Introduction to Sicily

The stunning volcanic island of Sicily is your destination for this 7 night tour. Based in the resort of Giardini Naxos, you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful Aeolian Islands, picturesque towns and the towering volcanic mountains. This tour offers you a perfect chance to visit Sicily and will be a holiday to remember.

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly Dublin – Catania and transfer to your hotel, the 4 Star Caesar Palace Hotel in Giardini Naxos.

Day 2-7: Time at leisure to enjoy yourself. There are 4 included excursions during your stay. These excursions are:

Panarea and Stromboli (Thursday – Day 2)

• Lured by the Volcanic scenery, glam villas and general isolation, the stars can’t get enough of Sicilys Aeolian Islands. Take Panarea. The smallest of the 7 islandsit’s the perfect retreat for celebs when they’re shying away from the spotlight to live the simple life – with a housekeeper, chef and private helicopter of course. It’s a beautiful island too – Panareas rocky slopes, covered with white washed villages and olive groves. You’ll also get to take the ferry across to Stromboli, the usland that Dolce and Gabana call home. As the sun sets over this isle giant flames and molten rock spray from Stromboli’s crater like special effects in a Hollywood blockbuster. And you get to witness this event from the water as you dine at sea.

Agrigento (Friday – Day 3)

• In the vicinity of the city of Agrigento lies the best conserved Greek Architectural site in the Mediterranean Basin – The Valley of the Temples. Admire the grandeur of the Concordia Temple and Temple of Zeus – the largest, best preserved and most complete Greek temples in the world! The valley and it’s remarkable temples are one of the most famous sites in Sicily’s UNESCO Patrimony. You will have time for a lunch break along the beautiful San Leone Seafront. The tour later continues to the “Villa Romana del Casale” at Piazza Armerina – where polychrome mosaics represent the most important surviving documentation of Roman civilization in Sicily.

Etna Round Alcantara (Monday – Day 6)

• This full day tour includes both a great outdoor excursion into the wonders of nature and an opportunity to enjoy one of Sicily’s tourist hotspots. Touring into the heart of the island on the way to mount Etna, the guide will talk you through some interesting facts about Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, that is quite a momeorable sight. The view from the bus parking ground is quite amazing. The tour later continues to the Alcantara Gorges, before returning to the hotel.

Siracusa (Tuesday – Day 7)

• One of the most important sites in the Magna Grecia. You will explore many archaeological wonders. The Greek Theatre, built in the 5th century BC and dedicated to the godess Athena, the Altar of Hiron & the Roman Amphitheatre. We also spend some time in the town of Ortiga with it’s maze of narrow streets.

Day 8: Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your return flight to Dublin.

Price inclusions

• Flight Dublin to Catania as outlined above
• Transfer from the airport to the Caesar Palace Hotel – Giardini Naxos
• 7 nights accommodation in the 4 star Caesar Palace Hotel based on 2 people sharing on a Half Board basis
• Full day excursion to Siracusa
• Full day excursion to Mount Etna
• Full day excursion to Panarea & Stromboli
• Full Day excursion to the Agrigento
• The services of a representative throughout your stay and for coach transfers and tours.
• Transfer to Catania Airport for your return flight
• Flight Catania to Dublin
• Taxes and charges of €101

Booking remarks

• Inclusive of taxes and service charges as indicated
• Single room supplement €140
• Non refundable or transferrable booking deposit €100 per person
• Full payment due on confirmation
• 2% surcharge if balance is paid by credit or charge card
• Optional Insurance €25 (conditions apply)

Accommodation details

The Caesar Palace Hotel

Giardini Naxos, Sicily, Italy

The Hotel Caesar Palace is elegant and modern and unique thanks to its functional and efficient services. This product appeals each guest, it offers privacy to businessmen and a rich animation program from July to September to families. The conventioned equipped beach is just approx. 1 km distance and is connected with a courtesy hotel shuttlebus.

All 220 rooms are modernly furnished and offer ensuite bath and shower, hairdryer and bathrobe, air conditioning, minibar, tea & coffee maker, telephone, sat.TV and safety deposit box.

Giardini Naxos

Giardini Naxos was a quiet fishing village. Now it is a popular tourist destination, famous for its beaches , the Ionian Sea, and its small, but bustling fishing port. It attracts foreign visitors and Italians alike, many of whom own summer residences in the comune. The seafront, Via Tysandros, is lined with hotels, smaller pensions, pubs, restaurants and pizzerias.

The public beaches and lidos are quite crowded in the months of July and August, especially around Ferragosto which occurs on 15 August and people celebrate this event by camping on the beach in tents and running into the sea at midnight for a swim with an accompaning display of fireworks. Lifeguards are provided by the Comune and are posted at regular intervals along the beaches. Besides swimming and boating, there is plenty to do and see in Giardini. There are shops, discoteques, Karaoke bars, strolling musicians wearing traditional Sicilian costumes, live bands, theatrical productions, and impromptu dancing on the beaches at night.

Dates and Prices

16 June 2010	Sold Out
15 Sept 2010	€1,239 €1,139 Book before 29 Jul
22 Sept 2010	€1,149 €1,049 Book before 29 Jul