Rome & Sicily – 9 Days

You’ll depart on your flight for Palermo, Italy.

Once you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by your tour manager.

Your bus will pick you up at the airport and you’ll take a transfer to Palermo.

Today you’ll see the sights of Palermo on foot. You’ll stroll through the streets of the city, passing by ornate fountains, medieval structures and quaint piazzas. You’ll see the magnificent cathedral, the Massimo Theatre and more.

After the tour, you’ll arrive at your accommodation and store your luggage. If your rooms are ready, you’ll check in.

You’ll have dinner at a local restaurant.

You’ll have breakfast.

You’ll take a tour of the Salts Pans of Trapani. In addition to being among the last remaining productive salt pans in Sicily, it’s also a treasure trove of biodiversity.

You’ll visit the historic Medieval town of Erice for lunch (not included). Just northeast of Trapani, Erice overlooks the Mediterranean coast at an elevation of 2,464 feet.

You will enjoy an olive oil tasting at a local farm near Palermo.

You’ll have dinner at a local restaurant.

You’ll have breakfast.

You’ll check out of your hotel room and board the bus for the drive to Agrigento, en-route to Taormina.

You’ll visit the Valley of the Temples, an archaeological site in Agrigento, Sicily. It is one of the most outstanding examples of ancient Greek art and architecture, and is one of the main attractions of Sicily.

You’ll arrive at your accommodation and store your luggage. If your rooms are ready, you’ll check in.

You’ll have dinner at a local restaurant.

You’ll have breakfast.

Today you’ll explore Taormina, a hilltop town which sits near Mt. Etna. The town is known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-­Roman theater still used today. Near the theater, cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches.

You’ll have the rest of the day free in Taormina to shop, take the funicular down to the beach, and see the views from Castelmonte.

You’ll have dinner at a local restaurant.

You’ll have breakfast.

You’ll visit Syracuse for the day, a historic city notable for its rich Greek and Roman history, culture, and architecture.  During your visit you’ll see the archeological site and spend time on the island of Ortigia. Ortigia is a very small island, measuring only 1 km long and 600 meters wide. Here you’ll be able to stroll through ancient streets, visit the outdoor street market and see famous landmarks including the stunning Piazza Duomo, Pizza Archimede, The Temple of Apollo, and the Fountain of Arethusa.

You’ll visit the Archeological Park: highlights include the Greek Theatre, Roman Theatre, and the Ear of Dionysius

You’ll have dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning you’ll have breakfast and then check out of your hotel room.

You’ll depart on your flight.

You’ll enjoy a half day to explore the Eternal City with a professional and knowledgeable guide. Your Ancient Roman Tour will take you to the Roman Forum, where you’ll see the remnants of Roman public buildings and squares. You’ll visit the Capitoline Museums: Palazzo Nuovo (fine selections of Greek and Roman sculptures) and Palazzo dei Conservatori (masterpieces such as a huge sculpture of Constantine, Bernini’s Medusa and fabulous paintings by Veronese, Tintoretto, Caravaggio and Van Dyck). Outside the palace, the ‘She Wolf’ with Romulus and Remus can be found.

You’ll arrive at your accommodation and store your luggage. If your rooms are ready, you’ll check in.

You’ll visit the popular Piazza Navona, built on the ancient Stadium of Domitian. Today Piazza Navona is a charming place with shops, restaurants and vendors. Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers sits in the center of the Piazza. You’ll also visit the Pantheon, Michelangelo’s inspiration for St. Peter’s Basilica. Experts see the Pantheon as an icon of Roman architectural perfection.

You’ll have dinner at a local restaurant.

You’ll visit the Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous places in ancient and modern history. Test the legend by throwing two coins in the fountain: one to ensure a return trip to Rome and the other for the promise of new romance. Your final stop of the evening will be at the famous Spanish Steps, one of Italy’s favorite attractions. These steps connect the Trinità dei Monti church to the Piazza di Spagna below. During the Renaissance, these steps attracted Italy’s best artists and writers. Today the Spanish Steps are a hub for both locals and tourists.

You’ll have breakfast.

Today you’ll get a half day to explore Vatican City! You’ll take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll see the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio and Raphael. You’ll have an up close look at masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, the Chapel of Beato Angelico, the collection in the Raphael Rooms and Loggia and the Borgia Apartments. Includes 2 sets of Audio Whispers at the Vatican.

You’ll have dinner at a local restaurant.

You’ll have breakfast.

You’ll head to the airport for your return trip home.