Page & Moy

Home > Country information > Europe > Italy > Highlights of Ancient Sicily with a Specialist Lecturer

Highlights of Ancient Sicily with a Specialist Lecturer - 8 days from £1099
Europe | Italy
Specialist Tour Lecturer  
At A GlanceItinerary & AccomodationDates, Prices & Travel InfoEssential InformationTravel Extras
Specialist Tour Leader
Highlights of Ancient Sicily with a Specialist Lecturer
Highlights of Ancient Sicily with a Specialist Lecturer
Tour photos
Discover fine mosaics in a luxurious Roman villa, take a bow on the stage of an ancient Greek theatre, stroll through the Romanesque cloisters of a Norman cathedral and explore the well-preserved legacies of Sicily’s chequered past, all under the watchful eye of towering Mount Etna.

Holiday Highlights

  • Take in the atmospheric ruins at Segesta
  • Visit the ancient city of Agrigento and the magnificent Temple of Concord 
  • Specialist tour lecturer available on selected dates

Included Excursions

  • Palermo
  • Monreale & Segesta
  • Piazza Armerina

Optional Excursions

  • Agrigento
  • Siracusa  

Meal Arrangements

  • 7 nights half board

Also Included

  • The services of an experienced Page & Moy tour manager
  • Hotel porterage

Specialist Tour Lecturer

Each departure is limited to a maximum of 30 participants and will be accompanied by a specialist lecturer who will give a number of fascinating talks on relevant subjects during the tour.




Your Accommodation


CEFALU
Hotel Baia del Capitano (3-star), 4 nights half board.

Situated on a promontory just five kilometres from the pretty coastal village of Cefalu, this small and friendly hotel has an attractive garden, swimming pool, bar and restaurant. Surrounded by olive groves, it offers stunning views of the coastline.

GIARDINI-NAXOS
Sant’Alphio Garden Hotel & Spa (4-star), 3 nights half board.

This appealing hotel has a lovely flower-filled garden and offers an outdoor pool, attractive restaurant, bar, lounge and beauty spa with indoor pool. The welcoming resort is just seven kilometres from Taormina.

Your Itinerary

DAY 1 UK/CATANIA

We fly to Catania, meet our tour manager and transfer north to Cefalu and our hotel, where we stay for four nights on a half board basis. Cefalu is a pretty, relatively unspoilt seaside town fronted by a curve of golden sandy beach. You’ll find one of the finest Norman cathedrals in Sicily, its twintowered facade dominating the skyline; inside are splendid mosaics.

DAY 2 PALERMO

We spend the morning exploring Palermo, one of the most colourful and fascinating cities on Sicily. Lying in a natural amphitheatre known as the Conca d’Oro (the golden valley) and sheltered by Monte Pellegrino, the city occupies a stunning location. Its eclectic range of architecture ranges from Norman to Art Nouveau and our tour takes us to the Palazzo Reale, where we see the sumptuous Cappella Palatine. Its lavish interior is covered in mosaics and marble inlaid with glass, stone and gold. We also visit La Martorana, a 12th-century church with Arabic decoration; and the cathedral, the last resting place of many Sicilian kings.

DAY 3 AGRIGENTO

Our full-day optional excursion today is to the site of Agrigento, an ancient city dating back to the 6th century. The Valley of the Temples is dramatically situated on a high ridge overlooking the sea and is one of the most impressive ancient Greek complexes outside Greece. We will walk down the Sacred Way; see the magnificent Temple of Concord with its surprisingly well-preserved columns; and the ruined temple of Zeus, the largest temple built by the Greeks.

DAY 4 MONREALE & SEGESTA

Today we visit the fine Norman cathedral at Monreale, famed for its majestic Romanesque cloisters. The interior glitters with magnificent Byzantine mosaics depicting tales from the Old Testament and the Gospels. In the afternoon our tour continues to the picturesque ruins at Segesta. Here we visit the massive unfinished Acropolis, standing proudly on a remote hillside, and the ancient theatre, brought to life again by summer concerts.

DAY 5 PIAZZA ARMERINA & GIARDINI-NAXOS

We head inland today to Piazza Armerina. Here we visit the luxurious Villa del Casale, which houses some of the finest Roman mosaics in existence. Adorning almost every room, the mosaics are renowned for their richness and high quality. We continue to Giardini-Naxos and our hotel for the next three nights. The welcoming resort of Giardini-Naxos is close to Taormina and offers a good choice of cafes and bars, a pebble beach and a waterfront promenade.

DAY 6 SIRACUSA

Our full-day optional excursion takes us to Siracusa, one of the most important sites in the ancient Greek world. It is home to a magnificent Greek theatre, carved into the hillside. We shall also spend some time in charming Ortigia, a selfcontained town jutting out on a peninsula. A highlight here is the Duomo, built on the site of an ancient temple to Athena. The cool, shady interior awaits your discovery.

DAY 7 GIARDINI-NAXOS

The day is free to relax by the hotel’s lovely pool or explore Taormina, a charming and elegant town, poised between Mount Etna and the coastline. Enjoy a delicious lunch (at extra cost) in one of the many restaurants that make use of local produce including swordfish, ricotta, chillies, aubergines and olives; do some last-minute shopping and, of course, visit the famed theatre. With Mount Etna as its backdrop, this Greco-Roman marvel once rang with the applause of over 5,000 spectators.

DAY 8 CATANIA/UK

We return to Catania airport for the homeward flight. Alternatively transfer to Calabria for our fabulous extension.

Dates, Prices & Departure

holiday ref:EESSL

 
Please select an airport 
Departure Date Price fromBook Holiday
02/10/2010 £1099  

Surcharges

The Pound has recently fallen significantly in value against other European currencies and, in common with many other businesses, our prices now include an additional charge for all new bookings which has been introduced to cover these additional costs.

Supplements

  • Single rooms £190
  • Holiday Insurance

Travel Information

Flights
British Airways between Gatwick and Catania;
departs 0855h / return arrival 1605h.
All timings are approximate and may be subject to variation.

Transfers

Airport transfers approximately 2½ hours

Make your own way

Make your own way and save up to £150 per person. You may want more flexibility to combine your trip with visits to friends and relatives or travel from an airport that we do not offer. If so, we offer a price reduction of up to £150 on many of our European holidays when you make your own way to your holiday hotel. Please remember that these arrangements do not include flights or transfers to and from your hotel and you will need to make your own travel arrangements.

Essential Information - General

Booking Conditions | Insurance

We know that your holiday is very important to you. It is also extremely important to us since we want you to enjoy it and continue to entrust your holiday arrangements to us in years to come. We also care about our reputation and want to be sure that you understand both your and our obligations when you book a holiday with us. Please therefore spend a few minutes reading the following Booking Conditions together with the Essential Information, as they form the basis of your contract with us. All bookings are subject to these Booking Conditions and the Essential Information.

Select a heading from the dropdown: show all
Select a heading from the dropdown: show all

Essential Information - Booking Conditions

General Information | Insurance

We know that your holiday is very important to you. It is also extremely important to us since we want you to enjoy it and continue to entrust your holiday arrangements to us in years to come. We also care about our reputation and want to be sure that you understand both your and our obligations when you book a holiday with us. Please therefore spend a few minutes reading the following Booking Conditions together with the Essential Information, as they form the basis of your contract with us. All bookings are subject to these Booking Conditions and the Essential Information.

Select a heading from the dropdown: show all
Select a heading from the dropdown: show all

Essential Information - Insurance

Booking Conditions | General Information

We know that your holiday is very important to you. It is also extremely important to us since we want you to enjoy it and continue to entrust your holiday arrangements to us in years to come. We also care about our reputation and want to be sure that you understand both your and our obligations when you book a holiday with us. Please therefore spend a few minutes reading the following Booking Conditions together with the Essential Information, as they form the basis of your contract with us. All bookings are subject to these Booking Conditions and the Essential Information.

Select a heading from the dropdown: show all
Select a heading from the dropdown: show all

Travel Extras

We know that picking your dream destination is the biggest part of making your perfect holiday come true. But there are a number of other decisions that have to be made such as where to park at the airport and who to change your money with, to name but a few. So to really get every aspect of your holiday sorted we have set up a one stop travel shop and useful links section for you to organise all your travel needs, leaving you to concentrate on having a memorable and relaxing holiday with Page & Moy.

Holiday Extras - save up to 60%

Holiday Extras

You can benefit from access to Holiday Extras, a separate company that can organize a whole range of services from airport hotels and secure airport parking to VIP liunges in airports, and more, at 23 airports across the UK.

To book go to http://www.holidayextras.co.uk/pageandmoy.html.

If you find the same parking facility or hotel for less within seven days of booking, tell Holiday Extras and they will match the price or refund the difference. Conditions apply.


top

Airport Lounges from Lounge Pass

Holiday Extras

Start your holiday off refreshed and relaxed by taking advantage of our VIP airport lounge offer, available at a number of airports, both here and abroad. From as little as £15 each, you’ll enjoy a peaceful and tranquil environment, where you can enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, read the papers, check your email or simply relax and watch TV until your flight is called.


For details, please click here.


top

Casual Clothing from Lands’ End

Holiday Extras

Lands' End offer an extensive range of high quality casual and tailored clothes for men and women. Choose from their selection of jackets, knitted tops, trousers, dresses, skirts and more.

For details, please visit www.landsend.co.uk


top

Photography from Jessops

Holiday Extras

Jessops is the UK's leading specialist photographic retailer. With great on-line savings on hundreds of products, including digital cameras, camcorders, lenses, batteries and much more, plus free delivery on mainland UK orders over £75, Jessops has all your photographic needs covered.

For details, please visit www.jessops.com


top

Travel Accessories from Travel with Care

Holiday Extras

Travel With Care offers a comprehensive range of travel accessories, with everything you need for your holiday. From First Aid, DVT Prevention and Healthcare to money belts, wallets, waterproofs, toiletries, alarm clocks, and much, much more.

For details, please visit www.travelwithcare.com


top

Getting you there - European Holidays

Holiday Extras

Fly direct from your local airport Giving you choice is one of our main priorities, so when it comes to flights, instead of offering just Heathrow or Gatwick as departure airports, whenever possible we offer to fly you direct from your nearest airport to your holiday destination either free or for a supplement of just £29 per person.


top

Choice of 20 airports

Holiday Extras

You have the choice to fly direct to your holiday destination from up to 20 regional airports throughout the UK for a supplement of no more than £29 per person return.


top

Regional connecting flights to London from only £69

Holiday Extras

If you can’t fly direct to your destination from your local airport (see individual holiday details), usually you will have the choice of taking a regional connecting flight to Heathrow or Gatwick from as little as £69 per person return. If your connecting flight and your flight from Gatwick or Heathrow is with British Airways or British Midland, your luggage will automatically be checked through to your final destination, so there’s no need to collect or check your luggage in twice.

Fly from:
Aberdeen, Belfast, Durham Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Jersey, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay


top

Make your own way and save up to £150 per person

Holiday Extras

You may want more flexibility to make your own travel arrangements to combine your trip with visits to friends and relatives or travel from an airport which we do not offer. If so, why not take advantage of our make your own way option. We offer a reduction of £150 off many of our holidays to allow you to make your own arrangements, if that is what you want. Details of where this option is available are shown on each holiday.

Please remember that these arrangements do not include flights or transfers and you will need to make your own travel arrangements at the beginning and end of your holiday.


top

Getting you there - Worldwide Holidays

Holiday Extras

To get your holiday off to a great start, we offer a range of transfer options with our compliments.

You can choose from the following options:
1. Experience door-to-door travel with Page & Moy (2009 departures only)
If you live within a 250-mile drive of your departure airport, we will arrange for a taxi to pick you up from your door and take you to the airport, and drop you home on your return, with our compliments.

2. FREE Connecting flights
If you live further than 250 miles from the airport, or if you prefer, you can opt to transfer to the main departure airport by a connecting flight from an airport closer to home (subject to availability).

3. FREE National Express coach travel
Alternatively, why not choose coach travel on the extensive national express network, with over 1,200 collection points nationwide. What’s more, we’ll pay for your ticket!

4. FREE airport car parking (2009 departures only)
If you would prefer the flexibility of travelling independently to the airport, we are pleased to offer the option of free parking at your departure airport.


top


 


atol logo abta logo iata logo

Page & Moy is part of the Page & Moy Travel Group.


Company Details Page & Moy Ltd, Compass House, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leics, LE16 7QD.
Registered in England, company number 1151142.

Opening Times Monday to Friday 9.00am-8.00pm, Saturday 9.00am-4.00pm, Sunday 10.00am-3.00pm (Telephone Service)