Catania · Taormina · Siracusa · Agrigento · Menfi · Palermo · Erice · Monreale · Naples · Sorrento · Pompeii · Amalfi Coast · Capri
Your trip includes
- Round-trip airfare
- All airport taxes & fuel surcharges
- Centrally located 3 star hotels (or similar) in double occupancy
- Optional Post Tour to Loreto & Rome:
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Breakfast and Dinner daily
- Wine and mineral water with dinners
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
- Local guides in Taormina, Siracusa, Agrigento, Menfi, Palermo, Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Capri
- Entrance fees to Greek Theatre in Taormina, Archeological Area in Siracusa, Valley of the Temples in Argrigento,Teatro Massimo in Palermo Ruins in Pompeii, Dome's Crypt in Amalfi, Villa Rufolo in Ravello, Gardes of Augustus and Blue Grotto in Capri
- Entrance fees: St Peter's Basilica, Scavi Tour in Rome
- RW ferry Sorrento/Capri
- Whispers
- Assistance of a professional local Catholic guide
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Catholic Priest, Mass daily & Spiritual activities
Not included
- Lunches and beverages not mentioned, Airline luggage fees and Tips to your guide & driver
Itinerary
Day 1, Thu, Oct 05: Depart for Sicily
Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.
Day 2, Fri, Oct 06: Arrival in Catania and transfer to Taormina
Upon arrival in Catania airport, you will meet your tour escort who will accompany you throughout your tour. We'll transfer to our hotel in Taormina for dinner and overnight.
Day 3, Sat, Oct 07: In Taormina
This morning we'll tour Taormina's remarkably situated ancient Greek theater, which is still used today for open-air performances. Later you'll be free to enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas of this beautiful cliffside old-world town. Later, we'll enjoy a dinner together. Overnight Taormina.
Day 4, Sun, Oct 08: Taormina - Siracusa - Agrigento
We'll depart Taormina and travel to Siracusa. We'll visit this place which illustrates the ancient history of the Mediterranean and Europe. Its vast archeological site, on the edge of the modern city, is a rare treasure of temples, amphitheaters, and an ancient castle. Located near the southeastern corner of Sicily on the Ionian coast, Siracusa is built on an ancient Greek settlement founded by Corinthians in 734. We'll continue on to Agrigento for dinner and overnight. (Our tour of Agrigento may occur this afternoon or tomorrow morning.)
Day 5, Mon, Oct 09: Agrigento-Menfi - Palermo
his morning we'll enjoy the ruins of Agrigento, one of the richest of the Greek colonies and a thriving democracy 2,500 years ago. We'll focus on Agrigento's "Valley of the Temples" - the largest, best preserved collection of ancient Greek buildings outside of Greece itself. We'll depart Agrigento and travel to Palermo. One the way we'll make a stop in Menfi, located slightly back from the Sicilian coast. The landscape in this area is particularly breathtaking: large areas of grass and corn fields but also vineyards. Visit the ancient town and continue to Palermo for dinner and overnight.
Day 6, Tue, Oct 10: Palermo - Erice- Monreale - Palermo
Then we'll greet our driver and hop aboard our coach bound for the hill-topping town of Monreale, renowned for its Arab-flavored cathedral, blending Byzantine, Arab, Jewish, Gothic, and Norman traditions, heritage, and art. We'll tour the cathedral's interior of glitering, golden mosaics as well as the story-telling columns of the cloister
Day 7, Wed, Oct 11: Palermo
After breakfast, spend a day exploring the best of Palermo. We'll tour through Palermo's colorful and bustling Ballaro street market - all spiced with an evocative whiff of Africa. See the top attractions in the old town of the Sicilian capital of Palermo, including the Teatro Massimo, Cathedral, and Politeama Theater.
Day 8, Thu, Oct 12: Palermo / Naples / Sorrento
After breakfast transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Naples. Upon arrival in Naples airport, you will meet your tour escort who will accompany you throughout your tour. You'll enjoy a short panoramic tour of Naples on the way to Sorrento (time permitting and based on time of arrival). Overnight in Sorrento.
Day 9, Fri, Oct 13: Pompeii
After breakfast, board your motor coach to Pompeii, the famous ancient city buried by the ashes of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. You will walk through one of the most important and interesting archeological museums in the world. This is a preserved site of excavated ruins of streets and homes that pilgrims can freely explore. Visit the Shrine of the Rosary of Pompei "La Madonna Del Rosario", one of the most visited Catholic Shrines. The painting of "Our Lady of the Rosary" with its bronze gilt frame is presented to the pilgrims on the high altar. The venerated painting depicts the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus presenting the Rosary to Saint Dominic and Saint Catherine of Siena. Inside the shrine there are also two very important relics belonging to the Passion of Christ; a thorn from the Crown of Thorns and a small piece of the Holy Cross. Enjoy some time to relax before dinner and an overnight.
Day 10, Sat, Oct 14: Amalfi Coast
Today you will tour the Amalfi Coast, widely considered one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world; deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site as an outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape. You'll follow the 34 miles of winding roads, making a quick stop to view the breathtaking panoramic view of Positano. Continue on through Praiano where you will drive by St. Gennaro Church, to Amalfi, one of the four maritime Republics of Italy, and view the beautiful Amalfi Cathedral consecrated to its patron, Saint Andrew. Some free time for lunch before your last stop on the Amalfi coast, Ravello. View its interesting Cathedral devoted to Saint Pantaleone, and the Villa Rufolo, a venue for many festivals throughout the year and magnificent gardens. View the Gulf of Salerno and its beautiful coastline. Enjoy the landscape on your return to Sorrento, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight.
Day 11, Sun, Oct 15: Capri
Transfer to the pier in Sorrento and travel to Capri by hydrofoil. The isle of Capri is described in many ways: "The Blue Island," "The Sleeping Beauty," or better, "The Island of Love." Due to its beauty, Emperor Tiberius ruled the Roman Empire from this island for 10 years. Take a panoramic tour of the island by small minibuses and the Blue Grotto (weather permitting) by row boats with a local guide, including a visit to the wonderful Marina Piccola; the Salto di Tiberio, the "heart" of Capri; Piazza Umberto I, a small, closed off square resembling a courtyard; the gardens of Augusto, built on the ruins of ancient Roman structures. Return to Sorrento this evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 12, Mon, Oct 16: Return Home
Prepare for your departure to the airport and your return flights home with memories for a lifetime!