SPLENDOURS OF SICILY Blue-Roads | Europe

Centuries-old monasteries and Norman churches. Ancient Greek temples and bustling Italian markets. Sicily is a living museum wrapped in superb scenery that ranges from sheer gorges and golden beaches to a remarkable volcano.

TOUR CODE:

BEHSSPC-0 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads

Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach!

About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE Embark on a Mafia-themed walking tour of Palermo These tour notes contain everything you need to know Indulge in a delicious chocolate before your tour departs – including where to meet, tasting session amidst the what to bring with you and what you can expect to do magnificent Baroque architecture of on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this Modica document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you Visit an organic farm and taste on tour. award-winning olive oil

Please Note: We recommend that you refresh TOUR CURRENCIES this document one week before your tour departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date + Italy - EUR accommodation list and itinerary information available. Your Itinerary

DAY 1 | PALERMO - MONREALE - SELINUNTE

Today we’ll meet in Sicily’s capital, Palermo, and dive straight into its streets for a Mafia-themed tour. Then: it’s onwards to Monreale. We’ll pay a visit to the impressive cathedral before moving on to our idyllic farm stay in Selinunte – where a welcome dinner awaits us. Accommodation: Agriturismo Case di Latomie (or similar)

MEALS: Dinner

DAY 2 | SELINUNTE - MAZARA DEL VALLO - SCIACCA - FAVARA

This morning, we're in for a culinary treat: prepare to sample some of the farm’s tasty olives, award-winning olive oil, fresh breads and more! Then: en route to Favara, we’ll stop by the historic fishing port of Sciacca. Back in the times of Ancient Greece, its natural thermal springs were a great attraction – and we’ll have plenty of time to explore them before we move on to our hotel. Accommodation: The Alba Palace Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch

DAY 3 | FAVARA - AGRIGENTO - PIAZZA ARMERINA - RAGUSA

After breakfast we’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valley of Temples – where a local guide will reveal the history of the archaeological site. En route to Ragusa, we’ll make a stop at Villa Romana del Casale, which contains one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world. Accommodation: Hotel Antico Convento dei Cappuccini (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch DAY 4 | RAGUSA - MODICA - RAGUSA

We’ll start our day in indulgent style: with a chocolate tasting session in Modica. And then? The gastronomic theme will continue as we come together for a ricotta tasting session and included lunch in Sant’Angelo Muxaro. Appetites satisfied, we’ll return to Ragusa – where we’ll have the rest of the day to wander the town at our leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Antico Convento dei Cappuccini (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch

DAY 5 | RAGUSA - NOTO - SYRACUSE

On today’s agenda: a visit to the city of Noto, where we’ll learn more about almond cultivation with a local expert. After an included lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll press on to lovely Syracuse – where we’ll take some time to orient ourselves on a walking tour. Accommodation: Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch

DAY 6 | SYRACUSE

Seaside Syracuse – which rivalled Athens as the most important city of ancient Greece – is yours for the taking today. We recommend taking some time to wander the temples and sacred caves before losing yourself in the city’s winding streets – which open out on baroque piazzas, bustling markets and beautiful sea views. Accommodation: Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 7 | SYRACUSE - MOUNT ETNA - CARRUBA

Today we head towards Mt Etna, a slumbering giant that towers over the surrounding landscape, with the option to take a closer look at its smouldering craters. Then: we’ll move on to a local farm for lunch (complete with wine tasting) before journeying onwards to Carruba, where we’ll spend the next two nights. Accommodation: Donna Carmela Boutique Resort (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch Dinner DAY 8 | CARRUBA - TAORMINA - CARRUBA

We’ll make a pit stop in the town of Savoca (where The Godfather was famously filmed) before moving on to Taormina for a walking tour. After a day spent exploring, tonight’s farewell dinner will be well-deserved. Accommodation: Donna Carmela Boutique Resort (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 9 | CARRUBA - CATANIA

Today, our tour will end in Catania – but not before a walking tour of the ancient port city. With an included visit to a local market, you can stock up on foodie souvenirs to take home (including favourites such as olives, biscotti, cheese and wine). We’ll even pass by Catania’s oldest cannolo shop, where we’ll have the chance to fill our own cannoli with ricotta cheese. What a way to round off the trip!

MEALS: Breakfast Tour Information

Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page

Other Information

Finances

CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders.

Insurance Passports and Visas

You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or Asia. Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport

We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring

Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience:

Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear

Other things to pack:

Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin

OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER:

Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm

That's it!

We look forward to seeing you on tour.