Splendours of Sicily 2018

Escorted Tours

Splendours of SICILY € 319 FEATURING CATANIA, PALERMO, TAORMINA & THE FAMOUS SICILY OUTLET VILLAGE FROM

26 TH - 29 TH DECEMBER Splendours ofSicily 26 TH - 29 TH DECEMBER

VISITING: CATANIA, PALERMO, FORUM SHOPPING MALL, NATIONAL PARK MADONIE MOUNTAINS, GIBILMANNA, GRATTERI, CASTELBUONO, TAORMINA

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Seductively beautiful and perfectly placed in the heart of the Mediterranean, Sicily has been luring passersby since the time of legends. A delectable layer-cake of culinary influences, Sicily’s ancient cuisine continues to rely on a few key island-grown ingredients: shellfish and citrus, tuna and swordfish, pistachios, almonds and ricotta. Sicily’s varied landscape makes a dramatic first impression. Fly into Catania and the smoking hulk of Etna greets you; arrive in Palermo and it’s the sparkling Golfo di Castellammare. This juxtaposition of sea, volcano and mountain scenery makes a stunning backdrop for

outdoor activities. Hikers can wind along precipitous coastlines, climb erupting volcanoes and traipse through flowery mountain meadows; birders benefit from the plethora of species on the Africa- Europe migration route; and divers and swimmers enjoy some of the Mediterranean’s most pristine waters.

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DayOne GRAND ARCHITECTURE & ABSORBING ATMOSPHERE UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF MOUNT ETNA

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MALTA – CATANIA - PALERMO

Meet the tour manager at Malta International for your flight to Catania. Upon arrival city tour of Catania visiting, Verdi Fountain, Piazza Stesicoro, Piazza del Duomo, St. Agatha Cathedral and Fontana dell Elefante. Time for shopping at the Open Market and later transfer to Palermo for check in at the 4* Mercure Palermo Centro Hotel.

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DayTwo REVEL IN THE FLABOYANT AND DAZZLING CITY OF PALERMO AND UNCOVER ITS CULTURAL TREASURES

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PALERMO

Breakfast and the tour of Palermo starts with a visit to the Palazzo dei Normanni (entrance fee not included). From here one can follow on foot Via Vittorio Emanuele towards Via Maqueda. Visit the Cathedral which dates back to 1184, I Quattro Canti, The chuch of St Joseph dei Teatini and Piazza Pretoria. Further down on Via Vittorio Emanuele one can stroll along ‘Via Roma’ which is famous for its shops, Teatro Massimo and the Politeama Garibaldi theatre. Drive to Forum Shopping Mall. A stunning state-of-the art architecture,

iconic design and over 120 shops Forum- Palermo offers a truly unique shopping experience. Add 2400 parking spaces, kids play centre and there’s even a cinema to complete your perfect day out. Clothes, accessories, shoes, sports wear, underwear, electronic products, but also treatments such as nails, make- up, facials and solarium can be all found under one roof. Wherever you are in Forum Palermo, you are never too far from somewhere to sit, drink or eat. There is a good range of cafes ( sip your espresso at Segafredo or Lavazza),bars, pizzerias, fast food places (try Old Wild West) and restaurants Rossopomodoro and Rossosapore serve up authentic Neapolitan cuisine giving you plenty of options when you are looking to drop your bags and take a load off.

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DayThree TIME TO SWAP HUSTLE AND BUSTLE FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND RURAL CHARM

Breakfast and the tour today will lead you to the National Park of the Madonie Mountains. First stop will be at Gibilmanna, which means ‘gibil’ a mountain of manna. The name Manna comes from a sweetish substance that is collected from local Mountain Ash trees in late summer. Here we visit the Sanctuary and the Baroque Chapel of the Virgin Mary. Later drive to Gratteri which is a typical laid back Sicilian village. It is surrounded by beautiful pine, oaks woods and sites such as Pizzo Dipilo. The city boasts areas of historical

importance to Sicily. Although probably founded by the Romans, as a coin discovered at the area seems to confirm, the town design betrays clear Arab-Medieval features. Here we stop for a Sicilian typical lunch (not included). Proceed to Castelbuono, famous for the old Castel built by the Ventimiglia family, and the famous chapel of St Anna inside. St Anna is patron saint of Castelbuono (entrance fee to the Castel not included). Later walk in the picturesque streets and taste of some typical pastries and manna.

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NATIONAL PARK MADONIE MOUNTAINS – GIBILMANNA GRATTERI - CASTELBUONO

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DayFour ROUND OFF YOUR TRIP WITH SOME DESIGNER BARGAINS AND A BREATHTAKING TOUR OF TAORMINA a fantastic programme of artistic and cultural events throughout the year. The watchwords here are exclusiveness and savings, so the uber trendy, followers of fashion and “deluxe” bargain hunters alike can all find great designer labels, the undisputed top brands in fashion, with savings of up to 70% all year round. Proceed to Taormina. As soon as you arrive you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere spread all around which has enchanted visitors from all over the world PALERMO – SICILIA OUTLET VILLAGE - TAORMINA - PORTE DI CATANIA Breakfast and transfer to Sicilia Outlet Village. Allow yourself the luxury of having it all: shopping, fun and relaxation in over 130 top Italian and international stores all in one convenient location. This is Sicilia Outlet Village, where shopping is a truly memorable experience. It’s the meticulous attention to detail that makes all the difference: the stunning architecture, the wide open spaces, the welcoming professionalism of multi- lingual staff, plus tailor-made promotions and

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for years and years. Settled on a hill of the Monte Tauro, Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping bays below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna, the highest, active European volcano, often capped with snow, offering to the visitors a breathtaking, dramatic and memorable view over almost one hundred miles of Mediterranean sea. Late afternoon transfer to Porte Di Catania for some shopping. Located outside the city

center, close to the airport. The large Auchan supermarket occupies the ground floor while the second floor is packed with shops and stores of major local and international brands. The mall includes a generous dining area where you can relax and enjoy a coffee or culinary delights, an area dedicated to children with fun and games for all ages. Transfer to Catania Airport for your flight to Malta.

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VISITING: CATANIA, PALERMO, FORUM SHOPPING MALL, NATIONAL PARK MADONIE MOUNTAINS, GIBILMANNA, GRATTERI, CASTELBUONO, TAORMINA NORTHERN SICILY SPLENDORS HOLIDAY PACKAGES STARTING FROM €319 4DAY 26 TH - 29 TH DECEMBER

Rossosapore serve up authentic Neapolitan cuisine) giving you plenty of options when you are looking to drop your bags and take a load off. DAY 3 – NATIONAL PARK MADONIE MOUNTAINS – GIBILMANNA – GRATTERI - CASTELBUONO Breakfast and the tour today will lead you to the National Park of the Madonie Mountains. First stop will be at Gibilmanna, which means ‘gibil’ a mountain of manna. The name Manna comes from a sweetish substance that is collected from local Mountain Ash trees in late summer. Here we visit the Sanctuary and the Baroque Chapel of the Virgin Mary. Later drive to Gratteri which is a typical laid back Sicilian village. It is surrounded by beautiful pine, oaks woods and sites such as Pizzo Dipilo. The city boasts areas of historical importance to Sicily. Although probably founded by the Romans, as a coin discovered at the area seems to confirm, the town design betrays clear Arab-Medieval features. Here we stop for a Sicilian typical lunch (not included). Proceed to Castelbuono, famous for the old Castel built by the Ventimiglia family, and the famous chapel of St Anna inside. St Anna is patron saint of Castelbuono (entrance fee to the Castel not included). Later walk in the picturesque streets and taste of some typical pastries and manna. DAY 4 – PALERMO – SICILIA OUTLET VILLAGE - TAORMINA - PORTE DI CATANIA Breakfast and transfer to Sicilia Outlet Village. Allow yourself the luxury of having it all: shopping, fun and relaxation in over

130 top Italian and international stores all in one convenient location. This is Sicilia Outlet Village, where shopping is a truly memorable experience. It’s the meticulous attention to detail that makes all the difference: the stunning architecture, the wide open spaces, the welcoming professionalism of multi- lingual staff, plus tailor-made promotions and a fantastic programme of artistic and cultural events throughout the year. The watchwords here are exclusiveness and savings, so the uber trendy, followers of fashion and “deluxe” bargain hunters alike can all find great designer labels, the undisputed top brands in fashion, with savings of up to 70% all year round. Proceed to Taormina. As soon as you arrive you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere spread all around which has enchanted visitors from all over the world for years and years. Settled on a hill of the Monte Tauro, Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping bays below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna, the European highest active volcano, often capped with snow, offering to the visitors a breathtaking, dramatic and memorable view over almost one hundredmiles of Mediterranean sea. Late afternoon transfer to Porte Di Catania for some shopping. Located outside the city center, close to the airport. The large Auchan supermarket occupies the ground floor while the second floor is packed with shops and stores of major local and international brands. The mall includes a generous dining area where you can relax and enjoy a coffee or culinary delights, an area dedicated to children with fun and games for all ages. Transfer to Catania Airport for your flight to Malta.

DAY 1 – MALTA – CATANIA - PALERMO

Meet the tour manager at Malta International for your flight to Catania. Upon arrival city tour of Catania visiting, Verdi Fountain, Piazza Stesicoro, Piazza del Duomo, St. Agatha Cathedral and Fontana dell Elefante. Time for shopping at the Open Market and later transfer to Palermo for check in at the 4* Mercure Palermo Centro Hotel. Breakfast and the tour of Palermo starts with a visit to the Palazzo dei Normanni (entrance fee not included). From here one can follow on foot Via Vittorio Emanuele towards Via Maqueda. Visit the Cathedral which dates back to 1184, I Quattro Canti, The chuch of St Joseph dei Teatini and Piazza Pretoria. Further down on Via Vittorio Emanuele one can stroll along ‘Via Roma’ which is famous for its shops, Teatro Massimo and the Politeama Garibaldi theatre. Drive to Forum Shopping Mall. A stunning state-of-the art architecture, iconic design and over 120 shops Forum- Palermo offers a truly unique shopping experience. Add 2400 parking spaces, kids play centre and there’s even a cinema to complete your perfect day out. Clothes, accessories, shoes, sports wear, underwear, electronic products, but also treatments such as nails, make-up, facials and solarium can be all found under one roof. Wherever you are in Forum Palermo, you are never too far from somewhere to sit, drink or eat. There is a good range of cafes ( sip your espresso at Segafredo or Lavazza),bars, pizzerias, fast food places( try Old Wild West) and restaurants ( Rossopomodoro and DAY 2 – PALERMO

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SPLENDOURS OF SICILY 2018

PACKAGE PRICE PER PERSON TRIPLE SHARING

€ 319 € 339 € 399 € 239 € 259

TWIN SHARING

SINGLE

CHILD 2-9 YRS (SHARING WITH 2 ADULTS) CHILD 10-11 YRS (SHARING WITH 2 ADULTS)

OUR PACKAGE INCLUDES P P

RETURN FLIGHTS TO PALERMO

P P

3 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION AT THE 4* MERCURE PALERMO CENTRO HOTEL

P P P P P P

DAILY BREAKFAST

AIRLINE TAXES AND CHARGES

EXPERIENCED ROCS TRAVEL TOUR MANAGER

PACKAGE OF EXCURSIONS P P

CITY TOUR OF CATANIA AND SHOPPING

P P P P

FULL DAY TOUR OF PALERMO AND FORUM SHOPPING MALL FULL DAY TOUR OF NATIONAL PARK MADONIE MOUNTAINS, GIBILMANNA, GRATTERI AND CASTELBOUNO FULL DAY AT SICILIA OUTLET VILLAGE, TAORMINA AND PORTE DI CATANIA

P P

P P

RETURN AIRPORT TRANSFERS

ADULT PACKAGE OF EXCURSIONS CHILD PACKAGE OF EXCURSIONS

€ 129

€ 109

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4* MERCURE PALERMO CENTRO

OUR HAND-PICKED SICILIAN HOTEL

Located 350 meters away from Palazzo Branciforte, a 4-star Mercure Palermo Centro hotel offers a fashionable accommodation within a 5-minute walk from Teatro Massimo. This pleasant hotel dates from 1989 and was refurbished in 2004. Nestled in the center of Palermo and a 15-minute walk from Palermo Central train station. The city center is 1 km away from the hotel. The hotel comprises 93 rooms equipped with an in-room safe, a heating system, Wi-Fi, television and a DVD player. Mercure Palermo Centro Hotel offers rooms with the city view. Bathrooms with a bathtub, a roll in shower and a bidet are featured in every room.

A delicious breakfast is served daily from 07:00 to 10:30. Serving a wide assortment of dishes, Trattoria A’ Cuccagna and Ristorante Cinese Felice are about 100 meters from the property. Mercure Palermo Centro Hotel is within a 30-minute drive to Punta Raisi airport.

Guests can rent boats, bicycles and cars at the hotel.

A night club and an indoor swimming pool are also offered on the premises. Such sports activities as windsurfing, diving and sailing are provided on-site. Guests can also visit a cathedral, a theater and a church as well as a stadium, restaurants and bars close by.

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FLORIANA | MOSTA | MELLIEHA | MINUSTHREE - THE POINT 2015 1515 | travel@rocsgrp.com

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