Best of Italy & Sicily - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 16
• Tour Style: Regional Europe
• Destinations: Rome, Florence, Venice, Assisi, Palermo, Agrigento, Taormina, Sorrento, Isle of Capri

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.



• Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights) On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure. Later, we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travellers.
  
  Hotel: Aran Mantegna / Diana / Tiberio (2 nights)



• Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure The main highlight of our day is a guided visit of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums followed by a fascinating tour of St. Peter's Basilica brought clearly to life by our local guide using our effective audio system. From here we cross the Tiber into ancient Rome where we overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus, scene of chariot racing, and visit 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 – Pisa – Florence Our Tour Director will reveal a Hidden Treasure to us today! But first to Pisa to view the Leaning Tower, then on to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance and capital of Tuscany. The balance of the day is free perhaps to take a walk along the River Arno to the Ponte Vecchio and across to the Pitti Palace. (Buffet Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Mediterraneo



• Day 5 - Florence sightseeing – Venice (Mestre) (2 nights) Our guided walking tour, including our special audio system, features a visit to Signoria Square and the Santa Croce Basilica. We will also admire the panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later, we drive to the floating city of Venice and our hotel for the next two nights. This evening, why not experience this city from an elegant gondola? (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
  
  Hotel: NH Laguna Palace (2 nights)



• Day 6 - Venice sightseeing & at leisure Today we savour the sights and sounds of this serene city on an included canal cruise by motor launch to St. Mark's Square. We view the Bridge of Sighs and Doges' Palace before a visit to a glass-blowing factory. Then free time to shop or sightsee. Why not discover Burano in the Venetian Lagoon and enjoy a seafood lunch? (Buffet Breakfast)



• Day 7 - Venice (Mestre) – Ravenna – Assisi Today's morning drive takes us along the Adriatic coast and to the Church of St Apollinaris in Classe near Ravenna, famous for wonderful mosaics. Then we continue to the pink- stoned city of Assisi, where our walking tour with audio system highlights St. Francis' Basilica. There's also time to visit the Church of St. Clare and explore this tranquil magical place. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Grand Hotel / Fontebella



• Day 8 - Assisi – Pompeii – Naples – At Sea After breakfast this morning we drive through Umbria to Pompeii, the town buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, for a walking tour with audio system of the excavations. From here it's a short journey to nearby Naples, where we will board our steamer for the overnight crossing to Palermo, Sicily's capital. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)



• Day 9 - At Sea – Palermo After our morning arrival in Palermo we join our coach for a sightseeing tour with a local guide which includes the Piazza Bellini. Then we stop to admire the view of the Conca d'Oro from Monreale, and visit the 12th century Norman Cathedral. Next, we visit the village of Mondello before returning to Palermo. (Buffet Breakfast )
  
  Hotel: Astoria Palace



• Day 10 - Palermo – Selinunte – Agrigento Our first stop is at Selinunte, to visit the Dorian Temples and the Acropolis. Then with a local guide, we make our way to Agrigento where we visit the nearby Valley of Temples. Dating from the 6th century B.C., they rival those of Athens in their Grecian grandeur! Later, on to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Grand dei Templi



• Day 11 - Agrigento – Piazza Armerina – Enna – Taormina (Giardini Naxos) (2 nights) Today we will travel through the vineyards of the Southern Hills to enjoy an included visit to see the colourful mosaics of the 4th century Roman Villa of Casale. Then we are off to the scenic splendour of
  Piazza Armer­ina before stopping to view the fortress town of Enna. Soon we arrive in the seaside resort, Taormina, where we spend the next two nights. (Buffet Breakfast ) 
  
  Hotel: Caesar Palace (2 nights)



• Day 12 - Taormina at leisure A full day to relax in this f­un-loving Sicilian resort. Perhaps swim and sunbathe or shop for hand-made 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. This evening, we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)



• Day 13 - Taormina (Giardini Naxos) – Sorrentine Peninsula (2 nights) Another Hidden Treasure is revealed today! We take the ferry across the Straits of Messina to mainland Italy. Next through rustic Calabria via Salerno – landing place of the Allied Armies in 1943 – to clifftop Sorrento. Here we see Piazza Tasso, with its many cafes plus the Corso Italia with its shops and boutiques, before we head to our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
  
  Hotel: La Medusa / Parco del Sole (2 nights)



• Day 14 - Isle of Capri Excursion First a morning visit to an Inlaid Wood workshop to see a demonstration of this local craft. Next we board our ferry for a short cruise to the charming Isle of Capri. On our arrival we enjoy a walking tour with audio equipment in Capri town where we enjoy views across the sea to the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola. Then free time to explore further or perhaps take a chairlift from Anacapri. Later, we cruise back to Sorrento. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)



• Day 15 - Sorrentine Peninsula – Rome This morning we enjoy a spectacular drive along the Bay of Naples, before we continue on our way north to view the Abbey of Monte Cassino. From here we make our way back to Rome, with the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour Director and new found friends. (Buffet Breakfast, Farewell Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Sheraton Golf



• Day 16 - Rome – USA 'Buon viaggio' to new-found friends as we transfer you to Rome Fiumicino airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)



• Note Friday departures will visit the Sistine Chapel before the departure to Pisa on Day 4.


Depart USAArrive Rome Rome sightseeing & at leisureRome – Pisa – FlorenceFlorence sightseeing – Venice (Mestre) Venice sightseeing & at leisureVenice (Mestre) – Ravenna – AssisiAssisi – Pompeii – Naples – At SeaAt Sea – PalermoPalermo – Selinunte – AgrigentoAgrigento – Piazza Armerina – Enna – Taormina (Giardini Naxos) Taormina at leisureTaormina (Giardini Naxos) – Sorrentine Peninsula Isle of Capri ExcursionSorrentine Peninsula – RomeRome – USANote

Whats Included

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Sightseeing Highlights

• Rome: Sightseeing tour includes views of the Forum and Circus Maximus plus visits to St. Peters Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum.
• Pisa: View the Leaning Tower.
• Florence: Sightseeing tour inclu­des Signoria Square, the Duomo and a visit to the Santa Croce Basilica. Views from Piazzale Michelangelo.
• Venice: Canal cruise by private launch. View St. Mark's Square, the Byzantine Basilica, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit a glass-blowing factory.
• Ravenna: Visit the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe.
• Assisi: Sightseeing including St. Francis' Basilica.
• Pompeii: A guided tour of the excavations.
• Palermo: Sightseeing including Piazza Bellini and the Cathedral.
• Monreale: Visit the Norman Cathedral.
• Mondello: Visit the fishing village.
• Selinunte: Visit the Dorian Temples and Acropolis.  
• Agrigento: Visit the Valley of the Temples.
• Piazza Armerina: Visit the Roman Villa of Casale.
• Enna: View the fortress town.
• Sorrento: Orientation includes a visit to an Inlaid Wood factory.
• Isle of Capri: Visit this charming Isle. See the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola.
• Monte Cassino: View the Abbey.
• Scenic drives Apennine mountains, Umbrian hills, Southern hills, Bay of Naples.

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Dining Highlights

• 1 Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Rome
• 14 Buffet breakfasts
• 5 three-course dinners in hotels and 1 dinner on mini-cruise
• 1 local speciality restaurant dinner in Taormina
22 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

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First Class Travel Highlights

• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
• A qualified local city guide in Rome, Florence, Assisi, Pompeii, Palermo and Agrigento.
• Chauffeur driven on Trafalgar's luxury air- conditioned motorcoaches with reclining seats and washroom.
• Overnight cruise from Naples to Palermo.
• Ferry across the Straits of Messina to mainland Italy.
• Cruise to the Isle of Capri.
• You'll stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

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Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers Group transfers on arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30 and 15.30. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.
• London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the Airport and central London. When you book your tour with Trafalgar your transfers to and from the airport are included. It's that simple. Trafalgar has included a Free transfer to and from your airport and Central London.
• Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
• You are staying at a London hotel, booked by Trafalgar, on the night of your arrival and the night prior to the date of your departure.
• Flights are either booked by Trafalgar or detailed information on flights is provided by your Travel Agent not less than 21 days prior to departure.
• Only one included transfer both inbound and outbound per tour is included by Trafalgar. Transfers are by express train to a Central London Rail Station.
• Heathrow Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-21.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by coach. Gatwick Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-12.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by express train and coach. Transfers outside these times will be at the passengers own expense.
• In the event of unforeseen events (road or rail works, demonstrations, strikes) Trafalgar will not be held responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
• No refund is available for passengers not utilising this service.
• Why not upgrade to a Hotelink transfer from the Airport to-the-door of your Trafalgar London hotel? (please ask Trafalgar or your travel agent of the additional upgrade price per person when booking)
• European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
• Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar's Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
• Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
• Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
• Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

Options

Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.