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Southern Italy - Christmas & New Years

Calabria— Southern Italy

Tour Type
Stay-Put
Duration
17
Days
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
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Tour Highlights

  • Stay at a family-owned beachfront resort
  • Lunch at the home of a Calabrian family
  • Visit to local olive oil farm
  • Visits to ancient villages Gioiosa Jonica, Gerace, Siderno Antica and Locri
  • Full-day tour of Reggio-Calabria
  • Your tour package includes:

    • lights with Air Canada -Accommodation as described - Continental buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - Wine & water with all lunches & dinners - Special holiday celebrations for December tour only
2 Happy seniors couples looking at Map on a tablet while on vacation.

Why you’ll love touring with us:

Home pick-up/drop-off
(from most cities)
Convenient flights & transfers
Carefully selected hotels
Cultural & authentic dining experiences
Excursions with expert local guides
Exceptional Tour Manager
Comprehensive insurance plan
All taxes, gratuities & fees
View map

We depart for Sicily, with a change of planes in Rome.

We arrive in Palermo and transfer to our hotel for a 3-night stay

We travel to the hilltop town of Monreale, renowned for its Arab-influenced Cathedral covered in mosaics dating back as far as 1194 AD. We then visit the city of Palermo, including the Duomo (Cathedral) and the old town to see the Capo market selling fresh food and artisan products.

This morning we drive to beautiful Mount Pellegrino to visit the Shrine of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of Palermo. Afternoon at leisure. You may want to explore one of the main markets, reminiscent of Arab souks, with their abundant variety of food, and theatrical vendors.

Today begins with a visit of Segesta, one of the best preserved and most beautiful Greek archaeological sites. We then enjoy some time in the historical town of Erice, located on a mountaintop 750 metres above sea level overlooking the city of Trapani. Our included lunch will feature typical Sicilian fare. We then continue to Mazara del Vallo for a 5-night stay.

This morning we enjoy a guided visit of the historical centre of town, to see the many Moorish and Norman churches and the beautiful cathedral, and take a stroll in the Kasbah. The afternoon is at leisure. Dinner will be at a local pizzeria

A day at leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the area at your own pace. This is a city with a fascinating mix of culture, history, ethnicity, and art. Stroll through the labyrinthine North African Kasbah in the city centre, see the bustling fishing harbour, and the beautiful Piazza della Repubblica. We recommend to enjoy a coffee at an outdoor cafe in one of the city squares—you will not find a better place for people-watching than here! Dinner will be at a local restaurant

We enjoy a boat ride to the island of Mozia to visit what was once an ancient Phoenician city. We will see the original landscape of the salt marshes, windmills, and vineyards. We then see the historic centre of Marsala and enjoy a light lunch (and tasting) at a winery.

Morning at leisure, followed by a tasting at one of the local wineries, and dinner at a local restaurant

We travel to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, one of the most important sights in Sicily, and one of the most impressive complexes of ancient Greek Buildings outside of Greece. Then we proceed to our hotel in the Taormina area for a 7-night stay.

We begin with a walking tour of Taormina, followed by some free time to enjoy the spectacular views, elegant gardens, cafés, and shops of this old-world resort town. We then enjoy the drive along the seafront of Taormina, and a stroll along the boardwalk.

Today we tour Catania, with its historical centre and famous fish market. We will have some free time in the main square, the lovely Piazza Duomo and main shopping street before we return to our hotel via a scenic drive along the Riviera of the Cyclops - a legendary stretch of coast north of Catania.

We visit the unspoiled and typical Sicilian hilltop towns of Savoca and Forza d’Agro as seen in Francis Ford Coppola’s famous Godfather trilogy! We will enjoy lunch at a local pizzeria before we return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

A free day to enjoy this lovely resort town at your own pace, or take an optional tour to legendary Mt. Etna.

A full day tour to the ancient city of Syracuse on the island of Ortigia. We will visit the archaeological zone to see the Roman Amphitheatre and the Spring of Arethusa Fountain. There will be some free time to enjoy the historical centre.

A final day at leisure. This evening is our Farewell Dinner.

We fly home, via Rome.

Add-on Costs

Tour dates: