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Avanti Destinations
OFFER ID 1233761
Best of Sicily
Sicily has been a crossroads of civilization for several millennia, and the record of its many ruling groups can be found in its architecture. Among the greatest sights are the classical Greek temples and theaters, built in the 5th century B.C. when Sicily was an important part of greater Greece.
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7 nights | Call for pricing
Avanti Destinations: Best of Sicily
Day 1 Palermo
After arriving in Palermo, check into your hotel, then spend the afternoon exploring this capital of Sicily. Founded in the 8th century BC by Phoenicians, this city has known Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ostrogoth, Arab and Norman masters, and shows traces of many of these cultures. The street markets near the Piazza del Carmine or La Vucciria will give you a taste of daily life. You will see many of Palermo’s important monuments on your city tour tomorrow. This evening, you will have dinner on your own.
Centrally Located Hotel In Palermo, ()
Day 2 Palermo
Your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby for a private half-day tour of Palermo and Monreale. You will first drive to Monreale, located on a small hill just outside Palermo. In the 9th century the Arabs captured Palermo and turned its cathedral into a mosque. The Bishop of Palermo fled to Monreale, where he built a small church to keep the flame of Christianity alive. 240 years later, the Normans drove the Arabs out, and made Monreale their new capital. A new cathedral was built there and dedicated in 1182. King William II employed both Christian and Arab artisans to decorate this cathedral; the result is a unique blending of styles unlike any other. The highlight is the stunning gold mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, covering the apse behind the altar. You’ll never forget seeing this amazing representation of Christ. You should also see the Cloister, with 108 pairs of columns, each with a different mosaic pattern, plus a covered arcade of Arabic arches.
Returning to Palermo, your English-speaking guide will take you on a city tour, covering many of the highlights: the Norman Palace, the Palatine Chapel and the Cathedral. Completed in 1140, the Palatine Chapel inside the Palace is one of the finest examples of Arab-Norman art anywhere, with its amazing mosaics reminiscent of those at Monreale. This evening, you will have a 3-course dinner at Gagini, an historic restaurant with candle-lit tables, overlooking La Vucciria neighborhood. (Beverages not included)
After breakfast, your English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel for a private walking tour of Taormina lasting between 3 and 4 hours. Perched on a rocky promontory above the sea, Taormina has been the most popular tourist destination in Sicily for over two centuries, and has attracted writers, artists and movie stars to sojourn there. The town has beautifully restored medieval buildings and breathtaking views from almost every vantage point. As with much of Sicily, you can see evidence of its Greek origins as well as later occupations by the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, French, Germans and Spanish, over the centuries. By far the main attraction is the Greco-Roman Theater, in a spectacular setting with views of Mt. Etna and of the sea.
After your tour, you’ll have the afternoon free before having a three-course dinner at Ristorante La Piazzetta, in a courtyard setting and featuring local fish (beverages not included).
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
(987) 654-3210
(800) 555-1212