DETAILED ITINERARY

SAT 26 APRIL – ARRIVE PALERMO
The tour begins in the late afternoon when we gather and take a stroll in the environs of our hotel. We enjoy a welcome drink and early light meal. (D)

SUN 27 APRIL – PALERMO
Our exploration of Sicily starts in the island’s capital, Palermo. The city is home to some impressive buildings and churches from the Arab-Norman period of the city’s history with UNESCO World heritage listing that are our focus today. This includes visits to La Mortorana, San Cataldo, San Giovanni degli Eremitti, Royal Palace and the Cappella Palatina, and the Duomo; all outstanding examples of the socio-cultural syncretism between Western, Islamic, and Byzantine cultures. Tonight we dine in a local restaurant. Overnight Palermo. (B, D)

MON 28 APRIL – PALERMO
We continue our exploration of these stunning World Heritage buildings today. This morning drive to the picturesque, seaside town of Cefalu and visit the Cathedral started by the king of Sicily Roger II in 1131 but not completed until 1240. After free time for lunch in Cefalu return to the outskirts of Palermo and visit the Norman cathedral at Monreale. Overnight Palermo. (B)

TUE 29 APRIL – PALERMO
This morning there is a visit to the Palazzo Abatellis, the regional art gallery, built as a luxurious home for one of Palermo’s officials. In the afternoon we visit La Ziza and La Cuba, 12th century hunting lodges as well as the Punic necropolis and Admiral’s bridge built by the Normans. Overnight Palermo. (B)

WED 30 APRIL – PALERMO – MARSALA
This morning there is a visit to the Archaeological Museum in Palermo where many of the important finds from the island are displayed. The Museum is housed in the 17th century former House of the Fathers of the Congregation of San Filippo Neri. The afternoon is free. (B)

THU 01 MAY – MARSALA
This morning we leave Palermo and drive to Segesta once home to the Elymians. Here we see the 5th century BCE temple and the ancient theatre. Afterwards we visit Poggioreale, abandoned after an earthquake in 1968 but with a long history, and where we will have the opportunity to handle ancient material and see how a town can become archaeological. We then continue to Marsala . (B, D)

FRI 02 MAY – MARSALA
The western third of Sicily was largely under the sway of the Phoenicians and Carthaginians and this period of Sicily’s history is the focus today. We take a short boat trip to the island of San Pantaleo and the ancient site of Mozia where there are abundant remains of an important Phoenician settlement until sacked by Dionysius of Syracuse in 397 BCE. While on the island we visit the Whitaker Museums where finds from the site are displayed. Upon our return to Marsala we visit the Museum Baglio Anselmi. Overnight Marsala. (B)

SAT 03 MAY – AGRIGENTO
After checking out of our hotel we drive east along the coast to the Selinunte. We first visit the Cave di Cusa ancient quarries, the source of stone for the columns of the many temples found at Selinunte and then the local archaeology museum. Afterwards we visit this extensive archaeological site founded by colonists from Megara Hyblea in the 7th century BCE. It was an important city until it came into conflict with Segesta at the end of the 5th century BCE when it fell under the sway of Carthage. Overnight Agrigento. (B, D)

SUN 04 MAY – AGRIGENTO
In the morning we visit the impressive Archaeological Museum at Agrigento and the nearby remains of houses occupied by inhabitants of this ancient city. After free time for lunch we stroll through the evocative Valley of the Temples where several Greek temples were built along a ridge between the city and the sea. Overnight Agrigento. (B, D)

MON 05 MAY – TAORMINA
We head inland today through countryside dotted with hilltop villages and visit the site of Morgantina and Archaeological Museum at Aidone. Afterwards we continue to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina to see what are probably the best preserved in situ Roman mosaics in this large country villa. We then continue to Taormina. Overnight Taormina. (B, D)

TUE 06 MAY – TAORMINA
Today we cross the Strait of Messina that separates Sicily from mainland Italy and visit the Archaeological Museum at Reggio di Calabria. Here are found the famous 5th century BCE Riace bronze statues. On our return to Sicily we will visit the Norman church in Messina. (B)

WED 07 MAY – SYRACUSE
This morning we visit Mt Etna, the highest volcano in Italy before driving to Syracuse. After checking in to our hotel we take a late afternoon stroll in the historic centre of Ortigia. Overnight Syracuse. (B, D)

THU 08 MAY – SYRACUSE
The late baroque towns of south-east Sicily, built around their medieval centres after a devastating earthquake in the 17th century, are World Heritage listed and we visit three today: Modica, Noto and Ragusa. Overnight Syracuse. (B)

FRI 09 MAY – SYRACUSE
Today we explore ancient Syracuse. We start at the stunning Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum where artefacts and sculpture from the area are displayed. Next we visit Castello Eurialo, the massive defensive fortifications constructed in the early 4th century BCE. We then explore what remains of this once prosperous and powerful classical city in the Neapolis Archaeological Park. Tonight we enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Syracuse. Overnight Syracuse. (B, D)

SAT 10 MAY – SYRACUSE – CATANIA
This morning we check out of our hotel and drive to Catania Airport for flights to Rome timed for evening onward flights to Australia. (B)

GENERAL INFORMATION AND SPECIAL BOOKING CONDITIONS

TOUR PRICE:
Land only, per person twin share $9,460
Single Supplement $1,400

LAND ONLY TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
• Twin-share accommodation in comfortable hotels with private facilities
• City taxes
• Transport in comfortable air -conditioned coaches
• Transfers, touring and entry fees as indicated in the itinerary
• Breakfast daily and other meals as indicated
• Service of a Tour Leader throughout the itinerary
• English speaking local guides
• All applicable tipping and gratuities for group arrangements
• Tour booklet

LAND ONLY TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Air travel from Australia to Palermo, and returning from Catania
• Applicable passenger airport taxes
• Meals not listed in itinerary
• Beverages with meals
• Airport to hotel transfers if not travelling on suggested flights
• Visa requirements of the tour member
• Travel Insurance
• Items of personal nature (phone, laundry)

AIRFARES:
Please contact Tony (tony@outandabouttravel.com.au) for the best airfares available at the time of booking.

I’m Interested…How Do I Book?
Fill in the online Booking Form, read and agree with our Terms & Conditions, select your payment option for your deposit of $450.00 per person to Alumni Travel and Submit. Upon receipt of your Booking Form and deposit, you will receive a confirmation of your place in writing.

DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENT:
The deposit is accepted as a first installment of the tour cost and will be fully refunded if the arrangements can not be confirmed, or the tour is cancelled by Alumni Travel. Final payment for the tour needs to be received at least 60 days prior to tour departure. An invoice will be sent to you about a fortnight before the final payment becomes due.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS:
Any cancellation from the tour needs to be done in writing. The cancellation date will be taken from the day your written cancellation is received by Alumni Travel. Because of the tour cancellation charges imposed by our various suppliers, the following cancellation charges apply, per person:

Over 60 days $100.00 – Administration Fee
59 – 40 days 25% of tour cost
39 – 10 days 50% of tour cost
Within 10 days 100% of tour cost

If a difference occurs between these cancellation conditions and those imposed by our suppliers, then the conditions of the supplier shall apply. There is no refund before or after travel has commenced or for any unused portion of the tour, either in regard to the standard group arrangements or separate independent arrangements.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS:
Any payments by credit card will be subject to a 2% non-refundable Merchant Administration Fee.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:
It is now standard policy with our company that all our international travellers have some type of international travel insurance, so that you are covered for any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. A comprehensive QBE Insurance brochure is available from Alumni Travel. The insurance brochure contains the terms and conditions under which insurance cover will be offered to you.

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:
If you would like Alumni Travel to assist you with any additional arrangements pre or post tour, please contact our office for assistance at time of booking. All arrangements need to be finalised at least 30 days prior to your departure.

AMENDMENTS:
An administration fee of $30.00 per amendment will be charged for any changes made to any reservation within 30 days prior to your departure. Any additional charges imposed by our suppliers will also be payable.

PASSPORT AND VISAS:
It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure that they possess the necessary travel documentation for the tour, such as a valid passport and any required visas. Your passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond the end of your journey and have two clear pages for each country to be visited in your journey.

FORCED CANCELLATION:
In the event that passenger numbers do not reach the minimum number of tour participants (approximately 10), excluding the tour leader) required for the tour, it may be necessary to either surcharge or cancel the tour. If such an event does occur, you will be notified at least 60 days prior to the tour departure.

TOUR PRICES:
This tour price has been calculated on the basis of exchange rates and tariffs at the time of print and is subject to change up until final payment has been received. At the time of final invoicing (approximately two months prior to the tour departure date), Alumni Travel reserves the right to re-cost the tour based on actual exchange rates. This could mean an increase or decrease to the above listed prices. Should you decide to cancel your arrangements on the basis of a change in the tour price, normal cancellation charges will apply.