Itinerary
Friday, 26 December 2008
Options A and B: Fly from USA
Saturday, 27 December
Upon arrival, transfer by taxi (approximately €50.00 per cab, not included) to the Mondello Palace Hotel. (+39091450001) Spend the afternoon in recovery from the flights–shower, nap, take a walk down to the beach. Dinner and overnight in Mondello (a delightful fishing village 7 km from Palermo.)
Sunday, 28 December
9:00 a.m. departure for full day of sight-seeing in Palermo including the Norman Palace and the Archaeological Museum. Time permitting, we will visit Monreale. Dinner and overnight in Palermo.
Monday, 29 December
9:00 a.m. coach transfer to Agrigento and the Jolly Hotel della Valle (+39 0922.26966) in the Valley of the Temples. En route we will stop at the ancient Grecian sites of Segesta (short but steep climb) and Selinunte (flat but irregular steps). Dinner at hotel restaurant.
Tuesday, 30 December
Morning walking tour of the Valley of the Temples and a visit to the museum. Return to hotel for lunch (included). Afternoon free–if need be, we will return to the museum. Dinner at hotel restaurant.
Wednesday, 31 December
9:00 a.m. coach transfer to Siracusa and the Hotel Roma (+39 0931 465626) in the heart of the Island of Ortigia, just steps away from the duomo. Upon arrival in Siracusa, we will first vist the Greco/Roman ruins before checking into the hotel. After checking in, we will explore the island of Ortigia. We will probably attend the NYE Gala in the hotel, so arrive at dinner hungry and sober.
Thursday, 01 January 2009
Mid-morning departure for Reggio di Calabria. Weather and volcano permitting, we will swing off for a closer look at Mt. Etna, followed by a stop in Taormina. We will than cross the Straits of Messina and continue to Reggio. Dinner and overnight in the 5-star Altafiumara Resort & Spa(+390965 759804) near Reggio.
Friday, 02 January
9:00 a.m. check out of hotel and our Sorrento coach will pick us up and take us to the Archaeological Museum to view I Bronzi di Riace, two of the most beautiful statues to survive from Ancient Greece. We will then drive to the Grand Hotel Royal (+39 081 8073434) in Sorrento via the incomparable Amalfi Coast. Our hotel in Sorrento is right off the main piazza. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.
Saturday, 03 January.
Morning departure by the Circumvesuviana for all day excursion to Pompeii. Return to Sorrento. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.
Sunday, 04 January.
Morning excursion by coach to visit Herculaneum and Oplontis. Afternoon free in Sorrento. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.
Monday, 05 January.
Morning visit to the famed Archaeological Museum where most of the treasures found in Pompeii are displayed. Time and weather permitting we will also visit Cumae & Baiae. Pizza lunch (not included) in Naples where pizza was invented. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.
Tuesday, 06 January.
Option B: Return to USA from Napoli
Those of you leaving the tour at this point will need to have arranged beforehand for a transfer to the Naples airport. The four of us remaining will travel by train to Rome and the Hotel Mediterraneo. (+39 06 48 14 798) Afternoon visit Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Wednesday, 07 January.
Colosseum, Imperial Forums, lunch (independent), Roman Forum and Palatine in afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Thursday, 08 January.
Capitoline Museum and Museo Nazionale in morning, lunch (independent), visit Borghese Gallery in afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Friday, 09 January.
Morning visit to some significant nearby churches. Free afternoon w/option to visit Villa Giulia w/Dr. Alessi. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Saturday, 10 January.
“Holy Rome”–Vatican and St. Peter’s. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Sunday, 11 January.
Option A & C: Airport transfer to FCO for return flight to USA. Option to stay on in Rome or travel independently.
Option A
Laurence Barker
Greg & Judy Parks
Option B
Keith Killman
Catherine Gilbert& Melinda Young
Ron Jenkins & Dale Fleishman