Duration: 10 Days
Dates: February 12, 2024 to February 22, 2024
Departure City: New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY)

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Detailed Itinerary

12 February 2024 -DAY 1: DEPART USA Tonight
We depart for an overnight flight to Palermo via Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flight.

13 February 2024 -DAY 2 – ARRIVE ROME, CATANIA – TAORMINA
Upon arrival in Rome, we meet our tour escort and continue on a direct flight to CATANIA “It’s easy to be happy here, but it requires an adjustment that is as much biological as cultural: learning to live on Sicilian time.” Francine Prose, Sicilian Odissey. Once we arrive in Catania, transfer to Tormina, where we will spend the next two nights , transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight Overnight in Taormina (D)

14 February 2024 - DAY 3: TAORMINA – CATANIA – TAORMINA
Taormina was an unmissable stop of the Grand Tour, the journey of the nineteenth-century European aristocracy. Even today, the city is a popular destination for international tourism, with many tourists arriving each year from all over the world to discover its beauty. After breakfast we meet our guide to enjoy a walking tour. We will visit the Greek Theater, From the ancient theatre, we can see Mount Etna and the gulf of Giardini-Naxos: the view is breathtaking. On clear days we can even see the coast of Calabria. The theatre is the town’s main monument, both for its historical and architectural value and the spectacular location. The view from this place is called the panorama par excellence. Absolutely not to be missed, once in Sicily. After break for an independent lunch, we will drive to Catania- We will walk along Via Etnea to PiazzaUniversità. Then we will take the Alessi Staircase to reach Via dei Crociferi, a street known for its 16th- century churches and as a set for the filming of many movies. We will arrive in San Francesco Square to visit the church where six of the eleven “candelore” that parade during Saint Agata’s feast are kept. We will have also the chance to see the small section of a Roman theatre. The tour will end in Piazza Duomo, with its stunning Cathedral of St Agata. The Baroque cathedral was constructed after a destructive earthquake in place of a Norman cathedral. It contains Bellini’s tomb and Saint’Agata chapel. On the square, we’ll also see the quirky Elephant Fountain. Returm to the hotel in Taormina for dinner and overnight (BD)

15 February 2024 - DAY 4: TAORMINA – CEFALU – PALERMO
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out. Set out toward the enchanting seaside village of Cefalu (today, which offers some of the best beaches on the island. Stroll through the historic center, stopping to admire the Molo, a picturesque old fishing port situated on a tiny rock-protected beach. See the last-standing medieval gate of Cefalu, and a nearby medieval outdoor wash house, used many centuries ago. The stunning main square, the palm-and-patio-lined Piazza del Duomo, boasts an authentic Sicilian vibe, offering numerous refreshment options, while dominated by the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cathedral of Cefalu. See the famous mosaic of Jesus the Savior in the Cathedral. After Mass we enjoy time at leisure for lunch.  In the afternoon we continue our journey towards the west coast of Sicily We reach Palermo in the afternoon, Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight Overnight in Palermo (BD.)

16 February 2024 – DAY 5 PALERMO
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we have a fascinating full-day exploration of Sicilian culture and cuisine. After breakfast, we stroll around the Il Capo market, the oldest in Palermo, where we will see and taste the famous Palermo street food, such as panelle, arancine, crocchette and Pani Ca Meusa. Admire colorful stalls featuring an abundance of fruit, vegetables, seafood and meats as the sellers’ cries bid for our attention. Next we start the tour. We will visit Palazzo dei Normanni the Norman Palace built around the 10th Century by the Arab emirs and later turned into a formal residence by the Norman kings For their architecture, they made use of the technical mastery of Muslim workforces, thus generating “Arab-Norman Art”. The building complex which now forms the Royal Palace is the result of additions made between the 16th and 17th centuries, giving it a consistent appearance. Inside the Palace, the Palatina Chapel is a real jewel. This is a site that alone makes a visit to Palermo worthwhile. In this church, described by Maupassant as "the most beautiful religious jewel dreamt of by human thought", the fusion of the vast diversity of Sicily's origins – European, Sicilian, Byzantine and Arab – is realised in visual terms.The mosaics are the finest products of Byzantine art, without equal in any of the churches of Constantinople. The Christ Pantocrator in the dome, the angels surrounding him and the Evangelists absorbed in their studies, which are the the oldest mosaics, stand out..Continue to the Cathedral of Palermo and Palermo's wide boulevards, traditional Sicilian Old Quarter, and baroque palaces, visiting the city's main sights, including the Norman section, Quattro Canti di Citta' (the Four Corners of the City), We will visit the Gusù Church, The Church of the Gesù, one of the most important Baroque churches in Sicily Tonight we have dinner in a local restaurant. . Overnight in Palermo. (BD.)

17 February 2024 - DAY 6: MONREALE – SCOPELLO
We depart Palermo after breakfast. Travel to Monreale ( 40 minutes drive) Upon arrival, celebrate Mass, then we explore the Monreale Cathedral and Cloister. The cathedral in Monreale, is regarded as the most beautiful of the Norman churches in Sicily. The mosaics were made with 2200 kg of pure gold, experts have estimated. Craftsmen from Constantinople were employed to expedite the work. Regain our bus and continue travelling towards west.: The coastline is rocky, craggy and dramatic. Steep cliffs and sea stacks have been sculpted over millennia by the sea and the wind, We will reach the village of Scopello ( 1,5 hrs drive) – Break for lunch in a typical trattoria ( included) We will then discover part of the epic story of the Florio family “ The Florio of Sicily “ as per the Stefania Auci’s novel)  To this family the Sicilian owe , not only the internationalization of the Marsala Wine ,the first Italian wine to be recognised as DOC but also the revolutionary invention of the the preservation of tuna in olive oil We will visit a small bay amongst all this beauty sits the tonnara, a tuna fishery. Dating back to the 13th century (though remodelled over the years), and built in creamy yellow sandstone, the tonnara is an impressive sight indeed. Sun worshippers lie amongst the antique anchors on the landing area, where tuna-heavy boats were once hauled ashore, while swimmers and snorkellers delight in the clean, limpid waters and abundant subaquatic treasures. The main buildings, where the tuna was processed, canned and made ready for distribution, now host a small museum , which we will visit. The harmonious perfection of the tonnara and its surroundings has piqued the imagination of location managers, who have featured it in several films and TV programs in recent years, including Ocean’s Twelve (with Brad Pitt and George Clooney) –We return to Parlemo. Time at leisure. This afternoon we will experience the Sicilian “gelato” ( Ice cream) Everyone knows that they’re good at ice cream in Italy, but in Palermo they worship it. Cones and tubs are popular here, but the most delicious gelato comes served in a giant brioche bun, like a gourmet ice cream sandwich. Dinner on our own Overnight (B.L.)

18 February 2024 - DAY 7: PALERMO – NAPLES
After breakfast we check out and drive to Palermo ‘’s airport from where we fly to Naples. Upon arrival we check in at our hotel. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Naples We will start with a coffee and sfogliatella break. We then enjoy a walking tour around the historic centre to explore the old town Follow the Spaccanapoli (Via San Biagio dei Librai) – the narrow, straight street that splits the historic centre in two. The street offers plenty of patisseries and souvenir shops as well as many historical buildings and churches. the Cathedral of Naples dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. The church was originally built in Gothic style, but was reconstructed and renovated in other architectural styles over the centuries. The church keeps the blood of Naples’ patron saint, San Gennaro. It’s kept in a little flask that’s supposed to liquefy twice a year in front of the crowd. The spectacle is called the Miracle of Saint Gennaro. Proceed to the hotel for dinner and overnight (BD)

19 February 2024 - DAY 8: NAPLES – SORRENTO – NAPLES
After breakfast we drive along the scenic Sorrento Coast The views sweep along the bay to Naples, Mont Vesuvius and across the water to Capri island. We will marvel at the sight of terraced farms that grow a riot of lemons and oranges, as well as olives and grapes. Sorrento is especially known for its lemon production, which is used to produce the famed liqueur known as limoncello. Time at leisure in Sorrento, to stroll around the streets of the city center and to taste the Limoncello. After lunch we return to Naples, This afternoon we will experience a pizza cooking class, followed by dinner. Overnight in Naples (BD)

20 February 2024 DAY 9 NAPLES – BUFFALO MOZZARELLA – MONTECASSINO - ROME
This morning we drive towards Rome. On the way we will stop in Caserta to visit a buffalo mozzarella farm and factory, where we will enjoy a light lunch and tasting. Continue to Montecassino, to visit San Benedict abbey and to Our last destination for today is Rome. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight 

21 February 2024 WEDNESDAY - DAY 10: ROME PAPAL AUDIENCE – VATICAN MUSEUMS & SAN 
PETER’S BASILICA
Early morning breakfast. Today we reach San Peter’s Basilica where we meet pilgrims from all over the world for the Papal Audience and Blessing After break for lunch, we follow our guide on a walking tour of the Vatican Museums, which includes also Raphael’s rooms, Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of Saint Peter. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight (BD) 

22 February 2024: Departure back home

***In case of unforeseen events, this itinerary is subject to change.***