, the largest island of the Mediterranean sea is the land of the sun, of the mythes and of the old traditions which were brought by the different civilizations succeeding one another through the past and which today offer the visitor the fragance and the taste of a “cocktail” rich of various flavours. In this cocktail it is possible to perceive the whole history of Sicily: the Greek essence, the Roman magnificence, the Norman traces, the Arabian atmosphere which is still pervading the local markets, the Spanish liveliness; all these things are vivified by the baroque style, which completes the picture of Sicily perceived by the tourist in his travel through the island. Sicilian people are very proud of their land they want to pay homage to it by converying a sense of warmness and hospitality to the tourists who want to know both the ancient history and modern life in Sicily, and who want to transform their holiday into a real cultural experience. Settled in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, Sicily used to be both a landing- place and a cross-road for many foreign peoples: one hand, it divided the eastern part of the Mediterranean sea from the western one, on the other hand it joined the European continent to Africa. The first populations living in Sicily were the “Sicani” and “Siculi”, then followed by the Phoenician, coming from the Middle East, the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzatines, the Normans, the Swabians, the Aragoneses, the Austrian and the Bourbons. All these civilizations left in Sicily very important traces that can be found nowadays. That’s why Sicily is considered one of the most important Archaeological and artistic museum in Europe. Modern Sicily Cool History

10 october 2017: Beijing/Rome. Meals: Chinese Dinner. Meeting at the airport 3 hours before the departure of your flight to Rome by Alitalia check-in desk. Leave from Beijing by Alitalia direct flight to Rome Fiumicino at 09:15. Arrival estimated in Rome Fiumicino at 14:25. After the baggage hall, meet your chinese speaking guide for the private transfer to your hotel. Accomodation in your reserved rooms. Free Afternoon free at leisure. Dinner in Chinese Restaurant. Overnight: Hotel Warmthotel 4**** 11 october 2017 : Rome. Meals: Breakfast. Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your chinese speaking guide a tour in the historic centre of Rome. In this day you will be able to use a full day pass for the undergroud. Overnight: Hotel Warmthotel 4**** 12 october 2017 : Rome/Pompei/. Meals: Breakfast, lunch. Meet your chinese speaking guide and departure by private bus for an half day tour of the city of Naples: its historical center, among the largest in Europe, will leave you breathlessly for the uniqueness of the alleys, the friendliness and warmth of the local people. It will visit the Basilica of Santa Chiara with its beautiful cloister majolica, the imposing Cathedral of San Gennaro and historical workshops of master craftsmen of San Gregorio Armeno, the Way of the Nativity. Visit of Piazza Plebiscito. After that transfer to Pompei and visit: The city was an ancient Roman town-city near modern naples in the Italian region of campania, in the territory of the of Pompei. Pompeii, along with Herculaeum and many villas in the surrounding area, was mostly destroyed and buried under 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) of ash and punice in the aruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Researchers believe that the town was founded in the seventh or sixth century BC by the Osci or Oscans. It came under the domination of Rome in the 4th century BC, and was conquered and became a Roman colony in 80 BC after it joined an unsuccessful rebellion against the Roman Republic. By the time of its destruction, 160 years later, its population was approximately 11,000 people, and the city had a complex water system, an amphitheatre, gymnasium and a port. The eruption destroyed the city, killing its inhabitants and burying it under tons of ash. Evidence for the destruction originally came from a surviving letter by Pliny of Younger, who saw the eruption from a distance and described the death of his uncle Pliny the Elder, an admiral of the Roman fleet, who tried to rescue citizens. The site was lost for about 1,500 years until its initial rediscovery in 1599 and broader rediscovery almost 150 years later by Spanish engineer Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre in 1748. The objects that lay beneath the city have been well-preserved for centuries because of the lack of air and moisture. These artifacts provide an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city during the Pax Romana. During the excavation, plaster was used to fill in the voids in the ash layers that once held human bodies. This allowed one to see the exact position the person was in when he or she died. Pompeii has been a tourist destination for over 250 years. Today it has UNESCO World Heritage. At the end transfer to the Port of Naples. Embarkment on the Tirrenia Ferries to Catania. Accomodation in your own private cabins. Overnight on board. 13 october 2017: Catania. Meals: Chinese lunch and Chinese dinner. Arrival, private transfer to the Hotel. at the airport. Meet and greet with your chinese speaking guide and private transfer to the hotel. Overnight: Hotel 4**** 14 october 2017: Catania/Syracuse/Ortigia/Catania. Meals: breakfast, Chinese lunch and Chinese dinner. Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your chinese speaking guide and departure by private bus for an half day city tour of Syracuse and Orti- gia: Since far-off times Siracusa represented a very important stop for the trevellers and till nowadays the city confirms its authenticity to the eyes of who passes by. Its archaeological, cultural and artistic heritage is a perfect synthesis of the whole history of Sicily: all the urban centre, world heritage site since 2005, offers to the passengers the sensation of travel- ling in far-off times without any stops. Your visit will start taking you to Syracuse's real attraction the “ Archaeological Park”, home to the pearly white 5th-century-BC Teatro Greco. Hewn out of the rocky hillside, this 16,000-capacity am- phitheatre staged the last tragedies of Aeschylus (including The Persians), first performed here in his presence. In late spring it's brought to life with an annual season of classical theatre. Beside the theatre is the mysterious Latomia del Par - adiso, a deep, precipitous limestone quarry out of which stone for the ancient city was extracted. Riddled with catacombs and filled with citrus and magnolia trees, it's also where the 7000 survivors of the war between Syracuse and Athens in 413 BC were imprisoned. The Orecchio di Dionisio, a 23m-high grotto extending 65m back into the cliffside, was named by Caravaggio after the tyrant Dionysius, who is said to have used the almost perfect acoustics of the quarry to eavesdrop on his prisoners. Back outside this area you'll find the entrance to the 2nd-century Anfiteatro Romano, originally used for gladiatorial combats and horse races. The Spaniards, little interested in archaeology, largely destroyed the site in the 16th century, using it as a quarry to build 's city walls. West of the amphitheatre is the 3rd-century-BC Ara di Gerone II, a monolithic sacrificial altar to Heron II, where up to 450 oxen could be killed at one time. We will then drive on to the tiny islet of Ortigia to enjoy a Sicilian lunch at Le Terrazze restaurant. The island of Ortygia is a labyrinth of charming ancient and medieval streets. This was a center of Greek, Byzantine and Judaic civilization. Physical evidence of these three cultures can still be seen today, making Ortygia a fascinating place to visit for anybody curious about the historic patrimony we have inherited from classical mythology, early Christianity and medieval Judaism. Lunch in Chinese Restaurant. After that private transfer back to Catania for an afternoon visit of the city. According to Thucydides, the city was founded in 729. BC by Greek colonists who gave her the name of Katane. In 476 BC the city was conquered by the tyrant of Syracuse, Hiero that he named Aitna. With the conquest of the Romans, the city had a new commercial develop- ment. With the Norman conquest in 1071 Catania enjoyed a period of prosperity that culminated under the Aragonese dynasty that founded the first university in Sicily. In 1669, a huge lava flow from Etna submerged the western districts and burying the port. In 1693, a catastrophic earthquake reduced the city to a heap of ruins, leaving standing only five buildings, including the Castello Ursino. The subsequent reconstruction of the city lasted throughout the '700 el'800 giv- ing the city Baroque aspect characterized by the use of alternating lava and limestone from the . All the old town is worth visiting as from the Duomo, its square with the elephant symbol of the city, Etnea street, the The- ater Massimo Bellini. Dinner in Chinese restaurant. Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight: Hotel 4**** 15 october 2017: Catania/Taormina/Volcano Etna/Sicilian Outlet Village/Catania. Meals: breakfast, Italian lunch. Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your chinese speaking guide and departure by private bus for an half day city tour of Taormina: even if it is a small town on the east coast of Sicily, Taormina is one of the most visited touristic resorts in all of . Perched up on a hill about 250 m above the sea, Taormina is about midway between Messina and Catania, a good base for day excursions in eastern Sicily. Taormina’s history dates back to the 4th century and its beauty is mainly done by the presence of important monuments and historical beauties as the Greek Theatre: the original Hellenistic structure was nearly totally rebuilt by the Romans. The auditorium has nine wedges of steps ending in a columned portico from which we can admire one of the most beutiful panoramas in all Sicily. On either side of the stage are the parascenia, areas for the actors and stage sets. The terraces that cover the building also offer a splendid view. At the end of the visit transfer to Volcano Etna. is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the cities of Messina and Catania. It lies above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate. It is the tallest active volcano in Europe, currently 3,329m (10,922 ft) high, though this varies with summit eruptions. It is the highest peak in Italy south of the Alps. Etna covers an area of 1,190 km2 (459sq mi) with a basal circumference of 140 km. This makes it by far the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy, being about two and a half times the height of the next largest, Mount Vesuvius. In Greek Mythology, the deadly monster Typhon was trapped under this mountain by Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder and king of gods, and the forges of Hephaestus were said to also be located underneath it. Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad to the south. Due to its history of recent activity and nearby population, Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations. In June 2013, it was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The excursions to the summit zone of Mt. Etna consist of one of the most interesting destinations for tourists who visit Sicily. Using the modern installations of the cable-cars on the slopes of Southern Mt. Etna, in only 15 minutes it is possible to reach the height of 2,504 meters. Following the ascent to 581 m., the second part of the excursions begins. The service is carried out with special off-road vehicles driven by expert conductors who calmly drive up even the most difficult paths, reaching in only 20 minutes, the height of 2,900 m. above sea level. Here, one finds themselves in front of an incomparable panorama from where it is possible to admire the majestic central crater and the historic lava flows. Lunch in Italian restaurant. At the end transfer to the Sicilian Outlet Village for shopping. At the end transfer to Enna. Overnight: Hotel 4**** 16 october 2017: Catania/Piazza Armerina//Palermo. Meals: breakfast, Italian lunch. Chinese dinner. Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your chinese speaking guide and departure by private bus for an half day tour of Piazza Armerina. The Roman structure, the late imperial era, for its exceptional wealth of architectural and decorative elements, has become particularly important object within the program to protect and enhance the heritage of the Sicilian region, whose management is now entrusted to the Archaeological Park and the archaeological sites of Piazza Armerina and neighboring municipalities, the Regional Administration of Cultural heritage Institute. The villa, protected by UNESCO since 1997, has belonged to a Roman senatorial aristocrat, perhaps a governor of Rome (Urbi Praefectus); according to some scholars, it was, however, built and expanded on direct imperial patronage. For its beauty and complexity, it can be considered one of the most significant examples of representative dwelling compared to other contemporary Western Roman Empire. The high profile of his patron is celebrated, eloquently, through an iconographic program, stylistically influenced by African culture, which unfolds with compositional richness, in a multitude of public and private character environments. Lunch in Italian restaurant. After that, transfer to Agrigento for the visit of the Archaeological ParK of : The park, covering some 1300 hectares, features an impressive monumental and landscape heritage that includes the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas and the land surrounding it to the sea. In the Valley of the Temples, declared in 1997 by UNESCO "World Heritage", it is one of the major archaeological complexes of the Mediterranean, immersed in a landscape of rare beauty 7agricolo comprised predominantly of centenarians olive and almond trees. Akragas was one of the most important Greek colonies in Sicily, extended about 450 hectares, founded around 582 BC by settlers from nearby and from Rhodes. 6The site chosen was a plateau naturally protected to the north by the Rupe Atenea and the Colle di Girgenti and south from Long Hill of the Temples, bounded on the sides by Akragas Hypsas confluent rivers and south in one over whose mouth was the ancient port ( emporion). 5Fin beginning - under the tyranny of Phalaris (570-554 BC) famous for his cruelty - the city articulated terraces was characterized by a regular city plan. The Rock of Athena was the site of the acropolis with sacred and defensive; the Hill of the Temples housed the monumental sanctuaries; the central area of the town and public buildings, while 4defunti were buried in the necropolis outside the city. In the last decades of the sixth century. BC, Akragas was surrounded by massive walls 12 km long and has nine doors. The colony reached fame and power under the tyrant Theron (488-471 BC), who won over the Carthaginians at in 480 BC and, 2soprattutto, during the years of democracy (471-406 BC) established by the philosopher Empedocles of Akragas. In this period it was built the extraordinary series of Doric style temples of the southern hill. 1One second war against the Carthaginians marked the end of an era of well-being and in 406 BC Akragas was destroyed. Subsequently, the city experienced a new phase of development with the arrival (between 338 and 334 BC) the Greek colonists led by Timoleon, but no longer reached the power of the past and his destiny was tied to the outcome of the struggle between Rome and Carthage for the possession of the Mediterranean. During the Punic Wars Akragas was the basis of the Carthaginians against the Romans in 210 BC They conquered it and it changed its name to Agrigentum. Under Roman rule the city experienced a further phase of prosperity also linked to the sulfur trading (II-IV cent. A.D.). In Christian times the Hill of the Temples were built churches and cemeteries. When in 829 the city was conquered by the Arabs living quarters were already perched on the hill of Girgenti, called by the medieval name of the town (from Gergent or Kerkent), where lies the town of Agrigento today. After the visit, transfer to Palermo. Dinner in Chinese Restaurant. Overnight: Hotel 4****

17 october 2017: Palermo. Meals: breakfast, Italian lunch. Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your chinese speaking guide and departure by private bus for an half day tour of the city: Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini, The Cathedral, Opera Theatre “Teatro Massimo”. Lunch in italian restaurant. After that, transfer to Monreale to visit the Dome: is a Sicilian masterpiece built during the Middle Ages. Is one of the best examples of coexistence between Islamic, Byzantine and Romanesque cultures. The church was founded by the Norman king William the II between 1174 and 1189. The external part of the Cathedral shows its Arab-Norman nature, with arches, windows and coloured marbles which are typical expressions of that kind of architecture. On the left side of the church, in the Town Hall square, there is the side door, located under a nice porch designed by Domenico and Fazio Gagini between 1547 and 1569. Their father, Antonello, was one of the best sculptors of the Sicilian art. At the end transfer back to the hotel. Overnight: Hotel 4**** 18 october 2017: Palermo/Beijing. Meals: breakfast Meeting at the airport 2 hours before the departure of your flight to Rome at Alitalia check-in desk. Leave from Palermo to Beijing by Alitalia via Rome at 10:15 a.m Overnight on board 19 october 2017: Beijing. Arrival and of our services.