10 days -November 3-12, 2009
$2295 ppdo Includes Air from LAX!

Day 1: Depart LAX: Your journey to romantic Italy begins with a late afternoon check-in at Los Angeles International Airport. Aboard Alitalia, meal service and entertainment en route.

Day 2: Taormina. Welcome to Sicily! Afternoon arrival at Catania Airport and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. HOTEL DEL CORSO (D)

Day 3: Taormina. Morning guided tour of Taormina, overlooking the beautiful Ionian Sea. While there you will marvel at the majesty of the Greco-roman Amphitheater. Lunch and dinner at the hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Taormina/village tour. Today we travel to Tindari and Terme Vigliatore-Rodi, to view the famous Sanctuary of the Black Madonna,visit aceramic factory and watch craftsmen turning clay into ceramic art. Enjoy lunch at a village restaurant. In the afternoon, visit a local winery in Terme Vigliatore for a wine and olive oil tasting. Return to the hotel for dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Taormina/Mt. Etna. This morning, travel to the slopes of Mt. Etna, Europe’s highest volcano. During the excursion, stop at a local honey producer and sample the delectable nectar, used to produce the island’s renowned honey nougat candy. Then, attend a Sicilian cooking class. Lunch today will be the outcome of your delicious Sicilian recipes and cooking class experience. In the afternoon, return to your hotel. Dinner at your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Taormina/Messina. Today explore Messina, situated on the legendary Straits of Messina. Visit the city’s cathedral, famous for its mechanical clock and bell tower. Lunch today is on your own today. Dinner at hotel followed by typical Sicilian music and folklore presentation. (B,D)

Day 7: Taormina/Siracusa. Full day excursion to the city of Siracusa, where we will visit the vast archeological area. Enjoy a Sicilian pizza lunch in town before returning to our hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Taormina. Today enjoy a full day at leisure to relax or explore Taormina and surroundings on your own. Lunch and dinner included at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Taormina/Piazza Armerina/ Agrigento/ Palermo. This morning, depart for Piazza Armerina, a town of rich history. Located here is the Villa del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This villa is a supreme example of a luxury Roman structure of its age. The mosaics that decorate it are exceptional for their artistic quality and invention. Continue past Caltanissetta to Agrigento. Enjoy a guided tour of the valley, one of the most important archaeological areas in the world and another UNESCO World Heritage Site.The visit includes the temples of Concord and Hercules. Arrive in Palermo, Sicily’s capital, and enjoy a relaxing dinner at the hotel. HOTEL SAN PAOLO(B,D)

Day 10: Palermo/LAX After breakfast, transfer by motorcoach to the airport. Your afternoon flight back to Los Angeles arrives in the early evening on the same day. (B)

EXTEND YOUR VACATION WITH FOUR DAYS IN ROME $495ppdo

Day 10: Morning arrival into Rome’s Da Vinci Airport. Embark on a morning tour that reveals Rome’s infinite sites and monuments, including the Quirinale Palace, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Palace of Justice, and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Afternoon and evening at leisure. VISCONTI PALACE (B)

Day 11 & 12:Two days to explore the Eternal City on your own. Opt to visit the Vatican Museum, or to explore ancient Ostia Antica, or to even go to Naples and visit Pompeii. The choice is yours! (B)

Day 3: After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your return flight to LAX, arriving the same day. (B)