Freedom Tours & Travel

Southern Italy and Sicily 11 day Escorted Tour Mar 27 - Apr 7, 2013

Don't miss the chance to be at the Vatican during Easter. Come and witness this unique and historic event! Unlock the elegance of Southern Italy and Sicily. See the icons of Rome and follow the coast South through the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi coast. Explore the history and culture of Sicily including temples, ruins and sub-tropical gardens.

First Class Travel Highlights
- Roundtrip Airfare from Saint John and Air Taxes
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers
- First Class hotel accommodation, twin rooms.
- All hotel service charges and baggage handling.
- Travel by luxury, air-conditioned coach with reclining seats.
- The services of our professional Tour Director.
- Local Guide in Rome, Capri, Taormina, Agrigento and Palermo.
- Complimentary group photo.

Dining Highlights:
- Welcome Reception including light snacks and Welcome Drinks with your Travel Director in Rome.
- 9 hot buffet breakfasts.
- 3 three-course dinners with local wine.
- Be My Guest Dinner in Sicily.
- Farewell Dinner with wine in Palermo.

Sightseeing Highlights:
- Rome Guided visit to St. Peter's in the Vatican City. Sightseeing tour includes views of the Forum and Colosseum.
- Monte Cassino View the Abbey and visit the Commonwealth Cemetery.
- Pompeii Guided tour of the excavations.
- Sorrento Orientation and demonstration of inlaid wood-working.
- Isle of Capri Cruise to the island for an orientation.
- Taormina Orientation includes the Corso Umberto. Visit the Greek theatre.
- Enna View the town.
- Agrigento Visit the Valley of the Temples.
- Erice Visit the Castle gardens.
- Palermo Sightseeing includes Piazza Bellini and the Cathedral.
- Monreale View the Conca d'Oro and visit the Norman Cathedral.
- Mondello Visit the fishing village.

Insider Highlights:
- Hidden Treasure Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure experience, unique to your itinerary, courtesy of your expert Travel Director.
- Be My Guest Enjoy a delicious dinner with wine at a vineyard in Sicily.
- Local Speciality Visit an inlaid wood workshop in Sorrento.

Day 1
DEPART CANADA, Overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2
ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS)
Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City! Relax after your journey or explore on your own. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening for a Welcome Reception. Afterwards, enjoy an orientation drive through the city to see St. Peter's Basilica and other sights - a perfect introduction to this beautiful city.

Meal(s): (Welcome Reception)
Hotel: Nova Domus/NH Carpegna (F)

Day 3
ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Your sightseeing tour with your knowledgeable Local Guide starts at St. Peter's Basilica, home of Michelangelo's masterpiece the Pietà. Across the River Tiber in ancient Rome, view the Forum and the Colosseum. Your afternoon is free to shop, relax, or see the sights of your choice. Consider a trip to the Catacombs or the Pantheon. This evening, why not try a typical Roman dinner in one of the city's many restaurants.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4
ROME - POMPEII - SORRENTO (2 NIGHTS)
From Rome, visit the Commonwealth Cemetery at Monte Cassino. Your expert Local Guide takes you on a fascinating walking tour of the excavations at Pompeii - buried for centuries under a layer of volcanic ash when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Arrive later at your hotel in Sorrento.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Corallo (F)

Day 5
SORRENTO - ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
Watch a demonstration of the art of inlaid wood at a workshop in Sorrento. Cruise to the Isle of Capri. Journey to the town by funicular railway and enjoy a walking tour with your expert Local Guide, who gives a superb history of the area. Dine tonight at your hotel and spend the evening relaxing in Sorrento.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 6
SORRENTO - TAORMINA (GIARDINI NAXOS) (2 NIGHTS)
Drive south via Salerno and through Calabria and take the ferry across the straits of Messina to Sicily and the resort town of Taormina.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Caesar Palace (F)

Day 7
TAORMINA ORIENTATION AND FREE TIME
Your expert Local Guide takes you on a walking tour of Taormina on the slopes of Mount Tauro overlooking the sea. Visit the Greek sanctuary and the sub-tropical terraced gardens. Stroll along the elegant Corso Umberto to the Piazza for splendid panoramic views across the bay. Spend free time shopping for souvenirs and handmade lace on the Corso. Tonight savour a delicious Be My Guest dinner at a beautiful Sicilian winery and restaurant.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Day 8
TAORMINA - ENNA - AGRIGENTO
Enjoy spectacular views of Enna on the way to Agrigento, where your expert Local Guide takes you to visit the Valley of the Temples - the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. See the splendid Temple of Concord and the Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Dine tonight at your hotel.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Dioscuri Bay Palace (F)

Day 9
AGRIGENTO - ERICE - PALERMO (2 NIGHTS)
Visit the castle gardens at Erice, high above sea level overlooking the coastal town of Trapani, and follow in the footsteps of Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Normans! Arrive later in the vibrant capital, Palermo.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Astoria Palace (F)

Day 10
PALERMO SIGHTSEEING AND EXCURSION TO MONREALE AND MONDELLO
See Piazza Bellini and the Cathedral during your morning guided sightseeing tour of Palermo. In Monreale, view the Conca d’Oro and explore the 12th century Norman Cathedral. Later, visit the fishing village of Mondello before time at leisure. Join your companions tonight and celebrate with a festive Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 11
PALERMO - CANADA
Say ‘arrivederci’ to Sicily and your newfound friends at the end of a memorable holiday! Transfer to the Airport, Flight Home.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)