day 1 -- sun, sep 19	Fly USA to Palermo, Italy (Usually via Rome or Milan)
Day 2 -- mon, sep 20	Arrive Palermo
Day 3 -- tue, sep 21	Palermo - Monreale - Palermo
Day 4 -- wed, sep 22	Palermo - Segesta - Erice - Palermo
Day 5 -- thu, sep 23	Palermo-Cefalù-Piazza Amerina-Agrigento
Day 6 -- fri, sep 24	Agrigento-Ragusa
day 7 -- sat, sep 25	Ragusa-Noto-Syracuse
Day 8 -- sun, sep 26	Siracusa-Catania-Taormina
Day 9 -- mon, sep 27	Taormina
Day 10 -- tue, sep 28	Taormina—Catania-Rome or Milan—USA

In 1879, 23-year-old Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden traveled from his home in Prussia to Sicily. The landscape and the people -- particularly the young men of Sicily -- enchanted him, so the Baron decided to stay. He opened a photography studio and supported himself by selling post cards of nude or semi-nude Sicilian youths in quasi-classical poses. Today, Sicily is as seductive as it was in von Gloeden's time. During the month of September, when we will explore the island, Sicily is especially alluring.

Day 1 - Sun, Sep 19 -- Depart USA
Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Palermo, Italy .

Day 2 - Mon, Sep 2 0- Palermo
Arrive in Rome for a connecting flight to Palermo, Sicily. Upon arrival, transfer to the centrally located, 4-star Hotel Centrale Palace, located in the historical center of Palermo. This evening there will be a welcome dinner.
Hotel Centrale Palace - 4*
Room Standard
Meals Dinner

Day 3 - Tue, sep 21 - Palermo - Monreale - PAlermo
The entire day is devoted to visiting Palermo and Monreale's most splendid medieval treasures. The Capella Palatina was completed in 1143 as the royal chapel for the Norman king of Sicily, Roger II. It a striking example of cross-cultural coalescence: Greek artists created the shimmering mosaics; Muslim artisans carved and painted the wooden ceiling beams; Italian sculptors fashioned the marble altar furnishings. We'll see more superb mosaics by the same artists who decorated the Capella Palatina at La Martorana Church. In a nearby piazza is the Fontana Pretoria, an over-the-top assembly of three dozen nude satyrs, nymphs, mermen, and mermaids sport in a marble fountain. Visit Vucciria, Sicily’s most picturesque food market, and have lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Then we travel to the small hilltown of Monreale to see the spectacular 12th-century Cathedral. Inside are Byzantine mosaics more numerous and, arguably, even more beautiful than those in the Capella Palatina. This evening, dinner is on your own. Overnight at Hotel Centrale Palace.
Hotel Centrale Palace - 4*
Room Standard
Meals Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - wed, sep 22 - palermo - segesta - Erice - Palermo
A full-day excursion leads to the ancient sites at Segesta and Erice. Surrounded by hills in a remote setting is the 5th-century B.C. Temple of Segesta. This grand Doric temple was never finished and why the workmen abandoned the project remains a mystery. Nearby is the Theater, built in the 3rd century B.C. and still used for performances of ancient Greek and Roman dramas. Then we continue to Erice, a perfectly preserved medieval village set atop a sheer cliff overlooking the sea. Erice is extremely ancient, and is said to have been the setting for the myths of Hercules and Venus and Adonis. After lunch in the town, a walking tour includes the Norman Castle, the Cathedral, and the medieval watchtowers. Return to Palermo for independent dinner and overnight. Overnight at Hotel Centrale Palace.
Hotel Centrale Palace - 4*
Room Standard
Meals Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 - thu, sep 23 - Palermo - cefalu - Piazza Amerina - Agrigento
We leave Palermo this morning for Agrigento, but stop along the way to see the medieval hill town of Cefalù and the magnificent Roman mosaics at Piazza Armerina. This morning, stroll through the medieval streets of the seaside town of Cefalù which houses one of the most magnificent cathedrals in Sicily. Lunch is at Gigliotto farmhouse, originally a 13th-century Benedictine monastery and then operated as a farm for centuries. In the afternoon discover the elegance of the Roman lifestyle at Villa Casale at Piazza Amerina, featuring exquisite ancient mosaics. Archaeologists believe that the mosaics were made in the 3rd century A.D. for a member of Rome's imperial family. Among these mosaic masterworks is a scene of a chariot race, a dramatic hunting scene, and episodes from the labors of Hercules. Continue to Agrigento where our accommodations are at the 4* Hotel Baglio della Luna. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Hotel Baglio della Luna - 4*
Room Standard
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Fri, sep 24 - Agrigento - Ragusa
Most of the day is devoted to exploring Agrigento's temples and visiting the treasures displayed in the Museum. Highlights include the almost perfectly preserved Temple of Concord, the primitive Rock Sanctuary of Demeter, and the picturesque ruins of the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Among the artifacts in the Museum is a giant male caryatid from the Temple of Zeus and a beautifully sculpted torso attributed to Praxiteles. After lunch, continue to Ragusa, located in one of the most authentic Sicilian regions of the island, and check in to the Hotel Eremo della Giubiliana. Take a walking tour of the Old Town (Ragusa Ibla), a nostalgic remnant of yesterday. Wander its narrow streets, checking out its weathered and crumbling baroque palaces. Dinner is at the hotel.
Hotel Eremo della Giubiliana - 5*
Room Standard
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7- sat, sep 25 - Ragusa - Noto - Syracuse
Depart this morning into Sicily’s southeast region, known for its Baroque towns, stopping in the exquisitely preserved Noto, a jewel on a plateau surrounded by olive and almond groves. Lunch is independent today. Continue to Syracuse. According to the historian Thucydides, Syracuse was founded by Greeks from Corinth in 773 B.C. Today we will explore the city's ancient origins, beginning at the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum, one of Europe's finest collections of art and artifacts from the classical world. Among the stars of the museum is the voluptuous Landolina Venus. Then, crossing a causeway to the island of Ortigia, we visit the ruins of the Doric Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Athena, which is now part of the Cathedral. and check in to the Grand Hotel Ortigia Siracusa. Dinner is included this evening.
Hotel Grand Hotel Ortigia - 4*
Room Standard
Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 - Sun, sep 26 - syracuse - catania - taormina
Depart Syracuse this morning and drive to Taormina, via Catania where we stop for lunch and brief visit of the city. After lunch, continue to Taormina. Said to be the most beautiful town in Sicily, Taormina is set between the Mediterranean and the snow-capped peak of Mount Etna. Our accommodations for the next two nights are at the Hotel El Jebel. Dinner is free to try one of Taormina’s charming restaurants
Hotel El Jebel- 5*
Room Standard
Meals Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9- mon, sep 27 - taormina
Gardening is a passion in Taormina; even the piazzas are filled with tubs of flowers. We will go up to the Greek Theater, carved into the summit of a hill and offering spectacular views of Mount Etna and the sea. The afternoon is free to explore the many shops, enjoy the views or go the beach. This evening we celebrate the end of a wonderful tour through Sicily over dinner together.
Hotel El Jebel- 5*
Room Standard
Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 - tue, Sep 28 - taormina - catania - rome or milan - usa
Transfer to the airport at Catania for a regularly scheduled return flight to the United States. A group transfer will be arranged in conjunction with the earliest morning Alitalia flight which typically departs Catania approximately 6:30am. All other transfers will be private and at additional cost.
Meals Breakfast

	Hotel Centrale Palace - A magnificent aristocratic residence from the 18th century, brought back to its original splendour by an expert restoration completed in 2003. The particular care exercised in the selection of furnishings and the preservation of the original structures endow the hotel with a special charm and a unique personality. On the main floor, lavish frescos and precious antique furniture recreate a magical atmosphere straight out of the novel “The Leopard”. A solarium, a well equipped fitness centre and a large garage round out the building.
	Hotel Baglio della Luna Agrigento - 4*- Luna, one of the better 4-star hotels of Agrigento.is set among courtyards, wall fortifications, a watchtower, and a terrace overlooking the breathtaking Valley of the Temples, where one can enjoy the cuisine of the restaurant in complete harmony with the Sicilian setting. Room categories include Classic, Superior (with Temple or Sea View) . The Jr Suites & Suites are located in the charming Watchtower.
	HOTEL EREMO DELLA GIUBILIANA RAGUSA - 5*- Dating from the 12th century, the estate was an old Arab rural home (Rendet gebuni), a sort of hermitage and fortified fortress, dominating the sea, serving as a defensive bastion against the incursions of Barbary pirates The rooms at the Eremo della Giubiliana are all different from one another, and were made from the fryers cells, therefore the measurements differ from room to room. The Eremo has Classic double rooms, spacious Superior rooms, Deluxe rooms, Suites and stone Cottages belonging to the estate.
	GRAND HOTEL ORTIGIA SIRACUSA  -4- The hotel was built during the first years of the nineteenth century, and it is now 100 years old, and even though it was remodelled in 1995, its native architectural structure remains unchanged, as does the charm of its Liberty style. Inside the hotel, preserved in perfect condition, is the Mura Spagnole (Sala Bastione) and other archaelogical finds discovered in the “Piccolo Museo” area. Room categories include Standard, Deluxe, Jr Suite & Suite.
	Hotel El Jebel  - 5* Hotel El Jebel is a luxurious 5-star structure with exclusive suites overlooking the Bay of Naxos, a jewel of Sicilian hospitality just a stone's throw from the Cathedral of the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. Located in the heart of the old town center of Taormina, the El Jebel boutique hotel offers a romantic and unforgettable stay, in an historic luxury, 5-star hotel surrounded by the charm of an enchanting land with a wealth of art, culture and a splendid sea.

Rates

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
No visa is required for American or Canadian passport holders. Travelers of other nationalities should check with the appropriate Consulate or Embassy for requirements.

SHOTS
None required or recommended. It is recommended you have your regular vaccinations up-to-date before traveling. For further information, visit the Center For Disease Control website.

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE
Delta Airlines, Alitalia, Air France, Lufthansa, United are among airlines that can be used for this trip. We recommend booking at least 7 months in advance if you want to try to use Frequent Flyer Miles for free tickets or upgrades or the American Express Platinum card 2-4-1 program.

MINIMUMS
All departures are guaranteed on a minimum of 7 participants. A small group charge will be assessed for fewer than 7 travelers. This tour can be operated as a Private Tour, can be customized and repriced based on final itinerary.

INCLUSIONS

• 8 nights First Class & Deluxe Hotels as mentioned in the itinerary; breakfast daily
• Lunch and dinner as per the itinerary
• Sicilian Tour Leader/driver throuhgout the tour with Sprinter mini-van
• Local guides where required
• Wine during lunch and dinner
• Entrance fees
• VAT and taxes

EXCLUSIONS

• Meals not mentioned.
• Beverages with meals other than wine
• Gratuities to guides, tour leader, restaurants and hotel personnel
  
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption insurance which is highly recommended.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES / AVERAGE RAINFALL