FULLDAY ERICE AND SEGESTA WITH LUNCH IN OLIVE OIL FARM INCLUDED (8hrs) Early departure to tour of western Sicily, concentrating on Erice. The Elymians settled the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. Later travel through the Salt Pans to see the historic salt flats works, where the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced. Then, on to an olive oil factory-and farm house to enjoy a light lunch including tasting of mixed local products such as cheese, salami, olives, local bread combined with olive oil of their own production. In the afternoon continue onto Segesta, one of the major cities of the ancient indigenous Elymian people, to visit the unfinished Doric temple, late 5th century BC, built on a hilltop just outside of the ancient city and has a commanding view of the surrounding area. Return to Palermo in the evening. Departure every Tuesdays & Saturdays at 8.45 am (Clients please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes prior departure ) Meeting Point Palermo, Piazza Ruggero Settimo 15 (between the Hotel Politeama and PRADA store) Suggested Retail Rates Euro: 120,00 per adult Operated with This tour is operated only with a Driver-Escort up to 7/8 people. The Driver Escort is not a Licensed Tourist Guide --Licensed Tourist Guide: are the only professionals, with a Regional license, permitted to conduct visits and tours in all sites and museums within a city -- guides cannot escort people inside the monuments as this is not allowed by Italian legislation However, your guide will introduce you the most important highlights providing basic historical & cultural information. From 8-9 participants, this tour is operated with a private Tour Director. Highlights: Erice, an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus, famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. Segesta, one of the major cities of the ancient indigenous Elymian people, with the unfinished Doric temple of the late 5th century BC. The visit to Segesta Temple will be independent. Min 2 max 25 Passengers English Only FREE SALE
Inclusions *English speaking Tour Director/Driver-Escort (as per program) * Vehicle/coach with air conditioning - no toilet * One light lunch in a local winery-farmhouse with tasting of local dishes, wine and olive oil tastings Exclusions * Entrance fees * Gratuities and tips * Beverage and meal not specified * Licensed Tourist Guide Cancellation policy -Total refund up to 15 working days before arrival -25% of total amount won t be refunded from 14 to 10 days before arrival -50% of total amount won t be refunded from 9 to 6 days before arrival -75% of total amount won t be refunded from 5 to 3 days before arrival -100% of total amount won t be refunded from 2 to the day of the services or after (No refund for no show).
FULLDAY TOUR AGRIGENTO FROM PALERMO ( 9HRS) Today drive through the interior of Sicily to reach Agrigento. Upon arrival visit the Archaeological Museum (Admission fee: not included), offering a fine introduction to the splendors of ancient Akragas and giving an insight into the life of the Greek settlers. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon join a two hour walking tour on the Valley of the Temples (Admission fee: not included), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Zeus. Agrigento, according to legend, was founded by Daedalus and his son Icarus after they had fled from Crete by air. Historically, however, its origins date back to 582 B.C. when it was founded by Rhodi-a-Cretan colonist from the neighboring Gela who named their city Akragas after the nearby river of that name. It rapidly increased in size, importance and military strength under Phalarides, the first tyrant, and later under Theron, who extended his sway over northern Sicily as far as Himera. Agrigento was a city of artists and illustrious personages, amongst whom the philosopher Empedocles. Pindar defines it as the most beautiful of mortal cities and, in fact, in the 5th century B.C., the famous temples, whose beauty we still admire today, were built. Return to Palermo for the evening. Departure every Sundays at 8.45 am (participants please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes prior to departure ) Meeting Point Palermo, Piazza Ruggero Settimo 15 (between the Hotel Politeama and PRADA store) Suggested Retail Rates Euro: 120,00 per adult Operated with This tour is operated only with a Driver-Escort up to 5 people. The visit to the Temple Valley and the Archaeological Museum will be independent. The Driver Escort is not a Licensed Tourist Guide --Licensed Tourist Guide: are the only professionals, with a Regional license, permitted to conduct visits and tours in all sites and museums within a city -- and he cannot escort people inside the monuments because this is not allowed by Italian Rules. However, he has the competences to promote the most important highlights providing basic historical & cultural information. Between 6 and 7/8 persons in your tour you'll have a Driver Escort and a licensed Tour Guide on the spot to visit Temple Valley per maximum 2 hours. The visit to the Archaeological Museum will be independent. From 8/9 people, this tour is operated with a Tour Director. Licensed Tourist Guide is provided on the spot to visit Temple Valley per maximum 2 hours. The visit to the Archaeological Museum will be independent. Min 2 max 25 Passengers English Only FREE SALE
Highlights: - Valley of Temples, one of the most important archeological sites in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site since 1998. Along a long rocky scarp, chosen as the southern limit of the town, are still sited the great temples of ancient Akragas:the Temple of Hera (Juno) Lacinia, Concordia, Heracles (Hercules), Olympian Zeus (Jupiter), Castor and Pollux (Dioscuri) and Hephaistos (Vulcan). - Archaeological Museum, who offers a fine introduction to the splendors of ancient Akragas and gives an insight into the life of the Greek settlers. Inclusions *English speaking Tour Director/Driver-Escort (as per program) * Vehicle/coach with air conditioning - no toilet * Licensed tourist guide as per program if more than 6 people on the tour Exclusions * Entrance fees * Gratuities and tips * Beverage and meal * Licensed tourist guide as per program if less than 6 people on the tour Excursion Cancellation policy -Total refund up to 15 working days before arrival -25% of total amount won t be refunded from 14 to 10 days before arrival -50% of total amount won t be refunded from 9 to 6 days before arrival -75% of total amount won t be refunded from 5 to 3 days before arrival -100% of total amount won t be refunded from 2 to the day of the services or after (No refund for no show).
MONREALE & PALERMO MARKETS TOUR (4 HRS) Today a short drive will take us to Monreale, to see where the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Duomo (Admission fee: not included), launched in 1174 by William II. Its gilded mosaics represents scenes from the Old and New Testament. Then transfer to Palermo and walking tour of the city center. The walking tour will start with the lively Ballarò Market, a place overflowing with beautiful fresh fish, and local vegetables and cheeses. Originating from the era when Sicily was occupied by the moors, this 1,000 year old market has run much in the same manner for centuries. It has strong Arab influences, resembling an eastern souk, and these influences are also evident in the merchandise itself. Next to mounds of ricotta and caciocavallo cheeses, barrels of olives and fat slabs of swordfish sit next to saffron and other spices, as well as sacks of beans and gorgeous indigenous fruit and local vegetables. Here you have the opportunity to taste a typical Palermo dish, such as the famous Panelle (a thin paste of crushed ceci/garbanzo beans rolled into sheets, fried and served in pizza-like slices). Later walk to Piazza Pretoria and the famous four corners converge in a quartet of baroque palaces from the climax of the Spanish rule dating from 1560. Then our short stroll will continue through Via Maqueda with the external view of Massimo Theater (The Opera House) and Politeama Theater. The visit will end in Piazza Ruggero Settimo. Important: walking tour of Palermo for around 2 hours to explore the town This tour is land only Departure Every Mondays at 8.45 am (Clients have to reach meeting point 15 minutes prior departure ) Meeting Point Palermo, Piazza Ruggero Settimo 15 (between the Hotel Politeama and PRADA store) Suggested Retail Rates Euro: 70,00 per adult Operated with This tour is operated only with a Driver-Escort up to 5 people. The visit to Monreale Dome will be independent. The Driver Escort is not a Licensed Tourist Guide --Licensed Tourist Guide: are the only professionals, with a Regional license, permitted to conduct visits and tours in all sites and museums within a city -- and he cannot escort people inside the monuments because this is not allowed by Italian Rules. However, he has the competences to promote the most important highlights providing basic historical & cultural information. Between 6 and 7/8 persons in your tour you'll have a Driver Escort and a licensed Tour Guide on the spot to visit Monreale Dome. Min 4 max 25 Passengers English Only FREE SALE
From 8/9 people, this tour is operated with a Tour Director. Licensed Tourist Guide is provided on the spot to visit Monreale Cathedral. Inclusions *English speaking Tour Director/Driver-Escort (as per program) * Vehicle/coach with air conditioning - no toilet * Licensed tourist guide as per program if more than 6 people on the tour * Walking tour of Palermo city center Exclusions * Entrance fees * Gratuities and tips * Beverage and meal * Licensed tourist guide as per program if less than 6 people on the tour Excursion Cancellation policy -Total refund up to 15 working days before arrival -25% of total amount won t be refunded from 14 to 10 days before arrival -50% of total amount won t be refunded from 9 to 6 days before arrival -75% of total amount won t be refunded from 5 to 3 days before arrival -100% of total amount won t be refunded from 2 to the day of the services or after (No refund for no show).