Sicily - 3 Day group departures by Catamaran

Group Departures:

• 9th - 11th March 2012
• 20th - 22nd April 2012

Price of 299 Euro per person includes the following:

- Ferry travel aboard the catamaran MV Jean de la Valette, which is the largest catamaran operating in the Mediterranean and the fifth largest in the world
- All taxes and port charges
- All excursions as listed below
- Accommodation on half board basis in twin room sharing at Hotel Antica Stazione in Chiaramonte for 2 nights
- The services of experienced tour guides, namely Stellina Galea CPA of YTC travel and/or  Mario Spiteri CPA of Go Sicily Properties (www.gosicilyproperties.com)

Kindly note that any entrance fees to museums etc are not included.
Minimum 20 persons in each group departure.

3-Day Exclusive breaks

Friday

We meet at Valletta Port Virtu Ferries Catamaran departure point at 5am for departure to Pozzallo by catamaran, arriving in Pozzallo at 8.30 am. Transfer by private luxury coach to Siracusa (about 40 minutes journey). There we visit various places of interest on the island of Ortigia, including the Piazza Archimede, the Diana fountain, the Piazza Duomo, the Duomo di Santa Lucia,a papyrus factory and the lungomare. There will be time for shopping along the fashionable Corso Matteotti or for an optional  boat ride to see the grottos of Siracusa. After lunch, we visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tears in Siracusa, followed by a 30 minutes journey to the picturesque fishing village of Marzamemi, to visit the old Tonnara (tuna farm) and the historical centre of this pretty village.

 We then visit Noto (UNESCO World Heritage site) about 30 minutes away, seeing the historical centre including the Duomo, Palazzo Ducezio and Via Nicolaci. Late afternoon transfer (about 60 minutes scenic journey) to superior 3* hotel, the idyllic Hotel Antica Stazione, a converted old railway station in the outskirts of the pleasant town of Chiaramonte (www.anticastazione.com). Evening dinner at Hotel.

 

Saturday

Buffet Breakfast followed by transfer to Caltagirone (about 60 minutes scenic journey), a UNESCO World Heritage city also famous for its production of ceramics. There we visit the historical centre including the Scala Santa Maria, an impressive 142-step staircase all decorated in traditional Caltagirone ceramics and the  Botanical Gardens.

After lunch, we take a scenic journey (about 30 minutes) to Grammichele, a small town with its beautiful Piazza Caraffa, a central hexagonal piazza. We then proceed to Centro Commerciale Ibleo, Ragusa a hypermarket with around 50 shops with time for shopping, followed by a short transfer to our hotel for dinner. After dinner, a night tour to Ragusa Ibla (UNESCO World Heritage site).

 

Sunday

Buffet Breakfast before checking out. Transfer (about 30 minutes) to the beautiful town of Modica, a UNESCO World Heritage site also famous for its chocolate production. There we visit the centre of  Modica Bassa including  the Duomo di San Pietro, the Corso and the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily, the Palazzo Grimaldi and the  Duomo di San Giorgio. Lunch is about 30 minutes away at a typical Sicilian Agriturismo for a sumptuous 5-course lunch including wine, desserts, coffee and liquor (cost: EUR 25 all inclusive not included in price). Free time to explore Lago Santa Rosalia close by, to enjoy the quiet settings of this beautiful lake. We then depart for a short visit of Pozzallo, with time to buy some Sicilian pastries before proceeding to the port to board the catamaran which arrives at the Valletta port at 9.00pm.