ITALY INCLUDED FEATURES Accommodations • Three nights in , Sicily, at featuring PALERMO, AND SYRACUSE the first-class Grand Hotel Et Des Palmes. • Two nights in Caltagirone at the Colle San Mauro, an agritourism hotel. • Three nights in Syracuse at the deluxe Des Étrangers Hotel & Spa. Transportation • All deluxe motor coach transfers in the Land Program itinerary and baggage handling on these transfers are included . Activities and Events Strategically situated • Informative educational between Europe and Africa, programs presented by local the island of Sicily is a cultural experts will enhance your insight into the region. crossroads paved by legendary • All excursions as outlined in your Mediterranean civilizations. Its program itinerary. breathtaking natural beauty is • Personal VOX listening device embellished by man-made to hear every word from your expert creations seemingly untouched English-speaking guides. by time. Sun-bleached Greek • Attend a Welcome Reception and temples stand in peaceful valleys and Roman ruins house spectacular . Dinner . Ancient theaters, still valued for their prime acoustics, stand majestically in the • Gather for a Farewell Reception midst of lively towns. built in a multitude of styles stand as silent and Dinner . testament to the diversity that has created the Sicily of today. Discover the Extensive Meal Program many treasures of this melting pot of the ancient world. • Enjoy eight breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners; tea or coffee with all meals, plus wine with dinner. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • Sample authentic regional • Your exclusive Small-Group experience is limited to specialties during select meals 28 travelers to maximize your travel experience. at featured local restaurants . • Hotel accommodations in three locations allow you to • Take advantage of leisure time to discover the whole of Sicily. try the local cuisine independently. • Visit five UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Arab-Norman Palermo and the Churches of , the Archaeological Area of MANY INCLUDED EXTRAS , the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di , Villa Romana del • Consultation services of a Casale and Syracuse. dedicated Passenger Service • Explore former centers of the Elymian civilization: Segesta and . Representative prior to departure. • Tour a family-run farm, and sample the olive oil produced here. • Services of an experienced Travel Director throughout your stay. • Discover a lesser-known region of Sicily while staying in Caltagirone and • Tipping of excursion guides and during an excursion to and Ragusa. drivers. • Savor a regional specialty, pizza, after an exclusive cooking • Detailed travel and destination demonstration. information to assist in planning. • Complimentary travel wallet. DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY ACCOMMODATIONS DAY 1 ~ IN TRANSIT MODICA /R AGUSA Depart for Palermo, .A Excursion: Inner Sicily. Witness A Provided for AHI FlexAir participants. Sicily’s quiet countryside, dotted with DAY 2 ~ PALERMO fields of citrus and fig trees and myriad Upon arrival, transfer A to the Grand other flora en route to Modica, home to Hotel et Des Palmes. impressive cathedrals and known for its Tonight, attend a Welcome Reception chocolate. Later, stroll through and Dinner. Ragusa’s old square and gardens. DAY 3 ~ PALERMO /M ONREALE DAY 7 ~ / Educational Focus: Sicily, SYRACUSE a Country Within a Country. Excursion and Educational Focus: GRAND HOTEL ET DES PALMES Excursion: Palermo & Monreale. Roman Mosaics. Visit Piazza Palermo Visit Palermo’s Cathedral, and see the Armerina and marvel at Villa Romana Admire the elegance of this art nouveau Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace del Casale, a fourth-century residence hotel in the center of Palermo, located and the domes of St. John of the that boasts thousands of mosaics. within walking distance to museums and Hermits. Tour the market to see the Check in to the Des Étrangers Hotel & shopping and near the Mediterranean bounty of the land and sea . In Monreale, Spa. Sea. Sample regional cuisine in the visit Santa Maria la Nuova to admire its Excursion: Syracuse. The city is on restaurant, or enjoy a nightcap in the incredible mosaics. the storied island of Ortygia. Explore piano bar. After a day of exploring, return Local Flavor: Lunch is at a Sicilian Syracuse’s medieval and baroque Old to your spacious, well-appointed guest restaurant. Town. Also, discover the room, finished in warm hues. Wi-Fi is DAY 4 ~ SEGESTA /E RICE and Roman ruins in the Neapolis complimentary. Excursion: Segesta. Segesta Archaeological Park. occupies one of the most scenic DAY 8 ~ COLLE SAN MAURO locales in Sicily. See the unfinished Excursion: Taormina. Explore the Caltagirone Doric temple and a theater carved city of Taormina, situated high atop Set in a valley beneath Caltagirone, Colle into the rock of Mount Barbaro. Monte Tauro. Taormina has an excellent San Mauro, a countryhouse repurposed Local Flavor: Meet the People. view of the sea and . See as a hotel, allows you to immerse Lunch is at a family-owned olive farm. the ancient Greek theater that is still in yourself in Sicily’s quieter southeast Enjoy a tour led by a member of the use today. corner as you stroll across the verdant family and a tasting of the olive oil. Cultural Event and Local Flavor: property, dotted with vineyards, fruit Excursion: Erice. Erice is one Watch a pizza-making demonstration, trees and gardens, or relax in the outdoor of Sicily’s few cities that likely was then enjoy a pizza lunch. pool. Wi-Fi is complimentary. founded by the , an indigenous Independent Exploration: Enjoy group believed to be descendants of time at leisure in Taormina. DES ÉTRANGERS HOTEL & SPA Trojan refugees. See the duomo and DAY 9 ~ SYRACUSE Syracuse two medieval castles. Independent Exploration: Spend The Des Étrangers Hotel & Spa sits on the Educational Focus: The Mafia, the day at leisure. historic island of Ortygia and overlooks Past and Present . Tonight, attend a Farewell Reception the sea. It is in the heart of the city, just DAY 5 ~ AGRIGENTO / and Dinner. steps from well-known landmarks, CALTAGIRONE DAY 10 ~ I N TRANSIT restaurants, shops and more. Amenities Excursion: Agrigento. Visit Transfer to the airport for the return include a fitness center and a spa. Meet Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples. See flight to your gateway city. A for drinks at one of the hotel’s bars after the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of a day of exploring the city, or enjoy Concord and the Temple of Jupiter. NOTE : The information presented is preliminary. expertly prepared Mediterranean cuisine Itineraries, included features and schedules Local Flavor: Savor regional dishes are subject to change. Many excursions in this in one of the hotel’s restaurants. Wi-Fi is during lunch in Agrigento. program involve an element of walking. complimentary. Continue to Caltagirone and check in to ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE the Colle San Mauro. Available at an additional cost Previous page (top to bottom): Local Flavor: After a drive around . On Day 9, visit the historic Segesta Palermo the property, which has fruit orchards city of Catania. See the Roman ruins and vineyards, sit down for a delicious and baroque churches, and visit a AHI Travel dinner prepared with locally grown and market. Delve into Sicily’s World War II International Tower produced food and wine. 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. history and Operation Husky with a visit Suite 600 DAY 6 ~ CALTAGIRONE / , IL 60631 to the Allied landing beaches. 2017-2