SORRENTO          

SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY Tour 6315—16  days  from  Rome  to  Rome    8-­‐2  3May  2015

NOTO      

       

LEISURELY ON THE GO

Your  Travel  Package  Includes:  Individual headsets !

Sightseeing: Visits  to  Sorrento,  Mount  Etna,  Noto,  Capri,  Selinunte,  Taormina,  Syracuse,  Palermo  

Scenic Highlights: Amalfitan  Coast  Rome 1 3 ITALY

Vesuvius Naples Pompeii

3 2 Amalfi

Guides: Local  Guides  for  city  sightseeing  in  Rome,  Pompeii,  Mount  Vesuvius,  Agrigento  archaeological  site.  Professional  Tour  Director  while  touring  

Transportation: Scheduled   transatlantic   flights   and  airport   transfers   in  Rome   if   Cosmos   issues   the   air   tickets;   see   pages   158-­‐159.   Touring   by  

Capri

1

Sorrento private  first-­‐class  air-­‐conditioned  motorcoach.  Boat  transfer  to  Capri;  ferry  Villa  San  Giovanni-­‐Messina;  overnight  ferry  Palermo-­‐Naples  in  2-­‐berth  cabins  

     

Palermo 1

Selinunte

Tyrrhenian  Sea        

Messina Villa San Giovanni 2 Taormina Area

Mount Etna

Hotels: Listed  below  or  equivalent;  see  also  pages  156-­‐157.  Rooms  with  private  bath  or  shower,  hotel  taxes,  porterage,  tips,  and  service  charges  ROME  Residenza  Parco  Tirreno  (F),  CAPRI  San  Michele  (ST)  at  Anacapri  or  La  Residenza  (F),  SORRENTO  Ascot  (ST),  TAORMINA  AREA  Albatros  (ST)  at  Letojanni,  SYRACUSE  Jolly  Aretusa  Palace  (F),  AGRIGENTO  Kore  (F),  PALERMO  Politeama  (F),  ROME  Pineta  Palace  (F)  

 

Meals: Buffet  breakfasts  (B)  except  Day  15;  8  dinners  (D)  Agrigento 1

1 Syracuse Noto

Ionian  Sea  Optionals: Choice   of   optional   excursions   at   reasonable   prices   to  customize   your   own   experience.   Please   find   a   detailed   list   in   your  travel   documents  

Note: Some  tours  may  operate  with  overnights  in  Sorrento  on  Days  4  and  5,  followed  by  2  nights   in  Capri  on  Days  7  and  8  

   

Day 1, Fri. ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY. Check  into  your  hotel.  The  rest  of  the  day  is  free  for  you  to  start  exploring  this  great  city.  

Days 2 & 3, Sat. & Sun. ROME. Two  days  in   which   to   get   well   acquainted   with   Rome.  Included  sightseeing  with  a  Local  Guide  starts  in  St.  Peter’s  Square,  followed  by  a  visit  to  the  Roman  Forum  and  the  mighty  Colosseum.  Optional   excursions   are   available   to   discover  more  of   the   “Eternal   City.”   (B   daily)  

Day 4, Mon. ROME–VESUVIUS–POMPEII– CAPRI. South  all  the  way  today.  First,  a  stop  to  

enjoy  the  awe-­‐inspiring  sights  of  one  of  Europe’s  greatest  live  volcanoes—Vesuvius!  Leave  the  coach  and  walk  to  the  top  to  view  its  crater.  Then,   to   Pompeii,   where   time   stopped   in   79   AD,  when   the  Vesuvius   eruption   totally   destroyed   it.  On   the   included   visit   you   can   see   the   luxurious  villas,   temples,   theater,   and   forum.   Just   a  few  more  miles  to  the  Neapolitan  Riviera  for  embarkation  on  the  ferry  to  Capri  to  enjoy  two  overnights  on  this  charmed  island.  (B,D)  

Day 5, Tue. CAPRI. This  legendary  island  is  surrounded  by  a  rocky  coastline—the  crashing  

sea  has  formed  remarkable  caves.  The  town,  with  its  pretty  piazzetta,  maze  of  streets,  fashionable  boutiques,  and  smart  restaurants,  is  a  mecca  for  the  jet  set,  and  optional  excursions  take  you  to  see  more  of  the  island.  Join  Tiberius,  Emma  Hamilton,  and  Axel  Munthe,  historical  figures  who  all  fell  in  love  with  this  exquisite  spot.  A  full  day  to  do  exactly  what  you  please.  Maybe  explore  some  of  the  island’s  lovely  walks  or  join  an  optional  excursion  to  see  Mount  Solaro  and  the  house  of  Axel  Munthe  (San  Michele).  (B,D)  

 

136  

PALERMO  

     

 SICILIAN    CART   ROME              TAORMINA    

Travel  &  Cruises  Now    T  U R N I N G  T R A V E L D R E A M S I  NTO  R  EA L I T  YSM

Day 6, Wed. CAPRI–SORRENTO. EXCURSION TO AMALFITAN COAST. Take  the  ferry  to  Sorrento   this  morning.   Few   places   in   the  world  match   the   very   special   charm   of   Sorrento.  This  picturesque  resort  overlooking  the  Bay  of  Naples  boasts  a  marvelous  climate,  beautiful  views,  trendy  shops  and  boutiques,  interesting  museums,  and  a  vibrant  nightlife.  Don’t  miss  out  on  the  included  excursion  along  the  breathtakingly  beautiful  Amalfitan  Coast.  (B,D)  

Days 7 & 8, Thu. & Fri. SORRENTO. Two  full  days   to   enjoy   this   town   set   on   a   plateau   high  above   the  waters   of   the   Bay  of  Naples   and  with   truly   spectacular   views   as   far   as   towering  Vesuvius.  Sorrento’s  terraces,  hung  with  flowers,  jut  from  winding  streets  and  alleys  above  a  small  harbor.  Streets  are  filled  with  shops,  cheerful  bars,  and  cafés.  Day  7  (B),  Day  8  (B,D)  

Day 9, Sat. SORRENTO–VILLA SAN GIOVANNI–FERRY CROSSING–TAORMINA AREA. Today,  by  way  of  the  autostrada,  travel  through  the  wild  and  mountainous  scenery  of  Italy’s  most  southern  regions  before  boarding  the  ferry  for  the  45-­‐minute  crossing  to  Sicily.  Only  a  few  more  miles  to  the  Taormina  area,  where  you  overnight.  (B,D)  

Day 10, Sun. TAORMINA. Magnificently  situated  on  a  700-­‐foot  plateau,  Taormina  has  wonderful  views  along  the  coast.  The  heart  of  the  town  is  Piazza  Nove  Aprile,  a  paved  square  with  unrivaled  views  to  the  sea  and  the  Mount  Etna  volcano.  (B,D)  

 

 Day 11, Mon. TAORMINA AREA–MOUNT ETNA–SYRACUSE. This  morning,  take  advantage  of  the  visit  to  the  heights  of  Mount  Etna  and  the  option  of  a  Jeep  or  cable-­‐car    ride  for  a  better  view  of  Europe’s  largest  active  volcano.  Drive  even  farther  south  to  Syracuse,  where  you  have  the  option  of  visiting  the  ancient  Grecian  archaeological  sites  or  doing  just  as  you  please.  (B,D)  

Day 12, Tue. SYRACUSE–NOTO–AGRIGENTO. Westward  today  with  a  visit  to  the  18th-­‐century  baroque  town  of  Noto.  Then,  past  Caltanissetta,  surrounded  by  sulphur  mines,  to  Agrigento’s  Valley  of  the  Temples,  one  of  Italy’s  archaeological  jewels—especially  in  spring  when  the  slopes  are  frosted  with  almond  blossoms.  Visit  the  Doric  Temple  of  Concord,  one  of  the  best  preserved  outside  Athens;  the  hilltop  Temple  of  Juno  Lacinia  is  the  valley’s  most  impressive.  (B,D)  

Day 13, Wed. AGRIGENTO–SELINUNTE– PALERMO. Leave  Agrigento  for  Selinunte,  one    of  the  most  striking  and  interesting  sites  in  Sicily.  See  the  remains  of  the  Acropolis.  Then,  northeast  

 to   Palermo,   the   capital   of   Sicily.   This   evening,  enjoy   an   optional   farewell   dinner  with   your  fellow  travelers.   (B)  

Day 14, Thu. AT LEISURE IN PALERMO (EMBARKATION)–OVERNIGHT FERRY CROSSING TO NAPLES. A  full  day  to  enjoy  this  busy  and  colorful  city  full  of  interesting  squares  and  marketplaces,  churches,  and  palazzos  in  every  style—from  Moorish  to  baroque.  Join  the  optional  sightseeing  tour  to  learn  more  about  this  city.  Evening  embarkation  for  the  overnight  ferry  from  Palermo  to  Naples.  (B)  

Day 15, Fri. NAPLES (DISEMBARKATION)– ROME. North  this  morning  back  to  the  “Eternal  City”  with  plenty  of  time  to  enjoy  one  of  the  optional  excursions,  to  do  last-­‐minute  shopping,  or  maybe  sip  a  drink  in  Piazza  Navona  and  watch  the  world  go  by.  

Day 16, Sat. ROME. Your  vacation  ends  with  breakfast   this   morning.   (B)  

 SELINUNTE      

                   

   

European P

anoramas

Regional D

iscoveries

Best  Value  -­‐  COSMOS  tour  designed  for  travel-­‐lovers  looking  for  experience,  not  expense;  independence,  not  indulgence;  excitement  not  extravagance  –comprehensive  travel  experience  with  plenty  of  free  time.        

STARTS  8  MAY  THRU  23  MAY  -­‐  16  DAYS        Price  $2683  pp        Land-­‐Only  -­‐-­‐  Final  balance  due  is  4  MAR  2015.  

***Deposit  $250  prior  to  16  Sept  saves  $100  on  this  tour  =  $2583.    (Refundable  up  to  120  days  prior  to  start  )          ***Monthly  Payment  Plan  Interest-­‐Free***  

*Competitive  air  can  be  added  without  hassles  -­‐  transfers  to  hotel  are  included.    Allow  at  least  one  extra  day  before  tour  start  date.      If  you  are  coming  in  on  a  non-­‐rev  flight  definitely  get  to  Rome  ahead  of  time.    It’s  easy  to  get  to  hotel.    I  will  help  you  with  directions  –  it’s  as  simple  as  the  train  from  the  airport.    Travel  lite  –  as  you  will  be  on  and  off  trains,  boats  and  planes!  (More  on  that  later)    **  Travel  Insurance  is  highly  recommended  and  can  be  purchased  thru  Cosmos.    You’ll  be  glad  you  had  it  if  something  happens.  Like  cancelled  flights  or  lost  baggage.  ***Single  supplement  $400  for  solo  travelers  “Guaranteed  Share”  Ask  about  it..    Hotels  are  3-­‐4  Star  hotels  and  include  Buffet  Breakfasts  (except  day  15)  and  8  Dinners.  ****Sightseeing  is  included.    Optional  excursions  and  Avalon  Waterways  River  Cruises  available  to  tie  into  this  vacation  as  well  as  other  places  to  go.    

Contact:    Elaina  “Zing”  Salerno  Travel  &  Cruises  NOW                

800-­‐545-­‐7669            travel@travelandcruisesnow.com