Day 1 – Rome
Depart Dublin Airport on our direct flight to Rome. On arrival you will be met by your Joe Walsh Tours representative and transferred to your hotel in Rome for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 – Introduction to the Eternal City
You will begin your week with a guided orientation tour of Rome. Your expert local guide will highlight some of the city’s most important, famous and breathtaking sights, such as the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, the King Victor Emmanuel Monument, St. Peter’s Basilica and more.
Day 3 – Rome - Catania, Sicily
Morning departure from Rome airport for Catania. Check-in to hotel where you will stay for four nights on a half board basis. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore Catania.
Day 4 – Catania
Catania, located at the foot of the impressive and still active volcano, Mount Etna, is a major seaport and a commercial and manufacturing centre. Catania contains numerous architectural remains of ancient times, including the ruins of Greek and Roman theatres and Roman aqueducts and baths. During a half-day tour, you will see the cathedral (11th century), Ursino Castle (13th century) and the University of Catania (1443), Sicily’s first university. Afternoon free for personal sightseeing or shopping.
Day 5 - Taormina
Free day. Optional full day tour to Mount Etna - Europe's highest active volcano, (approx. 3,350 m) and the famous tourist resort of Taormina, whose ancient Greek splendour, medieval charm and unique views of Mount Etna and the Ionian coast afford the visitor a lasting impression of Sicily.
Day 6 – Syracuse
Free day to spend sightseeing. Optional full day tour to the city of Syracuse. Arguably Sicily’s most beautiful city, Syracuse preserves centuries of history, art and architecture ranging from Greek and Roman to medieval, baroque and modern. For a time the most important city in Magna Grecia, the Greek influence can still be felt today especially in it’s oldest quarter, the island of Ortegia.
Day 7 – Agrigento
Depart for Agrigento where you will spend one night on a half board basis. The medieval city of Agrigento is charming and the Greek temples, theatres and ruins for which it is most famous are located outside the city proper. Optional half-day tour to the spectacular Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples).
Day 8
Depart Agrigento and stop at Piazza Armerina to visit the Villa del Casale, an ancient Roman Villa with well preserved mosaics depicting scenes from everyday life in Roman times (entrance fee payable locally). Also to be found are the remains of a small amphitheatre, as well as several auditoria, and a fine archaeological museum. Arrive at your hotel in Palermo, where you will stay for 3 nights (2 nights on a bed & breakfast basis and 1 night on a half board basis)
Day 9 – Palermo
Enjoy a half-day panoramic tour of the historical centre of Palermo, taking in views of the Cathedral, the Royal Palace, the Abbey of St. John of the Hermits and more. Afternoon free or optional visit to the nearby town of Monreale. Located in a scenic position on the slopes of Monte Caputo, Monreale is renowned for its Duomo or Cathedral and Benedictine Cloister. The beautiful mosaics in the Cathedral are said to be one of the world's largest displays of this art form.
Day 10
Free day or optional trip to the beautiful seaside town of Cefalů.
Day 11
Transfer to Palermo airport for return flight to Rome and connecting flight on to Dublin.
