Sicily and Sorrento Featuring The Number one Island Destination in Europe as Rated by Travel and Leisure Magazine Readers Poll

October 16-26, 2010 - call about other departure dates 11 days 9 nights    And God created Sicily. The place where the mountains meet the sea. Sicilia,the island in the sun, is home to Heavenly beaches, majestic mountains and Europe's greatest natural wonder, Mount Etna. Sicily's coasts are gold with orange and lemon orchards. If you could choose just one place to visit where you could witness everything from the culture of Hellenic antiquity to the glories of the Middle Ages and the wonders of the Renaissance, shaped by a dozen civilizations, Sicily would be that place. Enjoy four nights stay in Catania Sicily where you'll day trip out to Taormina a charming hillside town on the coast. As soon as you arrive in Taormina, you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere which has enchanted visitors from all over the world for 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 hundred miles of Mediterranean sea. You'll visit Syarcusa home to Archimedes. Its Greek theatre still stands. As you travel back to the mainland you stay four nights in Sorrento where you'll day trip to Pompeii, an excavation site and outdoor museum of an ancient Roman settlement yielding an unprecedented opportunity to see how the people lived two thousand years ago. Visit the Isle of Capri, known in Greek mythology as the isle of the sirens, and a favored resort of the Roman emperors. Take an excursion on the Amalfi Drive widely considered Italy's most scenic stretch of coastline, a landscape of towering bluffs, pastel-hued villages terraced into hillsides, luxuriant gardens, and expansive vistas over turquoise waters. From Sorrento you visit Positano a small picturesque village perched on an enclave on the face of a hill and winds down towards the waters of the Amalfi Coast. From there a boat trip to Amalfi then on the the famed town of Ravello located in the hills above Amalfi. Ravello offers stunning views of the Mediterranean and beautiful renowned gardens. On your tour you will have plenty of leisure time for individual sightseeing, shopping or just relaxing at a bistro or sidewalk cafe in one of the many picturesque villages you will be visiting. Read our blog post about the foods and wine of Italy.       Print Color Flyer

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Explore Taormina with visits to all major attractions Visit a Greek and Roman Theater on the slopes of Monte Tauro, with breathtaking view of Mt. Etna Leisure time for exploring Taormina Enjoy a tour of Mount Etna which will take you half way up the largest volcano in Europe Lunch and wine tasting at a local Taormina Winery Full day excursion to Siracusa to view the largest concentration of Greek ruins outside of Greece Visit a 5th century amphitheater and coliseum Tour the colorful Siracusa harbor and the Church of the Weeping Madonna Visit the "lost city" of Pompeii and its excavations Lunch and wine at La Sorgente, a picturesque agricultural farm in the Sorrentine hills Attend a local Tarantella Show (drink included) Demonstration of mozzarella making at the farm Ferry ride and tour of the beautiful Isle of Capri Excursion along the worlds most scenic Amalfi Drive Lunch on you own in the famous and elegant resort of Positano Boat trip to Amalfi and the famed town of Ravello

TRIPS INCLUDES Round trip commercial air from Indianapolis Full meal & beverage service for international flight Home pick-up & return Indy metro area Airport transfers Post trip hotel night Transportation aboard a private, luxury, temperature-controlled motorcoach 8 nights first class accommodations in Italy Baggage handling (1 checked bag per person) 22 meals: 8 breakfast buffets, 7 lunches, 7 dinners Attractions and comprehensive sightseeing package as highlighted in itinerary, including entrance fees where applicable All room and meal taxes, as well a gratuities to bellmen Expert English-speaking tour guides where required Professional Tour Director Operated by an Interlude Travel Partner Guaranteed Departure   PRICING DETAILS (Cost per Person)* Double $2,939* Single $3,400* Deposit $650 per person Balance Due July 15, 2010 Travel Insurance: $334 (D), $380 (S) * Air departure tax of $396.85 additional and subject to change. Call for departures from other cities. Price subject to increase after balance due date.

TRAVEL ITINERARY Day 1: Indianapolis / Boston Indianapolis flight to Boston, depart Logan Airport on an early-evening transatlantic flight to Sicily (via an intermediate stop at Rome) with full meal and beverage service, as well as complimentary stereo headsets, available while aloft. Day 2: Boston / Catania / Taormina Upon arrival in Catania, we will be met by our tour host and transferred to our hotel, our home for the next four nights. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure to get acquainted with the lovely town of Taormina. Return to our hotel for an orientation meeting and dinner this evening. Catania - Four Star Hotel Ariston or similar (L, D) Day 3: Catania / Taormina After breakfast, a local expert will conduct a half-day sightseeing tour of Taormina, including visits to all of the major attractions and a complete orientation of the city. The unquestioned highlight of the tour will be a visit to the Greek and Roman Theater, situated on the slope of Monte Tauro. From here, we will experience a breathtaking view of the Sicilian landscape, especially Mt. Etna in the distance. Return to the hotel for lunch, and the rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Catania - Four Star Hotel Ariston or similar (B, L, D) Day 4: Catania / Mt. Etna Today, after breakfast, we will enjoy a half-day tour which will take us halfway up Mt. Etna, the largest volcano in all of Europe. This active volcano affords a fascinating sightseeing tour. The topography and fauna will change dramatically as we ascend and we will have a spectacular view of Taormina and surrounding Sicily. We will have lunch and a wine tasting at a local winery, and the rest of the day is at leisure for relaxation, individual sightseeing, or shopping. Dinner will be at the hotel this evening. Catania - Four Star Hotel Ariston or similar (B, L, D) Day 5: Catania / Siracusa Following breakfast, we are off on a full-day excursion to Siracusa, a spectacular city along the southeastern coast that has the largest concentration of Greek ruins outside of Greece! At one time, Siracusa was the biggest and wealthiest city in all of Europe. In the “Archaeological Zone”, we will see the ancient amphitheater and coliseum, which date back to the 5th century BC. Pizza lunch in Siracusa. We will also see the colorful harbor and the Church of the Weeping Madonna. Return to Taormina for dinner in a local restaurant with wine and mineral water included. Return to our hotel for overnight. Catania - Four Star Hotel Ariston or similar (B, L, D) Day 6: Catania / Messina / Calabria / Sorrento After breakfast and hotel check-out, we head north to Messina, the "Gateway to Sicily", where we will meet the ferry for a short crossing of the Straits of Messina to Calabria. We then re-board our motorcoach for a pleasant ride to Sorrento, stopping for lunch at an autogrill on the way. Upon arrival in Sorrento, check-in at your hotel for dinner and overnight. Sorrento - Four star Hotel Michelangelo or similar (B, L, D) Day 7: Sorrento / Pompeii / La Sorgente Following breakfast, we will visit the “lost city” of Pompeii and its excavations. Return to Sorrento for lunch at La Sorgente, a picturesque agricultural farm, belonging to the family Marciano which is nestled in the Sorrentine hills with a fabulous view of the city of Naples. Sip on homemade wine, snack on crisp, tender Italian bread (topped with fresh tomato and a drizzle of olive oil), and sample the best homemade mozzarella one could imagine! We will experience a demonstration of making mozzarella the old fashioned way. Dinner is on your own this evening, then we will attend a local Tarantella show (drink included). Sorrento - Four star Hotel Michelangelo or similar (B, L) Day 8: Sorrento / Isle of Capri / Anacapri Today, we will depart our hotel after breakfast for a visit to the beautiful and famous Isle of Capri! Our full-day excursion includes a round trip ferry ride, guided tour, and trip up to Anacapri, as well as lunch at a local restaurant. There will also be some free time to shop, browse, or explore. We will return to the hotel for dinner this evening. Sorrento - Four star Hotel Michelangelo or similar(B, L, D) Day 9: Sorrento / Amalfi Drive / Positano / Amalfi / Ravello After breakfast at our hotel, we will be taken on an excursion along one of the most scenic roads in the world – The Amalfi Drive! We will take minibuses to Positano, one of Italy’s most famous and elegant resorts for lunch (on your own) and time to explore the town or browse-and-shop. From there, a boat trip to Amalfi. Then on to the famed town of Ravello. Return to Sorrento for dinner and overnight. Sorrento - Four star Hotel Michelangelo or similar (B, D) Day 10: Sorrento / Naples / Rome / Boston After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Naples airport for your return flight to Boston (intermediate stop in Rome). Mid-to-late afternoon return. Post tour hotel night in Boston. Full meal and beverage service is available for international flight. (B) Day 11: Boston / Indianapolis Transferred to Logan Boston Airport for your flight to Indianapolis. Note: This tour requires a valid passport. Commercial Air: Book Now to ensure your place on this trip because this trip operates on commercial air. Space is limited and may not be available less than 90 days before departure.

Cancellation policy: if insurance is not purchased, cancellation charges are: 91 days and earlier: full refund; 90 -76 days before departure: $650; 75 and less days prior to departure: no refund. In addition, airline penalties and charges may apply. A valid passport is required.

Call Interlude Tours today for reservations!    (317) 913-0387 Copyright 2010-2011© Interlude Tours, 7816 N. Chester Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46240