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9 Day Splendid Sicily (NOW THRU OCT 2011)Overnight Stays: Palermo (3 nights) Taormina (4) |  |
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There’s no place on earth like Sicily. A true melting pot of cultures, you’ll see Greek and Asian influences in the exotic architecture, unique cuisine and faces of her people. If you happen to be of Sicilian heritage, you’ll be surprised by how the “old country” has very much joined the 21st century while retaining its special charm.
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- Great Hotels. Centrally-located, First-Class hotels.
- Smaller Groups. 20-to-40 guests per tour.
- More Legroom. Deluxe, state-of-the-art motorcoaches with EXTRA legroom.
- Airport Transfers. Arrival and departure transfers in Italy.
- Buffet Breakfast Daily. A very hearty start to each day!
- 5 Dinners & 1 Lunch. Including pasta or soup, choice of entrees, vegetable, salad, dessert, coffee, wine, mineral water, beer or soft drink.
- 2 Wine Tastings. Vineyard tours and wine tastings.
- Wireless Headsets to hear your guide clearly and distinctly in public places.
- 1 Tote Bag Per Person, baggage tags and travel documents included.
- Baggage Handling. Never touch your bag! (except at airports).
- Hotel Taxes, Hotel Service Charges and All Tips for hotel and restaurant personnel.
- Professional Tour Directors and licensed local guides.
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At a Glance:
- Day 1 (Saturday) - Depart USA
- Day 2 (Sunday) - Arrive in Palermo, Afternoon Free, Dinner in Hotel
- Day 3 (Monday) - Palermo & Monreale Sightseeing, Afternoon Free
- Day 4 (Tuesday) - Palermo, Marsala Wine Tasting, Selinunte, Palermo, Dinner Out
- Day 5 (Wednesday) - Palermo, Piazza Armerina, Taormina, Dinner in Hotel
- Day 6 (Thursday) - Taormina Sightseeing, Afternoon of Leisure, Dinner Out
- Day 7 (Friday) - Taormina, Mt. Etna Visit, Wine Tasting & Lunch, Taormina
- Day 8 (Saturday) - Taormina, Noto, Siracusa, Taormina, Dinner Out
- Day 9 (Sunday) - Depart from Catania to USA
Day 1 (Saturday) - Depart USA
Boarding our overnight flight, we’re off on our Sicilian adventure. Buon viaggio!
Day 2 (Sunday) - Arrive in Palermo, Afternoon Free, Dinner in Hotel
Benvenuti a Palermo! We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Palermo airport to your hotel at scheduled times. A Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you. Relax this afternoon, or take a stroll around the neighborhood.
This evening we enjoy a welcome drink followed by dinner and the first of many local wines to be sampled in the days ahead. D
Day 3 (Monday) - Palermo & Monreale Sightseeing, Afternoon Free
This morning we explore Palermo, the fascinating capital city. We’ll visit the Royal Palace which General George Patton turned into his headquarters in 1943. We’ll also take in the Palace of the Normans, the Palatine Chapel, the Palermo Cathedral, the great Norman Cathedral of Monreale and other highlights of the city.
This afternoon and evening are on your own for free time, shopping or explorations. Ask your guide for dining suggestions this evening. BB
Day 4 (Tuesday) - Palermo, Marsala, Selinunte, Palermo, Dinner Out
This morning’s drive passes the salt pans of Trapani and the beautiful Island of Mozia. We soon arrive in Marsala, where Englishman John Woodhouse introduced the famous fortified wine in 1796. We’ll have a chance to visit a wine cellar and enjoy a taste of the thick, dark wine. This afternoon we visit the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Selinus – an acropolis of majestic temples overlooking the sea.
Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner out with local wines and our new friends. BB, D
Day 5 (Wednesday) - Palermo, Piazza Armerina, Taormina, Dinner in Hotel
We bid farewell to Palermo this morning, with stunning Taormina in our sights.
On the way, we’ll stop off for a fascinating visit to the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina. The elaborate villa, owned by a Roman aristocrat from the 4th Century, is famous for its intricate mosaics. And who said the Bikini was invented in St. Tropez in the 1950s? You’ll see positive proof that the Romans invented it centuries ago!
Many have proclaimed Taormina to be the most beautiful place on earth. Now you can decide for yourself. After an exciting and educational day, a delicious, relaxing dinner is served in our hotel with fine local wines. BB, D
Day 6 (Thursday) - Taormina Sightseeing, Afternoon of Leisure, Dinner Out
After this morning’s leisurely tour, you’ll know why Taormina is known as the “Jewel of Italy.” Its winding streets and secluded gardens are truly enchanting. The snow covered volcano, Mt. Etna, serves as a dramatic backdrop to the well-preserved Greek and Roman outdoor theater.
This afternoon is all yours! Why not stroll the medieval streets lined with interesting little shops, take a dip in the water, or just relax.
Tonight, we enjoy dinner and great Sicilian wines at a charming local restaurant. BB, D
Day 7 (Friday) - Taormina, Mt. Etna Visit, Wine Tasting & Lunch, Taormina
This morning we meet one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Mt. Etna is in an almost constant state of eruption. Don’t worry, we’ll keep a safe distance!
The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, orchards and vineyards. So let’s visit a local winery for a tour, a tasting and a light lunch!
Tonight you can enjoy dinner on your own. Have you tried “pesce spada” yet? Swordfish is Sicily’s favorite seafood. BB, L
Day 8 (Saturday) - Taormina, Noto, Siracusa, Taormina, Dinner Out
This morning we motor south to Noto, a “World Heritage Site.” Noto is also known as Sicily’s “Baroque City” because it consists entirely of palaces, churches and houses in the Baroque style.
This afternoon we’ll visit Sicily’s most important Greek city of antiquity – Siracusa. Archimedes, the Greek mathematician, was slain here by the Romans. Plato taught here!
The archaeological garden is peppered with attractions: the Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater and the “Ear of Dionysus.”
But what an ear! Nearly 200 feet long, you can enter the inner chamber of the “ear” where tearing a piece of paper sounds like a gun shot. A forerunner to modern day “bugging” – the tyrant Dionysus eavesdropped on prisoners in the “ear.”
Tonight is our last dinner out together. No tears. You’ll exchange e-mails with your new friends and make plans for the future. How about we all meet again on a Perillo Tour to Hawaii! BB, D
Day 9 (Sunday) - Depart from Catania to USA
This morning we board our flight home, but we realize we’re taking a little piece of Italy back with us. Thanks for traveling with the Perillo family, and please return soon. BB
Note: Please be advised that circumstances may change the day and/or sequence of scheduled activities, as well as the substitution of hotels, events, shows, sightseeing, itinerary, restaurants, hosts, etc.
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Prices below are land-only and do not include airfare.
For more information on airfares check out the "Air Information" section of this page.
| DEPARTURE DATES & LAND RATES April 2011 to October 2011 | Per Person Double Room | Triple Room | Single Room | Kids (Under 12yr w/ 2 Adults | |
| Black Dates | $2590 | $2390 | $2990 | $1990 | |
| Red Dates | $2690 | $2490 | $3190 | $2090 | |
| Green Dates | $2790 | $2590 | $3290 | $2190 | |
TO PALERMO, RETURN FROM CATANIA Depart USA Saturday - Return Sunday |
NOTE: Rates are per person and include roundtrip airport transfers in Italy at scheduled times. Airfare available from your hometown.
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Why book your flights with Perillo Tours?
1. Big savings in both Coach and Business Class.
2. Reserve your flight now but pay later with your “final payment.”
3. Much more lenient cancellation and change fees!
4. You can still earn your Frequent Flyer Mileage.
5. Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times.
Step 1: Choose the zone of your departing city.
| Zone 1 |
Newark, NJ New York City, JFK |
| Zone 2 | |||
Akron, OH Albany, NY Allentown, PA Baltimore, MD Bangor, ME Boston, MA Buffalo, NY Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Columbus, OH Dayton, OH Hartford, CT Manchester, NH | Norfolk, VA Philadelphia, PA Pittsburgh, PA Portland, ME Providence, RI Richmond, VA | Roanoke, VA Rochester, NY Syracuse, NY Toledo, OH Washington, D.C. WilkesBarre/Scranton, PA |
| Zone 3 | |||
Asheville, NC Austin, TX Atlanta, GA Birmingham, AL Charleston, SC Chattanooga, TN Charlotte, NC Columbia, SC Columbus, GA Dallas, TX Des Moines, IA Detroit, MI Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Ft. Myers, FL Ft. Wayne, IN Grand Rapids, MI Greensboro, NC Greenville/Spartan, SC Houston, TX Huntsville, AL Indianapolis, IN Jackson, MS Jacksonville, FL Kalamazoo, MI Kansas City, MO Knoxville, TN | Lansing, MI Lexington, KY Little Rock, AR Louisville, KY Memphis, TN Miami, FL Milwaukee, WI Minneapolis, MN Mobile, AL Montgomery, AL Myrtle Beach, SC Nashville, TN New Orleans, LA Oklahoma City, OK | Omaha, NE Orlando, FL Raleigh/Durham, NC San Antonio, TX Sarasota, FL Savannah, GA Shreveport, LA South Bend, IN St. Louis, MO Tampa, FL Tulsa, OK W. Palm Beach, FL |
| Zone 4 | |||
Albuquerque, NM Billings, MT Boise, ID Bozeman, MT Butte, MT Casper, WY Colorado Springs, CO Denver, CO | Great Falls, MT Helena, MT Idaho Falls, ID Jackson, WY Kalispell, MT Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles, CA Missoula, MT | Palm Springs, CA Phoenix, AZ Portland, OR Rapid City, SD Reno, NV Sacramento, CA Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA Santa Ana, CA Seattle, WA Spokane,WA Tucson, AZ Wichita, KS |
CAN’T FIND YOUR HOME CITY? Give us a call and we’ll find the most convenient airport for you.
Step 2: Match your zone to find the sample airfare which depends on your exact departure date.
Choose the zone of your departure city and match it with the tour departure date to find airfare examples.
SAMPLE AIRFARES
| Airline Zone | April 1- May 13, 2011/ Sep 1-Oct 28, 2011 | May 14 - August 31, 2011 |
| ZONE 1 | $620 | $1100 |
| ZONE 2 | $770 | $1200 |
| ZONE 3 | $850 | $1300 |
| ZONE 4 | $870 | $1400 |
These fares can help you estimate the full cost of your tour. We will quote your exact airfare within 48 hours of booking. |
Sample Airfares
The “sample” airfares shown do not include departure taxes or fuel surcharges now in the $420 - $450 range. Your exact airfare will be advised within 2 business days of booking your tour.
Airfares DO include your roundtrip airport transfers in Italy at scheduled times, provided you arrive and depart on scheduled tour dates. If you wish to arrive earlier or extend your stay, airport transfers are not included. Airfare seasons are subject to change.
The “Early Bird!”
The early booker usually gets the lowest fares, the most convenient flights and best seats. So a word to the wise - BOOK EARLY!
Air Upgrade at Affordable Prices
When you purchase your coach ticket through Perillo Tours, you can upgrade to Business/First Class for a surcharge of as little as $2199 per person. Live it up a little!
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Below are the hotels you will experience on this Perillo Tour.
NOTE: If a change in hotels becomes necessary for any reason, the hotel substituted will be equivalent of those shown.
Grand Hotel et Des Palmes
The Grand Hotel et des Palmes is located right in the heart of the commercial and historic center of Palermo. Those interested in the Palermo's cultural heritage will appreciate the proximity to two of the most popular theatres in the city; Teatro Massimo, and Teatro Politeama.
Hotel Villa Diodoro
The Villa Diodoro, a four star hotel, just a few steps from downtown Taormina, is the home for people who enjoy the best of life, who wish to relax admiring the unique Etna view and the charm of the Naxos Bay.
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Want to start your vacation early or extend your stay in Italy? A Perillo Tour’s representative will be happy to help with the arrangements. Along with extra night hotel accommodations, your air tickets may be booked to arrive before your tour begins or remain after your tour ends.
Many customers prefer to arrive early to unwind and relax prior to the tour’s start date. Others like to extend their stay to visit with friends or relatives or explore on their own.
Whatever you desire Perillo’s team will help you plan and coordinate your entire journey.
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Memories are the most magical part of any Perillo experience. Here are a few memorable moments from our clients.
Have an interesting or inspiring story of your own? Tell us your story and it may be published on our website for others to enjoy!
Linda and Kevin K.
From Baileys Harbor, WI
We’ve been home only a few days and are still in awe over our fabulous tour of South Italy. We met our Perillo tour group in Palermo. We used air miles and arrived in Palermo three days early. Antonella our guide was incredible. She did such a great job organizing, giving us historical background, and solving problems. Each city guide was also excellent. Emilio over bus driver was the best! Hotels, food, wine and sites were all top notch - so many friendly and accommodating employees.
We stayed on in Rome another week to visit relatives. Three years ago we took the 14 Day North Classic and had so much fun – we decided to use your tour company to see the south. The 14 Day South Italy tour was just as perfect. So one again, thank you and look forward to using Perillo again.
Elliot & Grandma
From Pittsburgh, PA
In 1994 my husband and I took your "South & Sicily" tour with our grandson Elliot who was approaching his 8th birthday. It proved to be a wonderful trip.
About the 2nd or 3rd day, my grandson asked me, "Grandma, why does it take so long to eat supper in Sicily?" We explained that in Sicily, you don't "eat supper", you "dine".
We went on to tell him that dinner was at its most enjoyable when you take he time to eat leisurely and appreciate the food (and the lovely way it is served). Most importantly, you enjoy the company of the people you are with. A day or two later, Elliot told me, "Grandma, I think I like this dining!" And he still does.
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