ITALY & SICILY YEAR ROUND HOLIDAYS
CITY BREAKS MULTI-CENTRE ITINERARIES
CULTURAL TOURS
WINE & GASTRONOMY
Italy & Sicily | An introduction
WELCOME TO SUNVIL
Welcome to Sunvil and to our specialist Italy & Sicily programme. After 48 years of creating original and innovative holidays, I am extremely proud to say that Sunvil was chosen for the prestigious Sunday Times Travel Editor’s Award for excellence in September 2017. Inside this brochure you will find holidays designed by passionate travellers just like you: experiential holidays in authentic destinations that will allow you to discover the real country. Think culture, gastronomy, wine and unmissable sights and experiences that will forge unforgettable memories. This is a Sunvil holiday - your Sunvil holiday. Whilst our range of destinations continues to grow, our ethos and customer promise remains unaltered. Our philosophy is based on trust, passion and personal relationships, not only with our customers but with those who live and work in our destinations. Our reservation experts, many of whom have been with us for many years, are passionate about our destinations and, through their personal, first-hand knowledge can answer any questions that you may have. They are well qualified to advise and recommend, based
on your own holiday criteria. We can point you to those special, littleknown places, some not found even in guidebooks. Our holidays are trips that we ourselves enjoy and would choose for our friends and family. We endeavour to treat you, our customers, as we would expect to be treated. In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever that we strive to retain consistency and high levels of customer service. I guarantee that our specialist teams will be there from start to finish, that our descriptions are honest, and that every property featured has been vetted. You can, of course, contact me or any of the team directly should you have any questions or issues that you would like to raise. I hope that Sunvil can introduce you to the real Italy & Sicily.
Noel Josephides, Chairman Email: noel.josephides@sunvil.co.uk
Tremezzo, Lake Como
Italy & Sicily | An introduction
Contents Introduction
2-7
Italy
8 - 47
Highlights of Italy
10 - 11
Milan, the Italian Lakes & Lombardy Suggested holiday itineraries
12 - 15 16 - 17
Venice & the Veneto Suggested holiday itineraries
18 - 21 22 - 23
Florence & Tuscany Suggested itinerary
24 - 28 29
Rome & Lazio Suggested holiday itineraries
30 - 31 32 - 33
Lecce & Puglia Suggested holiday itineraries
34 - 37 38 - 39
Matera & Basilicata
40 - 41
Amalfi Coast & Campania Suggested holiday itinerary
42 - 46 47
Sicily
48 - 71
Highlights of Sicily
50 - 51
Western Sicily Suggested holiday itinerary
52 - 56 57
Eastern Sicily Suggested holiday itineraries
58 - 65 66 - 67
The Aeolian Islands Suggested holiday itinerary
68 - 70 71
Additional information
OUR PROMISE HANDPICKED ACCOMMODATION A HIGHLY PERSONAL SERVICE FROM START TO FINISH VALUE FOR MONEY AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR DESTINATIONS HOLIDAYS TAILORED TO YOUR TASTE
72 - 75
General information
72 - 73
Booking conditions
74 - 75
100% Financial Protection Sunvil is a fully bonded tour operator. Our air travel inclusive holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Accommodation and land arrangements are protected by ABTA. Our promise We promise to provide great value, expertly tailored holidays in unspoiled destinations across the world, coupled from start to finish with personal service and attention to detail.
Value for money Our aim is to offer you the very best service and holiday arrangements possible, whether you choose a 3 star experience or 5 star arrangements. Customer service We set high standards for ourselves and our team; we hope that you will find our service levels to be friendly and efficient, with a personal, caring touch.
ABTA No.V6218
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Italy & Sicily | 3
Italy & Sicily | An introduction
Welcome to the real Italy & Sicily to Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring paintings adorning the roof of the Sistine chapel. Visit the spectacular Greek temples at Paestum, Agrigento, Segesta, Selinunte or Syracuse. Tour the rolling green landscapes and medieval hill-top villages of Tuscany and Puglia. Climb Mount Etna - Europe’s tallest volcano at 3,320m. ‘Take the cure’ in a sulphur pool on the Aeolian island of Vulcano. ‘Shop ‘til you drop’ in the famous fashion houses of Armani, Versace and Dolce As Italian specialists since 1979, and connoisseurs of complicated, e Gabbana. Dine out on the tailor-made itineraries in both Italy gastronomic delights of Italian cuisine from homemade pastas and Sicily, we know the country intimately – not just its hotels and and pastries to mouth-watering obvious attractions, but its cuisine, Neapolitan ice cream. its culture and its quirky bits. Rich From cities to lakes, lakes to in culture and history, there is an unending list of attractions to suit mountains, mountains to spectacular coastal resorts and all tastes and interests. rural landscapes, Italy and Sicily have it all. Whatever kind of Let Sunvil be your guide to holiday you choose from a short the cities of Rome, Florence city break, to a multi-centre and Venice, all UNESCO World holiday exploring what Italy has to Heritage Sites, and home to offer, you will return home full of some of the world’s best known wonderful treasured memories. works of art from Botticelli’s painting of the ‘Birth of Venus’ Drawing on almost 40 years’ of experience, our Italian programme focuses on authentic experiences, handpicked accommodation and flexible itineraries that uncover the real country. Choose from over 100 properties, from city centre and small family-run hotels, to restored farm houses and luxurious resort accommodation in the most beautiful parts of this culturally-rich country.
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Italy & Sicily | An introduction
A holiday catered to your individual needs
Flexibility
Our Italian programme offers stunning scenery from bucolic landscapes and spectacular coastal areas to high mountain ranges and incredible lakes. You will be able to explore lesser known areas that are still relatively unknown to many visitors. Savour the gastronomic delights that differ from region to region and experience the rich cultural history that Italy & Sicily have to offer. The choice is yours.
Within the following pages and on our website you will find a selection of holiday itineraries. These itineraries are not fixed, they are just examples designed to give you an idea of what is feasible within different time frames and a realistic idea of cost. City breaks, fly-drives, multi-centre holidays and itineraries using trains and private transfers are available, and all can be individually tailored to you.
Sunvil team
Sunvil Website
Our specialist reservations team is on hand to advise, recommend and tailor-make your ideal holiday. We are confident in our knowledge of the destinations and proud to be able to offer honest, well-formed information to our clients. Enquiries can be discussed over the telephone and by email – whichever method is the most convenient to you.
Our brochure highlights the best of our Italian programme without overwhelming clients with too much information. However, the finer details will not be lost and have been added to our website providing clients with access to more detailed information about each property, geographical area and further suggested itineraries and photos.
Team members: Angela, Cristiana, Michelle, Rachel, Rebecca, Rosanna and Yasmin.
Choose a Sunvil holiday for your next adventure. We promise that you will not be disappointed.
Telephone number 020 8758 4722 Email discovery@sunvil.co.uk Website www.sunvil.co.uk
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Italy & Sicily | 5
Italy & Sicily | Holiday Types
Holiday Types Whether it’s following up a city break with some time relaxing on the beach, hopping between Sicily and the Aeolian islands, or touring the Italian countryside, we can help you plan the perfect getaway.
Agriturismo
City Breaks
We offer ‘agriturismo’ properties in Italy & Sicily which have been carefully chosen and vetted. Some are located in the least-known corners of the island, and most specialise in high quality produce, usually grown on the property and prepared in the kitchen as local specialities. You will be able to sample the wine from the vineyard outside your window, or the olive oil from the trees around you. Oranges and lemons, fruit of all kinds, nuts, rustic breads, excellent locally-produced meat and fish and delectable puddings will be on offer. See pages 13, 28, 35, 36, 54, 56, 60, 63, 64 and 65.
The cities of Florence, Milan, Padua, Pisa, Rome, Venice, Verona, Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are an excellent choice for a European city break. Within 2½ hours flying time from the UK, you will feel the warmth of the Italian sunshine and be surrounded by fascinating cityscapes, rich in culture and history, with beautiful buildings, superlative art and fabulous food. Italy is an endless source of fascination and delight. See pages 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 31, 43, 44, 45 and 46.
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Main image: Matera, Basilicata
Scandinavia introduction Italy & Sicily| An | Holiday Types
Multi-Centre Itineraries
Wine Estates
Within our brochure, you will ďŹ nd a range of suggested itineraries which are examples of holidays that we can arrange. All can be tailored to meet your individual requirements. Multi-centre holidays - including domestic ights, trains, private or shared transfers or self-drive car hire - can be arranged. See pages 16, 17, 23, 29, 33, 38, 39, 47, 57, 66, 67 and 71.
Italy & Sicily are well known for producing excellent wines so what better way to enjoy wine than to stay at a wine estate. Take a guided tour of the vineyard and wine cellars and learn all about the fascinating world of prestigious wines and their careful method of production. See pages 27, 28, 60 and 65.
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Italy | Our chosen areas
Italy Our extensive programme to Italy stretches from Milan and the Italian lakes in the north to Puglia – at Italy’s heal, in the south. It is best suited to independent, seasoned travellers who are looking for something different and want to feel closer to the sort of relationship that exists between Italians and their irresistible country.
Historical and archaeological sites stand side-by-side with open countryside, extensive vineyards and forests, and a long and varied coastline. We believe the experience is enriched even further if you have the chance to get a taste of the ‘real Italy’, away from conventional tourist enclaves.
Milan, the Italian Lakes & Lombardy
Venice & the Veneto
Florence & Tuscany
Rome & Lazio
The landscape of the Veneto varies from flat and unappealing to mountainous and breathtaking.
Dotted with vineyards-covered hills and walled towns which form the backdrop for classic Renaissance art.
Full of monuments to ancient glories and reminders of hundreds of years of civilization, Rome is timeless and eternal.
See pages 18-23
See pages 24-29
See pages 30-33
Lecce & Puglia
Matera & Basilicata
Located on Italy’s heel, Puglia has coastlines along both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and a history dating back to the civilization of Magna Grecia.
Matera is one of the most unusual and memorable towns in Italy. It lies in a small canyon carved out by the Gravina River and famed for its extensive cave-dwellings ‘the Sassi’.
Amalfi Coast & Campania
See pages 34-39
See pages 40-41
Lombardy offers beautiful landscapes, grand villas, ancient castles, and the three great lakes of Garda, Como and Maggiore. Milan, the region capital, is also the global capital of fashion and design. See pages 12-17
This region is steeped in Etruscan and Greek remains, the most important of which are found at Paestum. See pages 42-47
SUNVIL WEBSITE Within our brochure you will find a good selection of properties, suggested itineraries and regional information that Sunvil offer. However, for additional properties, photos, itineraries and general information on Italy please visit our website www.sunvil.co.uk/italy
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Italy | Our chosen areas
PIEDMONT
t m l o
Lake d’Isea
o
Lake Maggiore
D
Lake Orta
FRIULIVENEZIAGIULIA
i
TRENTINO
Lake ak Como
Bergamo
Lake Garda
MILAN
VENETO
Verona
Mira Padua
VENICE
LOMBARDY
TURIN EMILIA-ROMAGNA LIGURIA
GENOA
BOLOGNA
Republic of San Marino
Ravenna
RIMINI Torre del Lago
Lucca
PISA
Pontassieve
FLORENCE
ANCONA
Radda in Chianti
Montespertoli
LE MARCHE
San Gimignano Volterra V
Corsignano Cortona Lake Trasimeno Montalcino
Siena
PERUGIA
TUSCANY
Assisi
ADRIATIC SEA
UMBRIA Campagnatico Orvieto Grosseto G Lago di Bolsena Viterbo
PE P E PESCARA
Lago di Bracciano
ABRUZZO
Tivoli
ROME Ostia
g Gargano Promontory
Subiaco
MOLISE
LAZIO
Montecassino
Trani
Terracina Gaeta
Andria
CAMPANIA
NAPLES Sorrento Positan
Island of Capri
Ravello
Paestum San Marco di Castellabate
Scala Amalfi
Pietrapertosa Matera Castelmezzano
BARI
Po Polignano A Mare Savelletri di Fasano Fasano Alberobello Ostuni BRINDISI Locorotondo
PUGLIA
BASILICATA
Taranto
Maratea
Cerrate Lecce Martano Otranto Porto Cesareo
Ascea
IONIAN SEA
MEDITERRANEAN SEA CALABRIA
Daily temperatures (ºC) Venice Rome Sorrento
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 2 4 8 12 17 21 7 9 11 14 18 21 12 13 15 19 21 26
Venice Rome Sorrento
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 23 23 19 14 8 4 23 23 21 16 9 4 29 29 26 21 17 13
SICILY
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Italy | 9
Italy | Highlights
Italy... what not to miss Here is a selection of some of the many highlights to be found in Italy which we hope will inspire you to travel and experience them for yourselves.
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Caffè Pedrocchi
Casa Puccini in Lucca (Tuscany)
When in Padua (Veneto) take a break at this 19th century coffee house and ask for the speciality ‘Pedrocchi caffè’, a perfect blend of sweet mint and bitter espresso coffee. A meeting place for intellectuals and academics over the year, even Lord Byron was a patron.
A charming museum converted from the former childhood home of the great opera composer Giacomo Puccini. It contains personal letters, opera drafts and the piano on which he created his last opera, Turandot.
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Main image: Colosseum, Rome
Italy | Highlights
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Egnazia
Gaeta (Campania)
A fascinating archaeological park in Puglia which dates back the Bronze Age. A necropolis with pre-Roman tombs, painted vases known as ‘Egnazia ceramic’, an amphitheatre and forum are some of the historical discoveries from the ancient town of Gnathia.
Gaeta is a city of medieval walls, narrow alleys, a 13th century castle and long sandy beaches. Visit Monte Orlando that rises above the town, famed for its split mountain ‘Montagna Spaccata’ where legend says split into three crevices when Christ died.
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Lake Como
La Maremma Natural Park
The funicular railway which has linked Como and Brunate since 1894 is the quickest way of travelling between these two towns and is an ideal opportunity to enjoy stunning views over Lake Como and the Alps.
This pristine rural landscape has an unspoilt Tuscan coastline. Stone pines, low hills, Mediterranean maquis, beach and sea span the coastal area between the town of Talamone and the Ombrone estuary.
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Royal Palace of Caserta
The Island of Capri
This former royal residence in Caserta (Campania) was constructed for the Bourbon kings of Naples to rival Versailles. It was the largest palace and one of the largest buildings erected in Europe during the 18th century.
A perfect island destination at any time of year, Capri has a very pleasant climate from 50°F in February to 74°F in August, spectacular scenery, blue grottoes and a rich history dating back to the Emperors of Rome.
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Italy | 11
Italy | Lombardy
Milan, the Italian Lakes & Lombardy Lake Como Lake Maggiore LOMBARDY Lake Garda Milan
Lombardy is the most populous and richest region in Italy, with a population of about 10 million and about a fifth of Italy’s gross domestic product being generated in the region. Milan, the region’s capital, is the largest metropolis in Italy with many
Verona
Mantua
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exclusive shops and a wealth of art and culture from the Gothic cathedral to Santa Maria delle Grazie church. The Italian Lake District is a pre-Alps region with beautiful valleys, striking mountains that descend to meet the lakeshores, pretty lakeside towns and meandering narrow roads which provide breathtaking views at every turn.
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The Last Supper
The Borromeo Islands
Villa del Balbianello
Il Vittoriale degli Italiani
Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of the ‘Last Supper’ is one of the world’s most important and moving works of art. This dramatic spectacle hangs in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.
Lake Maggiore’s islands of Bella and Madre have grand, luxurious residences and a 17th century Italian-style garden, while the third ‘dei Pescatori’ is an age-old fishing village.
This beautiful villa, on Lake Como’s west bank, is on a wooded promontory that can only be accessed by boat. Often used by filmmakers, the location was featured in the James Bond film ‘Casino Royale’.
This fabulous, hillside estate is located on the Gardone Riviera overlooking Lake Garda. The Art Deco home of the Italian writer Gabriele d’Annunzio has unusually designed gardens, including a full size WWI battleship and small amphitheatre.
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Main image: Lake Garda
Italy | Lombardy
Milan & Lake Maggiore Milan is a global capital of fashion and design and home to Leonardo’s ‘The Last Supper’. Lake Maggiore has many fashionable lakeside resorts with charming narrow streets, filled with smart boutiques, cafés and restaurants. De La Ville Hotel, Milan This four star superior hotel is situated in the historic centre of Milan and within walking distance of the gothic Cathedral and La Scala Opera house – two of the city’s iconic monuments. Each room is unique, with silk tapestries and classic or contemporary décor. There is a rooftop terrace with swimming pool - unusual for a city hotel, which has a retractable glass dome so that guests can use it throughout the year. The terrace also boasts an impressive panorama over the rooftops of Milan including the Duomo spires.
Accommodation: 108 air-conditioned rooms including superior rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites.
• Airports: 45km Milan Malpensa / 15km Milan Linate • 4-star superior hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Historic centre location • Restaurant • Swimming pool • Wellness Centre Guide price from £678 per person*
Cannero Lakeside Resort, Cannero This charming, family-run hotel is set against a backdrop of Alpine mountains, just south of the Swiss border. Enjoying a superb position in a pedestrianised area, this lakeside property is comprised of two buildings, one a former monastery and the other a historic baronial house. Today, the monastery has been entirely transformed but for the original well, which still remains in the library (originally the old cloister). In addition, there is a tennis court, swimming pool and excellent restaurant serving traditional cuisine.
Accommodation: 50 air-conditioned rooms including single rooms, standard rooms, superior rooms and suites.
• Airports: 78km Milan Malpensa / 141km Milan Linate • 4-star hotel • Complimentary WiFi • Half Board • Lakefront location (Lake Maggiore) • Restaurant • Swimming pool Guide price from £1,381 per person*
Grand Hotel Majestic, Pallanza The Grand Hotel Majestic, dating from 1870, still retains many elegant period features as well as its traditional atmosphere. The interiors display a subtle blend of antique and modern furnishings with spacious, high ceilings. The panoramic terrace and gardens afford spectacular lakefront views. Positioned on one of the most idyllic lakeside settings, just 5-minutes walk from the centre of Pallanza, the stunning surroundings will never cease to delight first-time and returning visitors alike.
Accommodation: 80 air-conditioned rooms including superior rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites.
• Airports: 63km Milan Malpensa / 126km Milan Linate • 4-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Lakefront location (Lake Maggiore) • Restaurant • Swimming pool • Spa Guide price from £1,445 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (3 nights in Milan & 7 nights in Cannero and Pallanza), flights from London Gatwick to Milan Linate (other airports on request) and private transfers (Milan) or car hire (Cannero and Pallanza). Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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Italy | 13
Italy | Lombardy
Lake Como Lake Como is a sophisticated resort area known for its dramatic scenery and deep-blue waters set against the rugged, forested foothills of the Alps.
Classic Room with Lake View
Belvedere Hotel, Bellagio The Belvedere is, without doubt, one of the best-located hotels on Lake Como. In a peaceful and tranquil hillside setting with spectacular views over one of the most charming corners of Lake Como, the hotel is positioned above the pretty fishing village of Pescallo. This family-run property – going back five generations, is a short walk (5-minutes) from the centre of Bellagio with its narrow alleyways, colourful harbour front and selection of boutique shops and restaurants. During the summer, meals may be taken on the panoramic terrace.
Accommodation: 64 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, comfort rooms and suites.
• Airports: 112km Milan Malpensa / 81km Milan Linate • 3-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Lakefront location (Lake Como) • Restaurant • Swimming pool • Spa Guide price from £1,445 per person*
Grand Hotel Victoria, Menaggio This delightful hotel, located on the shores of Lake Como, is a 2-minute walk from the centre of Menaggio. Surrounded by well-maintained gardens, the hotel is positioned opposite the lakefront promenade and affords spectacular views across to Bellagio. Within the gardens, to the rear of the hotel, is a secluded area where guests can enjoy the peaceful setting around an outdoor swimming pool. Following recent refurbishments, the property has maintained the original elegance and style of the Liberty era.
Accommodation: 54 air-conditioned rooms including single rooms, standard double rooms, superior double rooms and junior suites.
• Airports: 91km Milan Malpensa / 106km Milan Linate • 4-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Lakefront location (Lake Como) • Restaurant • Swimming pool Guide price from £1,122 per person*
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Tremezzo This elegant, Liberty style, palace dominates the lakefront in the small village of Tremezzo. Its grandiose façade hides a luxurious interior and spacious, manicured gardens to the rear. Family owned, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo was built in 1910 and has 90 rooms and suites situated in the main building. Decorated in delicate colours, each room is draped with rich fabrics and adorned with vintage furniture and original paintings and prints. Many rooms have superb views over the lake towards lakeside towns or centuries-old parkland.
Accommodation: 90 air-conditioned rooms including park view rooms, lake view rooms, deluxe rooms and suites.
• Airports: 86km Milan Malpensa / 95km Milan Linate • 5-star deluxe hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Lakefront location (Lake Como) • Restaurant • Swimming pools • Spa Guide price from £1,372 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Milan Linate (other airports on request) and car hire (transfers on request). Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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Italy | Lombardy
Lake Garda & Mantua The largest of the north Italian lakes, Lake Garda is comparable to a small sea and is frequented by sailing enthusiasts. Mantua’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Villa del Sogno, Gardone Riviera Located on the west bank of Lake Garda, this imposing 19th century Villa, set in its own extensive private park, enviably affords one of the best views on the lake. The Liberty décor and other period features have been conserved in many of the hotel’s interiors, reinforcing the romantic and sophisticated elegance of this grand lakeside residence. The tranquil setting and beautiful surroundings makes this the perfect place in which to relax and unwind. Entry is via a long and winding road (1km).
Accommodation: 32 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms, junior suites and suites.
• Airports: 58km Verona / 171km Milan Malpensa • 5-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Hillside location (Lake Garda) • Restaurant • Swimming pool
Superior Room
Guide price from £1,512 per person*
Villa Florida Suites & Suite Apartments, Gardone Riviera This family-run property is perched 200 metres above the waterfront of Lake Garda on a backdrop of green, wooded mountain slopes. The apartments, on four floors, offer spacious, comfortable accommodation and afford stunning views towards the lake. Guests can take advantage of the scenic, mountain setting and relax by the pool or descend on foot (20-minutes - steep in areas), or by car, to Gardone Riviera, where it is possible to catch a boat to various towns dotted along the shores of this beautiful lake.
Accommodation: Several airconditioned units including superior studios and one-bedroom suites.
• Airports: 58km Verona / 171km Milan Malpensa • 4-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Lakeside location (Lake Garda) • Self Catering (SC) • Swimming pool Guide price from £859 per person*
Villa dei Mulini, Volta Mantovana This charming, medieval country house, beautifully restructured and transformed from an old water mill, is located on the banks of the River Mincio. Set in delightful natural surroundings with small waterfalls and river islets, the rippling waters offer a relaxing and magical atmosphere. The interiors are decorated with centuriesold wooden beams, terracotta floors, rough-stone walls and antique furniture. There is a nearby cycle path that runs along the River Mincio and leads to Peschiera del Garda (20km) on the southern shores of Lake Garda.
Accommodation: 15 air-conditioned units including superior rooms, junior suites and one-bedroom apartments.
• Airport: 27km Verona / 160km Venice Marco Polo • Agriturismo • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Rural location south of Lake Garda Guide price from £745 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Verona (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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Italy | 15
Italy | Itinerary
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Milan Linate (other airports on request) • Private transfers included on arrival, between hotels and on departure • 3-nights De La Ville Hotel, Milan BB • 4-nights Belvedere Hotel, Bellagio BB
Bellagio
Departures Daily Duration 7 nights Guide price from £1,375 per person*
Milan Cathedral
Milan & Lake Como Itinerary: 8 days / 7 nights There is new energy coursing through cosmopolitan Milan with old structures that have been repurposed as bars, restaurants and cultural centres following the hosting of Expo 2015. The city is well connected by train and an obvious choice from which to reach Lake Como. The vegetation of Lake Como is Mediterranean, alpine and subalpine with cypress and pine trees and on the sunbathed slopes vines and olive trees.
Day One: On arrival at Milan airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Days Two & Three: Day at leisure. Explore the many delights of the city: be inspired by the Last Supper located in Santa Maria delle Grazie church; climb (150 steps), or take the lift, to the roof of the gothic Cathedral for a panoramic view over the city and the distant Alps; visit the world famous opera house ‘La Scala’; hop on a tram (number 1) to view some of the most important monuments; and shop in style at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. In the afternoon, head to the Navigli district surrounding the city’s historic canals. The bohemian canals are lined with pavement cafés, vintage shops and the occasional gallery. A popular antiques market is held on the Naviglio Grande on the last Sunday of every month. Day Four: Private transfer from Milan to the Belvedere Hotel in Bellagio (80km). The Belvedere is, without doubt, one of the best-located hotels
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on Lake Como. In a peaceful hillside setting with spectacular views over one of the most charming corners of Lake Como. Day Five: Day at leisure. Explore the small centre of Bellagio, one of the most beautiful resorts on Lake Como, admired for its’ blue waters, cleanliness and fresh air. The characteristic narrow streets house many shops and a stroll through the romantic gardens of Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni provide a welcome diversion. Day Six: Day at leisure. Walk down to the harbour and take a boat trip on the lake to visit one of the many pretty lakeside towns. Day Seven: Day at leisure. Chill out and relax by the pool with a good book. Day Eight: Transfer back to the airport for your return flight home.
Italy | Itinerary
Venice & the Italian Lakes Itinerary: 10 days / 9 nights Stretching from Piedmont in the west to Veneto in the east and from Switzerland and Trentino in the north, the Italian Lake District is a wonderful destination for a touring holiday. Sculpted by nature this spectacular landscape of mountain peaks, gentle countryside, tranquil islands and blue waters is adorned with a great variety of flowers, small sailing ports and grand villas. At every turn a photo opportunity awaits. Whether an artist, keen walker or just someone that enjoys unspoiled landscapes and peace and tranquillity, this is the location for you. We have outlined a fly-drive itinerary below, but remember that this is merely a suggestion and can be modified to suit individual requirements. Day One: On arrival in Venice airport, boat transfer to the Casa Nicolò Priuli. Day Two: Day at leisure. Explore the delights of Venice - one of the ‘must see’ cities in the world. With its picture-postcard panorama, an inspiration for generations of artists, beautiful palazzi and endless mazes of narrow cobbled streets, it is easy to see why. Day Three: Self-transfer to Venice airport to collect
your hire car. Drive towards Lake Garda and the Villa del Sogno (183km). Day Four: Day at leisure. Known as the ‘garden city’ of Lake Garda, Gardone has a huge variety of exotic vegetation including cedars, magnolias, ferns and palm trees. The botanical gardens should be visited and are open from March to October. From the port at Gardone, visitors can take the ferry or hydrofoil across to many of the charming lakeside towns and villages.
Day Nine: Day at leisure. Visit the delightful Borromean islands, lying in the centre of Lake Maggiore, whose natural beauty is further complemented by artificial grottoes and landscaped parks. Take a stroll along the lake front of Stresa, the main resort on the western shores which is full of grand villas and verdant gardens. Day Ten: Drive to Milan Malpensa airport for your return flight home.
Day Five: Drive to Varenna on Lake Como and board the ferry across the lake to Menaggio (150km). A walk along Menaggio’s lakefront is one of the most common and enjoyable activities when visiting the area. The west bank has a string of resorts lining the shores, with plenty of choice for dining out. Days Six & Seven: Days at leisure. Spend time hopping from one side of the lake to the other for some stunning scenery on one of the many hydrofoils or ferries that cross daily. Visit the main town of Como - great for shopping. Don’t miss the jewel of the lake, Bellagio, which is well positioned at the very tip of the peninsula separating the lake’s two southern arms. Day Eight: Depart for Lake Maggiore and the Grand Hotel Majestic (70km). The second largest lake, Maggiore is famed for its jewel-like islands and mountainous northern shores that cross over into Switzerland.
Venice
Lake Maggiore
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flight from London Heathrow to Venice Marco Polo and returning from Milan Malpensa (other airports on request) • Boat transfer on arrival from Venice airport (Day 1) • 2-nights Casa Nicolò Priuli, Venice BB • 8-days car hire (one-way fee payable locally) • 2-nights Villa del Sogno, Lake Garda BB • 3-nights Grand Hotel Victoria, Lake Como BB • 2-nights Grand Hotel Majestic, Lake Maggiore BB
Departures Daily Duration 9 nights Guide price from £1,490 per person*
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Italy | 17
Italy | Veneto
Venice & the Veneto The landscape of the Veneto varies from flat and unappealing to mountainous and breathtaking. Venice, the region’s capital, is built on more than 100 small islands in a marshy lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. No description
Dolomites TRENTINOALTO ADIGE
Lake Garda
FRIULIVENEZIA GIULIA
VENETO Verona
Vicenza Padua
Venice Strà Mira
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can adequately convey the charm and fascination of the ‘Serene Republic’. Renaissance squares, Roman ruins and medieval palaces all vie for attention in the neighbouring towns of Padua and Vicenza. Padua, an old university town (Galileo lectured here), is rich in architecture and art. Vicenza has the 16th century Palladian theatre ‘Teatro Olimpico’.
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The Venetian Lagoon
Cappella degli Scrovegni
Il Bàcaro
Hop on a vaporetto and visit the Venetian glass factory on Murano; Burano where beautifully intricate lacework can be found; and Torcello, with its charming, colourful houses and gardens.
The interior of Padua’s chapel is entirely covered with 14th century frescoes depicting the life of Christ. Painted by the Florentine artist Giotto, it is one of the most important masterpieces of Western art.
The Bàcaro is similar to a tavern and is typical to Venice. Venetians love to stop here and indulge in some tapas (cichetti) accompanied by a glass of wine (ombreta).
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UNESCO World Heritage sites The Veneto has six cultural sites listed which include the cities of Venice (and its Lagoon), Verona and Vicenza, the Palladian Villas of the Veneto, the Botanical Gardens of Padua and the majestic Dolomites.
Main image: Venice
Italy | Veneto
Venice The most romantic of cities, Venice is unique and captivating, with its panoramas and sudden glimpses of palaces, churches, canals and bridges.
Casa Nicolò Priuli, Venice From the imposing gothic style façade to the opulent interior and stylish 19th century décor, this distinctive hotel is modest in size, but retains an unmistakable sense of exclusivity and grandeur. The hotel overlooks two canals, the Osmarin and the canal of the Greeks, with some rooms enjoying scenic views over the waterways. An ideal base from which to explore Venice and, with the added bonus of being situated in a quiet residential area, guests are assured a relaxing and comfortable stay.
Accommodation: 25 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms and superior rooms.
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Airport: 13km Venice Marco Polo 3-star hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi
Guide price from £555 per person*
Venice
Palazzo Priuli, Venice Located in the heart of Venice’s historic centre, the Palazzo Priuli is only 200 metres from the beautiful Piazza San Marco and 500 metres from the Rialto Bridge. This luxury hotel offers an authentic Venetian experience and is decorated in rich colours with antique furniture and fine art work. The spacious and elegant rooms afford a variety of picturesque views of the surrounding canals and historic buildings. There are numerous ‘Bacari’ (taverns) serving traditional Venetian dishes in close proximity to the hotel.
Accommodation: 10 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms and junior suites.
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Airport: 13km Venice Marco Polo 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi
Guide price from £555 per person*
Palazzo Giovanelli e Gran Canal, Venice The Palazzo Giovanelli is a charming well positioned 16th century building overlooking the Grand Canal and set in a tranquil quarter between the magnificent Church of San Stae and the modern art museum ‘Ca’ Pesaro’. This former palace has been, at one time, home to the last Doge of Venice (Marco Foscarini now buried in the Church of San Stae) and the great Austrian composer Mozart’s family. The spacious lounges feature Murano-glass chandeliers and elegant Italian furniture but the hotel’s facilities are modern.
Accommodation: 41 air-conditioned (01May-15Oct) rooms including superior rooms, deluxe room, junior suites and suites.
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Airport: 7.5km Venice Marco Polo 4-star superior hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi
Superior Room
Guide price from £583 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (3 nights) and flights from London Gatwick to Venice Marco Polo (other airports on request). Private water taxi transfers can be arranged at a supplement. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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Italy | 19
Italy | Veneto
Padua & Vicenza The art cities of the Veneto have much to offer the discerning traveller. Marvel at Giotto’s stunning frescoes in Padua and the impressive Renaissance ‘Teatro Olimpico’ in Vicenza. Majestic Toscanelli Hotel, Padua The Majestic Toscanelli is a sophisticated boutique hotel situated in the historic centre of Padua, in a restricted-traffic area, near the three famous squares of the town: Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta and Piazza dei Signori. Discover Giotto’s magnificent frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel and enjoy a scenic walk past breathtaking architecture to the city’s many cafés, restaurants and cultural attractions. The hotel’s guestrooms are uniquely designed in various styles in either Baroque Venetian or a more
quaint 19th century English style and features carpeted or wood floors. Accommodation: 34 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, comfort rooms, junior suites and suites.
• Airports: 45km Venice Marco Polo / 95km Verona • 4-star superior hotel • Bed & Breakfast • City centre location • Complimentary WiFi Guide price from £516 per person*
Campo Marzio Hotel, Vicenza The Campo Marzio Hotel is well situated in the heart of Vicenza next to the city park and only a few minutes walk from Piazza dei Signori, the Basilica Palladiana and the Teatro Olimpico – some of Vicenza’s hidden treasures. Guests have free use of the hotel’s on-site bikes which is an ideal way in which to visit the historic centre. Its central location, near to the train station, also affords easy access to many culturally rich cities in the area including Venice, Verona and Padua.
Accommodation: 41 air-conditioned rooms including deluxe rooms and suites.
• Airports: 66km Verona / 76km Venice Marco Polo • 4-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • City centre location • Complimentary WiFi Guide price from £536 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (3 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Venice Marco Polo (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
Il Burchiello mini-cruise (Padua to/from Venice) Take a mini-cruise along the Brenta River from Padua to Venice or vice versa and visit three amazing Venetian Villas en route. The Burchiello was a typical Venetian barge, finely wrought and decorated and used to transport wealthy aristocrats of the 1700’s from the city of Venice to their countryside Villas. Today, the Burchiello is a modern and comfortable motorboat (for up to 110 people) that has an air-conditioned cabin with comfortable sofas, a bar selling snacks, a toilet and a panoramic deck with seating.
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Il Burchiello
A full day mini-cruise captures the extraordinary beauty of the Brenta Riviera and passes nine swivelling bridges and five locks. A guided tour (including entrance fees) of Villa Foscari - also known as La Malcontenta (Mira), Villa Widmann (Mira) and Villa Pisani (Strà) is included, plus a stop for lunch at Oriago (optional) at ‘Il Burchiello’ restaurant. There are daily departures from March to October from Padua to Venice (36km) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and from Venice to Padua on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Prices on request.
Villa Pisani
Oriago Dolo Noventa Padovana Stra Piovego Canal
Padua
Mira Fusina
Venice
Italy | Veneto
Verona One of the most fascinating cities of Italy, Verona is rich in Roman, Medieval and Renaissance buildings. Whilst busy and lively during opera season (Jun-Aug), it is more pleasant and cooler in the Spring and Autumn. Aurora Hotel, Verona This small, intimate hotel is centrally located off Piazza dell’ Erbe, which has a daily local market, and a few minutes walk from the main shopping area and historical sights of Verona. The Aurora is a comfortable, well-positioned hotel with a small balcony overlooking the piazza, perfect for a late afternoon drink after exploring the city. It has been a success with Sunvil clients over several years.
Accommodation: 18 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms and one junior suite.
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Airport: 17km Verona 3-star hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi
Standard Room
Guide price from £615 per person*
Giulietta e Romeo Hotel, Verona The Giulietta e Romeo Hotel, named after the star struck lovers of the Shakespearean play, is located only a few minutes walk from Juliet’s house, believed to be the inspiration for this tragic story. This modern, comfortable hotel is set in the heart of Verona, 30 metres from the fabulous Arena, the venue for many concerts and operas and only a few steps from shops and restaurants in this impressive walled city.
Accommodation: 37 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, triple rooms and suites.
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Airport: 17km Verona 3-star hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi
Guide price from £616 per person*
Due Torri Hotel, Verona Dating from the 14th century, this former palace has maintained many original features including frescoes in the lounge bar and is decorated throughout with antiques and luxuriant fabrics. Offering a high standard of accommodation within the historic city centre of Verona, the hotel has an almost regal atmosphere that promises a memorable stay.
Accommodation: 89 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, deluxe rooms and junior suites.
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Airport: 17km Verona 5-star hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant
Guide price from £775 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (3 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Verona (other airports on request) and private transfers. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | 21
Italy | Itinerary
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Verona (other airports on request) • 3-nights Giulietta e Romeo Hotel, Verona BB • Private transfers on arrival and departure • Two 1st Sector Stalls ‘Gold’ tickets for an Opera of choice in the Arena of Verona
Verona Arena
Departures Daily (Opera Season Jun-Sep) Duration 3 nights Guide price from £857 per person*
Verona Opera
Verona & the Opera Itinerary: 4 days / 3 nights Verona, situated in Northern Italy on the River Adige, is a historical delight. Founded in the 1st century BC, it boasts many Roman remains and has been the inspiration for three Shakespearean plays – the most widely known being Romeo and Juliet. Immerse yourself in the tragic love story with a visit to Juliet’s reputed house and famous balcony, ending with a performance of your choice at the internationally known Arena of Verona.
Day One: Arrive at Verona airport and transfer to Giulietta e Romeo Hotel. Named after the star struck lovers of Verona, the hotel is located within walking distance of Juliet’s house and the famous balcony as well as being just 30 metres from the Arena. Day Two: Day at leisure. Opportunity to explore the historically rich and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Verona, with its picturesque centre. Stroll along the main shopping area leading towards Piazza dell’ Erbe, once a Roman Forum but today a delightful market square filled with wonderful frescoed buildings and monuments. Take a trip to the top of the Lamberti Tower for great views across the city or simply relax in one of the many cafes.
Day Three: Day at leisure to indulge in some last minute souvenir shopping or perhaps a visit to the Duomo (cathedral) of Verona; Castelvecchio – the 14th century medieval castle; the Roman theatre and archeological museum; or alternatively a train journey to Venice (c.80-minutes), for a memorable day trip. Day Four: Transfer to Verona airport for your return flight home.
In the evening, walk down to Piazza Bra, location of the arena, for the evening’s performance of an opera of your choice. Performances commence at 20:45 or 21:00.
Verona
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Italy | Itinerary
Multi-city Holiday Verona - Padua - Vicenza - Venice Itinerary: 8 days / 7 nights The art cities of the Veneto offer historic centres, grand palazzi, great works of art by famous artists (Caravaggio, Titian and Giotto); regional food and prestigious wines; and all are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Day One - Verona: Arrive at Verona airport and transfer to the Aurora Hotel. Day Two: Full day to explore the delights of the historical, walled city of Verona: Visit Piazza delle Erbe, originally a Roman forum, with buzzing cafes and a daily market; Torre dei Lamberti, an 85m watchtower with panoramic views over the city; and Giardino Giusti, a marvellous Renaissancestyled garden with fabulous sculptures. Day Three - Padua: After breakfast, self-transfer to the train station for your train to Padua (c.43-minutes). On arrival, self-transfer to the Majestic Toscanelli Hotel. Discover the artistic wonders of this fabulous historic city. Padua has one of Europe’s oldest universities, dating from 1222, where the likes of Galileo and Copernicus taught; the 13th century Basilica di Sant’ Antonio (St. Anthony’s final resting place); and the Scrovegni Chapel, with Giotto’s famed 14th century frescoes. The impressive Prato della Valle, an elliptical square, is thought to be Europe’s second-biggest.
Day Four - Vicenza: Enjoy a day out to Vicenza. The train takes c.15-minutes: Vicenza’s compact town centre has many attractive buildings ‘palazzi’, from medieval and Venetian to gothic-style. The Corso Andrea Palladio is the main street and is lined with smart shops and cafes. Piazza dei Signori, in the heart of town, is dominated by two of Vicenza’s most striking landmarks; the Basilica Palladiana, the medieval law courts, with an imposing facade by Palladio and the adjacent Torre di Piazza - a tall, slim tower. The town’s most famous sight however is the Teatro Olimpico - Palladio’s last work. The building was modelled on ancient Roman theatres, with a curved amphitheatre, graded stepped seating and lavish ornamentation. Day Five - Venice: Self-transfer from Padua to Venice by train (c.26-minutes) or, take the boat ‘Il Burchiello’ from Padua to Venice – see page 20. On arrival in Venice, self-transfer by water taxi to the Palazzo Giovanelli Hotel. Days Six & Seven: Explore the delights of the city: Venice is one of the ‘must see’ cities in the world, and with its picture-postcard panorama - an inspiration for generations of artists - beautiful palazzi and endless mazes of narrow cobbled streets, it is easy to see why. Day Eight: Self-transfer to Venice airport for your return flight home. Padua
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flight from London Gatwick to Verona and return from Venice (other airports on request) • 2-nights Aurora Hotel, Verona BB • 2-nights Majestic Toscanelli Hotel, Padua BB • 3-nights Palazzo Giovanelli, Venice BB • Private transfer on arrival (Day 1) from Verona airport to Aurora Hotel • Train ticket from Verona to Padua (Day 3) • Train ticket from Padua to Venice (Day 5) • Note: Transfers to/from train stations are not included
Departures Daily Duration 7 nights Guide price from £998 per person*
Teatro Olimpico, Vicenza
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Italy | 23
Italy | Tuscany
Florence & Tuscany The Tuscan landscape is dotted with cypresses, vineyardcovered hills and walled towns forming the backdrop for its classic Renaissance art which flourished in the 15th-16th centuries. Michelangelo Buonarroti, along with Leonardo Da Vinci, were two of the most
TUSCANY Torre del Lago
Lucca
Florence Pontassieve Montespertoli Radda in Chianti San Gimignano Arezzo Corsignano Volterra Cortona Siena Pisa
Mediterranian Sea
Montepulciano
Lake Trasimeno
Campagnatico Grosseto
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UNESCO World Heritage sites The historic centres of Florence, Siena, Pienza and San Gimignano; the Medici Villas and gardens of Tuscany; the grand Piazza del Duomo in Pisa; and the Val d’Orcia.
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prodigious talents to influence the artists that followed through the centuries. Many of their works can be viewed in Florence, one of the greatest artistic treasure-houses of the world. But Florence is not only history and culture; shopping here is a delight, especially amidst the tiny jewellery shops on the Ponte Vecchio; there are the Boboli Gardens - the finest in Tuscany - and the local cuisine and regional wines which are simply devine.
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Michelangelo’s ‘David’
The Palio
No visit to Florence would be complete without seeing Michelangelo’s most famous masterpiece. The statue, completed between 1501 and 1503, depicts David before his historic victory over Goliath.
A twice yearly (2nd July and 16th August) horse race takes place in Siena’s main piazza. This colourful medieval event celebrates competition between neighbourhoods (contrade) to win the coveted painted silk banner ‘palio’.
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Medieval hilltop towns Visit the charming towns of Montepulciano, Montalcino, Cortona, Rocca d’Orcia and Pienza surrounded by the stunning bucolic Tuscan countryside.
Main image: Tuscany
Italy | Tuscany
Uffizi Gallery, Florence This magnificent art museum exhibits great Renaissance art by the masters - from Giotto and Botticelli to Da Vinci and Michelangelo. A truly brain-draining experience but worth the viewing.
Brunelleschi Hotel, Florence The Brunelleschi Hotel is a well known name in Florence with a fine reputation for quality and service. Located in the heart of Florence in the centre of the historical downtown area, it overlooks Brunelleschi’s Cathedral, just a few steps from the Uffizi Gallery and other famous museums. The hotel has been designed around one of the oldest buildings in Florence, a 6th century Byzantine tower “La Pagliazza” and has many ancient walls and ceilings within the property.
Accommodation: 96 air-conditioned rooms including classic executive rooms, superior executive rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites.
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Airports: 6km Florence / 105km Pisa 4-star superior hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant
Guide price from £909 per person*
Deluxe Room
Degli Orafi Hotel, Florence This historic building has retained many original architectural features including the partially restored remains of an ancient tower and the fabulous frescoes - dating from the 19th century - which adorn the walls of the breakfast room. There is a bar with a panoramic terrace overlooking the River Arno, Palazzo Vecchio and the Cathedral (Duomo). Its location couldn’t be better placed next to both the Ponte Vecchio, with its charming shops and street vendors, and the Uffizi museum.
Accommodation: 42 air-conditioned rooms including single rooms, classic rooms, executive rooms and deluxe junior suites.
• Airports: 6km Florence / 105km Pisa or Bologna • 4-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • City centre location • Complimentary WiFi Guide price from £590 per person*
Athena Hotel, Siena Located in a quiet area within the city walls and near the city gate of Porta San Marco, the Athena Hotel is the ideal choice for a city break or as part of a fly-drive holiday. This four star hotel is tastefully decorated throughout in either classic or modern style and the rooms are spacious and well equipped. Guests can enjoy the fabulous sunsets from the panoramic terrace affording fine views beyond the medieval city walls towards the surrounding Tuscan countryside.
Accommodation: 100 air-conditioned rooms including economy rooms, standard rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms, executive rooms and family rooms.
• Airports: 68km Florence / 170km Pisa • 4-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • City location • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant Guide price from £1,044 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (3 nights in Florence and 7 nights in Siena), flights from London Gatwick to Pisa (other airports on request) and private transfers (Florence) or car hire (Siena). Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
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Italy | Tuscany
Pisa, Lucca & Volterra Pisa is home to the iconic Leaning Tower, built in 1372. Lucca is known for its intact Renaissance-era walls, Roman street plan and the site of an ancient forum. Volterra, once Etruscan and later Roman, is now one of the best known centres for the turning and polishing of alabaster. Grand Hotel Bonanno, Pisa This centrally located 4-star hotel is within close proximity of Piazza dei Miracoli, Museo delle Sinopie, Orto Botanico (botanical gardens) and a 10 minute walk to the impressive Leaning Tower of Pisa. There are 87 modern and well-equipped guestrooms that have light wood furniture and a garden area with outdoor seating. Guests can take advantage of the free parking or use the close proximity of the train station to visit many neighbouring towns and villages in the area including Florence, Siena and Lucca.
Accommodation: 87 air-conditioned rooms including single rooms, standard rooms and junior suites.
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Airport: 3.7km Pisa Airport 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi City location Restaurant
Guide price from £485 per person*
Ilaria Hotel & Residenza dell’Alba, Lucca
Classic room
Located in the historic centre of Lucca and within the ancient city walls, the Ilaria is a modern, comfortable hotel. The property, formerly the stables of Villa Bottini, is ideally positioned near the medieval gate of San Gervasio, within a few minutes walk of the shops and restaurants of this charming walled city and, more importantly, easily accessible by car. There are two large sun terraces (one with a Jacuzzi) facing the park, where breakfast can be taken in the summer.
Accommodation: 41 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms and suites.
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Airports: 34km Pisa / 68km Florence 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast City location Complimentary WiFi
Guide price from £700 per person*
Suite
Villa Nencini Hotel, Volterra Villa Nencini is a beautifully restored, 16th century stone building with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The sunsets here are truly amazing. This charming owner-managed property provides an ideal base from which to explore this rich cultural area. The walled town of Volterra, a 10-minute uphill walk from the hotel, is an enchanting labyrinth of cobbled streets with various parks and a wide choice of restaurants and bars.
Accommodation: 35 rooms including standard rooms, family rooms and suites.
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Airports: 61km Pisa / 92km Florence 3-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool
Guide price from £805 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (3 nights in Pisa and 7 nights in Lucca and Volterra), flights from London Gatwick to Pisa (other airports on request) and car hire. Private transfers (Pisa and Lucca) or car hire (Volterra). Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | Tuscany
Etruscan Cities Tuscany is considered to be the cradle of Etruscan civilization (9BC to 1AD). Ancient Etruria was centred on twelve great Etruscan cities, which included Arezzo, Cortona, San Gimignano and Volterra.
La Cisterna Hotel, San Gimignano In the centre of San Gimignano is the ancient Cistern Square where La Cisterna Hotel stands, one façade overlooking the square and the other towards Val d’Elsa, some of the loveliest scenery in Tuscany. This 14th century building has been furnished in a style perfectly in keeping with the charm of its surroundings. A unique hotel and a town not to be missed.
Standard Room
Accommodation: 48 air-conditioned rooms including single rooms, standard rooms, superior rooms and comfort rooms.
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Airports: 75km Pisa / 70km Florence 3-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Town centre location
Guide price from £813 per person*
Villasanpaolo Spa Resort, San Gimignano The Villasanpaolo is set within a large park of cypress trees and olive groves with spectacular views over the Tuscan countryside and walled town of San Gimignano (4.5km). The property has been beautifully restored in keeping with the original features of this 20th century aristocratic Villa. The elegantly furnished rooms have been tastefully designed combining the old and the new to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. There are well-maintained gardens with views of the towers of San Gimignano and the Certaldo valley.
Accommodation: 78 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms and suites.
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Airports: 68km Pisa / 63km Florence 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurants Rural location Swimming pool Spa
Guide price from £982 per person*
Classic Room
Villa Marsili Hotel, Cortona Villa Marsili, a charming historic residence dating back to the 14th century, is located within a 5-minute walk from the historic centre of Cortona. This elegant and stylishly decorated hotel has been restored to its original architectural splendour. The main hall and bedrooms are all individually frescoed and illuminated by Murano glass fittings from Venice as well as beautifully furnished with antiques.
Accommodation: 25 air-conditioned rooms including single rooms, standard rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and suites.
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Airport 115km Florence 4-star superior hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Town location
Guide price from £1,057 per person*
Standard Room
Standard Room
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Pisa (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
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Italy | Tuscany
Quality Wines Tuscany is home to some of the world’s most notable wine regions accounting for 33 DOC and 9 DOCG wines including Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
Palazzo Leopoldo, Radda in Chianti The Palazzo Leopoldo, dating back to the 15th century, is centrally located in the medieval and charming village of Radda in Chianti. Surrounded by magnificent Chianti producing vineyards, the property has been beautifully decorated in the style of a noble Tuscan residence whilst preserving the building’s original architectural features. A rich buffet breakfast is served in an authentic 18th century kitchen and at ‘La Perla’ restaurant guests will dine on traditional regional dishes complemented with a fine selection of Tuscan wines.
Accommodation: 33 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites.
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Airports: 150km Pisa/ 70km Florence 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Indoor pool Restaurant Rural village location Spa Wine Estate
Guide price from £1,022 per person* Deluxe Room
Borgo Tre Rose, Valiano di Montepulciano Set in the heart of Tuscany between Montepulciano and Cortona, the Borgo is a medieval hilltop hamlet that has been restored and transformed into a relaxing country retreat. All the rooms have been created within six farm buildings and have been decorated in a classical Tuscan style with light wood furniture, terracotta floors and exposed beams. Traditional Tuscan dishes and an excellent selection of wines are served in the restaurant, which has a panoramic terrace offering stunning views over the surrounding countryside.
Accommodation: 39 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, junior suites and family suites.
• Airports: 131km Florence / 241km Rome Fiumicino • Tuscan hamlet (3-star equivalent) • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant • Rural location • Swimming pool • Wine Estate Guide price from £770 per person*
Fattoria Lavacchio, Pontassieve Fields of vineyards and olive groves in the Florentine hills of Montefiesole surround the Fattoria Lavacchio. The estate covers 110 hectares, twenty-one of which are vineyards that cultivate a variety of grapes and produce some excellent wines, namely Fontegalli, Cedro (riserva), Chianti Rufina and Oro del Cedro. Wine tasting, tours of the olive oil factory, cookery courses, horse riding, mountain biking and pottery classes are some of the many activities offered.
Accommodation: 15 rooms (BB) including standard rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites and 5 large apartments - one-bedroom and two-bedroom (SC). Minimum stay: 7 nights (SC) and 3 nights (BB).
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Airports: 110km Pisa / 129km Bologna Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast (BB) or Self Catering (SC) Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool Wine Estate
Guide price from £848 per person*
Standard Room
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Pisa (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | Itinerary
Tuscan Delights Itinerary: 8 days / 7 nights This is a region that has been endowed with a combination of natural beauty and an unparalleled artistic legacy. Our suggested itinerary includes places you would not want to miss plus some lesser known places that will reveal the real Tuscany. Day One: Arrive at Pisa airport, collect your hire car and drive to your hotel. Lucca is a charming town, completely surrounded by 16th century walls, with narrow cobbled alleyways and elegant boutiques. Day Two: Take the train to Pisa. No visit to Tuscany is complete without a visit to the famous Leaning Tower. Next to the tower are the Baptistery and Duomo, which combine to help make this one of the most attractive squares in Italy. Day Three: Take the train to Florence. Visit the Duomo (designed by Filippo Brunelleschi), located next to the Campanile and Baptistery, the Piazza della Signoria (the historical centre of Florence), the Uffizi art gallery and the 14th century Ponte Vecchio which spans the River Arno. Day Four: Enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful Tuscan countryside en-route to the ancient hilltop town of Siena. This medieval town was built on three hills and at its heart is the huge square, Piazza del Campo. Twice a year the colourful horse race known
as the Palio takes place in this central square as competitors from each district within the town race around its cobbled streets. Day Five: Spend the day exploring the Chianti region with its gentle hills interspersed with fields of vineyards and olive groves and small stone villages. Don’t forget to taste the local wine en route. Day Six: Drive north to the picturesque hilltop town of San Gimignano. This Etruscan town is characterised by its beautifully preserved towers. This charming medieval town is criss-crossed with narrow cobbled streets and lanes and the Torre Grossa (54m) provides stunning views over the Tuscan countryside. Day Seven: Enjoy a scenic drive to Volterra. Stretching out along a high ridge, this ancient settlement has its roots in over three thousand years of history. In fact, it is possible to find traces from every historical period which gives the town a unique place in Tuscan history. Etruscan artefacts have been found in abundance in this area and the Museo Guarnacci houses a large collection of objects including some funerary urns, some of which date back to the 9th century BC. Day Eight: Drive back to Pisa for your return flight home.
Tuscany
Cortona
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Pisa (other airports on request) • 8-days car hire • 3-nights Ilaria Hotel, Lucca BB • 2-nights Athena Hotel, Siena BB • 2-nights Villasanpaolo Spa Resort, San Gimignano BB • Return train tickets to Pisa (Day 2) • Return train tickets to Florence (Day 3)
Departures Daily Duration 7 nights Guide price from £1,057 per person*
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | 29
Italy | Lazio
Rome & Lazio Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve Lago di Bolsena
Viterbo Tarquinia
In the heart of the region is Rome, the capital and centre of government, separating the north from the south. The sights to see are many, including the magnificent Colosseum and St Peter’s Square and Basilica. There is so much to do that the longest stay is always too short.
UMBRIA
Caprarola
Lago di Vico Lago di Bracciano
Rome Ostia
ABRUZZO
Tivoli
Subiaco Frascati
LAZIO Montecassino Terracina Gaeta
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All roads lead to Rome, as does the main railway system, which makes day trips from the capital an easy option. Within easy reach is Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli (40km east) and the well-preserved Roman site at Ostia Antica (26km southwest), a former ancient port. Further afield, and accessible by car, are the notable Benedictine monasteries of Subiaco and Montecassino.
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The Sistine Chapel
Did you know?
Markets
Ostia Antica
Painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, the chapel is a work of high Renaissance art. The complex design demonstrates Michelangelo’s great skill in creating a huge variety of poses for the human figure.
Rome’s Colosseum, built in 70 AD, is the largest amphitheatre in the world and the Pantheon, built in 27 BC, is the only monument belonging to ancient Rome that still remains intact.
There are several good outdoor markets, flea markets and places to buy antiques in Rome. Porta Portese (Trastevere), which opens on Sundays (07:00-13:00), is the most important flea market selling almost everything.
The ancient port of Rome, Ostia Antica was abandoned when the Tiber changed course centuries ago. As well as the theatre, necropolis and temples, there are fascinating remains of warehouses, bathhouses, tavernas and the Castle of Julius II.
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Main image: Trevi Fountain, Rome
Italy | Lazio
The Treasures of Rome The Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Spanish steps, the Colosseum - an endless list of treasures to discover.
Modigliani Hotel, Rome Situated in a quiet street near the exclusive Via Veneto, this small familyrun property is a charming base from which to explore the capital. The owners, Marco and Giulia, left their respective careers as a musician and a writer to follow in the family tradition of being hoteliers and have completely renovated this centuriesold building. The result is a traditional hotel with a contemporary feel, furnished with comfortable sofas, Modigliani prints on the walls and a delightful inner-courtyard garden.
Standard Room
Accommodation: 24 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms, family rooms and two apartments.
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Airport: 35km Rome Fiumicino 3-star superior hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi
Guide price from £579 per person*
Rose Garden Palace Hotel, Rome
Superior Room
In the heart of Rome, just off the popular Via Veneto, stands the graceful Rose Garden Palace Hotel. Dating from the early 19th century, the hotel takes its name from the attractive rose garden housed within its grounds. Time is precious in Rome with lots to see and do, and this hidden gem is ideally located for visiting the Spanish Steps, the fountains of Tritone and Mosè, the Borghese Gallery and Villa Borghese - all within walking distance.
Accommodation: 65 air-conditioned rooms including superior rooms, deluxe rooms and a suite.
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Airport: 35km Rome Fiumicino 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Spa
Guide price from £591 per person*
Deluxe Room
Degli Artisti Hotel, Rome This new 4-star deluxe hotel is located in the heart of Rome, close to the Spanish steps, Villa Borghese and the famous shopping streets of Via Veneto and Via Condotti. An urban oasis of cutting-edge technology blended with classic style, the hotel will not fail to impress with its wonderful views of the Eternal city and its bright and elegant rooms. There is a rooftop terrace bar (open in summer) serving cocktails and drinks from liquors to wines and also afternoon tea.
Accommodation: 35 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, junior suites and deluxe suites.
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Airport: 35km Rome Fiumicino 4-star deluxe hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi City centre location
Guide price from £725 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (3 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Rome Fiumicino (other airports on request) and private transfers. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | 31
Italy | Itinerary
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Rome Fiumicino (other airports on request) • Private transfers on arrival and departure • 3-nights Degli Artisti Hotel, Rome BB • Half day private tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel (Day 2). Open: Mon-Sat 09:00-16:00. Closed Sundays and National Holidays
Departures Daily Duration 3 nights Guide price from £947 per person*
St Peter’s Cathedral, Rome
Forum, Rome
Rome City Break Itinerary: 4 days / 3 nights Rome, Italy’s capital, is a living museum yet at the same time doubling as a cosmopolitan metropolis. The city overflows with fascinating architecture, ancient ruins, art museums, churches, boutique shops, markets and gastronomic delights. Our suggested itinerary below is not set in stone and can be amended to suit individual requirements. Day One: On arrival at Rome airport, you will be transferred to Degli Artisti Hotel. This 4-star deluxe hotel is located in the heart of Rome, close to the Spanish steps, Villa Borghese and the famous shopping streets of Via Veneto and Via Condotti. Day Two – Half Day Private Tour of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel: Day at leisure. No visit to Rome is complete without a visit to the Serene Vatican City. Avoid the queues and uncover the secrets of the Vatican on a 4-hour guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums – the world’s largest museum complex. The best way to explore this vast city, its art and history is with a registered guide who can unlock the secrets of the past.
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Explore the Gallery of the Maps and Raphael’s rooms; enter the Sistine Chapel and marvel at Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’ – one of the greatest masterpieces in the Western world; and listen to the tales unfold about St Peter’s Basilica.
Day Four : After breakfast, time for some last minute shopping before heading back to the airport for your return flight home.
Day Three: Day at leisure. Time to explore the treasures of Rome on foot: The Trevi Fountain – don’t forget to throw your three coins in the fountain; the Colosseum - built in 70 AD, is the largest amphitheatre in the world; the Pantheon - built in 27 BC, is the only monument belonging to ancient Rome that still remains intact; Castel Sant' Angelo originally built in 139 AD by Hadrian as a mausoleum; the Mouth of Truth - an ancient stone mask where visitors dare to place their hand inside the mouth to test if they have a true heart; the Baths of Caracalla - the second largest public baths in Rome; and Villa Borghese - Rome’s largest green area with landscaped gardens and attractions. There’s an endless list of treasures to be seen! There are several good outdoor markets, flea markets, and places to buy antiques in Rome. Porta Portese (Trastevere), which opens on Sundays from 7am until 1pm, is the most important flea market in Rome, selling almost everything.
Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome
Italy | Itinerary
Rome & the Amalfi Coast Itinerary: 6 days / 5 nights Train travel is one of the easiest and most economical ways of travelling within Italy, especially between the major cities and towns. Our suggested itinerary combines a stay in the eternal city of Rome with Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Day One: Arrive at Rome airport and transfer to your hotel. Rome is a living museum which displays the greatest collection of classical antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces, Baroque churches and Roman archaeological sites in the world. At every turn, world-famous attractions and works of art by Bernini, Caravaggio and Michelangelo are visible.
small, picturesque town with fantastic coastal views is situated on the famous Amalfi Coast. Set on a hillside, the town winds down towards the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Day Four: Visit some of the finest ancient sites in the whole of Italy. The archaeological site of Herculaneum lies at the foot of the volcano of Mount Vesuvius and contains the remnants of a residential town buried by an enormous eruption. The excavated site of Pompeii offers an extraordinarily detailed insight into life at the
height of the Roman Empire. Day Five: Day at leisure – relax by the pool with a good book. If you’re feeling energetic, take the boat from Sorrento to Capri. A perfect island destination at any time of year, Capri has a very pleasant climate and spectacular scenery with blue grottoes and a rich history dating back to the Emperors of Rome. Day Six: Transfer to Naples airport for your return flight home.
Day Two: Discover the eternal city. This is the home of Piazza Navona; the Pantheon; the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps; as well as Via Condotti – Rome’s exclusive shopping street. Visit the colossus Colosseum where gladiatorial combat was praised above all other forms of entertainment; move on to the equally impressive Roman Forum and imagine what it was like to walk in the footsteps of history’s most formidable Emperors - Augustus and Julius Caesar. Day Three: Self-transfer to Rome Termini train station. Take the train to Naples, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Positano. This
The Vatican, Rome
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Rome Fiumicino and returning from Naples (other airports on request) • 2-nights Rose Garden Hotel, Rome BB • 3-nights Palazzo Murat Hotel, Positano BB • Private transfer on arrival from Rome airport (Day 1) • 1st class ticket from Rome train station to Naples train station (Day 3) • Private transfer from Naples train station to Positano (Day 3) • Private transfer to Naples airport on departure (Day 6)
Departures Daily Duration 5 nights Guide price from £1,284 per person* Positano
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | 33
Italy | Puglia
Lecce & Puglia Puglia, on Italy’s heel, has coastlines along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The landscape varies dramatically from scenic mountains, oak and beech forests and unspoilt beaches in the north to the fertile Tavoliere plain. The centre gives way to an undulating plateau
Gargano Promontory Barletta
PUGLIA
Trani Molfetta Bari Polignano a Mare
Andria
Alberobello
Egnazia Fasano
Brindisi Cerrate Lecce Martano Otranto Porto Cesareo
Locorotondo Ostuni Taranto BASILICATA
Gallipoli
Giurdignano
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‘Le Murge’ and in the south the dry Salentine peninsula. Steeped in myths and legends, Puglia’s history dates back to the civilisation of the Magna Grecia. The region has many splendid cathedrals and ancient sites including the Castel del Monte in Andria – the most extraordinary of all Puglia’s castles; The Greek and Roman ruins of Egnasia; The Norman Cathedral in Trani and the Baroque buildings and Roman amphitheatre of Lecce, dubbed ‘Florence of the South’.
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Molfetta
Alberobello
Castel del Monte
Otranto
This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to a dense concentration of trulli cottages with cone-shaped roofs (dating from 15th-18th centuries) and one of the best preserved urban areas of its type in Europe.
Located in Andria, this 13th century citadel and castle was constructed for Emperor Frederick II although no-one actually lived in it. This fascinating hexagonalshaped castle is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Visit the 11th century Cathedral with its mosaic floor of the ‘tree of life’, intertwining Norman, Greek and Byzantine ideas of fate. The Chapel of the Dead displays skulls and bones of local martyrs.
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Molfetta, Trani and Barletta Molfetta, the first of a trio of port towns north of Bari, has a walled medieval centre; Trani is dominated by a grand Romanesque cathedral; and Barletta has a third-century bronze colossus.
Main image: Ostuni
Italy | Puglia
Pugliese Cuisine Puglia has an excellent cuisine and is an important producer of olive oil, olives and almonds. Bread comes in hundreds of varieties including taralli - a kind of Italian pretzel, softened with olive oil and sprinkled with chopped tomatoes.
Marè Resort, Trani This charming hotel is set in the historic centre of Trani just opposite the port with its colourful fishing boats and seaside promenade. The Marè Resort, housed within the Palazzo Telesio - a grand 18th century building, has a rooftop terrace with panoramic views where guests can dine on the local cuisine at the Terrazza restaurant. The hotel also has a fascinating collection of coaches belonging to the Telesio family since 1956. Guests can walk or cycle to the nearby beaches.
Accommodation: 13 rooms including classic rooms and junior suites.
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Airports: 42km Bari / 180km Brindisi 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Coastal town location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant
Guide price from £979 per person*
Borgo San Marco, Fasano Borgo San Marco, a fortified masseria set within 450 acres of cultivated land and olive groves, is the family home of Alessandro Amati, a major producer of extra virgin olive oil. The owner has retained many of the features of the original buildings, including vaulted ceilings, arches and the original, local stone ‘Pietra di Lecce’ flooring. This charming property offers intimate guestrooms, simply furnished and decorated with antique pieces, in quiet and refined surroundings. The sandy beaches are within a 2km drive.
Accommodation: 19 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, a junior suite and suites.
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Airports: 60km Bari / 50km Brindisi Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool Spa
Guide price from £1,057 per person*
Covo dei Saraceni Hotel, Polignano a Mare The Covo dei Saraceni occupies a dramatic, cliff-top location on a promontory above a sandy cove across which on another rocky promontory is the whitewashed town of Polignano a Mare. The historical centre of Polignano spans the period from the Middle Ages to the Baroque. Views from terraces and the restaurant are spectacular. This is a very friendly hotel in an ideal location from which to visit the baroque town of Lecce, the trulli of Alberobello and Matera and the Castellana caves.
Accommodation: 32 air-conditioned rooms, in the main hotel, including classic rooms, superior rooms and suites.
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Airports: 55km Bari / 79km Brindisi 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Sea front location
Suite
Guide price from £905 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Bari (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | 35
Italy | Puglia
Ostuni Ostuni is a melee of white-washed buildings perched strategically on top of a hillside with panoramic views of endless olive trees in the Valle d’Itria countryside.
Ostuni Palace Hotel, Ostuni The Ostuni Palace, a recently renovated building, is set in a quiet location but only a 10 minute walk from the historic centre of the town. This is a very friendly, comfortable and traditional hotel and a perfect base from which to view the many palaces, and churches within the town and to relax in the cafes and eat in the many restaurants. At 207 metres above sea level and 8km from the coast, Ostuni commands a dominant position over the surrounding countryside and sea.
Accommodation: 34 air-conditioned, traditionally furnished, elegant rooms including standard rooms, romantic rooms and junior suites.
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Airport: 44km Brindisi / 100km Bari 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi City location Restaurant (Bistro) Spa
Guide price from £1,046 per person*
Deluxe Room
Naturalis Bio Resort & Spa, Martano Naturalis Bio Resort & Spa is situated in the Salento peninsula between Lecce (25-minutes drive) and Otranto (20-minutes). This fabulous organic farmstead has an old Masseria that has been beautifully restored to provide a high standard of accommodation. The rooms are large and impeccably decorated with a distinct country feel. It is surrounded by several citrus orchards (oranges, clementines and lemons), olive groves, herb gardens, wheat fields and a small vineyard where they produce their own Negroamaro wine.
Accommodation: 8 air-conditioned rooms including deluxe rooms, junior suites and a junior suite superior.
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Airports: 75km Brindisi / 195km Bari Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool Spa
Guide price from £1,063 per person*
Tenuta Monacelli & Masseria Giampaolo, Cerrate Set within 835 acres of ancient, timeless olive groves, bordering the Natural Park of Bosco e Paludi di Rauccio and 2.5km from the white sand beaches of Casalabate and Torre Rinalda (8km), are the twin, 15th century, fortified farmhouses of Monacelli and Giampaolo. Separated by a three minute walk and set in pretty gardens, the farmhouses feature high vaulted ceilings, ancient artefacts, comfortable rooms and an excellent restaurant. Personally and passionately run by its owners, this is a wonderful setting and perfect
for relaxing, hiking, walking and horseback riding along sandy beaches. Accommodation: 24 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms, junior suites and suites.
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Airports: 29km Brindisi / 145km Bari Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Rural location Swimming pool
Guide price from £1,142 per person* Junior Suite
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Brindisi (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | Puglia
Glorious Beaches Some of the finest stretches of beach curl around the southernmost tip of Puglia between the charming towns of Otranto and Gallipoli.
Il Palmento Hotel, Locorotondo Located in the heart of Valle d’Itria, Il Palmento is surrounded by a picturesque, rural landscape brimming with colourful wild flowers, weathered olive trees and rolling hills covered with impressive vineyards. The property is made up of traditional trulli houses with thick, white stone walls and characterful conical roofs. Each unit is tastefully furnished with modern facilities and offers a high standard of accommodation. Guests can explore the area with its many interesting historic towns or sunbathe on golden sandy beaches.
Accommodation: 26 rooms including a standard room (in the Masseria), trullo classico suites and trullo storico suites.
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Airport: 75km Brindisi / 80km Bari 5-star superior hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool Spa
Guide price from £1,156 per person*
Trullo Classico
Patria Palace Hotel, Lecce The Patria Palace is a prestigious hotel housed in a fabulous 17th century palazzo in the heart of Lecce. This historical building, overlooking the fabulously ornate Baroque façade of the Basilica of Santa Croce, is located in a small square close to all the important monuments of the city. The hotel still retains some of its original features including vaulted ceilings and carved balconies. The bedrooms, each with original decorative paintings, offer comfortable lodgings with modern facilities.
Accommodation: 67 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, deluxe rooms, a superior room and junior suites.
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Airports: 45km Brindisi / 163km Bari 5-star deluxe hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant
Guide price from £1,196 per person*
Tenuta Centoporte Resort, Giurdignano (Otranto) Tenuta Centoporte is an attractive resort, surrounded by century-old olive groves typical of the Salento countryside, and located between the coastal town of Otranto and Giurdignano, an attractive town known for its dolmens and menhirs. This modern and elegantly styled hotel offers spacious guestrooms, fine dining amongst the olive trees and provides a glorious base from which to explore the bucolic south with its pristine sea hugging the nearby coastline.
Accommodation: 37 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, classic rooms, superior rooms, superior deluxe rooms and a suite.
• Airports: 93.7km Brindisi / 209km Bari • 4-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant • Rural location • Swimming pool • Spa
Classic Room
Guide price from £1,249 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Brindisi (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | 37
Italy | Itinerary
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Bari (other airports on request) • 10-days car hire
Departures Daily Duration 9 nights
• 3-nights Marè Resort, Trani BB • 3-nights Borgo San Marco, Fasano BB • 3-nights Patria Palace, Lecce BB
Guide price from £1,301 per person*
Otranto
Alberobello
Alluring Puglia Itinerary: 10 days / 9 nights Puglia, which forms the heel of Italy’s boot, is the long, narrow region of southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea and the regions of Basilicata, Campania and Molise. Beautiful beaches, secluded coves, fields of olive and citrus groves, Baroque towns, whitewashed villages and fascinating conical-shaped trulli houses are just some of the many attractions to be discovered in the region. Day One: Arrive at Bari airport, collect your hire car and drive to your hotel in Trani (41km). Day Two: Day at leisure. Explore the historic city of Trani. Formerly a prosperous trading centre with a large mercantile and Jewish community, Trani was important enough to compete with the domineering Venetians in the 14th century. Day Three: Day at leisure – Head north to the Gargano National Park (207km / 2 hours 20-minutes) which contains several protected areas such as the Marine Reserve of the Tremiti Islands. The Gargano promontory consists of a wide mountain massif made up of highlands and several peaks, projecting into
the Adriatic Sea. The park offers good walking trails and cycle routes; a glimpse of hundreds of species of animals including deer, foxes and birds; and the majestic beaches at Peschici and Vieste. Day Four: After breakfast, drive south to Fasano (106km) and the Borgo San Marco. This fortified masseria is set within 450 acres of cultivated land and olive groves – the owners are major producers of extra virgin olive oil.
on the southwest coast of Puglia. This seaside resort is famous for its 17km of golden sand beaches. Day Nine: Day at leisure. Drive to Otranto (48km) on the east coast of the Salento peninsula. It has a bustling seafront and many architectural gems including the 15th century Castello Aragonese and the Cathedral. Day Ten: Drive to Bari airport (163km) for your flight home.
Day Five: Day at leisure – visit Alberobello (17km), inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Home to more than a thousand trulli houses – whitewashed, conical shaped buildings built centuries ago as homes and tool stores, and typical to this region. Day Six: Day at leisure – spend time bathing on the Adriatic coast (2km). Mile upon mile of wide sandy beaches are within easy striking distance. Days Seven & Eight: Days at leisure. Spend a day exploring Lecce. Affectionately known as the ‘Florence of the South’ due to its many Baroque buildings, Lecce has a Roman amphitheatre, more than a hundred churches and palaces and several designer boutiques. Spend the next day at Porto Cesareo (65km), located Lecce
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Italy | Itinerary
A Taste of Apulia (Guided Tour) Itinerary: 5 days / 4 nights Take a chauffeur driven tour of Puglia and Basilicata, steeped in Etruscan and Greek sites. You will have the expert guidance of official guides in Lecce and Matera (nominated as the European Capital of Culture for 2019) and experience some of the most interesting historic towns and villages in Puglia including Alberobello Locorotondo, Cisternino, Ostuni and Lecce. Day One - Alberobello: Arrive at Bari airport, meet and greet by your personal driver and transfer to your hotel in Alberobello. Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to a dense concentration of Trulli limestone cottages with cone-shaped roofs built between the mid 15th and late 18th centuries. It is one of the best preserved urban areas of its type in Europe. Overnight stay at Grand Hotel Olimpo, Alberobello. Day Two - Matera (Half Day): After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and depart for Matera (c.70 minutes’ drive / 70.3km), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town centre, the oldest part of town, was built on the edge of a bare plateau where a high rocky mount looms over the spot where a valley descends to the long deep river-ravine. This is where you will find the cathedral and the typical Italian town centre. As time passed, the rocky valley slopes
below the town were dug out to create caves, used for housing, storage and stabling. These cave areas, where the poorest local peasants lived, fill a narrow valley and run along the side of the gorge itself. Matera was used as a film location for Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of Christ’. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay at Grand Hotel Olimpo, Alberobello. Day Three - Itria Valley (Full Day): After breakfast, you will be chauffer driven through the Itria Valley, to the picturesque Locorotondo – known as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy; Cisternino, a medieval walled city where you can stroll back through time on worn, stone-paved lanes between ancient palaces, towers, shops and homes that are mostly still in use today; Ostuni, the old citadel is built on top of a hill surrounded by ancient walls and is commonly referred to as the White Town (Città Bianca) for its white walls and white-painted architecture; and the baroque Martina Franca, the pearl of Valle d’Itria, a hilltop town whose historical centre is surrounded by stone walls, with prominent baroque gates that lead to piazzas and narrow medieval streets. Lunch (included) will be at a farmhouse where the region’s celebrated olive oil and wine will accompany your meal. Overnight stay at Patria Palace Hotel, Lecce.
many Baroque buildings, Lecce has a Roman amphitheatre, more than a hundred churches and palaces and several designer boutiques. The city’s heyday was when it was part of Spain in the 17th century and the noblemen, merchants and religious orders of the city competed with each other as to who could build the most palaces. Carved from the local golden sandstone, the exuberant architecture looks like a sumptuous theatrical set. Lunch included. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay at Patria Palace Hotel, Lecce. Day Five: Transfer to Bari airport for your flight back to the UK.
Martina Franca
Day Four - Lecce (Half Day): Today you will have a half day guided walking tour of Lecce. Affectionately known as the ‘Florence of the South’ due to its
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Bari (other airports on request) • 2-nights Grand Hotel Olimpo, Alberobello BB • 2-nights Patria Palace Hotel, Lecce BB • Private transfer on arrival (Day 1) • Matera half day (3 hours) guided tour (Day 2) • Valley d’Itria full day (8 hours) guided tour (Day 3) • Lunch in a Masseria – excluding drinks (Day 3) • Lecce half day (3 hours) guided walking tour including a light lunch (Day 4) • Private transfer on departure (Day 5) • Note: Entrance fees to local sites are not included • Prices for larger groups on request
Departures Daily (Mar-Oct) Duration 4 nights Guide price from £1,376 per person*
Itria Valley
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Italy | 39
Italy | Basilicata
Matera & Basilicata Basilicata, the instep of Italy’s boot, briefly touches the Tyrrhenian Sea and borders the Campania and Puglia regions. It is an interesting and varied region of forests, mountains, sleepy villages and dramatic scenery.
CAMPANIA PUGLIA Mount Vesuvius Potenza Scala Sorrento Ravello Matera Amalfi Capri Positano CILENTO Praiano BASILICATA Paestum NATIONAL Naples
PARK
Maratea
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This dramatic coastline is home to the historic town of Maratea, twenty beaches and a towering statue of Christ (70m) - the tallest in Europe. Inland, the ancient city of Matera – awarded the title of 2019 European Capital of Culture, with its prehistoric houses dug into the local tufa rock, remains one of the most admired cities in Italy.
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Pollino National Park
Christ the Redeemer
Pietrapertosa
Casa Noha, Matera
Covering 1,960 sq.km across the regions of Basilicata and Calabria, Pollina is Italy’s largest national park. It offers a variety of things including prehistoric cave drawings and burial sites and thermal springs in Latronico.
This Rio-esque statue of Jesus Christ, created in Carrara marble in 1965, is perched 70m high on a mountain in Maratea - the tallest in Europe. The location also affords fantastic views of the surrounding countryside.
This ancient village, situated at the foot of a Castle, is considered one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy along with Acerenza, Castelmezzano and Venosa. It is also home to Europe’s fastest zip line between Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. Not for the faint-hearted!
This is a cave dwelling set up as it once might have been. The visit to Noha's House includes a short documentary which reveals the story of the Sassi and the people of Matera.
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Main image: Castelmezzano
Italy | Basilicata
Maratea & Matera Maratea is a quaint coastal town, with a historic centre and over 20 white sandy beaches and pebbled coves. Matera, the city of stones 'Sassi', is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
La Locanda delle Donne Monache, Maratea La Locanda delle Monache Donne is a charming property housed within the walls of an 18th century monastery originally occupied by the Visitandine nuns. Located in the hilltop town of Maratea, the hotel’s interior is modern and bright with intimate seating areas and filled with fascinating and unusual artwork. The restaurant ‘Il Sacello’, which opens on to a panoramic garden with large swimming pool and solarium, offers its guests many gastronomic and culinary delights drawing on regional flavours.
Accommodation: 27 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and suites.
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Airports: 200km Naples 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Hilltop location – 5 minutes walk to the centre • Restaurant • Swimming pool Guide price from £869 per person*
Palazzo Gattini Hotel, Matera The hotel is set in a 15th century stone palace in the historic centre of Matera overlooking the Sassi di Matera caves and situated in Duomo Piazza opposite the cathedral. Guests will be immersed in the history and glories of one of the oldest noble families of Matera. Due to the age of the building there is a myriad of corridors and staircases leading off the rooms which are all different sizes and shapes. There is a formal restaurant ‘Dom Matteo’ serving regional cuisine, a sophisticated cafe bar and an upscale spa in the converted cellars.
Accommodation: 20 air-conditioned rooms including deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites.
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Airport: 74km Bari Airport 5-star luxury hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Historic city location Spa
Guide price from £801 per person*
Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita Hotel, Matera A unique hotel built into the pre-historic caves of the Sassi which form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel took ten years to be converted from its former stone settlement (Sassi) to the remarkable boutique hotel it is today. The rooms are beautifully crafted using the natural features of archways, vaulted ceilings and stone flooring to provide comfortable and unique accommodation.
Accommodation: 18 cave rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, executive suites and suites.
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Airport: 75km Bari Airport 4-star boutique hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Historic city location
Guide price from £763 per person*
The restaurant is set within an ancient 13th century church with stunning views over the town of Matera.
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (3 nights in Matera and 7 nights in Maratea), flights from London Gatwick to Bari (Matera) or Naples (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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Italy | 41
Italy | Campania
Amalfi Coast & Campania This southern region of Italy is steeped in Etruscan and Greek remains, the most important of which are found at Paestum. Pompeii and Herculaneum, shadowed by Mount Vesuvius are probably the best preserved of all of Italy’s Roman sites.
CAMPANIA PUGLIA Mount Vesuvius Potenza Scala Sorrento Ravello Matera Amalfi Capri Positano CILENTO Praiano BASILICATA Paestum NATIONAL Naples
PARK
Maratea
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The Amalfi Coast, a 50km stretch of coastline along the southern edge of Sorrento’s peninsula, is one of Europe’s most beautiful and dramatic coastlines. This is an area of sheer cliffs and rugged shorelines dotted with small beaches and fishing villages. The panoramic coastal road from Sorrento winds past palatial villas, terraced vineyards and cliffside lemon groves.
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Limoncello
Paestum
Pompeii and Herculaneum Scenic Drive
Sorrento and the Amalfi coast are well known for cultivating large lemons. Many local products are made from the citrus juice including Limoncello – a tasty lemon liqueur which makes a great gift.
Paestum has three of the best preserved Doric temples in Italy: the Basilica of Hera, the Temple of Ceres, and, on the southern end of the site, the Temple of Neptune (450 BC).
Take a guided tour of these two archaeological treasures. The eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum beneath a layer of ash and pumice several metres deep.
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Take a scenic drive by hire car or public bus along the fabulous Amalfi Coast with its narrow windy roads and hairpin bends that afford spectacular coastal views.
Main image: Amalfi
Italy | Campania
Sorrento This seaside resort is given historical depth by its wealth of Renaissance Palaces and Romanesque Churches. An ideal base for visiting the vertical charms of the Amalfi Coast, buses run frequently along the coastal road.
Antiche Mura Hotel, Sorrento The Antiche Mura, built within the ruins of a 17th century fort on top of a ravine, is centrally located in Piazza Tasso. The hotel has been stylishly and elegantly furnished in a design greatly influenced by the ‘Liberty’ period. This unique property offers spectacular views over the ‘Valley of the Mill’ and houses the remains of one of the four original towers of Sorrento. A park of citrus trees, gardens and a swimming pool adjoin this splendid hotel.
Accommodation: 46 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, comfort rooms, junior suites and suites.
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Airport: 53km Naples 4-star superior hotel Bed & Breakfast Central town location Complimentary WiFi Swimming pool
Junior Suite
Guide price from £1,021 per person*
Grand Hotel La Favorita, Sorrento The Grand Hotel La Favorita is situated in the heart of Sorrento’s historical centre on the corner of one of Sorrento’s most prestigious streets. Newly opened, the property boasts a vast roof garden with spectacular views over the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. The rooms, decorated in a neo-classical style with modern amenities, are situated on four floors and have panoramic views of Sorrento’s buzzing centre or the Piazza Vittorio Veneto gardens.
Bellevue Syrene, Sorrento The Bellevue Syrene, originally a count’s summer retreat, opened as a hotel in 1820. Perched on the edge of a cliff top, the hotel provides magnificent views from all the bedrooms, terraces and ‘Mimmo Iodice’ dining room. The hotel is tastefully furnished throughout with European antiques, fabulous frescoes and mosaics. There is even a stunning replica of ‘Villa Pompeiana’ from the ruins of Pompeii – the room is only used for special occasions. There is also a swimming pool with sun loungers and parasols (May-Sept).
Accommodation: 85 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites and executive suites.
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Airport: 53km Naples 5-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Historic centre location Restaurant Swimming pool
Guide price from £1,046 per person*
Deluxe Room
Accommodation: 50 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and suites.
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Airport: 53km Naples 5-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Historic centre location Restaurant Swimming pool Spa
Guide price from £1,345 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Naples (other airports on request) and private transfers. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | 43
Italy | Campania
Positano Positano is possibly the coast’s most picturesque and photogenic town with steeply-stacked houses tumbling down to the sea and lined with wisteria-draped balconies, smart restaurants and fashionable boutiques.
Rota Suite Apartments, Sorrento Every effort has been spent in converting this small property into a luxuriously designed complex of apartments. Centrally located and within a pleasant stroll (a 10-minute walk) of the shopping area and main square of Sorrento, these 15 airconditioned apartments are situated on the first floor of a modern fourstorey property. The Rota Suites have been beautifully decorated in light and unobtrusive colours and tastefully furnished throughout.
Accommodation: 15 air-conditioned (Jun-Sept) one-bedroom apartments, some of which interconnect.
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Airport: 53km Naples Apartments – 4 star equivalent Coastal town location Complimentary WiFi Self Catering Use of swimming pool (Grand Hotel Riviera)
Guide price from £885 per person*
Villa Sant’ Alfonso Apartments, Scala Villa Sant’ Alfonso is located on the panoramic slopes of the Valle del Dragone, 200 metres from the medieval centre of Scala, the oldest village on the Amalfi coast. Set within an extensive 40,000sqm estate of olive groves, lemon orchards and vineyards, these spacious apartments are ideal for those wishing to relax and unwind on the Amalfi Coast. Each apartment has been tastefully decorated throughout and offers a fully equipped kitchenette and terrace with magnificent views to Ravello and beyond to the sea.
Accommodation: 7 apartments including 3 one-bedroom and 4 twobedroom apartments. One 2-bedroom apartment has air-conditioning payable locally (100 Euros per week).
• Airport: 60km Naples • Apartments • Rural hillside location - 150m to Scala • Self Catering • Swimming pool Guide price from £768 per person*
Palazzo Murat, Positano This charming 18th century Palazzo, once the summer retreat for the king of Naples and Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother-in-law Gioacchino Murat, has been restored with great care and attention to detail. Many of the building’s original features, along with its refined and elegant atmosphere, have been retained. The hotel bedrooms are split between the original wing of the hotel, which is rich in character and traditionally furnished with antiques, and a new garden wing offering a modern, Mediterranean-style of accommodation.
Accommodation: 31 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms, special superior rooms and deluxe rooms.
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Airport: 63km Naples 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Hillside town location Restaurant Swimming pool
Guide price from £1,057 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Naples (other airports on request) and private transfers. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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Italy | Campania
Ravello The most dramatic view of the Amalfi coast is from the enchanting town of Ravello at 400m above sea level. One of the best vantage points is from the Villa Rufolo and its tropical gardens.
Villa Maria Hotel, Ravello The Villa Maria, with its charming pergola-covered, garden restaurant (paved with stones from an original Roman road), offers fabulous views of the surrounding hills sweeping down to the sea. This Roman Villa with tiled flooring and vaulted ceilings is filled with an assortment of family antiques, crystal chandeliers and paintings. The proud owner, Vincenzo Palumbo, cultivates his own fruit and vegetable garden, the fruits from which are used to make many of the wonderful dishes served in the garden restaurant.
Accommodation: 22 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms and a junior suite.
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Airport: 70km Naples 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Hilltop location – 10 minute walk to the centre • Restaurant • Use of swimming pool (Giordano Hotel) Guide price from £1,178 per person* Hotel Giordano Pool
Superior Room
Rufolo Hotel, Ravello The Rufolo, housed next to the villa of the same name, is located in the ancient centre of Ravello. Its position, atop a hill overlooking the sea, offers fine views over the Amalfi coastline and, in su mmer, provides the perfect spot from which to enjoy the operatic sounds of the annual Wagner festival. The hotel, dating from the 1920’s, has a veranda-style Mediterranean restaurant with panoramic terrace and a lounge-bar with Neapolitan furnishings.
Accommodation: 30 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and junior suites.
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Airport: 61km Naples 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Hilltop town location Restaurant Swimming pool Spa
Guide price from £1,332 per person* Standard Room
Marina Riviera Hotel, Amalfi Perched on a cliff, overlooking the sea and within short walking distance of the historic centre of Amalfi, stands the Marina Riviera. This well located property is elegantly furnished in Mediterranean style and tastefully decorated throughout with handmade ceramics from Vietri sul Mare. Providing accommodation since 1880, the hotel prides itself on offering a comfortable stay with a rich breakfast, using freshly sourced products and local cakes - typical of the region.
Accommodation: 34 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, |deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites.
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Airport: 74km Naples 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Coastal town location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Swimming pool
Deluxe Room
Standard Room
Guide price from £1,283 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Naples (other airports on request) and private transfers. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy | 45
Italy | Campania
The Cilento Coast The Cilento, south of Naples, is one of the most remote parts of Campania. Home to the Cilento national park, it boasts 100km of coastline and a wild, mountainous interior sprinkled with historic villages.
Grand Hotel Santa Lucia, Naples The Grand Hotel Santa Lucia is housed within a stunning ArtNouveau building, dating from the early 1900s, and located by the harbour opposite the Castel dell' Ovo. The hotel affords fabulous views of Mount Vesuvius and the entire Bay of Naples as well as the distant islands of Capri and Ischia. Each guestroom is beautifully styled and individually furnished. The panoramic restaurant offers contemporary dishes and Neapolitan cuisine with a view across the harbour.
Accommodation: 95 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites, senior suites and the Partenope suite.
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Airport: 20km Naples 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Waterfront location
Junior Suite
Guide price from £1,110 per person*
Casa Morgano Hotel, Capri
Deluxe Room
Casa Morgano Hotel enjoys a fabulous location on Via Tragara, set in peaceful Mediterranean gardens, surrounded by magnificent views of the sea, and only a few minutes away from the colourful Piazzetta – the heart of Capri's glamorous social whirl, and the fashionable designer shopping district. The hotel boasts antique furnishings and hand painted floor tiles, well appointed rooms and suites on different levels and each with their own balcony or terrace.
Accommodation: 27 air-conditioned rooms including superior rooms, deluxe rooms and junior suites.
• Airport: 75km Naples • 20 minutes’ journey by hydrofoil from Sorrento (30 minutes’ by ferry) • 50 minutes’ journey by hydrofoil from Naples (80 minutes’ by ferry) • 5-star boutique hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Coastal town location • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant • Swimming pool Guide price from £1,441 per person*
L'Approdo Thalassa & Spa Resort, San Marco di Castellabate L’Approdo enjoys a prime position on the harbour front of the small fishing village of San Marco di Castellabate. Vines climb the interior white-washed walls; large panoramic windows create a light and airy atmosphere; and glorious sea views and warm sunsets can be observed from the spacious terraces. With panoramic views over the Cilento coastline and a backdrop of rugged hills and medieval hilltop towns, this bougainvillea covered hotel is ideal for a relaxing break or exploring southern Campania.
Accommodation: 77 rooms including classic rooms, junior suites and suites.
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Airport: 120km Naples 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Beach location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Swimming pool Spa
Guide price from £1,239 per person* Junior Suite
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Naples (other airports on request) and private transfers (Naples and Capri) or car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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Italy | Itinerary
Sorrento & Maratea Itinerary: 8 days / 7 nights These two areas have diverse landscapes, ancient Roman and Greek heritage and excellent regional cuisine. Straddling cliffs that roll into the Mediterranean Sea, chic islands, archaeological sites, emerald grottoes, imposing Mount Vesuvius and mythical rocks are some of the treasures that these two regions have to offer. Day One: Private transfer to your hotel in Sorrento on arrival. Day Two: Day at leisure. Walk into the historical centre of Sorrento and wander though the maze of narrow streets with their shops, restaurants and cafés. Famous for its production of Limoncello, it is not uncommon to see this liqueur (made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar) on many menus.
Complete your day on the waterfront, Maratea port is a popular area with lively bars and dining. Day Six: Day at leisure. A variety of activities are available in Basilicata including horse riding, rafting, canyoning, diving and sea excursions which can be arranged locally. Three ancient pathways can be found close to the hotel, each taking you on a trek through the Carpini forest to the Church of Madonna della Neve, the Christ statue or the Church of Madonna della Pietà. Castrocucco beach is just 4km away and a complimentary transfer service, sun beds and umbrellas is offered by the hotel. Day Seven: Day at leisure. Drive to Melfi (179km), once the Norman capital and home to an impressive
castle which dominates the town. Venosa (184km), an important Roman colony dating from 290BC, offers historic delights such as its archaeological area where the remains of an amphitheatre can be seen, along with a huge castle and cathedral, both dating back to the 16th century. Perhaps most popular, is the city of Matera (178km) with its lower district and ‘Sassi’ houses. These cave dwellings, dug into the rock, were once inhabited by the people of Matera and today, although empty, are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Day Eight: Drive to Naples airport for your return flight home.
Day Three: Day at leisure. Visit the famous archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, buried in AD79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Excursions depart from Sorrento to Pompeii between May-Oct. Private excursions with an English speaking driver can always be arranged. Day Four: Collect your hire car from the downtown office in Sorrento and drive to your hotel in Maratea (209km /3 hours). Day Five: Day at leisure. Explore the town of Maratea with its narrow streets adorned with ancient arches, charming main square and over forty churches.
Maratea
Maratea
Amalfi Coast
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Naples (other airports on request) • Private transfer from Naples Airport to Sorrento (Day 1) • 3-nights Antiche Mura Hotel, Sorrento BB • 5-days car hire (one-way drop off fee payable locally) • 4-nights La Locanda delle Donne Monache, Maratea BB
Departures Daily Duration 7 nights Guide price from £1,056 per person*
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Italy | 47
Sicily | Our chosen areas
Sicily & the Aeolian Islands our chosen areas Sicily is a melting-pot of cultures and styles, with traditions all of its own, and some of the finest sites of ancient Greek civilization. Here we specialise in agriturismo, in carefully selected mansions and cottages, where you can enjoy the island's bountiful produce as well as its fine beaches.
Multi-centre holidays are easily arranged, as are shorter city breaks. Why not sample one our suggested itineraries following chosen themes such as 'On the trail of the Normans' including important Norman sites such as Palermo and Cefalù? All suggested itineraries can be modified to suit individual requirements so please give us a call to discuss options.
Western Sicily
Eastern Sicily
Aeolian Islands
Rarely could a contrast be more marked than that between the European architecture and atmosphere of the east coast and the heavy North African influence prevalent in the west.
Eastern Sicily is steeped in history and has many beautiful Baroque cities and ancient sites heavily influenced by the Greek occupation.
If you like islands, you will love the Aeolian archipelago: Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli, Panarea, Salina, Filicudi and Alicudi.
See pages 52-57
See pages 58-67
See pages 68-71
SUNVIL WEBSITE Within our brochure you will find a good selection of properties, suggested itineraries and regional information that Sunvil offer. However, for additional properties, photos, itineraries and general information on Sicily and the Aeolian Islands please visit our website www.sunvil.co.uk/sicily.
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Sicily | Highlights
Sicily... what not to miss Here is a selection of some of the many highlights to be found in Sicily which we hope will inspire you to travel and experience them for yourselves.
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Caltagirone
Cannoli
Caltagirone, in the province of Catania, is one of the oldest cities in Sicily, dating back to prehistoric times. It is known for its famous tiled staircase ‘La Scalinata’, baroque heritage and above all the quality and sophistication of its ceramics.
A typical Sicilian dessert made up of a thin shell of crunchy fried pastry dough and filled with locally produced ricotta cheese – simply heavenly! One of the best places to try this delicious sweet is at ‘Laboratorio Pasticceria Roberto’ in Taormina.
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Main image: View of Mount Etna from Taormina
Sicily | Highlights
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Etna wine
Gangi
Taste the intense and often robust wines found in the area around Mount Etna - the active volcano that dominates the north-eastern corner of Sicily, which are quite unlike any other. There are dozens of wineries that now produce quality wines on this harsh yet rewarding volcanic soil.
Gangi is located on a promontory near Palermo in the Madonie Mountains and was once labelled ‘the most beautiful village in Italy’. Don’t forget to bring your camera and your walking boots as this area is a destination for intrepid hikers.
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Gelato from Sinagra
Lord Nelson, Duke of Bronte
The remote town of Sinagra in northern Sicily is located in a valley lined by thousands upon thousands of hazelnut trees. Visit the Pasticceria Calamunci café bar for award winning hazelnut ice cream – you won’t be disappointed.
Nelson was given the title of Duchy of Bronte, with its castle and estate of Maniace on the northern flanks of Mount Etna by King Ferdinand IV of the Two Sicilies. The house, now a museum, contains family memorabilia.
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Segesta archaeological complex
Trapani province
Though never completed, Segesta, in the northwest of Sicily, has one of the best-preserved examples of a Greek temple, and the Greco-Roman amphitheatre set on top of a stunning mountain plateau where, in the summer, Greek plays are often staged.
Visit the pristine Zingaro Nature Reserve, an area of cliffs and mountains, small coves and sandy beaches all preserved in an unspoiled condition; and see the bleached landscape of the salt pans and windmills.
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Sicily | Western Sicily
Western Sicily Provinces: Palermo - Trapani - Agrigento - Caltanisetta Rarely could a contrast be more marked than that between the European architecture and atmosphere of the east coast and the heavy North African influence prevalent in the west. Today, the ancient and the modern, the gracious and the ugly stand side by side. 1
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Palermo, the island’s capital, is one of those intriguing cities of extremes. Graceful palazzi and villas from an era long since past contrast dramatically with modern flats and apartments. The Palace of the Normans - an imposing 12th century cathedral, the gardens of the Villa Giulia, the superb archaeological museum and the eerie yet fascinating catacombs should not be missed.
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Monreale Cathedral
Erice
Selinunte
Marsala
This impressive Norman cathedral, located on the outskirts of Palermo, has an ornate interior adorned with stunning mosaics, reputedly one of the world’s largest displays of this art.
This well preserved medieval hilltop town’s origins are shrouded in mystery, part fantasy and part reality. Surrounded by ancient walls, the town is reserved and quiet with magnificent views over the Egadi Islands.
Selinunte is one of the most impressive ancient Greek cities in Sicily as the ruins have never been built over. This ancient site, set in rolling countryside, is also a popular seaside resort in summer.
Famed for its sweet desert wine, Marsala is an attractive town with arcaded courtyards, tall ageing buildings and two excellent museums including Museo degli Arazzi with its wonderful handstitched wool and silk tapestries.
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Main image: Sciacca
Sicily | Western Sicily
Palermo Graceful centuries-old palaces and villas contrast dramatically with modern flats and apartments. The Palace of the Normans – an imposing 12th century cathedral, the gardens of Villa Giulia and the superb archaeological museum should not be missed. Grand Hotel Federico II, Palermo The Grand Hotel Federico II is wellpositioned in the heart of Palermo and provides an ideal base from which to explore the delights of the city. Many of the capital’s historical sites, including the cathedral and the Teatro Massimo, are within easy walking distance. The guest rooms are spacious and elegant and attention to detail is apparent throughout, from the fusion of classical and new design decoration, to the excellent service provided.
Accommodation: 65 air-conditioned rooms including deluxe rooms, executive rooms, junior suites and a terrace room.
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Airport: 30km Palermo 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant
Guide price from £819 per person*
Principe di Villafranca, Palermo This stylish, chic hotel is located in the heart of Palermo in an upscale shopping and residential area, yet close to the historic city centre. It has been recently refurbished to offer modern and minimalist décor with luxurious touches. Guests are greeted by friendly and experienced staff and accommodated in spacious and comfortable rooms. The hotel is close to a main shopping street ‘Viale della Libertà and within a few minutes walk of a good choice of restaurants and bars.
Accommodation: 32 air-conditioned rooms including superior rooms, deluxe rooms and junior suites.
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Airports: 30km Palermo 4-star boutique hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi
Guide price from £727 per person*
Elimo Hotel, Erice This small, family-run hotel enjoys a central location within the walls of the ancient, hilltop town of Erice. Access to a rooftop terrace affords wonderful views over the town, coastline and mountains. The hotel has been furnished in a simple yet homely style offering modern conveniences in comfortable surroundings. Within this 18th century building are wellappointed bedrooms which differ both in size and shape and public rooms tastefully furnished with antiques and beautifully scented floral displays.
Accommodation: 21 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms and suites.
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Airports: 90km Palermo 3-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Hilltop town location Restaurant
Standard Room
Guide price from £833 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Palermo (other airports on request) and private transfers (Palermo) or car hire (Erice). Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
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Sicily | Western Sicily
Cefalù Located on Sicily’s scenic north coast, is the charming seaside resort of Cefalù. The Norman cathedral, built in 1131, took 100 years to build and contains some fine examples of Byzantine mosaics.
Calette N5 Hotel, Cefalù This charming Mediterranean-style hotel is perched on an impressive cliff overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. A small private pebble beach and sun terrace with bar nestle directly under the hotel. Access is down some 100 steps. The property is suitable for couples and families alike looking to relax and explore the area. The centre of Cefalù and its sandy beach, restaurants and cafés can be reached on foot (2km / 20 minutes’ walk) or by hotel shuttle bus (free of charge).
Classic Room
Accommodation: 55 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, deluxe rooms, prestige rooms and suites.
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Airports: 90km Palermo 5-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Coastal town location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Swimming pool Spa
Guide price from £1,217 per person*
Deluxe Room
Alberi del Paradiso, Cefalù Beautifully set within its own large Mediterranean gardens stands the Alberi del Paradiso, converted from an old manor house into a contemporary styled elegant 4-star hotel. Located on a hillside 1km (20-minutes walk downhill) from the historical centre of Cefalù, this modern hotel offers comfortable accommodation in a quiet and natural setting. The hotel shuttle bus provides transfers to a private sandy beach and the medieval centre of the pretty fishing village of Cefalù.
Accommodation: 55 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms, prestige rooms and suites.
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Airport: 90km Palermo 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Coastal town location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Swimming pool Spa
Guide price from £849 per person*
Azienda Agrituristica Bergi, Castelbuono A few kilometres from Castelbuono, an ancient village of the Madonie, this rural property stands in the Vallone Saraceno, an archaeological site dating back to Greek and Roman times. This family-run property covers about 8 hectares, planted with fruit orchards, olives and vegetables, which contrasts with the golden stone of the house and evokes the simple rural life of the past. The Di Garbo family uses its own organic products as the principal ingredients for its cooking.
Accommodation: 16 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms and 2 two-bedroom suites.
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Airport: 126km Palermo Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool
Guide price from £643 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Palermo (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
10 | Sunvil 54
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Sicily | Western Sicily
Bleached landscape of salt pans Trapani, a city and commune on the west coast, is the capital of the province and famous for its salt works which have created an unforgettable, bleached landscape of salt pans and windmills.
Standard Room
Relais Antiche Saline, Paceco The Relais Antiche Saline is a restored baglio (farmhouse) set in a unique position amongst the salt marches of the Nature Reserve of Saline di Trapani. The property was originally used to house the salt workers’ families, and today, after careful renovation, has been transformed in to a modern and elegant 4-star hotel. Its position also affords easy access to the Salt Museum and the historic city and port of Trapani.
Accommodation: 18 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, premium rooms, superior rooms, grand superior rooms and a deluxe room.
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Airport: 89km Palermo 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Coastal location Swimming pool
Guide price from £560 per person*
Il Giardino di Costanza, Mazara del Vallo
Superior Room
This elegant property, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and citrus orchards, is located 6km from the fishing port of Mazara del Vallo - the town of 100 churches. The hotel is close to the coast (8km) and within easy driving distance of Selinunte (35km), Segesta (60km) and Agrigento (115km). Il Giardino di Costanza wonderfully blends the old with the new and provides an ideal base for those wishing to visit the historic sites of western Sicily yet relax in an oasis of comfort.
Accommodation: 90 air-conditioned rooms including superior rooms, deluxe rooms, grand superior rooms, junior suites and suites.
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Airport: 90km Palermo 5-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pools
Guide price from £998 per person*
La Foresteria, Menfi The ancient family of Planeta, whose prestigious wines are renowned both in Italy and abroad, have opened the doors of their guesthouse to visitors who would like to discover the world of Bacchus, devote themselves to cookery lessons, or simply enjoy the archaeological and natural beauties of the surrounding countryside. This elegant wine estate extends over 35 hectares and lies on a vine- covered hillside, from where panoramic views stretch as far as the sea and Menfi with its long sandy beaches.
Accommodation: 14 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms and a superior deluxe room.
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Airport: 108km Palermo Turismo Rurale Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool Winery
Superior Room
Guide price from £894 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Palermo (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Sicily | 55
Sicily | Western Sicily
Valley of the Temples Agrigento is home to the impressive archaeological site ‘Valley of the Temples’ - six Greek temples including the Temple of Concord which is one of the best preserved Doric Temples of the ancient world.
Tenuta Stoccatello, Menfi This old 19th century fortified farmhouse, entirely refurbished in rustic style, framed by the countryside and vineyards of Menfi, stands on a hillside and looks out over the clear waters of Porto Palo with its Blue Flag beaches. This is a perfect base for visiting Western Sicily and discovering its nature, history and gastronomy. The owners, who know the territory intimately, will show you how to get the very best out of what to do and where to visit in the area.
Accommodation: 18 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms and family rooms.
• Airports: 102km Palermo / 289km Catania • Turismo Rurale • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant • Rural location • Swimming pool • Spa
Standard Room
Guide price from £803 per person*
Deluxe Room
Villa Athena, Agrigento
Classic Room
This impressive 18th century noble residence has been masterly converted in to a hotel which has maintained the architectural style of the era. Situated within the archaeological park of the Valley of the Temples - inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the property stands a mere 200 metres from the Temple of Concordia. The villa’s private garden beautifully blends into the surrounding landscape of almond and olive trees and, from the terrace, guests can enjoy the magnificent view of the Temples of Concordia and Juno.
Accommodation: 27 rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites.
• Airports: 161km Catania / 180km Palermo • 5-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant • Rural location • Swimming pool • Spa Guide price from £1,288 per person*
Azienda Fattoria Mosè, Agrigento This is the large country home of the Agnello family, which dates mainly from the 1800s although there is an older tower. Breakfast is served at the long table which may include fresh ricotta cheese, homemade preserves of cherry, apricot, plum and orange, fig, fresh eggs and wonderful crusty bread. The farm covers some 45-hectares set in the countryside beside the famous Valley of the Temples and the property itself is surrounded by fruit orchards and wheat fields.
Accommodation: 10 air-conditioned units including standard rooms, a onebedroom and a two-bedroom unit (BB) and 6 apartments (SC) including one, two and three-bedroom units.
• Airports: 166km Catania / 176km Palermo • Agriturismo • Bed & Breakfast (BB) • Self Catering (SC) • Complimentary WiFi • Swimming pool • Village location Guide price from £643 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Palermo (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
10 | Sunvil 56
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Sicily | Itinerary
On the trail of the Normans - Palermo & Cefalù Itinerary: 8 days / 7 nights Discover the chaotic city of Palermo, the island capital, with its impressive Norman castle, baroque churches and outdoor markets; and the calmer coastal resort of Cefalù with its fine sandy beaches and Norman Cathedral. Day One: On arrival at Palermo airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Palermo. This stylish, chic hotel is located in the heart of Palermo, close to a main shopping street ‘Viale della Libertà and within a few minutes’ walk of a good selection of restaurants and bars. Day Two: Day at leisure – opportunity to explore the capital and visit the stunning Cappella Palatina, the royal chapel in the huge Palazzo dei Normanni, with its dazzling mosaics and stalactitic Arab ceiling. The palace was built by the Saracens in the 9th century and extended in the 11th century by the Normans who transformed the original fortress into a splendid palace. This example of Norman art was founded by Roger II in 1130 and consecrated in 1140. Day Three: Head towards Monreale, located 8km outside Palermo, on the spur of a hill dominating the Oreto Valley and the Conca d’Oro. The main feature of this Baroque town is its Cathedral, an outstanding
architectural achievement of Arabic, Byzantine and Romanesque styles. The Cathedral of Monreale, built on a huge scale, was founded in 1174 by William II, the last of the great Norman kings and its walls are lined with golden mosaics. Simply stunning! Day Four: Self-transfer to Palermo train station to catch your train to Cefalù (1-hour journey). Self-transfer on arrival to your hotel. Day Five: Day at leisure. Time to explore the coastal town of Cefalù. A fishing port and popular seaside resort, the main square is dominated by its twintowered Norman Cathedral inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Built in 1131 on the wishes of Roger II, the cathedral holds one of the most sublime representations of Christ. Day Six: Day at leisure. Spend the day at the beach – a long sandy shore, one of the best in Sicily. Day Seven: Day at leisure. Walk down to the harbour and take the boat (1-hour) to the lovely island of Ústica. This tiny island, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, is actually the tip of a submerged volcano. Its shoreline is littered with dramatic grottoes and the surrounding waters, a protected marine area, are kept clean by an Atlantic current and are thus brimming with fish and coral. Day Eight: Transfer back to the airport for your return flight home
Cefalù
Palermo
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Palermo (other airports on request) • Private transfer on arrival (Day 1) • 3-nights Principe di Villafranca Hotel, Palermo BB • Train ticket (Standard class) from Palermo to Cefalù (Day 4) • 4-nights Alberi del Paradiso Hotel, Cefalù BB • Private transfer on departure (Day 8)
Departures Daily Duration 7 nights Guide price from £913 per person*
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Sicily | 57
Sicily | Eastern Sicily
Eastern Sicily Catania – Messina – Enna – Ragusa – Syracuse One of the first Mediterranean holiday destinations, Sicily is the most richly endowed island in the Mediterranean, steeped in history and legend and in every respect an island of contrasts.
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UNESCO World Heritage sites The baroque cathedral in Noto; Villa Romana del Casale; the towns of Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa and Scicli; the Aeolian Islands; Syracuse; Mount Etna, and the Cathedral churches of Cefalù and Monreale.
58 | Sunvil
Catania is the dynamic and fashionable second city of Sicily. The city boasts one of the greatest Roman ruins - the Amphitheatre in Piazza Steseicoro - and has the fabulous baroque Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral of Santa Agatha where the composer Bellini is buried. The coastline between Catania and Taormina has many fishing villages like Acireale with excellent restaurants serving a variety of sea food.
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Best Beaches
Mpanatigghi di Modica
Arancini
Six Sicilian beaches have been awarded blue flag status for their water being among Europe’s cleanest. They are: Porto Paolo (Menfi); Pozzallo (Ragusa); Ispica (Ragusa); Fiumefreddo-Cottone (Catania); Spiaggia Bianca (Lipari); Marina di Ragusa (Ragusa).
Typical cakes from the Ragusa province, traditionally made during Easter, are filled with Modica chocolate and fine mince meat! For chocaholics, a visit to the ‘Antica Dolceria Bonaiuto’ cake shop in Modica is a must.
These fried and breadcrumbcoated rice balls are either filled with meat, tomato sauce or mozzarella, and are the Sicilian snack of choice. Try one - you won’t be disappointed.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Main image: Ragusa Ibla
Sicily | Eastern Sicily
Mount Etna Wherever you are, Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano at 3,320m, towers above. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes and the broad plane of Catania to the south. UNA Palace Hotel, Catania UNA Hotel Palace is housed within an elegant turn-of-the-century building in the heart of Catania along Via Etnea, the city’s main shopping street. Traffic is restricted in this area but guests arriving by car can park in the street behind the hotel. This modern hotel has a stunning rooftop terrace, American bar and restaurant serving traditional Sicilian cuisine. It cannot be beaten for its central location which gives easy access to the major sites, museums, and historic of the city.
Accommodation: 94 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, executive rooms and superior rooms.
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Airport: 6km Catania 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast City centre location Complimentary WiFi Restaurant
Guide price from £880 per person*
Superior Room
Commenda di San Calogero, Brucoli San Calogero is a former feudal estate on the extreme outskirts of the Iblean plateau, looking out towards Mount Etna and between Catania and Syracuse. The surrounding landscape is one of undulating valleys with dry stone walls with the San Calogero River running through it. The owners, who occupy the east wing of the property, invite guests to take a tour of the grounds to discover its many hidden treasures.
Accommodation: 12 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms and junior suites.
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Airport: 30.9km Catania Country estate Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool Spa
Guide price from £809 per person*
Agriturismo Fondo Cipollate, Mitogio-Castiglione di Sicilia Surrounded by the scent of the orange groves and the gentle landscape of this rural property, Gabriella and Francesco know exactly how to make their guests feel at home. The house stands among the hills of the Alcantara valley, overlooking the Ionian Sea. The sense of the past remains, thanks to the sensitive refurbishment and tasteful furnishings: every corner seems to speak of the old rural life of Sicily in days-gone-by.
Accommodation: 10 air-conditioned rooms including 3 double and 7 twin bedrooms.
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Airports: 66km Catania Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Hillside location Swimming pool
Guide price from £809 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and private transfers (Catania) or car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Sicily | 59
Sicily | Eastern Sicily
The North Coast Visit one of the many splendid beaches, inlets and resorts on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast such as Capo d’Orlando, Tindari and Milazzo - a charming town known mainly for its port and main link to the Aeolian Islands.
Tenuta San Michele, Santa Venerina Since 1850, the Tenuta San Michele has been devoted to the cultivation of vines and the production of the famous Etna wine, thanks to its favourable position on the slopes of Mount Etna (500m above sea level), which rises to the south east of the property. Today, the Scammacca family, dedicate themselves to all the activities associated with the production of wine and, for more than 10 years, have opened the doors of the Tenuta San Michele to rural tourism.
Standard Room
Accommodation: 15 units including standard rooms and 1-bedroom apartments.
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Airport: 43km Catania Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool Wine Estate
Guide price from £603 per person*
Villa Sonia Hotel, Castelmola
Superior Room
This charming family-run hotel is located at the entrance to the delightful mountain top village of Castelmola. The village offers a good selection of bars and restaurants and the Hotel Villa Sonia is just a short, uphill, stroll from the main street where guests will delight at the spectacular views towards Mount Etna and Taormina. The hotel rooms are nicely decorated in a typical Sicilian style, with many antique furnishings and all with modern facilities.
Accommodation: 44 air-conditioning rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and suites.
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Airport: 73km Catania 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Hilltop location Restaurant Swimming pool
Guide price from £825 per person*
Antica Tindari, Patti The Antica Tindari is a family-run property surrounded by a vineyard and situated in the rolling hills of Tindari. The property has four rooms which are romantic and charming, with full terraces from which you can enjoy the stunning scenery. Guests will delight in tasting the locally produced wines and enjoy a host of healthy dishes, featuring locally grown, organic products. The property’s vineyard and winery overlook the Gulf of Patti and the Aeolian Islands beyond.
Accommodation: 7 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, triple rooms and family rooms.
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Airport: 166km Catania Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool Wine Estate
Standard Room
Guide price from £627 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and car hire (Patti or Santa Venerina) or private transfers (Castelmola). Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
60 | Sunvil
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Sicily | Eastern Sicily
Taormina Perched on a series of high terraces overhung with semi-tropical gardens and surveying a breathtakingly beautiful coastline, Taormina has an elegance and style created by a rich history in which the Greeks, Romans and Spaniards all had a hand.
Grand Hotel Miramare, Taormina This centrally located hotel has a beautiful panorama of the Bay of Mazzaro and Isola Bella. Set in its own extensive terraced gardens, it is one of the few hotels in Taormina that provides ample parking (40 spaces) for guests. The interiors are traditionally decorated with spacious public rooms and a large, open-air, panoramic terrace with views over the swimming pool and the eastern coastline of Sicily. The historical centre of Taormina is within easy walking distance (10-minutes) of the hotel.
Accommodation: 68 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, classic rooms, superior rooms, junior suites and a suite.
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Airport: 68km Catania 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Hillside town location Restaurant Swimming pool
Guide price from £916 per person*
The Ashbee, Taormina The Ashbee was originally built as a private villa in 1908 from designs by architect Robert Charles Ashbee, famed as an early member of the Arts and Craft movement. Today it has been transformed into a luxury hotel offering all the comforts required for a relaxing stay. Each of the 25 guest rooms are spacious and have been individually decorated to a high standard, with many featuring antique furniture. The beautiful, landscaped gardens include many exotic plants and fruit trees.
Terra Rossa Apartments, Taormina A collection of nine small cottages situated on the slopes below Taormina and above the beach resort of Mazzarò. Splendid views from the gardens towards the sea and Isola Bella can be enjoyed from the swimming pool and sun terrace. Each cottage consists of three selfcontained units, being two studio apartments on the ground floor and one 2-bedroom apartment located on the first floor.
Accommodation: 24 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and suites.
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Airport: 68km Catania 5-star deluxe hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Hilltop town location Restaurant Swimming pool
Guide price from £1,304 per person*
Studio
Accommodation: 30 units with ceiling fans including studios and twobedroom apartments.
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Airport: 68km Catania Apartments Hillside location Self Catering Swimming pool WiFi (payable locally)
Guide price from £537 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and private transfers. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Sicily | 61
Sicily | Eastern Sicily
Syracuse Syracuse, founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC, retains ancient Roman ruins, one of the largest Greek Theatres in the world and a fascinating array of classic monuments and baroque façades.
Royal Maniace Hotel, Syracuse The Royal Maniace Hotel is set in an enviable position on the island of Ortigia, the historic centre of Syracuse and overlooking the Ionian Sea. Tastefully decorated, the hotel’s interiors and contemporary design create a pleasant atmosphere and make it an ideal place to relax. There is a small garden to the rear and pleasant seafront views to the front. The close proximity to the baroque centre of Ortigia along with easy access to the modern metropolis of Syracuse, makes this charming hotel
Deluxe Room
the perfect choice for either a short break or longer stay. Accommodation: 21 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and junior suites.
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Airport: 65km Catania 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Historic centre location
Guide price from £969 per person*
Superior Room
Grand Hotel Ortigia, Syracuse Located a few metres from the sea in the fabulous historical centre of Ortigia Island, the Grand Hotel Ortigia epitomises an elegant era long since passed. The hotel was renovated and refurbished in the original ‘Liberty’ décor, so maintaining its unique atmosphere. There is a rooftop restaurant ‘La Terrazza sul Mare’ with panoramic views over the harbour of Porto Grande and, for those who enjoy a little pampering, a wellness centre with Turkish bath and two massage rooms (payable locally).
Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel, Syracuse This charming hotel is located within two Baroque palaces in the historic centre of Syracuse. Facing the seafront on Ortigia island, the Algila is positioned next door to one of the island’s best spas and only a 5 minute walk from the Duomo (Cathedral). There is a distinct Arab feel in the main palace with its Tunisian tiles, watercolour depictions of dried palms and empty Mahgreb streets and even a riad-like courtyard with a fountain. The second palace (Bongiovanni), located across a narrow street, houses a 14th century courtyard and staircase.
Accommodation: 58 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, junior duplex suites, a senior suite and a deluxe suite.
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Airport: 65km Catania 5-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Historic centre location Restaurant
Guide price from £1,084 per person*
Classic Room
Accommodation: 52 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe spa rooms, junior suites and a suite.
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Airport: 63.3km Catania 4-star superior hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Historic centre location Restaurant
Deluxe Suite
Guide price from £1,274 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and private transfers. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
62 | Sunvil
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Sicily | Eastern Sicily
Baroque towns of the Val di Noto Discover the impressive baroque south-east. Surrounded by wild countryside and rolling hills and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea are the towns of Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto Palazzolo, Ragusa and Scicli.
Agriturismo Il Granaio, Modica Within the Val di Noto, a 5-minute drive from Modica, the Granaio welcomes its guests into a tranquil family atmosphere. This rural property, built on the foundations of an old farmhouse, stands in the deep Iblean countryside, characterised by wide fields and unending pastures. Hospitality and good food are not lacking: Giovanni will suggest places for you to visit and will sometimes even be your guide and his mother will delight you with traditional Sicilian and Ragusan dishes.
Accommodation: 14 air-conditioned rooms including a single room, standard rooms and suites.
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Airports: 117km Catania Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool Spa
Standard Room
Guide price from £606 per person*
Palazzo Failla, Modica Alta Located in the historic heart of Modica Alta, this elegant boutique hotel is housed in an 18th century building with an ornate baroque façade. The antique furnishings, frescoed ceilings and original flooring make for a charming property full of hidden gems. Guests can enjoy Sicilian dishes in the restaurant, and coffees, pastries and wine in the adjoining café bar. Tastings of typical chocolate from Modica, local excursions and excellent personal service make this hotel an ideal choice to explore the area.
Accommodation: 10 air-conditioned rooms including single rooms, classic rooms, a relax room, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and a junior suite.
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Airport: 110km Catania 4-star hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Hilltop town location Restaurant
Guide price from £718 per person*
Classic Room
Modica Palace Hotel, Modica Located in the heart of the baroque South Eastern corner of Sicily, the Modica Palace Hotel stands in the commercial centre of Modica. This charming and elegant property is surrounded by a tranquil, wellmaintained garden with stunning views. From the hotel terrace guests can admire the wonderful sight of the Iblean Plateau with its carob, almond and olive trees, encircled by dry stone walls. The view descends towards the sea, referred to locally as the ‘Sea of the Ancient Gods’.
Accommodation: 33 air-conditioned rooms, including standard rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites.
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Airport: 118km Catania 4-star superior hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Swimming pool Town centre location
Superior Room
Guide price from £567 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Sicily | 63
Sicily | Eastern Sicily
Ragusa Ibla Ragusa Ibla’s historic centre is quite stunning and a joy to wander through with its narrow alleyways, grey stone houses and baroque palazzi that open onto beautiful, sun-drenched squares.
La Moresca Hotel, Marina di Ragusa This delightful, owner-managed hotel, built in 1926 has been completely refurbished with style, taste and attention to detail. Nothing seems too much trouble for the staff of this property. It is more like a home than a hotel and you are assured a warm welcome. There is an inner courtyard with lush scented vegetation and the location is peaceful and set back three blocks from the square that is the heart of this little village that overlooks the sea shore.
Standard Room
Accommodation: 14 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms and superior rooms.
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Airport: 148km Catania 4-star boutique hotel Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Coastal town location
Guide price from £1,234 per person*
La Scibina, Marina di Ragusa La Scibina is a delightful, family-run property located in the seaside resort of Marina di Ragusa. The property, formerly a warehouse for almonds, was completely transformed in to a very stylish and elegant hotel in 2013. Through careful restoration, the owners have managed to create a functional yet elegant residence, stylishly equipped with all modern comforts. The spacious apartments have been cleverly designed so as to also be used as hotel rooms by simply closing off the doors to the kitchen-diner.
Accommodation: 7 air-conditioned units which can be arranged as either apartments (SC) or rooms (BB).
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Airport: 121km Catania 4-star boutique hotel Bed & Breakfast (BB) Self Catering (SC) Complimentary WiFi Coastal town location Swimming pool
Guide price from £655 per person*
Relais Torre Marabino, Ispica This elegant property, housed within an ancient stone watchtower dating back to the 1500’s, is surrounded by an orchard of olive and carob trees in the Ragusan countryside of Ispica. The building has been tastefully restored maintaining a traditional Sicilian feel and offers spacious guestrooms with a warm and friendly service. Ispica is centrally located between the two provinces of Ragusa and Syracuse, and is an ideal base from which to visit the Sicilian baroque towns of Modica, Ragusa Ibla, Scicli and Noto.
Accommodation: 7 spacious rooms including superior rooms and duplex suites.
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Airports: 110km Catania Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool
Guide price from £868 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
64 | Sunvil
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Sicily | Eastern Sicily
Enna province Visit the archaeological sites of Villa Romana del Casale, housing the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world; Castello di Lombardia, the largest castle in Sicily; and Morgantina, an ancient site dating back to the Bronze Age.
Masseria Mandrascate, Valguarnera This ancient fortified farm, built in the 17th century, lies in typical Sicilian countryside with geese and chickens running loose in the courtyard. The rooms are furnished with care, in Sicilian style, with antique family furniture, which blends perfectly with “recovered” pieces, such as the cobbler’s bench which serves as a bedside table, or the cupboard, once part of a window. The swimming pool, surrounded by aromatic plants and fig trees, has a panoramic view stretching as far as the Madonie mountains.
Accommodation: 6 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms and superior rooms.
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Airport: 74km Catania Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Rural location Swimming pool Wine Estate
Guide price from £743 per person*
Le Querce di Cota, Troina In the hills around Troina, the first Norman capital of Sicily, stands this ancient baglio, built at the end of the 19th century and bearing witness to the old rural life of Sicily. A baglio was composed of the main house, together with buildings used for the farm workers and for carrying out rural activities. Today, the building has been adapted for rural tourism, thanks to the sensitive work of restoration carried out by Giuseppe and Concetta, whose hospitality is warm and friendly.
Accommodation: 9 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms and junior suites.
• • • • • •
Airport: 74km Catania Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool
Guide price from £581 per person*
Agriturismo Gigliotto, Piazza Armerina The origins of Gigliotto can be traced back to the 14th century, to the monastery next to which, in later years, arose the farm which today forms the heart of the building. Standing on a hill and surrounded by vineyards and fields of prickly pear, it enjoys an enchanting view. On clear days Mount Etna can be seen in the distance. The pride of this agriturismo is its winery, which can be visited, and which produces an excellent wine made from Nero d’Avola grapes.
Accommodation: 26 rooms, located in three separate buildings, including standard rooms and superior rooms.
• • • • • • • •
Airports: 89km Catania Agriturismo Bed & Breakfast Complimentary WiFi Restaurant Rural location Swimming pool Wine Estate
Guide price from £734 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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Sicily | Itinerary
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) • 8-days car hire • 7-nights Agriturismo Il Granaio, Modica BB
Departures Daily Duration 7 nights Guide price from £686 per person*
Scicli
Ragusa Ibla
Follow in the footsteps of Inspector Montalbano and beyond Itinerary: 8 days / 7 nights Inspector Montalbano is a fictional character created by the Sicilian writer Andrea Camilleri in a series of novels and short stories. The character was then adapted for TV. The main character lives and works in the fictional town of Vigàta, in the equally fictional district of Montelusa. Our suggested itinerary follows in the footsteps of the Italian detective and visits some of the most important historical sites to be found in the south eastern corner of Sicily. Day One: On arrive, collect your hire car and drive to your hotel. Day Two: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Scicli (17km) which is full of wonderful baroque architecture. The Montalbano TV series is set in Scicli which doubles as the fictional town of Vigàta. Visit the town hall (Municipio) - Montalbano’s office (Commissariato di Vigàta). The Palazzo Iacono on via Mormino Penna, a few metres away, represents the Questura of Montelusa (Police station).
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Day Three: Head to the Castello di Donnafugata (37km), a new-gothic mansion that dates back to the 1800’s. The house is the fictional home of Balduccio Sinagra, the local mafia boss, who meets Inspector Montalbano in the episode ‘Excursion to Tindari’. En route to Ragusa, stop at Grotta delle Trabacche, an ancient cemetery from the Roman period, where Montalbano finds two dead bodies in the episode ‘The Terracotta Dog’. Continue on to Ragusa Ibla and have lunch (not included) at La Rusticana which is the ‘Trattoria San Calogero’ in the series, on Corso XXV Aprile, where Montalbano normally lunches. Visit the town’s main square, Duomo di San Giorgio, which doubles as Vigàta’s fictional square. Stroll through the characterful streets, steeped in baroque architecture. Day Four: Spend time in Modica (9km), another baroque jewel which is also the setting for many episodes. Take time to enjoy some of Modica’s delights including the local dark chocolate produced from an ancient Aztec recipe.
Day Five: Drive to Syracuse (75km), a former Greek city which boasts many ancient artefacts from the period. Visit the island of Ortigia which has an enchanting historical centre dominated by its Cathedral (Duomo), with a dramatic baroque façade. Day Six: Visit the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina (111km). This Roman manor house, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts the largest, most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world, many of which have been recently restored. Spend the afternoon in Caltagirone (31km), noted for its Sicilian ceramics industry which dates back over a thousand years. Day Seven: Day at leisure. Enjoy some last minute shopping or simply relax by the pool. Day Eight: Drive to Catania airport for your return flight home.
Sicily | Itinerary
Delicious Sicily Itinerary: 8 days / 7 nights Wine has been made in Sicily since ancient times. The soil and climate are ideal for the purpose and most farmers and smallholders would have had their own vineyard, producing wine for the family. Many varieties of grape are now cultivated and many different wines produced in what has become a wine-lover's paradise.
family-run winery is located in Sambuca di Sicilia in the Valle dei Belice, on Sicily's west coast. During the harvest season (Aug-Sep), guests are invited to participate in the winemaking process. En-route stop off in Agrigento to visit the impressive Valley of the Temples. This ancient, archeological park has six Greek Temples including one of the best preserved Doric Temples in the world.
Day One: Arrive at Catania airport, collect your hire car and drive to Modica (117km). Day Two - Dinner at Il Granaio: Day at leisure spend the day visiting some of the island's most important Baroque towns, notably Noto, Modica, Ragusa Ibla and Syracuse (Ortigia Island), located in the south eastern corner of Sicily. Opportunity to taste the rich dark chocolate produced in Modica following ancient Aztec recipes and the delicious local cakes and pastries with their unique flavours. Enjoy a homecooked meal at Il Granaio's restaurant - local recipes prepared by the owner's mother. Day Three: Day at leisure. Drive to Piazza Armerina (116km) and visit the ancient Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fabulous Roman Villa contains a collection of some of the most important, well-preserved mosaics in the world. Day Four: Day at leisure. After breakfast, drive to your next property in Menfi (231km). This picturesque,
Day Five - Dinner at La Foresteria: Day at leisure. Take a cooking class, led by Chef Angelo Pumilia, using recipes from 'Sicilia, the cooking of Casa Planeta' cookbook. In the evening enjoy some wine tasting and an intimate meal in the substantial wine cellar. Day Six: Day at leisure. Visit the Cantine Florio in Marsala (60km). The Woodhouses, the Inghams and the Whitakers were late 18th century English traders and merchants who became wealthy through exporting Marsala wine to England and the United States. They fortified the local wine with alcohol, using the Spanish solera system, thus enabling it to survive the long sea journey back to England and across the Atlantic. This was hugely successful and their successors continue to this present day, although there are no longer any members of the family left in Sicily. At the Cantine Florio, one can still admire (framed on a wall) Nelson's original order for wine for the Royal Navy, with which it was understandably very popular, signed by him as Duke of Bronte. After the Battle of Trafalgar it became, for a time, known as 'Victory Wine'. Day Seven: Day at leisure. Visit La Planeta family cellars and oil mills for tastings and lunch (payable locally), or head to the coast to sunbathe on Menfi's 10km stretch of sandy beach. Day Eight: After breakfast, drive to Palermo airport (108km) for your return flight home.
La Foresteria cooking class
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Catania and returning from Palermo (other airports on request) • 8 days car hire (one-way drop off fee payable locally) • 3-nights Agriturismo Il Granaio, Modica BB • 4-nights La Foresteria, Menfi BB • Dinner at Il Granaio, Modica (Day 2) • Dinner at La Foresteria, Menfi (Day 5) Agriturismo Il Granaio
Departures Daily Duration 7 nights Guide price from £989 per person*
La Foresteria
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Sicily | The Aeolian Islands
The Aeolian Islands STROMBOLI Filicudi
Panarea
SALINA
Alicudi
LIPARI
Aeolian Islands VULCANO
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If you like islands, you will love Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli, Panarea, Salina, Filicudi and Alicudi. Access to the islands is by boat - hydrofoil (foot passengers) or ferry (cars and passengers). The main departure point is from
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Milazzo, on Sicily’s north coast, which connects daily with all the islands. Other departure points from Sicily include Capo d'Orlando, Cefalù and Palermo where the crossing takes longer to reach the archipelago. Regular services usually run between April to early October. Sunvil offers accommodation on four islands - Lipari, Salina, Vulcano and Stromboli. The other islands can be reached by boat from any of the islands as day trips.
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Lipari
Salina
Vulcano
Stromboli
The largest of the seven Aeolian Islands, Lipari town has an ancient acropolis crowned by a castle, a cathedral and a fine museum (the swimming off the rocks below is a bonus).
Twin-peaked Salina, the archipelago's second largest and greenest island, has a lush, verdant landscape thanks to its natural freshwater springs, woodlands, wildflowers and vineyards producing sweet Malvasia wine.
Vulcano remains a jewel of rare beauty and unspoilt nature, evident in its lush vegetation, smoky fumaroles, renowned natural mud pool and the release of sulphur and warm waters close to the Levante beach.
The volcano is Stromboli's main attraction with guided walks (c.2 hours) to climb the summit to arrive just before sunset. The best black sand beaches are small coves along the coast at Piscità.
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Main image: Lipari and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily | The Aeolian Islands
Lipari The island is particularly remarkable for its varied scenery, with a jagged coastline surrounded by unpolluted waters and an array of colours from the green vegetation and white pumice stones to black and red volcanic rocks. Rocce Azzurre Hotel, Lipari This family-run hotel is positioned directly on the sea front in a quiet bay, 20-minutes walk (partly uphill) from the harbour. Some rooms have been nicely decorated in a classic style and are different in colour and shape, some have traditional floor tiles, which originate from Caltagirone – famed for its colourful ceramics, others with a more modern style. The location, as well as the friendly service of this owner-managed hotel, provides a warm welcome to guests.
Standard Room
Accommodation: 33 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms and junior suites.
• Airport: 144km Catania • 1 hour journey by hydrofoil to Lipari from Milazzo • 3-star hotel • Half Board • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant Guide price from £836 per person*
Tritone Hotel, Lipari A small, modern hotel, the Tritone is well situated within walking distance of the village centre and only 500 metres from Portinente beach and 3km from Canneto beach. The property is beautifully set in well-maintained gardens with a swimming pool fed by a natural hot spring. Its close proximity to the sea and easy access to both the commercial centre and the beach make this hotel a good base from which to explore the small volcanic island of Lipari.
Accommodation: 38 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, comfort rooms, deluxe rooms and a suite.
• Airport: 144km Catania • 1 hour journey by hydrofoil to Lipari from Milazzo • 4-star hotel • Complimentary WiFi • Half Board • Restaurant • Swimming pool • Spa Guide price from £1,251 per person*
Spa
Therasia Resort & Spa, Vulcano This beautifully located hotel is only 1km uphill from the port and easily accessed via the hotel’s shuttle bus. The white and pastel shades of the building and the moorish ambience contrast with the dark rocks and vegetation of the island. Here, on the promontory of Vulcanello, where the property is situated, you are surrounded by nature. There are ample terraces from which the views are stupendous. The sunsets over the islands of Lipari (5-minutes away by hydrofoil), Alicudi and Filicudi are spectacular.
Accommodation: 94 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, comfort rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites.
• Airport: 140km Catania • 45-minutes by hydrofoil to Vulcano from Milazzo • 5-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant • Swimming pool • Spa Guide price from £1,312 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and transfers. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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Sicily | The Aeolian Islands
Salina & Stromboli Salina, the greenest of the Aeolian Islands, has pebble beaches and vineyards that produce Malvasia wine. Stromboli has one of the most active volcanoes in the world, high cliffs and black sand beaches.
Signum Hotel This charming property is made up of several buildings that were once ordinary houses within the village. The owners bought several houses over the years and have created a small community set around a series of landscaped terraces and luscious gardens filled with beautifully scented Mediterranean plants. The guestrooms, simple in style, are furnished with antiques, have whitewashed walls and many have a private terrace or balcony with garden and sea views.
Accommodation: 30 air-conditioned (ceiling fan) rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and suites.
• Airport: 144km Catania • 90 minutes by ferry from Milazzo to Salina • 4-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant (1-star Michelin chef ) • Spa • Swimming pool Guide price from £1,555 per person* Suite
Capofaro Malvasia & Resort, Salina A UNESCO World Heritage Site and nature reserve since 1981, the seven islands that form the Aeolian archipelago are found approximately 40km north east of Sicily, with Salina at its centre. Located on the north east coast of Salina, the Capofaro Malvasia & Resort is one of five estates owned by the Tasca d’Almerita family – producers of award winning wines. Named partly after the Malvasia grape, native to Salina and believed to have been introduced to the island between 588-577B.C. by the Greeks, the estate has a 6 hectare vineyard.
Accommodation: 21 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms, junior suites, exclusive suites and suite 21.
• Airport: 378km Catania • 90 minutes by ferry from Milazzo to Salina • 5-star resort hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant • Swimming pool Guide price from £1,582 per person*
La Sirenetta Park Hotel, Stromboli This modern hotel, situated at the base of an active volcano, is nestled on the beach (a minute walk) and surrounded by the greenery of its own gardens. The guestrooms are simply furnished and there is a rooftop terrace, salt water swimming pool and gourmet restaurant serving local Sicilian and Italian dishes. The volcano on Stromboli has been continuously erupting for two thousand years, and is one of the main draws of the island. Watch, from a safe distance, as lava and gas are ejected from craters just below the summit.
Accommodation: 49 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms and superior rooms.
• Airport: 378km Catania • 70 minutes by hydrofoil from Milazzo to Stromboli • 4-star hotel • Bed & Breakfast • Beach location • Complimentary WiFi • Restaurant
Classic Room
Guide price from £1,185 per person*
* Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and transfers. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties.
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Sicily | Itinerary
Sicily & the Aeolian Islands Itinerary: 8 days / 7 nights Discover the elegance and style of Taormina, created by a rich history over the centuries, by the invading Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Spaniards. With regular sailings from Milazzo, take the boat to Lipari, an ideal base from which to island hop to the other, equally fascinating, islands of the archipelago. Experience life on Vulcano, separated from Lipari by a small stretch of sea, a jewel of rare beauty and unspoilt nature. Day One: On arrival, transfer to Taormina. Days Two & Three: Days at leisure. Explore the delights of Taormina with its Greek Theatre, charming boutiques and shops, botanic gardens and open-air dining. Day Four: Take a private transfer to Milazzo (1½ hours) and boat to Lipari (1-hour). On arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the castle, the Norman cathedral of San Bartolomeo (built on the site of an ancient acropolis) or marvel at the stunning scenery from Quattrocchi viewpoint with its spectacular panorama across the archipelago.
Day Six: Self-transfer to Lipari port (20-minutes downhill walk) to catch the hydrofoil to Vulcano (30-minutes – boat tickets are not included and must be purchased locally). Alternatively, the hotel offers a complimentary transfer to the port – prebooking required. On arrival in Vulcano, self-transfer to your hotel. It is also possible to pre-book the complimentary hotel shuttle bus from Vulcano port – please request a time of booking.
Vulcano
Day Seven: Day at leisure – spend the day on Vulcano. ‘Take the cure’ in a sulphur pool and wash off in a curiously bubbling sea - catching more than a whiff of Vulcan himself! Walk to the top of the volcano for a fabulous view of the crater and surrounding archipelago. Day Eight: After breakfast, self transfer to Vulcano port, or take advantage of the complimentary hotel shuttle bus to the port - pre-booking is recommended. At the port catch the hydrofoil to Milazzo (45-minutes crossing). On arrival at Milazzo port you will be transferred by car to Catania airport for your return flight home.
Day Five: Day at leisure. Take the opportunity to island hop and visit one or more of the other Aeolian Islands.
Lipari
*Guide price based on 2-sharing includes: • Flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) • Private transfer from Catania airport to Taormina (Day 1) • 3-nights Grand Hotel Miramare, Taormina BB • Shared transfer, including boat crossing, from Taormina to the Rocce Azzurre Hotel, Lipari (Day 4) • 2-nights Rocce Azzurre Hotel, Lipari BB • 2-nights Therasia Resort & Spa, Vulcano BB • Boat tickets from Vulcano to Milazzo (Day 8) • Private transfer from Milazzo port to Catania airport (Day 8)
Departures Daily Duration 7 nights Guide price from £1,210 per person*
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Italy & Sicily | General Information
General Information Please read these notes in conjunction with our Booking Conditions and with price panels. Information contained in this brochure may alter after publication so please check with us for any changes prior to booking. About Sunvil’s Bonding and Your Financial Security Sunvil is a fully bonded operator. We are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL 808) for all air based holidays in this brochure. All non air travel arrangements (e.g. accommodation or ground arrangements only) are protected by ABTA, a Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) approved body. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, these organisations will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid us for an advance booking. For further information on how the CAA deals with air based bookings and to check our ATOL number, visit the CAA website at www.atol.org.uk. One call to us will save you considerable time and effort, and probably cost no more, in the end, than trying to arrange it all by yourself. Most important of all, it is financially more secure: we are fully ATOL-bonded so your money is 100% protected, and by law we take full responsibility for our arrangements, which is not necessarily the case with ‘internet only’ operations who act only as ‘agents’. We firmly believe that, taken together, these benefits will allow you to make the most of your designer holiday with complete peace of mind.
Accommodation Agriturismo (Farm) properties: Access to the property
will be between 15:00-20:00 to allow for cleaning. It is important that you contact the owner to advise your approximate arrival time. The accommodation has to be vacated generally by 10:00 hours on the day of departure. Apartments are adequately equipped including a fridge, cooker or cooking rings, cutlery and linen. Most do not have kettles. Beach towels are not included, so please take your own. Cleaning/linen change is generally once weekly. Please note that, in Italy, you will be asked to pay a deposit on arrival of between 100 to 300 Euros (cash only) to cover any damage to the property. This deposit is fully refundable on departure. Clients are reminded that any breakage must be reported locally so that arrangements can be made to have the broken article(s) paid for on the spot and subsequently replaced. It would be very unfair if any breakage was not reported, as future clients would not find the properties fully equipped. Due care must be taken with all furnishings. No extra persons are permitted to sleep in the property unless prior arrangements have been made with our agents locally or ourselves. Many of our properties are located in rural areas. Indeed, for many people, this is one of the main attractions. However, having open countryside nearby or a location on a working farm, local wildlife, farm animals and pets (cats and dogs) are quite common. So, if you or any of your party is likely to be squeamish, we recommend you check with us as to the suitability and location of your chosen accommodation before you book. Welcome packs are provided in self-catering units in Italy and Sicily at selected properties. They generally 10 | Sunvil 72
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include: Bread, butter, jam, eggs, ham, cheese, milk (1 litre), water (2 litres), orange juice, tea and coffee. Air-conditioning: Where air conditioning is mentioned
this is provided at the discretion of the management and may not necessarily operate all day and every day. Children & Infants: Child reductions may apply on the
basis of one child per two full fare paying passengers. Children must be under the age of 12 years on the date of departure to qualify and, in hotels, they must occupy the third bed in a three bedded room. Infants under 2 years of age on the date of departure travel for a flat rate of £50. Cots should be requested at the time of booking and, for the most part, are payable locally. Clients with Disabilities: We always do our best for our
clients with reduced mobility, but very often we do not have enough information as to the extent of the disability. If you are of reduced mobility, we need the details in writing so the accommodation providers can judge if they can meet your requirements. This may well take a little longer but will avoid disappointment. Facilities: Saunas and Jacuzzis, and other hotel facilities
stated in this brochure may not operate 24-hours a day. Many hotels offer these services at specific times of the day or on a request basis where advance notification of use, sometimes an hour or two, must be given locally. The provision of telephone lines, broadband Internet connections and WiFi do not form part of this contract. These facilities rely on local networks and therefore service levels cannot be guaranteed. No compensation is payable if the service is not working and is awaiting repair. Other facilities, fixtures and fittings including but not limited to, dishwasher, washing machine, swimming pool, lighting and air conditioning units may require servicing or repair. We cannot be held responsible for loss of use while repair is being undertaken. Italian Tourist Tax: An Italian tourist tax has been introduced across Italy and Sicily. All visitors must pay locally approximately 1 to 5 Euros per person per night according to their accommodation star rating i.e. up to a maximum of 5 Euros per person for a 5-star property. This tax is not included in your holiday price. Room furnishings: In most cases rooms are furnished
with twin beds and, when a double bed is requested we pass the preference to the hotel. Most hotels do have some rooms with double beds – if they do not, they can usually successfully push two single beds together. Soap and towels are provided but not beach towels – please bring your own. Single rooms: Single rooms are often smaller and
without much of a view. In the low season you may well have a double for sole use. A twin/double for single use can be guaranteed for a further supplement. Swimming pools: Please note that the opening/closing
date of the pool is an approximate date and cannot be guaranteed. Pools open/close according to the weather. If summer arrives early then pools are opened earlier than originally stated. The weather is unpredictable and therefore we cannot guarantee that pools will open/
close when stated in our brochure. The dates given are simply guidelines. Swimming caps are compulsory in all Tuscan farm properties. Three bedded rooms: Three bedded rooms are available in most hotels but, as they are often twin rooms with an extra bed, they may be rather cramped. The extra bed may be a proper bed, sofa bed or fold up bed. We cannot be held responsible if you find the room too crowded. Views: Specific views can be guaranteed only where a supplement is charged. Otherwise, we can request a room with view and the hotel will try to honour the request.
A Few Facts of Life We believe the information in this brochure is true and correct. It is essential you read our descriptions carefully to avoid making a wrong choice. If you are unsure of anything please ask to speak to someone who has been to the area you wish to visit. Our advice is honest – we would rather lose you than allow you to visit a location unsuited to your needs. Having said that, we would like to make our own position clear. Seasons change and so do resorts. What is ‘quiet’ in June can be crowded in August. Tourist facilities depend on the weather and/or demand. Please bear this in mind as it is impossible to qualify every statement on every page. If you visit Italy or Sicily you must be prepared to accept the local way of life which, due to the climate, can be totally different from ours. Buses tend to run early in the morning, shops and offices may well close in the afternoon, and restaurants, bars and clubs are noisier, open-air and open later than their British equivalents. Plumbing is rarely perfect. Roads are largely unlit, often have no pavement and are sometimes unmade, so take a torch. Many areas are growing resorts and building may be going on in the vicinity of your accommodation. We are not trying to dissuade you from travelling but just pointing out that you must take the rough with the smooth when you visit any foreign country. Despite the above, we are certain you will have the holiday of a lifetime but, if you do experience some niggles, try to have patience and understanding and gracefully accept that you cannot live as you would at home.
Amendment and Administration Charges A fee of £35 per booking will be charged for each amendment to a confirmed booking to cover administration costs in addition to any charges made by airline, transport or accommodation suppliers. In the case of a minor amendment (e.g. cancellation of a pre-booked car) this charge is per booking; in the case of a major amendment (e.g. change of holiday dates, accommodation or resort) this charge is per person. Within 8 weeks of departure we reserve the right to treat a major alteration as a cancellation of the original holiday (attracting cancellation charges) and regard it as a new holiday booking.
APIS, Health, Passports and Visas It is advisable to check before departure as to whether any changes have taken place. APIS: In 2009 the UK Government began to implement its
requirement for APIS (Advanced Passenger Information)
Italy & Sicily | General Information
data for all passengers travelling internationally into and out of the UK. We need to collect this information from all passengers on behalf of the carrier, who is legally required to collect this information and provide it as part of the check-in process. These details can be submitted confidentially and securely online via the e-borders section at http://mybooking.sunvil.co.uk/apis/login.asp If you do not have your passport details at hand this information can be submitted at a later date. However, it must be submitted at least 10 days before departure. The information will be passed on directly to the relevant airline and kept for no more than 10 years by the British Government. It will be protected in keeping with the Data Protection Act and appropriate security controls will ensure it is not used or accessed incorrectly. It will be given only to organisations that are legally authorised to receive it and that need it to carry out their official duties. Your details will be destroyed by us on your return to the UK. Health and EHIC: No inoculations or vaccinations are necessary for British Passport holders, but for the latest government health advice please see the National Travel Health Network and Centre website www. nathnac.org. All EU citizens should have a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in addition to travel insurance – to apply please go to www.ehic.org.uk. Passports and Visas: Non-EC nationals should obtain upto-date advice on passport and visa requirements from the relevant Embassy and/or Consulate. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.
Currency The local currency is the Euro. Many shops, hotels and car hire agents abroad will accept Visa Card, Mastercard, Diners Club and American Express cards.
Excursions Booked Locally Sunvil does not operate its own excursions. Any excursions booked locally at destination do not form part of the package, whether reserved through our local agent or representative. Sunvil acts solely as an agent for any such excursions and takes no responsibility or accepts any liability for their correct performance.
FCO Travel Advice Sunvil have partnered with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Aware campaign to help provide top tips and advice for planning your trip abroad. It is important to do some research before you travel to learn about any necessary visas and vaccinations required for entry to your destination, understand any unusual laws and customs and to be aware of the latest travel advice for the region. Please visit https://travelaware.campaign.gov. uk for more information on what to prepare for your trip overseas. You can also sign up for email alerts and follow @ FCOtravel on Twitter for alerts whilst you are away. Sunvil follows FCO advice - should it advise against non-essential travel to any of our destinations during a period in which you are booked to travel imminently you may change or cancel your holiday with no penalty.
Group Travel We are experienced in making arrangements for special interest groups and welcome enquiries for affinity, conference and incentive travel.
How to Book Our holidays can be booked through selected travel agents (excluding the multiple chains of Tui/Thomson or Thomas Cook). Alternatively you can call us Monday to Saturday during normal working hours. For all bookings including flights from the UK, an ATOL
certificate will be issued at the time of confirmation. Please keep the ATOL certificate with your travel documents at all times.
dangers involving swimming pools, balconies and hotel lifts, especially if travelling with children.
Once confirmed your deposit should be received by us within the next 7 days. For bookings within 8 weeks of departure, the full holiday amount is payable.
iIt is essential that you are adequately insured for any overseas trip. Sunvil Holidays does not offer directly or recommend any travel insurance policy. However, our selected travel insurance partner is Holiday Extras. Holiday Extras offer insurance tailored tailored specifically to each individual customer and the type of holidays we offer. For your bespoke quote please contact Holiday Extras on 0800 781 4086 quoting Sunvil Holidays 71398, or visit www. holidayextras.co.uk/sunvil
Travel Insurance
A Holiday Confirmation will then be sent giving full holiday details and the balance due (payable 8 weeks before departure). Please check this carefully. No final invoice or statement will be sent. Your tickets and travel documents will be sent approximately 10 days before departure. Again, please check these as flight details may have slightly altered.
Local Agents As this is a tailor-made programme for seasoned travellers we have no local representatives. We have local agents in Italy and Sicily who can give any necessary help and guidance and can always be contacted. You will not be visited in your accommodation. Please remember that, wherever you are, most hotel managers, owners and receptionists are often only too keen to help you with local information. Any problems you experience must be reported locally so that we are given the opportunity of solving them. If you cannot reach our local agent then try us in London. Our out of hours emergency telephone number is 00 44 (0)20 8758 4799.
Maps Maps shown in this brochure are not to scale and must only be used for general guidance.
Non-Standard Holidays Our holidays are very flexible. Some of the most popular arrangements are the following:
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Quality Charter AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating. Exclusive Membership: AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct. Financial Security: AITO members are required to
Multi-Centres: Most of the holidays offered can be
combined. Some suggestions are made on the resort pages, but please telephone if you have any specific ideas not mentioned there. Tailor-made Holidays: For holidays in hotels not featured
in this brochure or of a longer duration and more complex character please ask us for a quotation. We can arrange flights for one person and accommodation for two, a week in a hotel and a week free with a car, varying durations for different members of your party etc. In fact, we are generally open to suggestion.
protect money paid by UK customers and overseas customers booking directly with the member for any holiday sold under the AITO logo and to comply with UK Government Regulations in this respect. Members submit details of their bonding and guarantee arrangements to the Association on a regular basis. Accurate Brochures and Websites: All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered. Professional Service and Continual Improvements:
Payment & Ticket Despatch The balance of your holiday cost is due 8 weeks before departure. Please note that we do not send reminders. We accept payment by credit, debit or charge card for payments made before 1st January 2018 and as we are charged for this service by the credit card companies we must levy a 2% charge (for Mastercard, Visa or Amex), on top of the quoted price of the trip. No charges are made for payments received after 1st January 2018. Tickets are sent electronically or by mail about 10 days before departure.
Safety Standards and Regulations The safety standards and regulations in operation overseas are those of the country in question and may not reach the same level as those we enjoy in the UK. The monitoring, enforcement and compliance with these local regulations is a matter for the authorities of that country and the foreign supplier of the services concerned. The general standards of safety and hygiene, fire precautions etc, will generally be lower than in the U.K. Liability insurance requirements vary considerably from country to country as does the responsibility placed on an organisation by local law. Please therefore take all precautions to protect yourself and your family whilst on holiday. In particular, you should familiarise yourself with hotel fire escape routes and always be aware of hidden
All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards. Monitoring Standards: AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire the results of which are scrutinised by the Association. Sustainable Tourism: As members, we acknowledge the importance of AITO’s Sustainable Tourism ethos, which recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating. Customer Relations: All members endeavour
to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO’s low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion. Sunvil Holidays is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. To contact the Association, visit www.aito.com or call 020 8744 9280.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy & Sicily | 73
Italy & Sicily | Booking Conditions
Booking Conditions 1. Definitions These Booking Conditions, together with the General Information section in our brochures or on our website (depending upon how you make your booking), and any other document we brought to your attention before we confirmed your booking, form the basis of your contract with us, Sunvil International Sales Limited, of Sunvil House, Upper Square, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 7BJ, with registered company number 984970 (“us”, “our”). Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations. In these Booking Conditions references to “you” and “your” include the first named person on the booking and all persons on whose behalf a booking is made or any other person to whom a booking is added or transferred. By asking us to confirm a booking, the first named person on the booking agrees on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking that: a. he/she has read these Booking Conditions and has the authority to and does agree to be bound by them; b. he/she consents to our use of information in accordance with our Privacy Policy; c. he/she is over 18 years of age and resident in the United Kingdom and where placing an order for services with age restrictions declares that he/she and all members of the party are of the appropriate age to purchase those services; d. he/she accepts financial responsibility for payment of the booking on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking. 2. Booking (a) You may make your booking with us directly (through our website or by e-mail or telephone) or through one of our authorised travel agents. Whichever option you choose, your booking will be subject to our booking conditions which appear in our brochures and on our website. A copy can also be posted or e-mailed to you on request. By asking us to confirm your booking, we are entitled to assume that the person who makes the booking has had the opportunity to read our booking conditions and has agreed to these on behalf of everyone named on the booking. A contract between us only comes into existence when either (1) we issue a confirmation invoice following payment of the applicable deposit or full payment (if booking within 56 days of departure) or (2) for telephone bookings made within 56 days of departure, we or your travel agent verbally confirm your booking and provide you with a booking reference following payment by credit or debit card. For online bookings made through our website, the confirmation invoice will be issued at the end of the booking process which you must print and keep. If your arrangements include a flight arranged by us, you will also receive an ATOL Certificate. You must check all documents we send you carefully as soon as you receive them as it may not be possible to make changes later. We cannot accept any liability if we are not notified of any inaccuracy (for which we are responsible) in any document within 14 days of our sending it out (or in the case of travel documents/tickets, 5 days). If we accept your booking on the basis that one or more elements of the arrangements (such as the accommodation) is subject to confirmation by the relevant supplier, we will be entitled to cancel your booking and terminate your contract without any liability to you (other than refunding any payment you have made to us or your travel agent on our behalf in respect of that booking) in the event that the element(s) in question cannot be confirmed. 3. Payment (a) Any monies paid by you to the agent are held by the agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust at all times, but subject to the agent’s obligations to pay it to us for as long as we have not failed. In the event that we fail, any money held or subsequently accepted from the consumer by the agent is and continues to be held by that agent on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust without any obligation to pay that money to us. (b) The balance of the price is payable not less than 56 days prior to departure date. If the balance has not been paid by 48 days prior to departure, the booking will be cancelled and the cancellation charges set out below will be levied. (c) Full payment will be due immediately for bookings made within 56 days of travel. (d) No reminders or statements will be sent.
this up to 3 working days after your booking has been confirmed. In this rare situation, you will be given the opportunity to book at the correct price or, if you do not wish to do so, we will cancel the booking and provide you with a full refund of the amount you have paid us but will have no further liability. (b) Prices stated are general indications of the likely price. But they can vary. The price you are given at the time of booking is the price to be paid. (c) The price of your confirmed holiday is subject at all times to changes in: - the price of transportation resulting from the cost of fuel or other power sources; or - the level of taxes or fees applicable to the holiday imposed by third parties not directly involved in the performance of your holiday, including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports. You will be charged for the amount of any increase in accordance with this clause. However, if this means that you have to pay an increase of more than 8% of the total price of your confirmed holiday (excluding any insurance premiums, amendment charges and/or additional services or travel arrangements), you will have the option of: (i) accepting the price increase and paying the requested amount; (ii) accepting a change to another holiday if we are able to offer one (if this is of equivalent or higher quality you will not have to pay more but if it is of lower quality you will be refunded the difference in price); or (iii) cancelling your confirmed booking and receiving a full refund of all monies paid to us, except for any insurance premiums and any amendment charges and/or additional services or travel arrangements which do not form part of your package. Should you decide to cancel for this reason, you must exercise your right to do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on your final invoice. Should the price of your holiday go down due to the changes mentioned above, then any refund due will be paid to you less an administration fee of £35. However, please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to contractual and other protection in place. There will be no change made to the price of your confirmed holiday within 20 days of your departure nor will refunds be paid during this period. We will consider an appropriate refund of insurance premiums paid if you can show that you are unable to transfer or reuse your policy. 6. Alterations by You & Transfer of Booking (a) A fee of £35 per booking for a minor change (e.g. cancellation of car hire) or £35 per person for a major change (e.g. name change, change of accommodation or change of dates to earlier or later in the season) to cover administration costs will be charged for each amendment requested more than eight weeks before departure to a confirmed booking. Amendments involving ‘bought-in’ flights (i.e. not on regular Sunvil/GIC charter flights) will attract a higher charge from the airline which will be quoted for on request. Holidays can only be transferred to another resort area within the same country within the same year. Any alteration requested within eight weeks of departure will be treated as a cancellation of the original holiday (attracting cancellation charges) and a new holiday booking. (b) Transfer of Booking: If any member of your party is prevented from travelling that person may transfer their place to another person acceptable to us provided that: (i) the transfer is requested in writing at least 7 days before departure; (ii) the request is accompanied by any tickets or vouchers already received from us, full details of the person who will take over the booking, any balance due for the booking and the appropriate administration fee which will be £35 per namechange, plus all charges of whatever nature levied by our suppliers arising out of the transfer. You should be aware that some suppliers, particularly airlines, may charge a 100% cancellation fee and the cost of a new ticket; and (iii) the person taking over the booking agrees to be bound by these Booking Conditions. 7. Cancellation by You (a) Should you wish to cancel your confirmed holiday, this must be done in writing to us. A written notification must be received by us by recorded or registered mail. No cancellation will be effective until such written notice is received by us. You will be liable to pay the following cancellation charges:
4. Special Requests Special requests should be indicated on the holiday confirmation you receive from us – please check with us if it does not appear. We will try to arrange for special requests to be met, but cannot, and do not, guarantee that they will be unless a supplement is paid. The fact that a special request has been noted on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation or that it has been passed on to the supplier is not confirmation that the request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part unless the request has been specifically confirmed by us and you have paid the applicable supplement. We do not accept bookings that are conditional upon any special request being met. Adding requests after booking may incur an administration charge.
56 days or more 55 – 43 days 42 – 29 days 28 – 22 days 21 – 15 days 14 days or less
5. Prices and Surcharges (a) We take all appropriate steps to ensure the prices and other information appearing in our brochures and on our website and uploaded to our reservations system is correct to the best of our knowledge. However, changes may have been made since publication or uploading and errors unfortunately sometimes occur. You will usually be given the correct, up to date price at the time of booking. In the event that the price for your holiday as advised by us or any of our agents or which is available through our website is incorrect at the time of booking, we reserve the right to correct
(b) *Important Note: We reserve our right to pass on to you any cancellation charges imposed by our suppliers which are in excess of the cancellation charges set out above. In particular, any “bought-in flight element” (i.e. that you are booked on non-standard Sunvil flights, scheduled or chartered, for which a higher deposit is required) will be charged at 100% cancellation fees for the flight. (c) Insurance premiums and amendment charges are non-refundable. (d) Should one or more members of a party cancel, it may increase the per person holiday price of those still travelling and you will be liable to pay this increase.
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020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Period before departure
Cancellation charge as a % of total invoiced Deposit payment 30% 40% 60% 80% 100%
(e) If the deposit paid is more than the percentage cancellation charge applied within 56 days then the higher amount will be charged. (f ) Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us. Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements. (g) Cancellation by You due to Force Majeure You have the right to cancel your confirmed holiday before departure without paying a cancellation charge in the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (as advised by the FCO) occurring at your holiday destination or its immediate vicinity and significantly affecting the performance of the holiday or which significantly affects transport arrangements to the destination. In these circumstances, we shall provide you with a full refund of the monies you have paid but we will not be liable to pay you any compensation. Please see clause 9 for more information on Force Majeure. 8. Alterations and Cancellation by Us (a) As we plan your holiday arrangements many months in advance we may occasionally have to make changes or cancel your confirmed booking and we reserve the right to do so at any time. (b) If we make a significant change or cancel the holiday after the booking has been confirmed but before departure, you will have the choice of: (i) accepting the cancellation or alteration; (ii) taking another available holiday with us (if it is more expensive you must pay the difference, but if it is cheaper we will make an appropriate refund); or (iii) (in the case of a major alteration) cancelling the holiday and receiving a full refund of all monies paid. (b) A significant change is: (i) a change of airport (except between airports serving the same city); or (ii) a change of accommodation area if this results in materially different facilities and/or anticipated experience, or a change to lower grade accommodation for a substantial part of the holiday. (Substantial means 25% or more of the nights spent in-country.) Any other change is an insignificant change. (c) If you decide to cancel because of a significant change or if we cancel a holiday for any reason other than Force Majeure (please refer to clause 9) or Low Bookings (please refer to clause 8 (d) below), we will pay compensation as follows: Period before scheduled Compensation per fare departure when significant paying passenger change or cancellation is notified 56 days or more Nil 55 – 29 days £20 28 – 14 days £30 Less than 14 days £40 Please note that compensation payments relating to a child place for which you have paid a child price are half the amounts shown (up to half the child price paid). There are no compensation payments payable to those travelling on “free child places”, “free group places” or infants. (d) Low Bookings is where an insufficient number of people have booked the arrangements to make their operation financially viable in the advertised form. We will never cancel a holiday because of Low Bookings less than 42 days before departure. (e) If there is a minor alteration, we will try to notify you, although we are not obliged to do so, nor are we liable to pay compensation. (f ) If we become unable to provide a significant proportion of a holiday after it has commenced, we will, where possible, make suitable alternative arrangements for you at no extra charge to you or, alternatively, arrange for you to be returned to your point of departure and to receive a pro-rata refund for any ground arrangements not received. In addition, if appropriate, we will pay you compensation of an amount which is reasonable taking into account all the circumstances. Compensation will not be considered appropriate, for example, in cases where a major alteration has to be made as a result of Force Majeure or Low Bookings. 9. Force Majeure – Circumstances Beyond our Control Except where we say differently elsewhere in these conditions, we cannot pay any compensation, reimburse expenses, or cover losses for any amount or otherwise accept responsibility if, as a result of circumstances beyond our control, we have to change your holiday after booking, or we, or our suppliers, cannot supply your holiday, as we, or they, had agreed, or you suffer any loss or damage of any description. When we refer to circumstances beyond our control, we mean any event that we, or the supplier in question, could not foresee or avoid, even after taking all reasonable care. Such circumstances will usually include, but are not limited to, war, threat of war, airport closures, epidemic, natural or nuclear disaster, terrorist activity, civil unrest, industrial dispute, bad weather (actual or threatened), change to Foreign Office advice to advise against travel to destination and significant building work ongoing outside of your accommodation (such as resort development). 10. Overbooking In the very rare event of over-booking accommodation of which we are not aware before you depart, you will be offered alternative accommodation on arrival, which accommodation will be of a comparable standard if available. If the location and/or facilities of the alternative accommodation can reasonably be considered inferior
Italy & Sicily | Booking Conditions
to that originally booked, we will compensate you by paying you the difference in price, if any, between the two properties plus compensation of up to 5% of the original holiday price. 11. Accurate Descriptions We make every effort to ensure that all resorts and accommodation offered in this brochure or website are described as accurately as possible and that all price indications are correct. Changes, however, can occur and we reserve the right to make changes, in which case you will be informed, of any price change and any material descriptive change, at the time of booking or on your subsequent Holiday Confirmation Invoice. You should bear in mind that certain facilities, particularly sports, entertainment and excursions, are subject to demand at any given time. It would not, for instance, be reasonable to expect an excursion to run unless there is demand which makes its operation economically viable. If a hotel is equipped with centrally controlled air-conditioning, the period and time of functioning of the system is at the discretion of the hotel management. 12. Accommodation (a) Accommodation which forms part of your booking may only be used by the persons named on the booking form. Subletting is not permitted. (b) You must observe the rules, if any, relating to the accommodation. (c) You must vacate the accommodation in most areas by 10 am on the day of departure. There may be some exceptions and these will be advised locally by our representative, agent or accommodation provider. Check-in is normally available from 4 pm onwards subject to hotel management discretion. 13. Conduct, Injury and Damage (a) You shall behave properly throughout your holiday and, in particular, must not do or permit to be done anything which might lead to damage to any property, injury to any person, or vitiation of any contract of insurance. (b) You will use, occupy and enjoy the accommodation provided as part of your holiday with due care and in a proper manner without allowing the accommodation to become unreasonably soiled. No items, fixtures or fittings shall be removed from the accommodation or left outside at any time. (c) You will be responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing any lost, broken or damaged items, including lost keys. (d) You will treat and speak to our employees and representatives in a reasonable and civil manner. 14. Travel Delays and Flights (a) Flight times are provided by airlines and are subject to change owing to matters such as air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions and technical problems. Flight timings are therefore estimates only and cannot be guaranteed. As between you and any individual airlines, the airline’s standard conditions of carriage will apply. These may limit or exclude liability in accordance with relevant international Conventions. Copies of these Conventions are available from us on request. (b) If you or any member of your party misses your flight or other transport arrangement, it is cancelled or you are subject to a delay of over 3 hours for any reason, you must contact the airline or other transport supplier concerned immediately. (c) In the event that you experience difficulty on the occurrence of circumstances described in clauses 16 (2) (a) (b) (c) or (d) of these Booking Conditions, we will provide you with prompt assistance as is appropriate in the circumstances. Where you experience a flight delay or cancellation which is not owing to any failure by us, our employees or subcontractors, this prompt assistance is likely to extend to providing help in locating refreshments, accommodation and communications but not paying for them. Any airline or other transport supplier may however pay for or provide refreshments and/or appropriate accommodation and you should make a claim directly to them. We can also provide appropriate information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance if requested by you. Subject to the other terms of these conditions, we will not be liable for any costs, fees or charges you incur in the above circumstances, if you fail to obtain our prior authorisation before making your own travel arrangements. (d) Under EU Law, you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from the airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. If the airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Civil Aviation Authority at www.caa.co.uk/ passengers. Reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday price from us. If, for any reason, you do not claim against the airline and make a claim for compensation from us, you must, at the time of payment of any compensation to you, make a complete assignment to us of the rights you have against the airline in relation to the claim that gives rise to that compensation payment. A delay or cancellation to your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your flight. (e) We cannot accept liability for any delay which is due to any of the reasons set out in clause 9 of these Booking Conditions (which includes the behaviour of any passenger(s) or for any passenger who, for example, fails to check in or board on time). A delay or cancellation to your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your flight. However, you may be entitled to claim under the flight delay section of your travel insurance policy. (f ) We have no control over how much leg room (seat pitch) airlines allow on their aircraft. No guarantee can be given as to a particular seat configuration on board as aircraft types vary. However, these seat pitches are standard throughout the airline industry and comply with current Civil Aviation Authority guidelines.
(g) This brochure is our responsibility, as your tour operator. It is not issued on behalf of, and does not commit the airlines mentioned herein or any airline whose services are used in the course of your travel arrangements. 15. Suppliers’ Conditions Our third party suppliers have their own booking conditions and conditions of carriage, and you will be bound by these, so far as the relevant supplier is concerned. Our suppliers’ conditions will also apply to your contract with us, and in the event of any conflict between the suppliers’ conditions and our conditions, the suppliers’ conditions will prevail, save to the extent that any term in the suppliers’ conditions is deemed to be invalid or unenforceable, in which event our conditions will prevail. Some of our suppliers’ conditions may limit or exclude liability on the part of the relevant supplier, and, by virtue of their application to your contract with us, may also limit or exclude our liability to you, and they are often subject to international conventions. You can get copies of the relevant conditions if you ask us. 16. Our Liability (1) We will accept responsibility for the arrangements we agree to provide or arrange for you as an “organiser” under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and subsequent EU Directive 2015/2302 on Package Travel as set out below. Subject to these Booking Conditions, if we or our suppliers negligently perform or arrange the services which we are obliged to provide for you under our contract with you, as set out on your confirmation invoice, we will pay you reasonable compensation. The level of such compensation will be calculated taking into consideration all relevant factors such as but not limited to: following the complaints procedure as described in these conditions and the extent to which ours or our employees’ or suppliers’ negligence affected the overall enjoyment of your holiday. Please note that it is your responsibility to show that we or our supplier(s) have been negligent if you wish to make a claim against us. (2) We will not be responsible or pay you compensation for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, cost or other claim of any description if it results from:(a) the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected; (b) the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party unconnected with the provision of the travel services included in your holiday package and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable; or (c) unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances; or (d) an event which either ourselves or suppliers could not, even with all due care, have foreseen or forestalled. (3) We limit the amount of compensation we may have to pay you if we are found liable under this clause: (a) loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions and money: The maximum amount we will have to pay you in respect of these claims is an amount equivalent to the excess on your insurance policy which applies to this type of loss per person in total because you are assumed to have adequate insurance in place to cover any losses of this kind. (b) Claims not falling under (a) above and which don’t involve injury, illness or death: The maximum amount we will have to pay you in respect of these claims is three times the total price of the package holiday. This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you or your party has not received any benefit at all from your booking. (c) Claims in respect of international travel by air, sea and rail, or any stay in a hotel: (i) The extent of our liability will in all cases be limited as if we were carriers under the appropriate Conventions, which include The Warsaw/Montreal Convention (international travel by air); The Athens Convention (with respect to sea travel); The Berne/Cotif Convention (with respect to rail travel) and The Paris Convention (with respect to hotel arrangements). You can ask for copies of these Conventions from our offices. Please contact us. In addition, you agree that the operating carrier or transport company’s own ‘Conditions of Carriage’ will apply to you on that journey. When arranging transportation for you, we rely on the terms and conditions contained within these international conventions and those ‘Conditions of Carriage’. You acknowledge that all of the terms and conditions contained in those ‘Conditions of Carriage’ form part of your contract with us, as well as with the transport company and that those ‘Conditions of Carriage’ shall be deemed to be included by reference into this contract. (ii) In any circumstances in which a carrier is liable to you by virtue of the Denied Boarding Regulation 2004, any liability we may have to you under our contract with you, arising out of the same facts, is limited to the remedies provided under the Regulation as if (for this purpose only) we were a carrier. (iii) When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the transport provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question. (4) It is a condition of our acceptance of liability under this clause that you notify any claim to ourselves and our supplier(s) strictly in accordance with the complaints procedure set out in these conditions. (5) Where any payment is made, the person(s) receiving it (and their parent or guardian if under 18 years) must also assign to ourselves or our insurers any rights they may have to pursue any third party and must provide ourselves and our insurers with all assistance we may reasonably require. (6) Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss or expense or other sum(s) of any description: (a) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you; or (b) relate to any business. (7) We will not accept responsibility for services or facilities which do not form part of our agreement or where they are not advertised in our brochure. For example any excursion you book whilst away, or any service or facility which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you.
17. Excursions Booked Locally, we do not operate our own excursions. Any excursions booked locally at destination do not form part of the package you have booked with us, whether reserved through our local agent or representative. Sunvil acts solely as an agent for any such excursions and takes no responsibility or accepts any liability for their correct performance. Your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. 18. Complaints All complaints must be made at the time of occurrence to the supplier of the facility or service concerned, to give an opportunity to rectify the cause of the complaint. If unresolved, then you should swiftly call us directly. (If out of UK office hours, then use the relevant emergency mobile numbers supplied in your final travel pack.) Failure to do so will result in your legal rights being reduced or even extinguished. Any claims whatsoever against us must be submitted in writing to us in the UK within 6 months of your return. Disputes arising out of, or in connection with, this contract which cannot be amicably settled, may (if you wish) be referred to ABTA’s independent dispute settlement service. 19. Consumer Protection We provide financial security for the flight-inclusive holidays and flights. We do this by way of our ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 808. The price of our flight inclusive arrangements includes the amount of £2.50 per person as part of the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL Scheme. ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom. We will provide you with the services you have bought (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where we are not able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will be impossible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday you will receive an ATOL certificate. This certificate alongside your confirmation invoice lists the flight, accommodation, car hire and other services that are financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. See ww.caa.co.uk/ATOLCertificate. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk. We provide full financial protection for our package holidays which don’t include flights as well as accommodation only bookings, by way of a bond held by ABTA Ltd. 20. Data Protection (a) Please be assured that we have measures in place to protect personal data provided during the booking process. This information will only be passed on to the relevant suppliers of the travel arrangements forming your holiday. The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking companies. (b) If you travel outside the European Economic Area (“EEA”), controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. We will only pass your information on to persons responsible for your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we will be unable to provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons.) Please see our privacy policy for further details. 21. Governing Law and Jurisdiction These Booking Conditions and any agreement to which they apply are governed in all respects by English law. We both agree that any dispute, claim or other matter which arises between us out of or in connection with your contract or booking will be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales only. You may however, choose the law and jurisdiction of Scotland or Northern Ireland if you live in those places and if you wish to do so.
020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk
Italy & Sicily | 75
Sunvil House, Upper Square, Old Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 7BJ
ABTA No.V6218
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reservations: 020 8758 4722 fax: 020 8568 8330 email: discovery@sunvil.co.uk website: www.sunvil.co.uk