. This lovely Town is known for its colourful ceramics as well as for its Nativity Scenes. It is also known in fact as the 'City of Cribs' since during Christmas the streets of the Old Town are animated by beautiful figurines and handmade artistic cribs. Among the many Ancient and Modern Statues housed in Churches, Museums and Public Squares, you will admire the largest crib in Italy. It has over 300 animated characters in pottery dressed with traditional fabric clothes, Mountains, water streams and Ancient houses, all in human size and in motion. Furthermore, the historic City centre houses the typical Christmas Markets selling local food, Wine and Pottery, which will make you experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas! Transfer to the Hotel in Agrigento for dinner and your overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, the tour continues in Agrigento visiting the famous Valley of the Temples, a World Heritage Site. As one of the most prosperous of the Ancient Greek Cities on the Island, Agrigento presents a remarkable series of Doric Temples of the 5th Century. Among hundreds of Almond Trees, you will admire the rests of the Ancient Akragas. You will see the 'Temple of Hera', the 'Temple of Concordia' and the 'Temple of Heracles'. Our journey continues on to visit the charming and well known Town of Marsala, where Garibaldi went ashore in May 1860. You will walk through the streets of the centre where you overlook Ancient Noble Palaces, Monuments and impressive Baroque Churches. Afterwards, enjoy an exclusive Guided Tour inside the historic Florio Cellars. The visit starts in front of the majestic giant vats, built at the end of the 19th Century and still used for the refinement of Marsala Wine and it continues inside the 3 fascinating Barrel Chambers. After a thirty minute tour through the Barrel Vaults you will reach the Avant Garde tasting rooms named Donna Franca and Duca Enrico. Enjoy a delicious light lunch and a memorable Wine tasting experience! The tour will continue visiting the popular Salt Road. Here, the Salt Marshes have given rise to one of the oldest Salt extracting industries in the world! Between Trapani and Marsala, the Salt Road is now protected for its interesting Birdlife and also as an important Site of Industrial Archaeology. Transfer to Palermo for your overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, the morning will be spent visiting Monreale, its huge Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style, admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture and semi precious stones marquetry! Later you will discover the stunning Palermo, one of the richest Towns on the Island and known for its history and art. Palermo stands on a Bay dominated by Mount Pellegrino. While the Baroque predominates, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the City’s multicultural past. Visit of the wonderful eclectic Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Cappella Palatina, admirable example from an historical and an artistic point of view and a proof of how different cultures and religions can coexist. During the day, you will have a stop to enjoy a typical lunch with local food. Along the path you will admire the famous Teatro Massimo and the debated Fountain in Pretoria Square, adorned with 16th Century Sculptures. Dinner tonight is on your own. Tonight, you will greet the arrival of the New Year in the wonderful City of Palermo, which will be decorated for the occasion with lights and colours. The Town celebrates this event with music and Concerts in the Main Squares of the City Centre. This evening, there is an optional New Year's Eve Dinner (On Request). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, our Sicilian Secrets New Year's Tour ends. Independently transfer to the Airport for your departure and journey onwards. Meals: Breakfast
Tour Prices are per person twin share in Australian Dollars. Conditions apply and group tours are subject to change and availability. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations. (ds)
