Itinerary
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Day 1
Palermo Few places in the world can match Palermo's alluring mystique. Sicily's largest city is flanked by rocky peaks and straddles an azure sea along the rim of the Conca d'Oro and the Gulf of Palermo. At street level, the Sicilian capital is a busy and exciting metropolis that reflects 3,000 years of history as the Mediterranean's most important cultural crossroads. Its urban fabric is rich with baroque palaces from the Bourbon reign, mosaics, museums and colorful outdoor fish markets. Unlike any other, the city straddles past and present and north and south. Avail of a private Airport (Falcone Borsellino) transfer with a private vehicle and driver. The Principe di Villafranca (4*) is a charming hotel in the heart of Palermo, a short walk from the picturesque Capo street market, the Politeama and Massimo theatres, and a few meters from the city centre, with its cultural and historic monuments and attractions. The Principe di Villafranca Hotel welcomes its guests in warm and completely renovated interiors, including a reading lounge with library, a comfortable lobby, a bar, a restaurant which serves delicious specialties of Italian cuisine, as well as a fitness room and a fully equipped meeting room for up to 150 persons. Overnight at Principe di Villafranca (4*). |
 Palermo |
 Principe di Villafranca |
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Day 2
Palermo Meet your guide in your hotel lobby this morning to visit Palermo and Monreale. You’ll be enchanted by Palermo’s wide boulevards, traditional Sicilian Old Quarter, and baroque palaces. You’ll see the city’s main sights, including Quattro Canti (the Four Corners), an extravagant baroque square ringed by four buildings with baroque sculptures that depict the Four Seasons, Spanish kings, and the patron saints of Palermo’s four old quarters. You’ll also see the twelfth-century Cathedral, which houses a pantheon of royal tombs. Afterwards, you will be taken to Palermo’s impressive food market Il Capo which is full of color and great epicurean delights. Be sure to sample some typical street food such as pani ca meusa, panelle and arancini while you are there!
Later you’ll discover the Arab-Norman splendor of the Monreale Cathedral. This treasure dates from the 12th century and shows the diverse architectural influences of both the Normans and the Arab population. At day's end, you'll be returned to your hotel in Palermo by private vehicle. Overnight at Principe di Villafranca (4*). |
 Palermo Theatre |
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Day 3
Agrigento Agrigento is renowned as the site of the ancient Greek city of Akragas, one of the leading cities of Magna Graecia during the golden age of Ancient Greece. High in the historical center of the city, the Romanesque Gothic cathedral, built during the fourteenth century, still displays some of its medieval character, as does the thirteenth-century Church of San Nicola (St Nicholas). Unfortunately, the Saracen fortress believed to have stood at Agrigento has not stood the test of time. The Greek temples, theatres and ruins, and the archaeological museums, are located outside the city proper. Meet your English speaking driver for transfer to Agrigento, with a stop in Segesta. Upon arrival in Segesta enjoy a two hour tour with local expert. Visit the Doric Temple, one of the best preserved Greek temple in Europe. Segesta was one of the major cities of the Elmian people, located on a hill. The temple is simply beautiful situated on a rolling green countryside with views that stretch right down to the sea. The Mandranova Estate (4*) holiday resort is set in a garden of palm trees and African plants. We offer a stay of absolute comfort and tranquility in the rustic simplicity of the old farmhouse and renovated rooms in a train station and an old millstone. The "Gebbia, formerly used for agricultural irrigation, has been transformed into a small but lovely pool where guests can go for a refreshing swim in the summer heat. The charming owners are renowned for the warmth of their welcome and wonderful sense of hospitality and the restaurant, which is for the exclusive use of guests, offers excellent food prepared with locally produced ingredients. For beach lovers, there are several nice sandy beaches nearby. Overnight at Mandranova Estate (4*). |
 Agrigento |
 Mandranova Estate |
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Day 4
Agrigento Meet up with a local guide in Agrigento this morning. Visit the Valley of the Temples and the Archaeological Park of Agrigento on your guided walking tour. Along the “Sacred Way” you can admire the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of Concord, and the Temple of Juno. Finally, visit the wonderful Garden of Kolymbetra, an old water reservoir of the Greeks and the unknown Tempio of Volcano. Overnight at Mandranova Estate (4*). |
 Tempio of Vulcano |
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Day 5
Syracuse Syracuse is a historic city in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Syracuse. The city is noted for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture and association to Archimedes, playing an important role in ancient times as one of the top powers of the Mediterranean world; it is over 2,700 years old. Syracuse is located in the south-east corner of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Syracuse next to the Ionian Sea. Enjoy a private transfer and guided walking tour of Syracuse with your local English speaking guide. Notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, and architecture, this 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. Explore the Old Town of Syracuse, with the 14th and 15th century palaces of Piazza Archimede, the ancient Temple of Apollo (built in 570 B.C.), the Foro Italico promenade, and the 17th century Cathedral which incorporates the remains of the ancient Temple of Athena. Afterward, you will get the chance to admire the historical centre of Noto, the Baroque capital of Sicily; a very beautiful town rebuilt as a baroque masterpiece following a 1693 AD earthquake which destroyed the town. On the edge of the island of Ortigia, the Hotel Des Etrangers et Miramare (4*) is within easy walking distance of the centre of Syracuse. The hotel is made up of 78 guestrooms and 13 suites. The architecture is rather elegant, in a neoclassic Sicilian style. The floors are covered with precious marbles, while the walls and ceilings are enriched with stucco work. Most bedrooms open onto the Porto Grande sea. On the 6th floor, there is a restaurant that offers a panoramic view of the Ortigia rooftops, bell towers and the expansive sea below. Overnight at Hotel Des Etrangers et Miramare (4*). |
 Syracuse |
 Hotel Des Etrangers et Miramare |
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Day 6
Valletta Valletta is the capital city of Malta, and was officially recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Valletta's streets and piazzas contain architecture ranging from the early 16th century (built during the rule of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem), to Modernist in design. The city serves as the island's principal cultural centre and its unique collection of churches, palaces and museums attract visitors from around the world. The fortifications of the port, built by the Knights, contribute to the unique architectural quality of the city. Meet your driver for a private transfer to Pozzallo Port. Take the ferry for a transfer from Catania to Valletta, Malta. The transfer should take approximately 3 hours. Meet your driver and English speaking assistant for an airport transfer. The Excelsior Grand Hotel Malta (5*) is situated adjacent to the magnificent 16th century bastions of Valletta, the Maltese capital, a UNESCO World Heritage City. A few of minutes on foot will bring you to the gates of Valletta, a city brimming with culture, noble architecture and priceless art. The hotel also provides stunning views of Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel Island from its seafront location. Exuding an overwhelming sense of style and grandeur, the Excelsior Grand Hotel Malta offers excellent facilities including swimming pools, terrace, spa, fitness centre, restaurants, 24-hour reception, wireless Internet access, laundry service, business centre, leisure activities, meeting rooms and business services. Overnight at Excelsior Grand (5*). |
 Valetta.jpg) Valetta |
 Excelsior Grand Hotel |
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Day 7
Valletta Enjoy a half day tour of Valletta with private vehicle and an English speaking guide. Valletta, Malta’s capital and a World Heritage site, is nothing short of an open-air museum. It is a living experience of Baroque architecture, a monument donated by the Knights of St John nearly five centuries ago. The city owes both its name and its fortifications to Jean de la Valette, Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, who rebuilt the city after the Great Siege of 1565. After a morning at leisure you will go sightseeing in Valletta, visiting the Upper Barracca Gardens and two great buildings erected by the Knights of St. John, the Palace of the Grand Masters and St. John's Co-Cathedral. Overnight at Excelsior Grand (5*). |
.jpg) Street in Valletta |
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Day 8
Valletta Enjoy a private full day tour with vehicle and English speaking guide. In the morning you drive inland to the village of Mosta, whose Church of St. Mary has the third largest unsupported dome in all of Europe. Continue on to Mdina, ancient capital of Malta, and a town of great historical charm, much of it painstakingly rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693. Overnight at Excelsior Grand (5*). |
 Church of St. Mary |
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Day 9
Valletta Enjoy a private full day tour to Gozo with vehicle and an English speaking guide. You will take the ferry across for a day in Gozo, a tranquil island ringed with beautiful bays. Most of this island is rural but one still finds numerous archeological remains and architectural treasures, including the old Citadel and the Ggantija temples. You`ll visit the capital, Victoria, with its hilltop citadel, then see some of the island`s natural wonders: the Azure Window, an immense limestone arch created by erosion; Fungus Rock, whose plant life was harvested for medicinal purposes by the Knights of S. John and the Inland Sea. Overnight at Excelsior Grand (5*). |
 Azure Window, Gozo |
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Day 10
Valletta Meet your driver and English speaking assistant for an airport transfer. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary. Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport). |
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Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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