Sicily – Jewel of the Mediterranean

Day 1 London – Catania
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® transports you from your front door to London Gatwick Airport for your direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Catania. On arrival we drive to our hotel for the next three nights, the 4★ Sheraton Hotel & Spa or similar which is a short drive away from Aci Castello. We arrive at our hotel for a light meal and a glass of Sicilian wine.

Day 2 Syracuse – Ortigia
Today we travel south with our local guide to Syracuse, which, although later inhabited by the Romans, is the birthplace of the Greek mathematician, Archimedes and home to a Greek amphitheatre that was carved out of one piece of stone and is still used twice a year for productions of Greek tragedies. Later we visit Ortigia, joined to Syracuse by a bridge since the 16th century, where it is a pleasure to stroll by the marina.

Day 3 Aci Castello – Catania
This morning we travel the short distance to Aci Castello, whose 11th century Norman castle built out of lava is a rare geological wonder. We then drive to the centre of Catania and you are free to make your own discoveries for the rest of the day.

Day 4 Catania – Cefalù – Palermo
We spend some time in the attractive maritime town of Cefalu this morning on our way to the bustling city of Palermo. Our hotel, the 4* Hotel Palazzo Sitano, is centrally located close to the sea and the lively streets where you can immerse yourself in local life. You will receive a welcome drink on arrival and dinner tonight is at a local restaurant, just a short walk away.

Day 5 Palermo – Monreale
This morning we travel to Monreale for a guided visit of the magnificent cathedral, famed for its multi-coloured marble paintings and mosaics representing the complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments. We return to Palermo for a guided tour of the town including the stunning 12th century Norman cathedral and the Palatine Chapel.

Day 6 Segesta – Trapani – Selinunte – Agrigento
Our first stop today is Segesta for a guided tour including a visit to the fascinating Greek temple ruins. We then continue to the fishing port of Trapani for a short stop and time for lunch. Lastly, at Selinunte we will be joined by a local guide to view the Greek archaeological site. We arrive early evening at our hotel, 4★ Hotel Baia di Ulisse, located facing the Mediterranean sea and just 4km away from the Valley of the Temples. A welcome drink will be served upon arrival.

Day 7 Agrigento – Valley of the Temples – Piazza Armerina – Catania
We start our day with one of the highlights – a guided visit, including entrance, of the nearby Valley of the Temples. Originally a series of ten temples in the 5th and 6th century BC, parts of nine are still visible and your guide will bring this remarkable setting to life.
After time for lunch, we head east to Piazza Armerina for a guided tour of the Roman Villa, which was hidden under mud for over 700 years. This opulent Roman country house, dating back to 4th century BC, is decorated with mosaic floors that are unique in the Roman world for their quality and illustrations of ancient life.
We stay at our hotel for the next three nights, the 4★ Baia Taormina, located approximately 20 minutes by shuttle bus to the centre of Taormina. A welcome drink is also included.

Day 8 Taormina
This morning we visit the town centre of Taormina, perched on a hilltop overlooking the sea and facing Etna. Here we include a visit to the Greek theatre that was built in the 3rd century BC and visit the Alcantara Gorge.

Day 9 Mount Etna
A fascinating journey this morning to the slopes of Mount Etna, which dominates the landscape and is still active and snow-capped for most of the year.

Day 10 Taormina – Catania – London
We transfer to Catania airport for your direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Gatwick Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home to your own front door.

IMPORTANT TOUR INFORMATION
Please note:
Due to British Airways’ flight operating schedule your arrival at the hotel may be late evening. If so, tea, coffee and a selection of sandwiches will be served on your arrival rather than a buffet dinner.
With so many highlights to see, this is a fast-paced itinerary and there is a considerable amount of walking involved, particularly at the archaeological sites, where the terrain is also uneven.
The included dinner at the hotels will be either buffet or set menu.

Titan Travel have a reputation for innovative and enthralling escorted holiday itineraries, and through the guidance of their founding principles, “quality, service and value” which have remained unchanged since the 1970′s, their expertise and experience are second to none.

Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.

Our Opinion
“Titan Travel’s guiding principles of customer service, quality of product and value for money are undoubtedly a contributing factor to them being voted, on many occasions, the UK’s best tour operator.”