SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY With Apulia & The Amalfi Coast
SEPTEMBER 5-19, 2012 LAND ONLY
$4,195 FROM NEW YORK CITY
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elight in a special exploration of Italy’s southern climes, from striking Sicily to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to Apulia, the alluring “boot heel” where a vivid history, unique architecture, distinctive traditions, and bountiful plains join the sun and sea in creating a prized (and crowd-free) region. Explore Italy’s autonomous island region of Sicily, staying in lovely Taormina with excursions to Agrigento and Mt. Etna. Discover Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” and visit Alberobello, whose 400 or so trulli – conical houses with grey-stone roofs – rank as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a tour of Bari, capital of the Apulia region. Tour the UNESCO site of Pompeii, the city frozen in time by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and gather for a hands-on Neapolitan cuisine cooking lesson. Travel to the storied Isle of Capri. Embark on a breathtaking drive along the winding cliff-top Amalfi Coast above the glistening Tyrrhenian Sea. Bid “arrivederci” to Italy and fellow travelers at a splendid farewell dinner. Spend 4-days/3-nights in Rome “On Your Own” as an optional post-tour extension.
$4,495 Land and Air FROM FORT MYERS/CHICAGO
$4,795 Land and Air
The Renaissance Academy of FGCU 1010 5th Avenue South Naples, FL 34102
239.434.4838 ph jguerra@fgcu.edu email
www.fgcu.edu/racademy
SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY: September 5 - 19, 2012 DAY 1: Wednesday, September 5, Depart U.S. for Taormina, Italy This evening, you’ll depart the U.S. for Europe with a connecting flight to Taormina (Catania), Sicily.
DAY 2: Thursday, Setpember 6, Arrive Taormina (Catania), Sicily We arrive today in Catania on Italy’s autonomous island of Sicily then transfer by motor coach to Taormina and our boutique hotel overlooking the Ionian Sea. Tonight we gather for a welcome dinner at the hotel. D
DAY 3: Friday, September 7, Taormina This morning we embark on a walking tour of this charming Sicilian town and learn about its ancient origins. A popular resort since the 19th century, Taormina in the early 20th century attracted a Bohemian crowd of intellectuals, artists, and such literary lights as Goethe, D.H. Lawrence, Evelyn Waugh, and Truman Capote. Our tour includes the 3rd century BCE Greek theater, where gladiators and animals fought to the death; and the 13th-century Duomo, an interesting fortress-like structure. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you wish; you may want to visit one of the lovely beaches near town or take a leisurely stroll down the Corso Umberto, Taormina’s main street lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés. Next to Taormina’s tourist office sits a Roman ruin with a restored 12th-century tower that offers marvelous views of Mount Etna and surroundings. With lunch and dinner today on your own, perhaps a culinary adventure (or two) is in order – and thanks to Sicily’s strategic location and legacy of hosting numerous invading armies over the millennia, Sicilian food incorporates Italian, Arabic, and African influences into a singular, and delicious, cuisine. Seafood, especially, reigns supreme here; gelato, Italian ice cream, is said to have derived from locals flavoring snow found on Mount Etna. B
SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY: September 5 - 19, 2012 DAY 4: Saturday, September 8, Taormina / Agrigento A day-long excursion takes us to the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, an important and impressive archeological zone (and UNESCO site) whose ruined Doric temples and sanctuaries date to Greek rule in the 5th century BCE. A leading urban spot during the Golden Age of ancient Greece, Agrigento was called “the most beautiful city of mortals” during its heyday – and though much of it now is in ruins, you’ll immediately see why. The valley’s eastern zone contains the ruins of several sanctuaries, including the Temple of Ercole, among the oldest of the temples (nearby we see the deep ruts from ancient carriages). Agrigento’s highlight is the stunning, beautifully preserved Temple of Concordia, built in 430 BCE and converted to a Christian church two centuries later – thus accounting for its surprising state of preservation. In Agrigento’s western zone lie the remains of the massive Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest known Doric temple ever to have been built. Late this afternoon we return to our hotel, where we dine tonight. B, L, D
DAY 5: Sunday, September 9, Taormina / Mt. Etna A morning tour to one of the world’s largest active volcanoes counts as today’s highlight. The ancients believed Etna to be the forge of Vulcan, god of fire; today, modern-day Sicilians still have a very personal relationship with the volcano, which frequently erupts but is seldom destructive – more than six centuries have passed since the lava actually reached the sea. Still, the sight of the dried lava is enough to give pause – great molten mounds of it lie in massive folds, looking almost alive; depending on its age, the lava is red, gray, or black. After we descend from the volcano, we’ll stop at private farm set amidst acres of lemon and kiwi groves where the fertile soil has been enriched by centuries of lava flows. Surrounded by the aromas of fresh fruit, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch prepared by the family who lives here. Along with lunch we’ll sample some excellent Sicilian wines made from grapes grown in conditions similar to those of California’s best vineyards: warm temperatures; rich, hilly terrain; and soft sea breezes. We return to Taormina midafternoon, with the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. B, L
DAY 6: Monday, September 10, Taormina / Matera We leave Sicily today for the mainland region of Basilicata, a day-long transfer that includes a ferry ride from Sicily to
Calabria. Late this afternoon we reach Matera, whose old town lined with troglodyte churches and dwellings (Sassi) carved into the porous chalky rock have been designated a UNESCO site. We arrive at our hotel, a renovated cave dwelling in the city’s historic district. B, L
DAY 7: Tuesday, September 11, Matera Today we explore this city of art and folklore, with its unique ancient urban structure still intact. Home to more than 100 rock churches, Matera resembles ancient Jerusalem and has been used by international film directors as a stand-in for the holy city. During our guided walking tour, we visit a reconstructed cave dwelling with period fittings to see how life once was lived here. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore independently. Lunch today is on your own; we dine together tonight at a local restaurant. B,D
SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY: September 5 - 19, 2012 DAY 8: Wednesday, September 12, Matera / Alberobello / Ostuni / Lecce Departing Matera this morning, we stop in Alberobello, whose 400 or so trulli – uninhabited historic whitewashed conical houses with grey-stone roofs – rank as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We take a walking tour along the pristine cobblestone alleys lined with trulli, some of which are private homes; others artisan workshops and you’ll enjoy some free time to explore on your own. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue on to Ostuni, the “White Town” known as an architectural gem for its tightly packed houses of caustic limestone set high on a hill above the Mediterranean. From afar, the white-hued buildings shimmer in the coastal sunlight, creating a beautiful vista as we approach. While the old town with its ancient city walls and cobbled alleyways is itself Ostuni’s main attraction, other notable sights include the Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace, and various palazzi. We reach Lecce, capital of Apulia’s Lecci province in the southern part of Italy’s “boot heel”, in time for dinner together at our hotel. B,L,D
DAY 9: Thursday, September 13, Lecce We set out this morning to discover Lecce, a 2,000-year-old city with a strong Greek heritage that today is known as the “Florence of the South” for its unique decorative style. Called barocco leccese, it features ornate and intricate carvings of cherubs and monsters, fruits and flowers that adorn local buildings from top to bottom. It is the locally quarried “Lecce stone,” a malleable pink-tinged limestone well suited for carving that gave the town its artistic identity. And it is thanks to the competitive spirit of 17th-century merchants, religious orders, and noblemen who tried to outdo each other by building ever-grander palazzi (palaces) that we experience a sensory overload. You’ll see this architectural exuberance for yourself on our walking tour that includes Palazzo Vescovile (circa 1632); the exuberantly decorated church of Santa Croce, begun in 1353 and not finished until 1695; and the Duomo, one of Italy’s most important cathedrals; with its lovely piazza, one of Italy’s prettiest public squares. Then the remainder of the day is free for to explore this town of more than 100 churches and palaces on your own and to enjoy your choice of local restaurants for lunch and dinner on your own today. B
DAY 10: Friday, September 14, Lecce / Otranto / Gallipoli Today’s excursion takes us along Italy’s unheralded Adriatic coastline, along the sea that separates Italy’s “boot heel” from the Balkan Peninsula. Our first stop is the beautiful walled town of Otranto, a historic meeting spot for various Mediterranean peoples over the millennia. If the day is especially clear, we may be able to see Albania across the water. On a walking tour of Otranto’s old town we see the imposing 15th-century Aragonese castle with its traditional moat; and the Romanesque cathedral with an impressive wall-to-wall mosaic floor created in 1166 depicting Noah’s Ark, Alexander the Great, and other religious, mythical, and pagan figures. After lunch on your own in Otranto, we continue on to the picturesque fishing port of Gallipoli (“beautiful city” in Greek), the “Ionian Pearl” perched on a rocky island in the Gulf of Taranto on the Ionian Sea. Among the sights here: the 13th-century castle surrounded by water on three sides; the old town with its 14th-century walls and maze of tiny streets and alleys; and the Baroque 17th-century cathedral of Sant’ Angela, whose richly decorated façade features niches occupied by statues of saints. Tonight we enjoy a wine tasting and dinner in the gardens of Lecce’s Palazzo Tamborino. B, D
SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY: September 5 - 19, 2012 DAY 11: Saturday, September 15, Lecce / Bari / Sorrento This morning we depart by coach for Bari, capital of the Apulia region, where we enjoy lunch together and a walk in this historic Adriatic port and university town. After lunch at a local restaurant, we travel on to Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples. B, L
DAY 12: Sunday, September 16, Sorrento / Pompeii Today’s excursion takes us to the UNESCO site of Pompeii, the wonderfully preserved Roman town that tells a tale both tragic and fascinating. Just before Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, many citizens of Pompeii heeded the warning signs and fled the town. But some 2,000 unlucky people remained to be caught in the eruption’s wake, becoming engulfed in volcanic ash. The ash literally “froze” the town in time, leaving exquisite ruins that show us how these ancient Romans lived, through vivid frescoes, a forum, and one of the largest surviving Roman amphitheaters in existence. After a 2½-hour guided walking tour and exploration of this incredible site, we return to Sorrento early this afternoon. You are free for lunch on your own; dinner tonight is a small group highlight as we gather for a hands-on demonstration of Neapolitan cooking – then enjoy the fruits of our labors. B, D
DAY 13: Monday, September 17, Sorrento / Isle of Capri Today we travel by hydrofoil to the storied Isle of Capri, a popular resort on the Tyrrhenian Sea since ancient Roman times. Together we walk through cozy Capri town and also visit the terraced Gardens of Augustus, rich with Mediterranean flora, coastal pines, and stunning views of the azure sea. Then we have free time to explore and to enjoy lunch on our own – Capri boasts a wide selection of restaurants, simple trattorias, and pizzerias from which to choose, and an abundance of the freshest of fish and seafood. After this sojourn we return to Sorrento late this afternoon; this evening is at leisure. And if you haven’t yet sampled the local specialty limoncello, a digestif made from the rinds of Sorrento’s fragrant lemons (along with alcohol, water, and sugar), you may wish to sample some tonight after dinner on your own. B
DAY 14: Tuesday, September 18, Sorrento/Amalfi Coast This morning we embark on a breathtaking drive along the rugged Amalfi Coast. This 31-mile stretch of winding, terraced coastline from Sorrento to Salerno has inspired movies, music, and books; indeed, it is one of the most glorious drives in Europe – or anywhere, for that matter. During our leisurely excursion, we’ll make several photo stops along this spectacular hair-raising coastline, the dazzling Mediterranean a sheer 500-foot drop below. We also stop in the town of Amalfi, where there’s time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own. We return to our hotel mid-afternoon; the remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. Shoppers may wish to stroll along Via S. Cesareo, the heart of Sorrento, where prized items include handicrafts (inlaid works, artistic ceramics), jewelry (cameos, corals), and local delicacies. Tonight we bid “arrivederci” to Italy and our fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. B, D
DAY 15: Wednesday, September 19, Depart for U.S. or Rome This morning we depart for the airport in Naples, where we board a flight for Rome and connect with our return flight to the U.S. Those booked on the optional Rome post-tour extension will enjoy a visit to the Eternal City. B
SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY: September 5 - 19, 2012 Post-Tour Extension
ROME On Your Own 4 days / 3 nights for $595 Single Supplement: $345
Explore the Eternal City at your leisure.
Your Tour Price Includes Air transportation Naples/Rome 3 nights’ accommodations at
Empire Palace Hotel 3 meals: 3 breakfasts Transfer to/from airport
Tour Highlights
Sicily’s intriguing cultural & historic heritage Mt. Etna excursion Lunch at a working Sicilian farmhouse Two Apulia UNESCO sites: Cave dwellings of Matera and Alberobello’s medieval whitewashed buildings Neapolitan cooking demonstration and dinner
Lecce, the “Florence of the South” Fascinating, uncrowded Apulia region Stunning Amalfi Coast; Tour of ancient ruins at Pompeii (UNESCO site) Day trip to Isle of Capri
Unique well-located small group hotels
Pleasing mix of touring & time at leisure
Excursion is limited to 24 travelers. Reserve Early! Consider combining this wonderful tour with the Academy’s “Invitation to Tuscany” excursion.
Your Tour Price Includes
Round-trip air from RSW; JFK; or ORD
13 nights’ in Superior First Class and First Class hotels
25 meals: 13 brkfsts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
Services of a private Tour Director
Private motor coach transportation
Luggage handling for 1 bag per person
Gratuities for local guides, waiters, airport/hotel porters, and all drivers
Questions? Contact us at: The Renaissance Academy 1010 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102 Phone: 239-434-4838 E-mail: jguerra@fgcu.edu
Southern Italy & Sicily: With Apulia and the Amalfi Coast Enclosed is my/our non-refundable deposit for $__________($750 per person) for _____ person/people on the “Southern Italy & Sicily” tour departing the USA on September 5, 2012. I/we understand the final payment is due on or before June 2, 2012. Your deposit may be paid by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, VISA, or personal check. This excursion is limited to 24 participants. Please mail this completed form as soon as possible to: The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, Attention: John Guerra, 1010 5th Ave South, Naples, FL 34102. (PRINT
CLEARLY)
Name: (Traveler #1) Address:
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I/We wish to reserve an AIR & LAND Package for $4,495 per person (Roundtrip air from NYC; excludes taxes) I/We wish to reserve an AIR & LAND Package for $4,795 pp (Roundtrip air from Ft. Myers or Chicago; excludes taxes) I/We wish to reserve a LAND ONLY Package for $4,195 per person I prefer single accommodations for an additional cost of $1,395 (Single accommodations are limited) I/We wish to reserve the Post-Tour Rome Extension for $595 per person (plus $345 single supplement) I have the following special requirements (including dietary): I am travelling alone but will share a room with ____________________________________________ I/We wish to reserve a Trans-Atlantic Business Class upgrade (price available upon request and subject to change) I/We have read and understood this brochure and agree to be bound by its terms, policies and conditions:
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PLEASE ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOUR DEPOSIT IMPORTANT: THIS IS A MODERATE EXERTION TOUR. PARTICIPANTS MUST BE ABLE TO WALK, STAND AND CLIMB STAIRS WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. I understand that The Renaissance Academy of FGCU is unable to accept any person as a tour passenger who may require special attention because of a medical condition unless they have a companion traveling with them who can provide whatever services and assistance is necessary. I further understand that The Renaissance Academy of FGCU cannot accept or retain any person whose health or general deportment impedes the operation of the tour or affects the rights, welfare or enjoyment of other tour passengers. I accept sole responsibility for determining that I am in good physical and mental health and am able to participate in group touring. I further certify that I have read and agree with the General Terms and Conditions associated with this excursion.
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The Renaissance Academy of FGCU Southern Italy & Sicily September 5 (Depart USA) – September 17, 2012 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS Please read this information carefully, as payment of a $750 deposit per person represents your acceptance of the following General Terms and Conditions. Please retain a copy of these General Terms and Conditions for your records. Tour Cost: Total tour cost, air and land from Ft. Myers, FL or Chicago, IL airports is $4,795 per person and $4,495 from NYC (excluding taxes and other costs listed below). Land-only cost is $4,195 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $750 per person is required with your signed application. Final payment in full is due on or before June 2, 2012. The single supplement is $1,395 per person. Tour costs, which are based on current exchange rates and a minimum group size of 20 participants, are subject to change. Upon reservation you must provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, you will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket’s reissue. Luggage: Only one carry-on and one checked bag per person is accepted on tour. Documents: U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport for entry into Italy. Cost of Tour Includes: Round-trip airfare; 13 nights' accommodations in Superior First Class and First Class hotels; 25 meals: 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners; Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees; Services of a private Tour Director; Private motor coach transportation; Luggage handling for 1 bag per person; Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers. Cost of Tour DOES NOT Include: Roundtrip airfare from any departure point other than those listed herein; costs of passports, visas, airport, port, and airline departure taxes (departure taxes are currently estimated at $574 per person and will be listed as separate items on your invoice and are subject to change); personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service, and meals and beverages not specified; excess baggage fees; communication charges; gratuities to your Tour Director, which are at your discretion; optional sightseeing or shore excursions; and travel protection insurance. Cancellations: All deposits are non-refundable. If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your written notification. Cancellations received 95 days or more from the date of departure will be subject to a $300 processing fee plus any and all additional charges dependent upon the obligations of The Renaissance Academy of FGCU to its suppliers and the airline refund policies. Cancellations received at or within 94 days of departure are subject to the following schedule of cancellation fees: 94-65 days prior to departure - 65% of the tour cost per person; 64-30 days prior to departure - 85% of the tour cost per person; 29 days or less prior to departure – 100% of the tour cost per person. If a guest makes any changes within 94 and 30 days prior to departure to either their departure city and/or the optional post-tour extension, a $150 per person administrative fee, in addition to any fees or penalties imposed by third parties will apply. No changes are allowed within 30 days of departure. Travel Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Compare and purchase insurance at www.squaremouth.com. Medical Conditions: If you or a member of your party suffer from any physical challenge or medical condition, you must check with your doctor about the advisability of traveling abroad and make this known to us before you book. We will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of tour participants, but are not responsible for denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants and other independent suppliers. Smoking: Smoking is NOT permitted in the hotels, on motor coaches, or other modes of transport used by the group. Responsibility-Tour Participation Contract – IMPORTANT: The Renaissance Academy of FGCU does not provide travel services or act as the agent of any provider of travel services. The liability of Florida Gulf Coast University, as a sponsor, and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., as a tour operator, is strictly limited. The Renaissance Academy of FGCU is not responsible or liable for any of the services provided for/by Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. or any other travel agency, or for any of the services of hotels, motor coaches, trains, vessels, aircrafts or other forms of transportation that may be used in connection with the tour. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under its control. All arrangements for transport, accommodations, and services are made upon the express condition that The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and their affiliates shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage, injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity of any kind occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including without limitation, any act of negligence or breach of contract of any third party such as an airline, cruise line, train, hotel, restaurant, tour operator/supplier, ground handler, etc., including their employees, agents, servants or representatives, who is to or does supply any goods or services to the tour. Without limiting the foregoing, The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and their affiliates are not responsible for any losses or expenses due to delay or changes in schedule, overbooking of accommodations, default of any third parties, sickness, weather, strikes, acts of God, acts of terrorism, war, quarantine, criminal activity, the defect of any vehicle or for any other cause beyond their control. The Renaissance Academy of FGCU reserves the right to change the itinerary of the tour or to substitute similar quality hotels or airlines without prior notice. If the tour is cancelled by The Renaissance Academy of FGCU for any reason, The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and their affiliates shall have no liability beyond the refund of all tour participant deposits received by them, net of any and all expenses due to suppliers and the airline refund policies. The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, in its sole discretion, may increase the tour price in the event costs increase. The Renaissance Academy of FGCU may decline to accept or retain any tour participant as a participant on the tour at any time. Airline tickets may be sold in conjunction with the services of any airline. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers, cruise line, and other independent suppliers when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger. If you choose to make your own air arrangements, The Renaissance Academy of FGCU and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. shall not have any liability for any loss resulting from cancellation of or changes to this tour. The parties agree that Ft. Myers (Lee County) in the state of Florida shall be the venue for any disputes arising out of this tour. A signed FGCU General Release and Waiver Agreement is required from each participant prior to departure. For Land-Only Guests: When you purchase Southern Italy & Sicily as “land only,” airport transfers and luggage handling at the arrival and departure airports at the beginning and end of the tour are not included. However, should you be at the arrival airport and departure hotel concurrent with the group of arriving Odysseys Unlimited travelers, you are welcome to transfer with the group at no charge, providing additional seating is available. However, please note that the motor coach cannot wait for you; you must be aboard when the coach is leaving.
SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY: September 5 - 19, 2012
Accommodations Hotel Antiche Mura www.hotelantichemura.com This historic hotel sits in the heart of Sorrento on Piazza Tasso, the main square, close to shops and restaurants. Amenities of the intimate 53-room hotel include an outdoor swimming pool, solarium, lovely gardens with a citrus grove (which supplies all of the oranges and lemons used by the hotel), lobby bar, outdoor snack bar, and breakfast room. Art nouveau-style guest rooms have private bath, in-room safe, mini-bar, Internet access, TV, and phone. Air conditioning is available from May through October; heat from November through April.
Patria Palace Hotel www.patriapalacelecce.com A former palazzo, the Patria Palace Hotel is superbly located in the heart of Lecce’s historical center, opposite Santa Croce Basilica. The 63-room hotel boasts many of its original flourishes, though it has been artfully refurbished in an art deco style with Lecce stone and original frescoes. Hotel amenities include a restaurant and bar, solarium, and Internet access. Individually-styled guest rooms with decorative paintings have private bath with hair dryer, air conditioning, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
Locanda di San Martino www.locandadisanmartino.it/en/hotel This unique 32-room hostelry recalls millennia of cave dwellings – but with contemporary comforts and modern amenities. Passageways cut into the rock, external staircases, and elevators connect all four levels of the hotel. Locanda di San Martino is in the heart of Materas “Sassi” Historical District, very close to the city center. The hotel has a bar and breakfast room; air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, Internet access, and TV. Please note that because of the unique nature of the hotel, room sizes and views vary.
Villa Angela www.hotelvillaangela.com Overlooking the Mediterranean, Villa Angela has a restaurant and bar, outdoor swimming pool, and terrace facing Naxos Bay. Each guest room has a terrace facing the bay, as well. Guest rooms also have private bath with hair dryer, inroom safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone. The hotel offers a shuttle service to the center of Taormina.
Empire Palace Hotel “Rome – On Your Own” Optional Post-Tour Extension www.empirepalacehotel.com A well-located hotel just a two-minute walk from the Via Veneto, the 110-room Empire Palace is an actual palace, built in 1870 and completely refurbished and converted to a hotel that offers a restaurant and bar, Fitness Center, Internet access, and laundry service. Air-conditioned rooms feature private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone. Please note that because of the unique nature of this hotel, room sizes vary.