DAY 01: BEGINNING OUR PILGRIMAGE. Depart from North America via jet service. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board. DAY 02 : ARRIVE ROME. Upon our arrival at the Rome airport we will be met and escorted to our motor coach for a tour around the city and then to our hotel for rest. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. DAY 03: ROME. After breakfast we visit The Vatican City including the Vatican Museum and Gallery, Raphael's Rooms, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. The remainder of the day is at leisure for activities of your own. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 04: ROME / NAPLES / POMPEII / SALERNO / PAESTUM. Leaving Rome through the Highway of the Sun, we will cross the regions of Lazio and Campania. On arrival to Naples, our city tour includes Megellina, the Castle of Eggs and crossing the Caracciolo Av. We arrive to the Santa Lucia neighborhoods. Afterward, we will proceed to Pompeii, visiting the best-preserved Roman ancient city, buried under the ashes of nearby Vesuvius in 79 AD. Our journey proceeds to Salerno, where upon arrival we will have free time to visit this Norman city of the XI century. We continue on to Paestum for dinner and overnight. Day 05: PAESTUM. After breakfast at the hotel we will visit the archaeological area, part of the antique Greek colony, among the most famous today. Four big doors allow us to go across a perimeter wall (pentagonal) and reach the ruins of three among the most important Doric Temple (among those The Basilica - most antique - and Posidone – more attractive). Return to the hotel for time at leisure. In the afternoon we suggest an optional visit to the Museum. Dinner and overnight. Day 06: Paestum / Sila Park / Pizzo / Tropea / Vibo Valentia. Breakfast at hotel and departure to the Sila Natural Park, a forest of Pines and lakes of thermal water and where it’s possible to enjoy the “Natural Reservation of the Fallistro Giants”. Free time to have lunch in the city of Camigliatello. Departure to Pizzo Calabro, a charming village located on a cape over the sea where it’s possible to walk around tasting the specialty of the town, its truffle ice-cream, while Joachim Murat, King of France, will embrace us with his memory in the Castle. Continue to the enchanting city of Tropea, free to enjoy the suggestive atmosphere and the turquoise sea. On clear days it is possible to admire one of the Eolie’s island - Stromboli. During the afternoon we will climb to Vibo Valentia from where it’s possible to enjoy a very a romantic dusk. Dinner and overnight. DAY 07: VIBO VALENTIA / REGGIO CALABRIA / TAORMINA. After breakfast at our hotel, we depart to Reggio Calabria crossing the panoramic highway overlooking the largest island of the Mediterranean Sea - Sicily. Arriving at the Straight of Messina we can admire, as from a balcony, the homonymous city. Upon arrival there will be a visit of the city. From Reggio we continue to Messina for a city tour including the Cathedral with the belfry and the watch, which will delight us at midday with a fabulous spectacle. During the afternoon we will visit Taormina. Free time to discover the first town of Sicily to be conquered by the Greeks, and because of its geographical position, its sweet weather and the numerous panoramic views together with the flourish of colors, is considered the ideal atmosphere. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. DAY 08: TAORMINA / ETNA / TAORMINA. Breakfast at the hotel. The morning is dedicated to the visit of the highest volcano of Europe (1,800m) and among the largest active one on earth - The Etna. We will travel by bus up to the highest refuge, and walk inside two extinguished craters and enjoy the unique view of the “Moon” environment. Return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. DAY 09: TAORMINA / SIRACUSA / AGRIGENTO. After breakfast at the hotel we depart to Siracusa to visit the Ortigia Island, characterized by its Sicilian baroque flavor. We will visit the Cathedral, the Aretusa fountain and the sites. Continue to the archeological complex to visit the Greek Amphitheater, the “Ear of Dionisus” and the Roman Theatre. During the afternoon the journey proceeds to Agrigento known as the “city of temples” because of the best preserved “Magna Greece” located at its foot. After dinner we have panoramic tour with a view of the illuminated temples. Overnight at hotel. DAY 10: AGRIGENTO / ERICE / PALERMO. After breakfast we visit the Valley of the Temples including the temples of June of the Concordia, Hercules and the largest Doric Temple of the World - the Temple of Jupiter. At midday we depart to Erice, located at 750m above sea level and well preserved because of its walls built in 6 B.C. The afternoon is at leisure for activities of your own. Continue to Palermo for dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 11: PALERMO. After breakfast at our hotel, we have a morning tour of Monreale, the old Royal City, where it’s possible to enter the Cathedral decorated with impressive gold mosaics. We continue crossing the old “Gold Valley” and then return to Palermo to visit the Cathedral and the Palatine Chapel considered one of the best monuments of the Norman period of Palermo. Time this afternoon for activities of your own. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. DAY 12: PALERMO / USA. After an early breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight home – the end of a most enjoyable journey. |