The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is pleased to announce the island of Sicily as the destination for the annual heritage tour program. NIAF is offering numerous departure dates for this nine-day/seven-night tour starting February 2010 through November 2010.

YOU WILL VISIT
Catania - Erice - Marsala - Monreale - Mt. Etna - Palermo -Ragusa - Savoca -Taormina

Palermo is the capital of the region of Sicily and the province of Palermo. The city is noted for its rich history, culture, architecture and gastronomy. It was founded by the Phoenicians, but named by the ancient Greeks as “Panormus” (meaning “port”). Palermo became part of the Roman Republic and eventually part of the Byzantine Empire for more than a thousand years. While it was under Arab rule for a brief period, it first became a capital. Following the Norman reconquest, Palermo served as capital of a new kingdom- the kingdom of Sicily- from 1130 to 1816. Eventually it would be united with the Kingdom of Naples to form the Two Sicilies until Italy’s unification in 1860.

Naxos was founded in 735 B.C. by Chalcidians under the leadership of Athenian Thucles, who was the first Greek to land on Sicilian soil. From their base at Naxos, the Greeks branched out to take over other parts of Sicily. The colony at Naxos thrived until Dionysius of Syracuse destroyed it in 403 B.C. Over the years, the beach at Giardini-Naxos has been so popular that the resort now competes with its neighbor, Taormina. Much of the resort continues to function even during its short winter, when the winds can blow cold. Giardini-Naxos weather is balmy throughout the year.

SERVICES INCLUDE

• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK)
• Transfers from airport-hotel-airport
• Seven nights’ accommodation at a four-star hotel in Palermo & Giardini Naxos
• Seven buffet-style continental breakfasts
• Seven dinners with wine and mineral water included
• Four full-day escorted tours
• Two half-day escorted tours
• One special lunch at an Agriturismo
• English-speaking tour director
• All entrance fees

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Lunch during your daily tour except one lunch at an Agriturismo farm
• U.S. and Italian airport taxes & security fees
• Airline fuel surcharge (currently and subject to change until airline tickets have been issued $375)
• Items of a personal nature
• Trip cancellation & travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• Single room supplement $300 (subject to availability)

BOOKING CONDITIONS

• Each departure must have a minimum of 25 participants.
• If fewer than 25 participants sign up for a specific trip, we will offer alternative dates.
• Reservations will be accepted on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

Download more information about this trip:

• Download the Travel Itinerary (pdf format)