Palermo Gateway 3 Nights

Palermo Gateway
4 Days/3 Nights Package
1 Collective Day Tours + Hotel Package included
Transfers not included
Departures on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November to March
Guaranteed with minimum 2 people

Join this tour and enjoy the best of Western Sicily!
The package includes one collective full day tour with meeting point very close to your Hotel (centrally located).
Depending on day of departure the collective tour will have one of the following itineraries:

– Day tour to Erice, & Segesta with a delicious lunch in a local olive oil factory-farmhouse to taste genuine dishes. This tour will be provided if you start Palermo Gateway on Thursday, Friday or Sunday.
– Day tour to Agrigento, having the chance to delight the Archaeological Museum and the Temples Valley, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and a Unesco world heritage site since 1998. This tour will be provided if you start Palermo Gateway on Saturday.

The balance of days is at leisure. Discover on your own Palermo, the capital of Sicily famous for the Open Air Markets, the Capuchins Catacombs, Pretoria Square and countless wonderful churches. We suggest you to reach Monreale and visit the Arab-Norman Dome, famous for the gold mosaics representing scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

ERICE & SEGESTA:
Full day from 8:45am
Early departure to tour western Sicily where we reach Erice uptown. The Elymians settled the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. Later we travel through the Saltpans to see the historic salt flats works, where the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced. Then, to an olive oil factory-farmhouse to enjoy a light lunch including tasting of mixed local prod-uct such as cheese, salumi, olives, local bread combined with their production of olive oil. This afternoon we continue onto Segesta, one of the major cities of the ancient indigenous Elymian people, to visit the unfinished Doric temple (Admission Fee: not included), late 5th century BC, built on a hilltop just outside of the ancient city and has a commanding view of the surrounding area. Then we return to Palermo.
Please note: The visit to Segesta Temple will be independent.
TEMPLE VALLEY OF AGRIGENTO:
Full day from 8:45am
Today we drive through the interior of Sicily to reach Agrigento. Upon arrival you will have an independent visit to the Archaeological Museum (Admission fee: not included), who offers a fine introduction to the splendors of ancient Akragas and gives an insight into the life of the Greek settlers.
Free time for lunch. In the afternoon two hours walking tour on the Valley of the Temples (Admission fee: not included), a Unesco World Herit-age site. Covers the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Zeus. Agrigento, according to legend, was founded by Daedalus and his son Icarus after they had fled from Crete “by air”. Historically, however, its origins date back to 582 B.C. when it was founded by Rhodi-an-cretan colonist from the neighbouring Gela who named their city Akragas after the nearby river of that name. It rapidly increased in size, importance and military strength under Phalarides, the first ty-rant, and later under Theron, who extended his sway over northern Sicily as far as Himera.Agrigento was a city of artists and illustrious personages, amongst whom the philosopher Empedocles. Pindar defines it as “the most beautiful of mortal cities” and, in fact, in the Vth century B.C., those famous temples, whose beauty we still admire today, were built. Later we then return to Palermo.
Please note: 
– up to 5 people the visit to the Temple Valley and the Archaeological Museum will be independent.
– from 6 people you will visit Temple Valley with a licensed Tour Guide. The visit to the Archaeological Museum will be independent.

OPERATED WITH:
This tour is operated only with a Driver-Escort up to 7/8 people.
The Driver Escort is not a Licensed Tourist Guide —Licensed Tourist Guide: are the only professionals, with a Regional license, permitted to conduct visits and tours in all sites and museums within a city — and he cannot escort people inside the monuments because this is not allowed by Italian Rules. However, he has the competences to promote the most important highlights providing basic historical & cultural information.
From 8/9 people, this tour is operated with a Tour Director.
Licensed Tour Guide will be provided on the spot at Temple Valley only with more than 6 people on the tour.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: 
Airport transfers are not included. Upon arrival at Palermo airport (PMO) please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then independent transfer to your hotel.

Surcharge per Transfers Package: 
The rate covers the transfer-in and the transfer-out
–Euro 70,00 per person, based on a minimum 2 people travelling together and sharing the same vehicle
PROPERTY USED FOR THIS TOUR:
Palermo:  Hotel Plaza Opera, 4*

IMPORTANT: 
We do accommodate travelers in Double or Twin Room
Other options are available ON REQUEST

ROOMS DEFINITIONS:
Single Room: room with a single bed for 1 person only
Double for Single use: double/twin room for 1 person only
Twin Room: room with a pair of single beds for 2 people
Double Room: room with a large/double bed ideally for a couple
Triple Room: double with extra small single bed ideally for a couple with kid

TOUR DETAILS & BOOKING INFORMATION

TOUR CODE: GATEWAY3