Sicily Jewel of the Mediterranean

Taormina Riviera • Mount Etna • Cefalu • Monreale • Palermo • Erice • Segesta • Selinunte • Agrigento • Piazza Armerina • Catania • Syracuse • Ortigia • Aci Castello

This holiday includes 9 breakfasts and 7 evening meals

Sicily is truly a gem amongst island destinations and few others can rival its amazing contrasts of landscapes from barren hillsides to thriving cities. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean and has been occupied by a succession of foreign rulers who have all left their stunning mark on Sicily’s architecture. Add to this the warmth of the Sicilian welcome and the wonderful climate and you have a holiday choice that is second to none.DAY 1 LONDON • TAORMINA RIVIERA
We begin with Titan HiTours VIP Home Departure Service™™ to London Gatwick Airport for your direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Catania. On arrival we drive to Taormina and our hotel, the Baia Taormina, where we will dine this evening.

DAY 2 TAORMINA
This morning we visit the town centre of Taormina, perched on a hilltop overlooking the sea and facing Etna. Here we include a visit to the Greek theatre that was built in the 3rd century BC. Dinner is included at our hotel tonight.

DAY 3 MOUNT ETNA
A fascinating journey this morning to the slopes of Etna, which dominates the landscape and is still active and snow-capped for most of the year. We travel part way up by coach where you will have the chance to have lunch at the café and take a walk around some of the smaller craters. On a clear day, there are spectacular views over the island below. We have dinner at the hotel this evening.

DAY 4 TAORMINA RIVIERA • CEFALU • MONREALE
We journey to Monreale, on the western part of the island, and have chance to visit Cefalù, an attractive maritime town protected by the Rocca promontory. According to legend, Cefalù’s cathedral, which dates back to 1120 and comprises examples of the Romanesque style, Byzantine craft and Islamic art, was begun by Roger II, who had vowed to build it if he survived a terrible storm that struck his ship on the way to Palermo. We arrive at our hotel in Monreale where dinner is included.

DAY 5 MONREALE • PALERMO
In the morning, we have a guided visit of the magnificent cathedral at Monreale, famed for its multi-coloured marble, paintings and mosaics representing the complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments. We also have a guided tour of Palermo including the stunning late 12th century Norman cathedral and the Palatine Chapel. You will have time at leisure later this afternoon in Palermo. Dinner is included tonight at our hotel.

DAY 6 MONREALE • ERICE • SEGESTA • SELINUNTE • AGRIGENTO
Our first stop today is the picturesque mountain city of Erice, reached by a breathtaking, winding road, after which narrow, pebbled streets lined with local shops will greet you. We then journey south and include guided tours and entrances to the sites of Segesta and Selinunte, which showcase fascinating Greek temple ruins in a magnificent ‘open air museum’ of archaeological wonder. We arrive early evening at our hotel, the Dioscuri Bay Palace, in Agrigento where we dine this evening and will be offered a welcome drink.

DAY 7 AGRIGENTO • VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES • PIAZZA ARMERINA • CATANIA
We start our day with one of the highlights - a guided visit, including entrance, of the nearby Valley of the Temples. Originally a series of ten temples in the 5th and 6th century BC, parts of nine are still visible and your guide will bring this remarkable setting to life. After time for lunch, we head east to Piazza Armerina for a guided tour of the Roman Villa, which was hidden under mud for over 700 years. This opulent Roman country house, dating back to 4th century BC, is decorated with mosaic floors that are unique in the Roman world for their quality and illustrations of ancient life. Tonight we stay at the Sheraton Hotel & Spa on the edge of Catania. We return to our hotel for evening dinner.

DAY 8 SYRACUSE • ORTIGIA
Today we travel south with our local guide to Syracuse, which, although later inhabited by the Romans, is the birthplace of the Greek mathematician, Archimedes and home to a Greek amphitheatre that was carved out of one piece of stone and is still used twice a year for productions of Greek tragedies. Later we visit Ortigia, joined to Syracuse by a bridge since the 16th century, where it is a pleasure to stroll by the marina.

DAY 9 ACI CASTELLO • CATANIA
This morning we travel the short distance to Aci Castello, whose 11th century Norman castle built out of lava is a rare geological wonder. We then drive to the centre of Catania and you are free to make your own discoveries for the rest of the day.

DAY 10 CATANIA • LONDON
After breakfast, we transfer to Catania airport for your direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Gatwick Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan HiTours transport for your journey home to your own front door.Duration 10 days, 9 nights in hotels: 3 Catania, 1 Agrigento, 2 Monreale & 3 Taormina Riviera.

Titan HiTours VIP Home Departure Service™

Check-in service by Titan staff.

Scheduled direct British Airways flights

First class, air-conditioned coaching with experienced drivers

Accommodation as specified in brochure or similar standard.

Meals as specified including breakfasts on days 2-10 and evening meals on days 1-7.

Excursions, tours and entrances as detailed in the itinerary.

Hotel porterage (1 bag per person).

All airport taxes, security charges and the UK Air Passenger Duty and applicable fuel surcharges.

Celebration offer - Free bottle of wine (Valid for 2010 departures only)