History, scenery & sun
To holiday in Sicily might be to bathe in some of the Mediterranean’s warmest waters and enjoy some of its best food and wine. Equally, however, it may be to take a passage through time, as you explore a land that was once the centre of the Ancient Greek world, and was temporarily ruled by Roman, Carthaginian, Norman and Spanish conquerors, all of whom have left their marks.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?
Your Itinerary
Day One: Fly to Italy
Fly to Sicily, meet your tour manager and transfer to the hotel on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Dependent upon your arrival time, perhaps take a stroll along the beach before dinner is served.
Day Two: Rest and relax
Today is free for you to rest and relax at leisure, either enjoying the hotel’s range of amenities, or perhaps venturing into nearby Cefalu. This colourful city is dominated by the craggy outcrop of La Rocca, and a mighty cathedral, which is home to one of the world’s finest Byzantine mosaics.. The surrounding maze of medieval cobbled streets is a delight to wander through.
Consider climbing to the Temple of Diana, on the slopes of La Rocca, then rewarding yourself with lunch or an ice cream in one of the many restaurants and pavement cafes in lively Piazza Duomo.
Day Three: Included tour of Palermo
The first included tour takes in the Sicilian capital, Palermo, where the island’s heritage is reflected by its vibrant, cultured inhabitants and its buildings; the Cathedral, the Royal Palazzo dei Normanni, the Archaeological Museum – and the streets of its four historic quarters (the Quattro Canti).
After a fascinating morning and perhaps the chance for lunch in the city, spend the afternoon exploring Monreale’s great Benedictine monastery and Norman cathedral, with its extraordinary mosaics. Don’t miss the ornate cloisters, or the chance to savour the wonderful view of the capital from this exquisite hill town. You’ll return to the hotel for dinner.
Day Four: Included visit to Agrigento
Journey back in time as you explore Agrigento, a vast archaeological area boasting some of the finest and best preserved Ancient Greek relics outside of Greece itself. The magnificent temples of Juno, Lacinia, Concord, Hercules, Zeus and Vulcan are laid out along the Valle dei Templi, beneath a ridge upon which an acropolis once stood, and where medieval Agrigento now surveys the scene.
This afternoon, heading inland, you’ll call at the medieval town of Piazza Armerina, set in wooded hills, close to the Roman villa at Casale, which offers a fascinating insight into Imperial life.
Return to the hotel in time for dinner.
Day Five: Rest and relax
Today is another left free for you to enjoy the hotel, its amenities and surroundings, including the beach itself.
Day Six: Included tour visit to the Aeolian Isles
On today’s included tour, you’ll journey to the Ionian port of Milazzo to board the ferry for the one-hour crossing to the volcanic Aeolian Isles, which rise out of the blue waters. Make landfall on the largest island, Lipari, passing Vulcano with its brooding crater, and spend a pleasant couple of hours in delightful Lipari Town, set beneath its 1,000-year-old castle. Wander the colourful streets, or head to a remoter corner of the island for a dip in pristine azure waters. The energetic might hire bicycles, the brave a scooter, while the more relaxed might just enjoy an ice cream in the sun. Return to the mainland this evening at the end of an especially enjoyable day.
Day Seven: Optional excursion to the Madonie Mountains
Enjoy a last day soaking up the atmosphere of the hotel and its surroundings, or join an optional excursion that will see you head inland from Cefalu, into the rugged Madonie Mountains. Home to wildcats and wolves, as well as over 2,500 colourful plant species, and where age-old agrarian practices including sheep farming and olive-growing are continued, this protected natural reserve is sure to intrigue. You’ll pause for the opportunity to enjoy lunch in stunning hill-top Castelbuono, which with its selection of speciality shops and restaurants serving traditional Sicilian fare, is something of a foodie mecca. You’ll return to the hotel this afternoon to enjoy a last evening and a farewell dinner.
Day Eight: Fly back to the UK
Bid “Arrivederci” to your Sicilian hosts, and transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.
PRICES
Hotel Acacia, Cefalu ★★★★
Hotel Acacia, Cefalu ★★★★
Introduction
About 10 miles west of Cefalu, at the entrance to Madonie National Park, this very smart, stylish modern hotel boasts beautifully landscaped gardens leading down to a private stretch of beach. A local bus runs from the hotel to the centre of Cefalu three times each day.Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's wide range of amenities include a new roof-top spa and private swimming pool (charges apply) as well as a vast outdoor swimming pool, a spacious restaurant serving full buffet breakfasts and evening meals, and a restaurant and snack bar where lunch can be taken. There is also a daytime and evening entertainment programme, giving you the chance to rest and relax or join in activities as you wish.Rooms
The guest rooms are air-conditioned, and each has a terrace or balcony, free Wi-FI, a telephone, a mini-bar, a hairdryer and TV.
Further Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Entrance fees
Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable. This applies to excursions that are included in the price of your holiday and to excursions booked as optional extras.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
