Best of Italy and Sicily 2011

Best of Italy and Sicily 2011

The serene Isle of Skye, perfectly photogenic castles and the grand cities of Edinburgh, St. Andrews and Glasgow beckon. Your experience of Scotland is enhanced with visits to a traditional whisky distillery and breathtaking views of the beautiful Cuillin Mountains and Scottish Highlands.

Best of Italy and Sicily 2011 - What's Included

Sightseeing Highlights

• Taormina Orientation tour includes the Corso Umberto.
• Syracuse Visit its archeological excavations and visit Ortygia Island.
• Piazza Armerina Visit the Roman Villa of Casale.
• Enna View this town.
• Agrigento Visit the Valley of the Temples.
• Rome Guided visit of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. Sightseeing tour includes views of the Forum and Colosseum.
• Erice Visit the castle gardens.
• Palermo Sightseeing including Piazza Bellini and the cathedral.
• Monreale View the Conca d'Oro and visit the Norman cathedral.
• Mondello Visit the fishing village.
• Monte Cassino View the Abbey
• Isle of Capri Orientation includes a visit to some of the famous gardens. Funicular to Capri town

.Dining Highlights

• Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Edinburgh.
• 6 full Scottish breakfasts.
• 2 three-course dinners.
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Glasgow.

First Class Travel Highlights

• First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional Tour Directors.
• Tickets are included for the world-famous Tattoo during the Edinburgh Festival.
• A qualified local city guide in Edinburgh.
• A stylish wallet, travel documents and Welcome on Tour book with map.
• Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 8.

Free airport transfers:
Transfers on Day 2 at Edinburgh Airport will operate at 09.00, 11.00 and 13.00. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Glasgow Airport at 07.00 and 09.00.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1- Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights)
Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy and also known as the Eternal City! The remainder of your day is at leisure. This evening enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

Hotel: NH Villa Carpegna (F)

Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
This morning enjoy a fascinating tour of St. Peter's Basilica brought to life by your local expert guide. From here cross the Tiber to ancient Rome where you will overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus, used for chariot racing. Included is an interior visit to the mighty Colosseum. Then there’s time to sightsee further – 'Roma non basta una vita' – a lifetime is not enough to see all Rome has to offer! (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4 - Rome - Florence (2 nights)
First a highlight guided included visit of the Vatican Museums and the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, Michaelangelo's artistic masterpiece. Then leave for Florence, cradle of the Renaissance and capital of Tuscany, with the balance of the day at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (F)

Day 5 - Florence Sightseeing and at Leisure (2 nights)
Your guided walking tour features a visit to the Duomo, Signoria Square and the Ponte Vecchio. Admire the panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later, drive to the floating city of Venice and your hotel situated on Lido Island. This evening, why not experience this city from an elegant gondola? (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Villa Mabapa (F)

Day 6 -Venice Sightseeing and at Leisure
Today savour the sights and sounds of this serene city on an included canal cruise by motor launch to St. Mark's Square. View the Bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace before a visit to a glass-blowing factory. Then free time to shop or sightsee. Why not discover the colourful island of Burano in the Venetian lagoon and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7 - Venice - Classe - Asisisi
Your drive this morning takes you along the Adriatic coast to the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe famous for wonderful mosaics. Then continue to the pink-stoned city of Assisi situated on the slopes of Mount Subasio, where your walking tour highlights St. Francis' Basilica. There's also time to visit the Church of St. Clare and explore this tranquil and spiritual place. Perhaps purchase some of the colourful ceramic pottery. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Ora Hotel Cenacolo (SF)

Day 8 - Assisi - Pompeii - Naples - At Sea
After breakfast this morning drive through Umbria to Pompeii. This town was destroyed and completely buried during a catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius which lasted for two days in August 79 AD. Here you will have a walking tour through the excavations. Then it's a short journey to nearby Naples where you will board your ferry cruise for the overnight crossing to Palermo, Sicily's capital. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 9 - At Sea - Palermo:
After your morning arrival in Palermo rejoin your coach for a sightseeing tour with a local expert guide which includes the Piazza Bellini. Then stop to admire the view of the Conca d'Oro from Monreale and visit the 12th century Norman Cathedral. Finally visit the village of Mondello before returning to Palermo. (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Astoria Palace (F)

Day 10 - PALERMO - SELINUNTE - AGRIGENTO
Your first stop is at Selinunte to visit the Dorian Temples and the Acropolis. Then continue to Agrigento where you visit the nearby Valley of the Temples with a local expert guide. Dating from the 6th century BC, these remains rival those of Athens in their Grecian grandeur! Later, continue on to your hotel for dinner. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Dioscuri Bay Palace (F)

Day 11- AGRIGENTO - ENNA - TAORMINA (GIARDINI NAXOS) (2 nights)
Today you will travel through the vineyards of the southern hills towards the seaside resort of Taormina. En route enjoy views of the fortress town of Enna. On arrival in Taormina you will have the opportunity to visit the remarkable 'teatro greco' which is one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily. The beauty of its situation makes it one of the must-see monuments in Sicily. (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Caesar Palace (F)

Day 12 - PALERMO - TAORMINA AT LEISURE
A full day to relax in this fun-loving Sicilian resort. Perhaps swim and sunbathe or shop for handmade lace on the Corso. There's also a chance to visit the Church of San Pancrazio or take an excursion to the crater of Sicily's active volcano, Mount Etna, which is regarded as one of the most impressive in the world. This evening, you will enjoy a special 'Be My Guest' dinner in a vineyard close to Mount Etna. (Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Day 13 - TAORMINA GIARDINI NAXOS - BAY OF NAPLES (2 nights)
Take the ferry across the Straits of Messina to mainland Italy. Then continue through rustic Calabria via Salerno which was the landing place of the Allied Armies in 1943. Tonight enjoy a relaxing evening at your hotel where you will dine tonight. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Grand Hotel La Medusa (F)

Day 14 - ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
First a morning visit to an inlaid wood workshop to see a demonstration of this local craft. Next board a ferry for a short cruise to the charming Isle of Capri. On arrival enjoy a walking tour in Capri town with impressive views across the sea to the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola. Then free time to explore further or perhaps take a chairlift. Later, cruise back to Sorrento which is famous for the production of the alcoholic digestive Limoncello. This drink is made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar. Explore Piazza Tasso, with its many cafés plus the Corso Italia with its shops and boutiques before heading to your hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 15 - BAY OF NAPLES - ROME
This morning enjoy a spectacular drive along the Bay of Naples before continuing north to view the Abbey of Monte Cassino. This location is famous for its crucial role in the World War II battle in 1944 when so many thousands of soldiers lost their lives. From here make your way back to Rome, with the rest of the day at leisure to complete last minute shopping or to enjoy one of the many museums. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your Tour Director and new-found friends. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Hotel: Sheraton Golf (SF)

Day 16 - PALERMO - Rome - USA
This morning it is time to say 'arrivederci' to your traveling companions as this Italian vacation comes to an end. There are airport transfers available to Rome's Fiumicino Airport. Conditions apply. (Buffet Breakfast)