The Grand Tour of Egypt and Sicily

A Grand 12 - Day Mediterranean Dream Vacation Tour

Palermo - Cefalù - Capo D'Orlando - Taormina - Catania - Mt.Etna - Siracusa - Noto - Ragusa
Modica - Piazza Armerina - Agrigento - Selinunte - Segesta - Monreale - Palermo
Then Fly over the Mediterranean to Egypt and the Nile : Cairo , Giza and Luxor

The Charming Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan Egypt , overlooking the Nile

Start weekly on Saturday : Apr - Oct.
Choose a Private departure with a minimum of 5 guests in your party
Compare with Italy as part of a Mediterranean Cruise

Ah, Sicily , a farm house, a private villa , or la cucina! This tour covers the highlights of Sicily, including the most classical sites of Sicily and the historical and artistic sites. Accommodation is in charming hotels . in Sicily Half board basis (dinner is included ) with exception on the day of arrival. Cruise Spain and Italy

In Egypt : you tour the highlights of Egypt . You'll start with the throbbing capital of Egypt, and an exploration of the key sites both within the city and nearby. Then it's on to the old-new land of Luxor, the Ancient Capital of the first United Kingdom ( Egypt was originally divided into two kingdoms, that got united by Ahmos I ) thus creating a United Kingdom in the Nile Valley.

DAY 1 - Saturday ARRIVAL IN Sicily-Palermo
Weekly: Apr- Oct (D)
Arrive at Catania Airport, our local rep will meet you and assist with your transfer to your hotel . Welcome drink Dinner is served at the hotel .Evening at leisure.

DAY 2 - Sunday: PALERMO - CEFALU' - CAPO D'ORLANDO - REGGIO CALABRIA - MESSINA
After a buffet breakfast, drive along the Thyrrenian coast. Stop in Cefalù, a pleasant resort well known for its beautiful Norman Cathedral and medieval wash-house built in the rock. Proceed to Capo d’Orlando for lunch. Continue to Messina. Sea conditions permitting, embark to Reggio Calabria and visit the famous “Bronzi di Riace”. Jolly Hotel Messina. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay .

DAY 3 - Monday: CATANIA - MT. ETNA with lunch in a farmhouse - CATANIA
After a buffet breakfast, weather conditions permitting, excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Across fascinating landscape, we will reach a height of 2000 metres, where we will enjoy a fantastic panorama of the Ionic Sea. Lunch in a farmhouse on the slopes of Etna and wine tasting of local production. Back to Catania, the town known for its original baroque style and for its streets built with black lava stone from mount Etna. Walking tour through Via Etnea, the Baroque street ?Via Crociferi?, the Piazza Duomo with the Cathedral and the ?Liotru? statue, symbol of the city, the roman Amphitheatre, the Opera House (only on the outside), the University, and the noble Palace of Biscari ( does not include entry into the Palace ). Dinner and overnight in your Hotel.

DAY 4 - Tuesday : CATANIA - SIRACUSA - NOTO - RAGUSA
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse to visit the most beautiful Greek colony of Sicily. Visit of the archaeological area including the famous Latomie
of the Paradise, the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Dyonisios ?Ear?. Visit the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of Siracusa, built by theAragonians: here you can admire the Cathedral and the ?Fontana Aretusa?. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, depart to Noto, one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily renowned for the harmony and unity of its Baroque style and today declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Proceed to Ragusa, a city that is divided into two parts: the upper part built after the earthquake in 1693 and the lower part that is called Ragusa Ibla, famous for its Baroque architecture. Enjoy an aperitif in a nice bar in the main square by the Dome, ?Basilica diSan Giorgio?. Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel Mediterraneo Palace.

DAY 5 - Wednesday: RAGUSA - MODICA - PIAZZA ARMERINA - AGRIGENTO
After a buffet breakfast, stop in Modica, one of the most picturesque cities in the province and of all Sicily, mainly to the appearance late Baroque, rich of important churches such as San Giorgio and San Pietro. Stop in a chocolate shop to have a taste of the famous Modica?s chocolate still made the same way the ancient Aztecs made chocolate in Mexico. Depart to Piazza Armerina and visit the worldwide known Villa Romana del Casale: it is the richest, largest and most+ complex collection of late Roman mosaics in the world Lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to Agrigento: visit of the Valley of the Temples including the Temple of Juno, Concord, Heracles, Zeus, Castor & Pollux that represent the most beautiful example of the Greek Civilization in Sicily. Dinner at Hotel Della Valle. After dinner enjoy an unforgettable panoramic tour of the Valley of the Temples illuminated.
Overnight in Agrigento.

DAY 6 - Thursday: AGRIGENTO - SELINUNTE with lunch in a farmhouse - SEGESTA - PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast, depart to the Archaeological park of Selinunte, the largest in the Mediterranean area with the impressive Temples and Acropolis. After the visit stop in a local farmhouse (famous for olive oil production) where before lunch it will be possible to have a wine and oil tasting of local production. Proceed to Segesta to visit the Doric Temple which keeps in its stones the weight of a long history, surrounded by a unique landscape. Proceed to Palermo. Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Grande Albergo Sole.

DAY 7 - Friday : PALERMO - MONREALE - PALERMO - ERICE
After a buffet breakfast. morning visit of the Capital of Sicily, one of the richest towns in the island for history and art: the Cathedral, the ?Palatina? Chapel, and panoramic tour of the town (the Quattro Canti , the Opera House, the Pretoria Square). We will continue to Monreale to admire the Cathedral with its splendid 12th century mosaics and the cloister of the Benedictines monastery with Moorish architecture. Lunch in your Hotel. Afternoon excursion to Erice, a medieval town full of myth, history and art which sits on top of Mt. Erice, overlooking the city of Trapani and the Egadi Islands. Panoramic tour of the salt-woks of Trapani. Dinner and overnight in your Hotel.

DAY 8- Saturday: Palermo / Cairo /Egypt
Breakfast. Transfer to the Airport, connect to Rome and on to Cairo. Air fare is included in our rate in economy class , tax included . Upon arrival in Cairo , our local rep. meets you at Cairo airport after you exit the terminal and escorts you to your hotel.
Egyptian visa will be issued upon arrival in Cairo for American, Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian, Singaporean & Japanese citizens, please pay for the visa in CASH $ 15 in USD or Euros ( exact change, the Visa Desk doesnt have cash back policy ! ) . Please have exact amount ready . No photos required. your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival.

Cleopatra's pays a surprise visit to Caesar
After he landed in Egypt

DAY 9 - Sunday - CAIRO- Home Hosted Dinner (cBLD)
We start with the best of Cairo: the Egyptian Museum, Manial Palace of the former Crown Prince Mohamed Ali, Citadel of Saladin and its Alabaster Mosque. After lunch , we walk the narrow streets of Old Cairo, once a Roman fort, later the Jewish Quarter, then the Coptic Christian Quarter. We visit the Coptic churches of Abu Serghius and Al Molaka, the Coptic Museum, and Ben Ezra synagogue. Finally, we wander through the alleys of Khan el-Khalili bazaar in search of souvenirs.

Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals, you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 10 - Monday - CAIRO (cBLD)
In the morning, we visit the majestic pyramids of Giza, the Valley Temple and the timeless Sphinx. After lunch we drive to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit several ancient structures, including the great pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops.
The "Discovery" of Dahshour:
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru's--miraculously--is still in place.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant or at your hotel.

DAY 11- Tuesday - LUXOR (cBLD)
Early morning breakfast before we fly to Luxor , upon arrival ,proceed to cross the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch in Luxor, we tour the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and visit the Sacred Lake . We have a quick look at the great temple of Amon Ra at Luxor on our way to the airport for our flight back to Cairo, and our hotel.

DAY 12 - Wednesday - DEPARTURE (cB)
After breakfast, our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage

RATES per person in $ US

Prices include:  

• Air ticket , Palermo / Rome (or Milan) / Cairo/ Luxor / Cairo , economy class. Tax included
• Guided /Escorted sightseeing and all ground transportation ( air conditioned ) as indicated, with an English speaking driver-tour escort (please ask us for other languages) from the 2nd to 7th day.
• All entrance fees.       
• Meals as indicated from pre-set menu (B = breakfast: , L = lunch , D = dinner )  
• Accommodation , first class 4 stars Jolly hotels in Sicily , rooms are with private bathroom facilities . But 5 stars hotel in Cairo : Ramses Hilton / Sheraton or similar
• Hotel tax, service charges & continental breakfast daily .
• Airport transfers, including porterage at the airport & hotel for one piece of luggage.
  
  
• Sicily and Egypt and travel guide book.
  
  
  
  
  Sample hotels in Sicily : Subject to change : Accommodation at 4 Stars Hotels (Palermo: Grande Albergo Sole or similar / Catania: Htl Katane Palace or similar / Ragusa : Htl Mediterraneo Palace or similar / Agrigento: Htl Della Valle or similar)

Not Included:    

• Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically included.   
• Gratuities for local personnel  
• Drinks/beverages .   
• Travel insurance    
• Italian airport taxes
• International air fare from/to your home country
• Egyptian visa will be issued upon arrival in Cairo for American, Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian, Singaporean & Japanese citizens, please pay for the visa in CASH $ 15 in USD or Euros . Please have exact amount ready . No photos required. your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival.
  

Honeymoon in Sicily and for the Independent traveler
8 -day ( 7- nights ) for the Independent traveler .Sicily with your Own Private car or van and your own chauffeur !! . A Friends Abroad ^tm tour. Want to go at your own speed, as you like? We'll make the basic arrangements for an 8 -day stay, and you can take it from there. It's like having your own good friends in Sicily ! Compare with the 9 day stay in Sicily, or the 10-day private tour of Sicily .

Please read our Terms & Conditions. By sending your deposit, you confirm that you have read and have accepted these conditions.

Farm Houses & Villas in Sicily

We have the pleasure of presenting you with some of the most charming accommodation in Sicily. Our "Aziende Agrituristiche" are characterized by their location; in natural setting with spectacular landscapes where you can be in touch with nature and with the typical sicilian flore and fauna. Some of the "Aziende Agrituristiche" are located in historical buildings where you can still feel the echoes of the past. Traditional Sicilian cuisine is another aspect which distinguishes these accommodations and properties , where restaurants, dishes of our typical regional cuisines are carefully prepared.

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