TUSCANY & SICILY FOR CHRISTMAS (Dec 16-26)

HIGHLIGHT

- 9 nights in central hotel with private bathrooms & Daily Breakfast

- Cooking classes in Tuscany & Sicily

- Bilingual tour leader-escort

- Transportation from the hotel to all venues

- Tour guides in Uffizi, & Accademia museum in Tuscany

- Train ticket from Florence to Catania

- Wine & cheese tasting

- Christmas day lunch

- Tour guide in Agrigento & Taormina in Sicily

ITINERARY

Dec 16

Departure to Italy

Dec 17

Arrive in Florence

Dec 18

Begin exploring the Wonders of Florence. Visit the Duomo (Cathedral), the Santa Croce Church. Visit of the 'Old bridge' & Piazzale Belvedere. In the afternoon, visit a leather factory.

Dec 19

Visit of PISA. Pisa is not only a city with an enormous quantity of art treasures, but also a city of very old cultural traditions. Narrow streets that open into picturesque little squares with multicolored markets. The noble Lungarno with its splendid and majestic palaces; the charming Piazza dei Miracoli, one of the most famous monumental complexes in the   world with its Cathedral, Baptistery, Camposanto and famous Leaning Tower, symbol of the city. It is the homeland of Galileo.

Dec 20

Museum day: visit of the Uffizi Palace and the Accademia which are the work of artists like Giotto, Brunelleschi, Botticelli and Michelangelo.

Dec 21

Train trip in Sicily

Dec 22

Arrive in CATANIA. On a XIX century ancient palace's background, rise the hotel where we will stay. This luxury 3 star hotel is the most central in the city, situated on the Catania's prestigious " Via Etnea", which is conveniently located for all the city's sights and shops. Just outside the hotel, you are plunged into Catania society life, in a seventeenth century baroque setting.

Dec 23

Visit of AGRIGENTO - Visit the Valley of the Greek Temples. Agrigento very close to the southern coast of Sicily and magnificently situated in hilly countryside, is also, because of its superb temple ruins, one of the most rewarding towns in Sicily to visit.

Dec 24

BELLA ISLAND - ISOLA BELLA (TAORMINA). Taormina is a region that is rich in natural beauty and scenic beaches, especially Isola Bella that means "the beautiful island." Visit also of the Roman theater and enjoy stunning spectacular panoramic views of this breathtaking beautiful coastline, juxtaposed by Mount Etna's dramatic presence in the background.

Dec 25

Christmas Day lunch at my parents place!

Dec 26