<Itinerary>

Today, we will take overnight flight to Palermo Sicily, arrive the next day.

<Itinerary>

Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and check in.

<Dinner> Chef’s recommendation meal at hotel

<Hotel> NH Hotel Palermo or similar

<Itinerary>

Palermo is a port city located in the northwest of Sicily. The city is noted for its history, culture, and architecture because of the influence of various religions and cultures. We will visit the following sites:
★The Church of St Giovanni Eremiti: An ancient former monastic church, restored by Roger II of Sicily in the 12th century. The church is dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, and notable for its brilliant red domes, which clearly show the influence by the Arab. In the church, there are remnants of the mural “Madonna and Child with Saints and surrounded by a garden of citrus trees and palms.
★The Palatine chapel, located on the second level of the Norman Palace, which now serves as the provincial council of Palazzo dei Normannis. It has three apses, with six pointed arches resting on recycled classical columns. Its glittering gold mosaics, the inlaid marble floors, and the wooden roof are masterpieces.
◎Quattro Canti (Four Corners) is a Baroque square, located at the intersection of two major streets (the Maqueda and the Corso Vittorio Emanuele). The four facades are designed by the architect Giulio Lasso. Each Side has four stories, the street level to the second story feature fountain, each dedicated to one of the four seasons. The third story feature the statues of the Spanish rulers of Sicily.
◎Pretoria Fountain, located in Piazza Pretoria, was relocated from Florence to Palermo in 1581. The Fountain has 48 statues and was surrounded by a long arbor formed by 90 columns of wood.
◎Massimo Theater is an opera house located on the Piazza Verdi. The construction started in 1874, completed in 1897. It is the largest opera house in Italy, a new classical style of architecture and one of the landmarks of Palermo.

<Breakfast> American Breakfast at hotel

<Dinner> Local Cuisine (Sea Food)

<Hotel>NH Hotel Palermo or similar

<Itinerary>

◎Monreale is a town in Palermo, located on the slope of Monte Caputo, overlooking the very fertile valley called “the Golden Shell”, a production area of orange, olive and almond trees. Monreale Cathedral is a Catholic church, construction started in 1174 by William II of Sicily, completed in 1176. It features two bell towers and is composed of two symmetrical main halls. The architecture combines Norman, Byzantine, and Islamic styles, with all walls adorned with exquisite mosaic murals based on stories from the Old Testament. The left-side columned cloister is made up of 228 columns decorated with intricate patterns, and the pointed arches are embellished with beautiful gold and silver designs, all are masterpieces.
◎Corleone is located in a basin in a mountainous inland area, about 540 meters above sea level with Roughly 10,000 inhabitants. It is known for being a Mafia town and the birthplace of Toto Riina.
★The Mafia and anti-Mafia Museum: Through the documents and graphic photos, we learn how the Horrific history of Mafia crime, the efforts of the anti-Mafia campaign, and those who paid their lives for their commitment to fight against the Maf

<Breakfast> American Breakfast at hotel

<Dinner>Chef’s recommendation meal at hotel

<Hotel> Dioscuri Bay Palace Hotel Agrigento or similar

<Itinerary>

◎The Stair of the Turks is a rocky cliff on the coast of Realmonte in southern Sicily. The name seems to Derive from the legend that in ancient times, the ship of Arab and Turkish marauders found shelter in this bay. The rock is made of mari with a pure white color, rises between two beaches of fine sand and has an undulating and irregular shape, with lines that are not harsh but rather soft and rounded., forming terraces.
★The Valley of Temples is a 1300 hectares archaeological site, located about 2km south of Agrigento.
Agrigento has been occupied by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Arab. The ancient Greek poet, Pindar once described the site” the most beautiful city of mortals”. It is one of the most outstanding examples of ancient Greek art and architecture of Doric temples and the extramural necropolis. In 1997, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name “Neapolis Archaeological Park of Agrigento.”

<Breakfast> American Breakfast at hotel

<Dinner> Local Cuisine

<Hotel> Dioscuri Bay Palace Hotel Agrigento or similar

<Itinerary>

After breakfast, depart for Piazza Armerina, we will visit ★Villa Romana del Casale, a large and elaborate Roman villa located about 5 km from Piazza Armerina. The villa was constructed in the first quarter of the 4th century AD. It is especially known for its 3535 sq meters of well-preserved multicolored floor mosaics, which depict the variety of the subjects, including hunting scenes, female athletes competing in sports scenes, and lavish nobles lifestyle.
◎Syracuse is a coastal city on the southeastern corner of Sicily and the birthplace of the mathematician Archimedes. Syracuse was founded in 734 BC by Greek settlers, the city grew and prospered and became the most powerful Greek city in the Mediterranean. With its rich historical sites, Syracuse has become a renowned tourist destination and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
★Neapolis Archeological Site
◎Ortigia Island was the filming location of Malèna directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The beautiful scene of the Cathedral square and Syracuse attract many tourists around the world.

<Breakfast> American Breakfast at hotel

<Dinner> Chef’s recommendation meal at hotel

<Hotel> NH Parco degli Aragonesi Hotel Catania or similar

<Itinerary>

Today, we will head to ★Mt. Etna, an active volcano, located in Catania, often referred to by Sicilians as the “Lighthouse of the sea”. If weather permits, you can climb up to the crater’s edge to witness the spectacular view of this iconic volcano. Continuing to ◎Taormina, located on the east coast of Sicily, A beautiful hilltop town with numerous historical sites, the Ionian Sea, and backdrop of snow-capped summit of Mt. Etna. A brief walking tour to April 9 Square, and the Cathedral Square

<Breakfast> American Breakfast at hotel

<Dinner> Chef’s recommendation meal at hotel

<Hotel> Royal Palace Hotel Messina or similar

<Itinerary>

This morning, take ferry to Villa San Giovanni via Straight of Messina, then continue to Matera.
We will tour ★Sassi located in Basilicata, This area is well-known for their ancient cave dwellings inhabited by humans since the Paleolithic period. The houses carved into the rock were built using local limestone called tuff, and most of the dwellings have remained intact over the centuries. The Sassi of Matera were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, Discovering the Sassi by strolling through the town, and getting lost among the narrow streets. In the evening, dim lights adorn the canyon, creating a mesmerizing night scene.

<Breakfast> American Breakfast at hotel

<Dinner> Local Cuisine

<Hotel> UNAHotel MH Matera or similar

<Itinerary>

After breakfast, travel to ★Alberobello, a small town in Puglia in southern Italy, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is famous for its unique trullo, a limestone dwelling using corbeled dry-stone technique with pyramidal, domed, or conical roofs.  The roofs are adorned with various symbols and patterns.

<Breakfast> American Breakfast at hotel

<Dinner> Local Cuisine

<Hotel> Hotel Excelsior Bari or similar

<Itinerary>

This morning, transfer to airport for homebound flight to US and ends this unforgettable journey!