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Sicily in Depth
A 9-Day Insight Tours tour starting from $1,950
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| Starting Price: | $1,950 |  |
| Tour Length: | 9 Days | |
| Countries Visited: | Italy, Malta | |
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Cities Visited: This tour operates at a reasonable pace. Sicily is remarkably compact and the driving distances are short. If you want to wind down after the tour then the relaxing three night extension on Malta is highly recommended. |
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Included Premium Highlights
- Visit the impressive cathedral of Cefalu, situated between the sea and rocky promontory
- Admire the famous mosaics within the 4th century Roman Villa of Casale, whilst in Agrigento
- A guided visit to Syracuse's archaeological area including the Greek theater and Paradise Quarry
Included Personal Insights
- Get the low-down on the Sicilian Mafia; learn about it's history, structure, secret rituals and codes of conduct.
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
- Guided visit to the Greek Theater and views of Mt. Etna in Taormina
- Stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile in Taormina for panoramic views
- Visit the Church of St John of the Hermits and the Palace of the Normans in Palermo
- Visit the beautifully decorated Cathedral of Monreale
- Visit the ancient walled city of Erice
- Visit the Valley of the Temples, Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Juno in Agrigento
- See the famous Baroque buildings and churches of Ragusa
Included First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard restroom
- Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 9
Included Quality Dining
- Highlight Farewell Dinner in Catania. (HD)
- 7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
Day 1 - DEPART USA
Overnight flight.
Day 2 - ARRIVE CATANIA - GIARDINI NAXOS
Welcome to Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean Islands, and compendium of the greatest civilisations and cultures of all time. On arrival at Catania Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel in Giardini Naxos at 10:00, 12:30 & 15:30. Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Drink, before enjoying dinner 'Sicilian style' at the hotel.
Hotel: Sant Alphio Garden. (D)
Day 3 - SIGHTSEEING IN TAORMINA
After breakfast take a short drive up to the elegant cliff-top town of Taormina. Founded in 400 BC, Taormina is beautifully located overlooking the Ionian sea and facing the snowy peak of Mount Etna. Visit the Greek Theatre (3rd Century B.C.) with a local guide, then stroll along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for splendid panoramic views across the bay to the Ionian Sea. Afterwards, return to the beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters of Giardini Naxos. (BB)
Day 4 - GIARDINI NAXOS - CEFALU - PALERMO
Cross over to the northern side of the island and drive along the coast to the small fishing town of Cefalu, hemmed between the sea and a rocky promontory. Visit the impressive cathedral, which was erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II The mosaics in the interior are among the most famous in the land. Continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo.
Hotel: Best Western Ai Cavalieri. (BB,D)
Day 5 - PALERMO SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to the unusual Church of St John of the Hermits and nearby Palace of the Normans, with it's Palatine Chapel and dazzling mosaics. You also see the spectacular fountain in the Piazza Pretoria and the delightful Piazza Bellini - a square featuring both Moorish and Norman styles. Later drive to the town of Monreale, to visit the finely decorated cathedral and enjoy views over the fertile plain known as the Conca d'Oro (Golden Conch Shell). (BB)
Day 6 - PALERMO - ERICE - AGRIGENTO
Head west to the ancient walled city of Erice, with it's labyrinth of quiet alleyways. Enjoy sea views from the gardens next to the Castle of Venus - on a clear day you see the Tunisian coast! The Sicilian Mafia has played its part in the tribulations of the island; we'll explain how this came to be and some of the inner workings of the infamous 'Cosa Nostra'. Continue to Agrigento to spend the remainder of the day exploring the Valley of the Temples, considered the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. Especially impressive are the massive Temple of Concordia and cliff-top Temple of Juno overlooking the sea.
Hotel: Colleverde (BB,D)
Day 7 - AGRIGENTO - RAGUSA
Investigate the heart of Sicily today as you head for Piazza Armerina and the nearby Roman Villa of Casale. This immense 3rd or 4th century building is noted for its famous mosaics, which cover almost the entire floor space. Cupids playing with dolphins, wild animals and even bikini clad girls are all depicted in the picturesque scenes. Stay tonight in Ragusa, one of the most fascinating towns in Sicily, a magnificent blend of narrow streets, old churches and scenic views.
Hotel: Mediterraneo (BB,D)
Day 8 - RAGUSA - SYRACUSE - CATANIA
Drive through the southeastern corner of Sicily, past Noto, another victim of the 1693 earthquake, to Syracuse, founded by Corinthians eight centuries before Christ. Sightseeing with a guide takes you to the superb Greek theatre, carved out of solid rock and overlooking the sea. You also visit the Paradise Quarry, from which the city's building materials came, and its unusual 'Ear of Dionysius' - a grotto in the shape of an earlobe, with an unusual echo. For the energetic, there is time to explore the Old City, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces, sprawling over the island of Ortygia. It was here that the famous geometrician Archimedes ran naked through the streets, crying 'Eureka'! Return to Catania tonight where you can celebrate the tour finale at a Highlight Dinner.
Hotel: Excelsior Grand Hotel . (BB,HD)
Day 9 - RETURN TO USA
Take your final glimpse of Mount Etna this morning. Departure transfers arrive at Catania Airport at 06:30 & 08:30. (BB)
Don't miss our current specials: | ||||
Touring Date |
Land Only |
Land + Air |
Single (Land Only) |
Single (Land + Air) |
8/26/2010 - 9/3/2010 |
$1,975 |
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9/9/2010 - 9/17/2010 |
$1,950 |
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9/23/2010 - 10/1/2010 |
$1,950 |
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10/7/2010 - 10/15/2010 |
$1,950 |
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Airfare Disclaimer Documents |
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Included Premium Highlights
- Visit the impressive cathedral of Cefalu, situated between the sea and rocky promontory
- Admire the famous mosaics within the 4th century Roman Villa of Casale, whilst in Agrigento
- A guided visit to Syracuse's archaeological area including the Greek theater and Paradise Quarry
Included Personal Insights
- Get the low-down on the Sicilian Mafia; learn about it's history, structure, secret rituals and codes of conduct.
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
- Guided visit to the Greek Theater and views of Mt. Etna in Taormina
- Stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile in Taormina for panoramic views
- Visit the Church of St John of the Hermits and the Palace of the Normans in Palermo
- Visit the beautifully decorated Cathedral of Monreale
- Visit the ancient walled city of Erice
- Visit the Valley of the Temples, Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Juno in Agrigento
- See the famous Baroque buildings and churches of Ragusa
Included First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard restroom
- Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 9
Included Quality Dining
- Highlight Farewell Dinner in Catania. (HD)
- 7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
Save 7.5% on Europe Winter Travel
November to April is the perfect time to visit Europe. The climate is often surprisingly mild, and the cities belong to their inhabitants and just a few discerning visitors. There is no better, more complete way to enjoy this experience than on an Insight Vacations escorted tour. Best of all prices are substantially lower than in peak summer season!
Save 7.5% on any 2010/11 Winter Europe packaged tour if you book and pay in full by August 13th.
Click to view all Insight Winter Vacations
TERMS: Booking and full payment for land portion must be made by August 13th, 2010. Offer is valid for new bookings made betweenJune 21st, 2010 and August 13th, 2010. Valid for land portion only. Travel must depart between November 1st, 2010 and April 3rd, 2011. Offer NOT valid on Select Choices departures or on Israel, Jordan, Greece, Turkey and Egypt. Offer applies to new bookings only. Normal name change policy applies. Offer is applicable to groups – with availability and collection of travelers’ names at time of booking. Promotion is NOT combinable with Early Payment brochure discount or any current air promotions. Promotion is combinable with all other brochure discounts. Once payment is received, cancellation penalties apply. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and subject to availability. Other restrictions apply. Please call for details. CST No. 20687545-20.
Great Savings and Discounts
FRIENDS & FAMILY DISCOUNTS
SAVE 5% FOR 5 - 8 PASSENGERS
Why not share your Insight tour experience with your friends and family – and save money! If 5-8 passengers book together we offer a discount of 5%. Further savings are available for groups of 9 or more passengers! This discount cannot be combined with Frequent Traveler, Young Traveler or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, the names of all passengers traveling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Does not apply to Oberammergau Passion Play Option, additional accommodation, airfares or fl ight supplements, Select London Week, Select London & Paris, Select London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, and tours with Mediterranean or River cruises.
YOUNG TRAVELER SAVINGS
5 - 17 YEAR OLDS SAVE UP TO 10%
Insight offers you the opportunity of sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies only to tours featuring the “Young Traveler Discount” in the price panel. Check the itinerary pages now to see how much you can SAVE! Young Travelers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date and accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveler Discount per room). Children under 5 years old are not accepted on any escorted tour.
This discount cannot be combined with our “Friends & Family Discount”.
SINGLE TRAVELER SAVING
INSIGHT’S ROOM MATE MATCHING
For people traveling alone on an Insight coach tour, we’ll match you with someone of the same gender, so you don’t have to pay the single room supplement. If we fail to match you, we’ll provide a single room at no extra cost†. There is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Does not apply to additional accommodation, Riad upgrade option, airfares or flight supplements, Select London Week, Select London & Paris, Select London, Paris & Rome, Irish Elegance, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours and tours with Mediterranean or River cruises. †Single rooms are not available for the Oberammergau Passion Play Option.
TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNT
When three people travel together room, each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price. See the Triple Room Reductions on the itinerary of your choice. This discount only applies to tours featuring the “Triple
Room Discount” in the price panel. Note the third bed on occasions, will be a foldaway. This discount cannot be combined with our “Friends & Family Discount”. Triple rooms are not available for the Oberammergau Passion
Play Option
FREQUENT TRAVELER SAVING
In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all traveled guests automatic membership into our Club Bon Voyage, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. You will need to travel within the next two years. So act NOW and take full advantage of this great offer. Enrolment forms and discount vouchers are available
from your Tour Director. Insight’s Club Bon Voyage and 5% Discount is not available retroactively. Only one voucher is available per person, per tour, per year and only one voucher can be redeemed against each further
tour booking. This discount cannot be combined with our “Friends & Family Discount” and “Extra Tour Discount.” Does not apply to Oberammergau Passion Play Option, additional accommodations, Select London Week, Select London & Paris and Select London, Paris & Rome.
EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT
ON EARLY BOOKINGS
Insight’s most popular tours fi ll very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, and the earlier you pay, the more you SAVE! Here’s how...
Pay in full 12 months prior to your tour departure
date and SAVE UP TO 10%
Pay in full 10 months prior to your tour departure
date and SAVE UP TO 7.5%
Pay in full 6 months prior to your tour departure
date and SAVE UP TO 5%
Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. This discount only applies to tours that feature the “Early Payment Discount” in the price panel.
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All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.