Goins Sicily & Rome

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Created: 10.10.2013

May 18, 2014 Day 1 ? DEPART USA ? Depart Oklahoma City May19, 2014 - Day 2- PALERMO/CEFAL? - Arrive in Palermo, we meet our tour manager board our motor coach. Our journey starts with a celebration of our first Mass at the shrines of Santa Rosalia the protector of Palermo. The Sanctuary is located 430m above sea level, climbing to the top on steps that were cut out of ?Monte Pellegrino?. This afternoon we continue towards Cefalu . We visit this little jewel of a town, with its Cathedral rising above the coastal town of Cefalu', overlooking the Mediterranean. The Cathedral formed by magnificent Byzantine mosaics, the oldest in Sicily. Lunch on our own? some time for exploring? afterwards we board our motor coach and drive to our hotel in Palermo. Check- in rest of day at leisure. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at our hotel. May 20, 2014 Day 3- MONREALE/PALERMO ? This morning we explore Monreale, visit its famous Cathedral built by the Normans over an ancient mosque. Here we will admire the Romanesque bronze doors, of which there are only a few remaining in Europe. The main entrance doors were sculpted and signed in 1185 by (Bonanno Pisano); they depict 42 reliefs of biblical scenes. Mass at the Cathedral. Our journey continues with a visit to the Palatine Chapel, the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily. We conclude our day with a walking tour of our host city Palermo. Dinner at a local restaurant overnight at our hotel. May 21, 2014 Day 4 ? ERICE/MARSALA - Mass at Catacombs Cappuccini. This morning after mass we drive to Erice this 13th century city on top of a mountain about 750m above sea level. We will admire its medieval Norman Castle and breathtaking views overlooking the city of Trapani. Our day would not be completed without a visit to Marsala to marvel at its Salt Pans ... here we will enjoy a light lunch inside of a wind mill. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at our hotel. May 22, 2014 - Day 5- PALERMO/AGRIGENTO - This morning we make our way to Agrigento, upon arrival visit the Valley of the Temple. This splendid archaeological park consists of eight temples. It is one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and architecture. The area was included in the UNESCO Heritage Site list in 1997. Time for lunch on our own. Dinner and overnight at our Hotel Baglio della Luna in Agrigento. May 23, 2014 ? Day 6 ? AGRIGENTO/PIAZZA ARMERINA/GIARDINI NAXOS - This morning transfer to Giardini Naxos with visit to Piazza Armerina. Our first stop ?Villa Romana Del Casale? a Roman villa built in the first quarter of the 4th century is one of the most luxurious of its kind. With its noteworthy richness and quality, the mosaics decorate almost every room; they are the finest mosaics in situ anywhere in the Roman world. Time for lunch on our own? We than board our motor coach and head for our wonderful luxurious beach front property!!! Our residence for the next 4nights?. Hilton hotel in Giardini Naxos. Check in at hotel ... Dinner and overnight at our hotel. May 24, 2014 Day 7 ? TAORMINA/ MT ETNA - This morning we celebrate Mass at the Cathedral in Taormina known in the ancient times as Tauromenion. This is a spot of infinite loveliness, the land of ?Dolce far Niente? ? ?Of sweet do nothing? The town lies in an elevated position of amazing, almost unique beauty, affording magnificent views of the sea and clear sky with miles of a curving coastline and picturesque mountain scenery, while the majestic pyramid of Mt. Etna on the other side constitutes a scene of indescribable beauty. Our visit to the most impressive monument of the city: the Greco-Roman Theatre, with the finest location of any theatre in the world. Concerts have been held here by Andrea Bocelli, Pavorotti , Sting and many more?some time to explore this magnificent town? Today we enjoy a lunch at ?Murgo? .Our next stop Mt. Etna, one of Europe's most famous active volcanoes. The most violent eruption to take place in the XX century in 1910, which formed twenty-three additional craters. In 1928, a lava flow destroyed the village of Mascali. Our visit of the area at 2.000 meters (6.000 ft) above sea level, is where we find the Crateri Silvestri . Dinner and overnight at our hotel. May 25, 2014 - Day 8- SIRACUSA ? This morning our first stop will be to celebrate Mass at the Shrine of the Madonna of Tears. Completed only in 1994, the Shrine of Our Lady of Tears in Syracuse is a work of contemporary architecture began in 1966. Our visit of Siracusa includes: the Archaeological Park with the Greek Theatre , where during the season the ancient Greek tragedies are performed; the Ara of Ierone; the Roman Anfiteatro, where the gladiator competitions occurred; the Latomie of the Paradise, ancient hollow stones known for their different shapes, the most famous being the ?Orecchio of Dionisio?. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. May 26, 2014 - Day 9 ? CATANIA - This morning we visit Catania. We start our walking tour of this wonderful town? Catania was built in 729 BC with the name ?Katane? which means ?grater? in Sicilian. After the Byzantine domination there was the Arabic and then the Norman supremacy, which brought many changes and innovations to the town, the building of the Cathedral, and the many monasteries. We visit Catania?s most significant monuments: the Elephant Fountain, the Cathedral (XI century), and the beautiful baroque city centre. We celebrate Mass at the Cathedral. Free time to explore on our own. This afternoon we return to our hotel, rest of day at leisure to take in the beauty of this magnificent island? dinner and overnight at our hotel. May 27, 2014 - Day 10 - CATANIA/ROME ? Arrivederci Sicilia. We continue our journey in Rome. We meet our tour manager and board our motor coach for a drive to Rome center? a walking tour of Rome to include Pantheon, Spanish steps and Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona?.. Time for lunch? Back on motor coach and off to hotel for check in. Mass at Hotel Cesi Chapel. Dinner at a local restaurant overnight at our hotel. May 28, 2014 - Day 11 - ROME ? This morning, we make our way to St. Peter's for an audience with Pope Francis if he is in residence. This afternoon, we visit the Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran, we continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls. The huge, imposing Basilica, second only to St. Peter?s and one of the largest churches in the Christian world, contains an unusual gallery of papal portraits: 265 tablets portraying the popes of the past. We conclude our day at one of the Catacombs, burial place of early Christians, where we celebrate Mass, and view the 2nd and 3rd century fresco paintings. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at our hotel. May 29, 2014 - Day 12 - ROME ? Mass at St Mary Vittorio Church... we continue with a stroll through the Villa Borghese Gardens followed by a visit of the Coliseum?.Rest of day on our own to explore this beautiful Eternal City. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at our hotel. May 30, 2014 - Day 13 - USA ? Arrivederci Roma? today we depart for the airport with lifetime memories.