Southern Italy and Sicily / Quality Travel, Inc

Day 1, Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2, Sun. ARRIVAL IN ROME, ITALY. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring this great city which you’ll get to know even better at the end of your tour.

Day 3, Mon. ROME-VESUVIUS-POMPEII-CAPRI. South all the way today. First a stop to enjoy the awe-inspiring sights of one of Europe’s greatest live volcano — Vesuvius! Then to Pompeii where time stopped in 79 AD. when the Vesuvius eruption totally destroyed it. On the included visit you can see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum — even human and animal bodies solidified by lava. Just a few more miles to the Neapolitan Riviera for embarkation on the ferry to Capri to enjoy two overnights on this charmed island. (B,D)

Day 4, Tue. CAPRI. This legendary island is surrounded by a rocky coastline — the crashing sea has formed remarkable caves. The town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set and optional excursions take you to see more of the island. Join Tiberius, Emma Hamilton, and Axel Munthe, who all fell in love with this exquisite spot. A full day to do exactly what you please. Maybe explore some of the island’s lovely walks or join an optional excursion to see Mount Solaro and the house of Axel Munthe (San Michele). (B,D)

Day 5, Wed. CAPRI-SORRENTO. EXCURSIONTO AMALFITAN COAST. Take the ferry to Sorrento this morning. Few places in the world match the very special charm of Sorrento. This picturesque resort on the Bay of Naples boasts a marvelous climate, beautiful views, trendy shops and boutiques, interesting museums and a vibrant night life. Don’t miss out on the included excursion along the breathtakingly beautiful Amalfitan coast. (B,D)

Days 6, Thu. and 7, Fri. SORRENTO. The town is situated on a plateau high above the waters of the Bay of Naples with truly spectacular views as far as towering Vesuvius. Sorrento’s terraces, hung with flowers, jut from winding streets and alleys above a small harbor. Streets are filled with shops, cheerful bars, and cafés. (B on day 6; B,D on day 7)

Day 8, Sat. SORRENTO-VILLA S. GIOVANNI-FERRY CROSSING-TAORMINA. Today, by way of the comfortable motorway, travel through the wild and mountainous scenery of Italy’s most southern regions before boarding the ferry for the 45-minute crossing to Sicily. Only a few more miles bring you to Taormina, where you overnight. (B,D)

Day 9, Sun. TAORMINA. Magnificently situated on a 700-foot plateau, Taormina has wonderful views along the coast. The heart of the town is Piazza Nove Aprile, a paved square with unrivaled views to the sea and the Mount Etna volcano. (B,D)

Day 10, Mon. TAORMINA-MOUNT ETNA-SYRACUSE. This morning take advantage of the visit to the heights of Mount Etna and the option of a cable-car ride for a better view of Europe’s largest active volcano. Drive even further south to Syracuse, where you have the option of visiting the ancient Grecian sites or doing just as you please. (B,D)

Day 11, Tue. SYRACUSE-PIAZZA ARMERINA-AGRIGENTO. Today you drive westwards to Piazza Armerina, a maze of steep streets and rich in the atmosphere of Sicilian life. Nearby is Casale, once a palatial hunting lodge famous for its mosaics including the “Bikini Girls,” ten athletic maidens dressed for all the world as modern tourists! Then past Caltanissetta, surrounded by sulphur mines, to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, one of Italy’s archaeological jewels — especially in spring when the slopes are frosted with almond blossoms. The Doric Temple of Concord is the best preserved outside Athens and the hilltop Temple of Juno Lacinia the valley’s most impressive. (B,D)

Day 12, Wed. AGRIGENTO-SELINUNTE-PALERMO. Leave Agrigento for Selinunte, one of the most striking and interesting sites in Sicily. See the remains of the Acropolis. Then, northeast to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. (B)

Day 13, Thu. PALERMO. AFTERNOON EMBARKATION. This busy and colorful city is full of interesting squares and marketplaces, churches and palazzos in every style from Moorish to baroque. The optional guided sightseeing shows you all the outstanding sights. In the afternoon, transfer to the harbor for your embarkation to arrive in Naples early tomorrow morning. Accommodation is in four-berth couchette cabins. (B)

Day 14, Fri. NAPLES-ROME. After arrival and disembarkation, join your coach for the drive northwards to Rome. Plenty of time to enjoy your return to Italy’s capital and liveliest city.

Day 15, Sat. ROME. Included sightseeing with a local guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

Day 16, Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Your Travel Package Includes

SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Vesuvius, Capri, Sorrento, Taormina, Mount Etna, Syracuse, Piazza Armerina, Selinunt

Scenic highlights: Amalfitan coast
GUIDES: Local guides for city sightseeing in Agrigento, Rome, Pompeii; services of a professional tour director

TRANSPORTATION: Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Rome if Cosmos issues the tickets; see page 9
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach
Boat transfer to Capri; Palermo-Naples ferry accommodation in four-berth couchette cabins
HOTELS: Listed below or equivalent; see also page 7. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

MEALS: 13 buffet breakfasts (B); 8 dinners (D)

OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your own experience. Please find a detailed list in your travel documents

COSMOS HOTELS

ROME Caravel (ST), CAPRI Villa San Michele (ST) or Residenza (F), SORRENTO Tirrenia (ST) or Rivage (ST), TAORMINA Albatros Letojanni (ST), SYRACUSE Park (T) at Syracuse or Club Helios (ST) at Noto Marina, AGRIGENTO Akrabello (ST), PALERMO Ponte (ST)

This description of SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY is intended for 2006 departures.

Departure Date	Tour Start Date	Return Date	Air Incl. Price	Land Price
3/16/2006	3/17/2006	3/31/2006	$2,162.00	$1,510.00
3/23/2006	3/24/2006	4/7/2006	$2,162.00	$1,510.00
3/30/2006	3/31/2006	4/14/2006	$2,162.00	$1,510.00
4/6/2006	4/7/2006	4/21/2006	TBD*	$1,565.00
4/13/2006	4/14/2006	4/28/2006	TBD*	$1,565.00
4/20/2006	4/21/2006	5/5/2006	TBD*	$1,565.00
4/27/2006	4/28/2006	5/12/2006	TBD*	$1,565.00
5/4/2006	5/5/2006	5/19/2006	TBD*	$1,610.00
5/11/2006	5/12/2006	5/26/2006	TBD*	$1,610.00
5/18/2006	5/19/2006	6/2/2006	TBD*	$1,610.00
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* To Be Determined: Air price based on departure city. Click Book Now to price a vacation.

US$ 2006 price details

Airfares are based on departure from New York.
Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
Single room supplement: $462; guaranteed shares; no triple room reduction.

Our volume buying power saves you money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.

Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.

Price Guarantee: All vacation prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Prices are subject to increase without notice if such rates change prior to departure. The current price will be confirmed at the time of reservation. However, once Cosmos has received your deposit for any vacation departing during the current year, that land price is guaranteed, and any subsequent land cost increases are at our expense, not including any government tax increases. Airfares included as part of air-inclusive vacation prices are guaranteed when we receive confirmation of air itinerary and full payment. Vacation prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single room supplements and triple room reductions may be applicable.

Not included in the tour price: Federal Inspection Fees for the U.S. Customs and immigration; International Air Transportation Tax; agricultural tax; any other taxes; security fee; airport taxes and fees; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your tour director; tour host; tour driver; local city guides; gratuities on ferries, trains and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; mini bar; alcohol; beverages and food not on the regular table d'hôte menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel or restaurant); optional excursions; porterage at airports; travel protection; excess baggage fees; all other items of a personal nature.