Secrets of Sicily

With 2 Nights in Rome!!

A Travel Adventure for Alumni & Friends of Duquesne University

June 4-17, 2014 Itinerary (As of November 18, 2013)

Depart USA for Rome, Italy!! Wednesday, June 4

Travel from your home city overnight to arrive the next morning in Rome, the Eternal City.

Rome Thursday, June 5

After an early morning arrival in Rome, our flights arriving at Leonardo DaVinci (“Fiumicino”) airport will be met just outside Baggage Claim by our trip leader, Dr. Jean Anne Hattler, and by Michael Wright, Director of Duquesne University’s Italian Campus program. We’ll be transferred via motorcoach to our hotel for the next two nights, Hotel Atlante Star (http://www.atlantehotels.com), located near the Vatican in the heart of Rome. We’ll leave our bags at the hotel and take a special topical walking tour through the city center while we wait for the rooms to be ready for check-in.

Independent Lunch and dinner. Overnight in Rome at Hotel Atlante Star.

Rome Friday, June 6

This morning you’ll have the opportunity to explore some of Rome’s major basilicas such as Sta. Maria Maggiore, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls with our renowned Italian Campus art history professor and Vatican tour guide, Elizabeth Lev. We’ll enjoy an included lunch together today at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we’ll have plenty of time to roam at leisure in the beautiful Vatican Gardens, only recently open to the public.

Independent Dinner. Overnight in Rome at Hotel Atlante Star (B, L) Rome * Naples * Overnight Cruise to Sicily Saturday, June 7

Morning is free for individual pursuits and to finalize packing as we prepare for our journey to Sicily. We’ll travel by air-conditioned motorcoach to the port of Naples.

On arrival in Naples, we’ll transfer to our ferry, the Grande Navi Veloci.. Overnight ferry cruise to Palermo, Sicily. Group dinner tonight is on the ferry.

Overnight at sea on board the Grande Navi Veloci. (B, D) Palermo Sunday, June 8

This morning wake up on the ferry and enjoy breakfast on your own in one of the ferry’s restaurants or perhaps just grab a cappuccino before we dock in Palermo. On arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel, the Cristal Palace (www.hotelcristalpalace.net).

After some time to settle in, we’ll enjoy an afternoon guided walking tour of Palermo.

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special welcome dinner featuring traditional Sicilian cuisine at a Palermo restaurant.

Overnight in Palermo at Cristal Palace Hotel (D). Monday, June 9 Palermo * Monreale

This morning we’ll enjoy a tour of Monreale, a town on the slopes of Monte Caputo, overlooking the orange, olive and almond groves of the La Conca D’Oro valley.

The afternoon and evening are free for independent pursuits.

Overnight in Palermo at Cristal Palace Hotel (B). Tuesday, June 10 Palermo * San Vito Lo Capo

This morning we’ll travel via air-conditioned motor coach to the lovely Mediterranean resort town of San Vito Lo Capo, where we’ll check into the Panoramic Hotel. (www.panoramichotel.net). The rest of the day is free to enjoy soaking up some sun and bathing in the beautiful waters.

San Vito Lo Capo is renowned for the Couscous Festival it has held every year since 1998, and tonight we’ll gather for dinner at a local restaurant to sample this specialty

Overnight in San Vito Lo Capo at Panoramic Hotel (B, D)

Wednesday, June 11 San Vito Lo Capo – Free Day!

Today is completely free for you to enjoy the beach and explore the small village of San Vito Lo Capo at your leisure.

Overnight in San Vito Lo Capo at Panoramic Hotel (B)

Thursday, June 12 San Vito Lo Capo * Segesta * Agrigento

This morning we visit Segesta to see the ruins of the ancient Greek Doric temple and theater. Afterwards we continue on towards Agrigento, where we’ll enjoy a special dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the two spectacular Greek temples.

This evening we stay at the Baglia della Luna (www.bagliodellaluna.com) in Agrigento.

Overnight in Agrigento at the Baglia della Luna .(B, D) Friday, June 13 Agrigento * Caltagirone * Siracusa

This morning we’ll enjoy a formal guided tour of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Following some free time and lunch in the small village of Caltagirone we’ll have some free time to explore the city, then move on to Siracusa.

In Siracusa, our stay is at the Hotel Panorama (www.hotelpanoramasiracusa.it).

Overnight in Siracusa at Hotel Panorama (B, L) Saturday, June 14 Siracusa * Catania

This morning we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and highlights of Siracusa.

After lunch, we’ll transfer via air-conditioned motorcoach to Catania, where we’ll be staying at the Grand Hotel Excelsior (www.excelsiorcatania.com). Evening free in Catania.

Independent Lunch and Dinner. Overnight in Catania at Grand Hotel Excelsior (B) Sunday, June 15 Catania * Taormina * Catania

We’ll have an early morning transfer to Taormina via air-conditioned motorcoach, where we’ll have a full day’s tour the town and sites with a guide.

This evening, well enjoy a special Farewell Dinner in Taormina before transferring back to Catania

for the night.

Overnight in Catania at Grand Hotel Excelsior (B, D) Monday, June 16 Catania - Rome

Afternoon transfer to Catania airport for 4:55 p.m. flight to Rome. On arrival in Rome transfer to Courtyard by Marriott Rome hotel for overnight.

Overnight in Rome at Courtyard by Marriott (American Breakfast)

Tuesday, June 17 Rome - USA

Morning transfer to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport to take USAirways Flight No. 719 at 6:50 p.m. bound for Pittsburgh, USA via Philadelphia.

Arrivederci Bella Italia!

Itinerary subject to change according to circumstances. B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner; indicates included meals.