Mid-Term Holiday Northern Sicily Tour 2019

1 ST - 4 TH NOVEMBER 2019 MIDTERM HOLIDAYS NORTHERN SICILY

HOLIDAY PACKAGES STARTING FROM €269 4DAY

VISITING: PALERMO, MONREALE, NATIONAL PARK MADONIE MOUNTAINS, GIBILMANNA, GRATTERI, CASTELBUONO, CEFALU, FORUM SHOPPING MALL

DAY 1 – MALTA – MONREALE - PALERMO

to Gratteri which is a typical laid back Sicilian village. It is surrounded by beautiful pine and 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 famouse 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 tasting of some typical pastries andmanna. After breakfast proceed for an orientational tour of Cefalu which is notable for beautiful sunsets, unpretentious charm, and a very appealing blend of ingredients for an Italian seaside holiday. Sandy beaches, a picturesque historic town on a rocky headland, some high culture in the shape of a fine Norman Cathedral, decent transport links, Sicilian food and sunshine all add up to make the town one of Italy’s most attractive seaside destinations. Unlike the modern beach resorts and developed fishing villages which dot Italy’s coast, Cefalù has some grandeur in its past - it was important DAY 3 - CEFALU - FORUM SHOPPING MALL

enough that one of Sicily’s Norman rulers, Roger II, would build a glorious cathedral here. While its later history was less distinguished, there are some substantial and elegant buildings in the town, as well as reminders of Sicily’s varied influences, not just Norman and Byzantine, but also Arab, Spanish and finally Italian. 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 2400parking 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.

Meet the tour manager at Malta International for your flight to Palermo. Upon arrival drive to Monreale where one can see the magnificent Norman Duomo with the imposing “Cristo Pantocratore”. This church is covered with mosaics with scenes from the Old Testament. Proceed to Palermo 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 rdates back to 1184, I Quattro Canti, The church of St Joseph dei Teatini and Piazza Pretoria. Further down on Via Vittorio Emanuele one can stroll along ‘Via Roma’ famous for its shops, Teatro Massimo and the Politeama Garibaldi theatre. Transfer to your B&B Hotel Palermo Quattro Canti for check in. DAY 2 - NATIONAL PARK OF THE MADONIE MOUNTAINS – GIBILMANNA – GRATTERI - CASTELBUONO Breakfast and the tour today will lead you to the National Park of the Madonie Mountains. First stop at 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 MID-TERM HOLIDAY NORTHERN SICILY TOUR 2019 12 FLORIANA | MELLIEHA | MINUSTHREE - THE POINT | MOSTA

DAY 4 – PALERMO - MALTA

Breakfast and time at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Malta.