Temple at Segesta 
4th century A.D. bikinis 
Mosaics in Monreale
Draft Itinerary
Sunday, March 4, USA to Palermo
Overnight flight from USA to Palermo (PMO).
Monday, March 5, Mondello/Palermo
Upon arrival, transfer by taxi to the Mondello Palace Hotel. (+39091450001) (Included, assuming at least two people per cab.) Spend the afternoon in recovery from the flights--shower, nap, take a walk down to the beach. Dinner and overnight in the Mondello Palace Hotel.
Tuesday, March 6, Mondello/Palermo
9:00 a.m. departure for full day of sight-seeing in Palermo with our excellent English speaking guide, Jacqueline Alio. Stops will include the Cappella Palatina, the Cuba with the Punic Necropolis and the Capuccini Monastery. After a stop for lunch (independent) we will visit the Massimo Opera House and the Archaeological Museum,--if it has reopened. Late afternoon return to Mondello. Dinner and overnight in the Mondello Palace Hotel.
Wednesday, March 7, Mondello/Palermo
9:00 a.m. departure for a half day excursion to meet Jacqueline and again and visit the Cathedral of Monreale and the Diocesan Museum and the Benedictine Cloister. Afternoon opportunity to explore Palermo independently and return to Mondello on Bus #806 (at own expense). Or you can call it a day and stay on the coach and return to the hotel. Leave hotel at 7:15 to walk to dinner at Da Calogero, 091-684-1333. They specialize in fish, but they do serve pizza. Overnight in Mondello Palace Hotel.
Thursday, March 8, Agrigento
Depart Mondello for Agrigento. On our way, we will visit the Grecian sites of Segesta and Selinunte. Dinner and overnight at the Colleverde Park Hotel, +390922 29555, in Agrigento.
Friday, March 9, Agrigento
In Agrigento, we will visit the Valley of the Temples and the adjacent archaeological museum. Dinner and overnight in Colleverde Park Hotel, Agrigento.
Saturday, March 10, Siracusa
Depart Agrigento for Siracusa. On our way we will detour to view the incomparable mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale. Time permitting and bus driver willing, we will also stop at Aidone to view some previously looted treasures that have recently been returned to Italy. Dinner at La Foglia (0931 66233), an informal trattoria, overnight in the Hotel Roma, +390931 465626, Siracusa
Sunday, March 11, Siracusa
In Siracusa we will visit the Greco/Roman site with an incredible theater and the archaeological museum. We will then return to Ortygia and visit the duomo which is right behind our hotel. Here you can see evidence of its past usage as a Greek temple, an early Christian church, a mosque, and finally as the cathedral. Dinner at Zsa (0931 22204), a pizzeria across the street from the hotel, overnight in Hotel Roma, Siracusa.
Monday, March 12, Reggio di Calabria
Mid-morning departure for Reggio di Calabria. Assuming interest and the weather and volcano permitting, we will swing off for a closer look at Mt. Etna, followed by a stop in Taormina to see the Greek Theater. Dinner and overnight in the Grand Hotel Excelsior, +39 0965 812211, Reggio di Calabria.
Tuesday, March 13, Paestum
Before departing for Paestum we will visit the Archaeological Museum in Reggio to view I Bronzi di Riace, two of the most beautiful statues to survive from Ancient Greece. Long drive up the coast from Reggio to Paestum. Dinner and overnight in the Hotel Ariston, +39 0828 851333, Paestum.
Wednesday, March 14, Paestum
We will first take a short walk to see a demonstration on the making of buffola mozzarella. Afterwards we will visit the newly uncovered site at Paestum and the related museum. Assuming clear weather, we will then take a drive along the incomparable Amalfi Coast. Time permitting, we will stop first in Amalfi and then in Sorrento. Return to Paestum for dinner and overnight in the Hotel Ariston.
Thursday, March 15, Pompeii
Check out of hotel and drive to Pompeii. Upon arrival, we will drop off our bags at hotel and walk across the street to visit the ancient city of Pompeii. Dinner and overnight in the Hotel Forum, +39 081 850 11 70, Pompeii.
Friday, March 16, Pompeii
Excursion to
Herculaneum, and Oplontis Dinner at Zi' Caterina (0818507447), overnight in the Hotel Forum, Pompeii.
Saturday, March 17, Rome
9:00 a.m. departure for the Archaeological Museum in Napoli where most of the important finds in Pompeii are displayed. After the museum visit, we will drive to Rome via Sperlonga. Dinner TBA, overnight in the Ludovisi Palace Hotel, +39 06.42020396, Rome.
Sunday, March 18, Return flight to USA or Rome Option
If you are leaving, I will arrange for either a cab or a van from the hotel. If you are staying on:
Rome Option You may choose to stay for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 more days in Rome. Just tell me how many days you want to stay on in Rome. The price per person per day is $180. Dinners in local restaurants, bed & breakfast in the Ludovisi Palace will be provided, along with the airport transfer. Each day Dr. Alessi will lead us to various sites. There will be some entrance fees involved that are not included in the $180 per person per day price that I quoted you. This will give us more flexibility and you won't end up paying for something that you don't visit.
Sunday, March 18, Tivoli w/Dr. Alessi
Since so many of you are extending, we will include a special day: A visit to Villa Adriana and Villa d'Este in Tivoli, followed by a blowout, take no prisoners multicourse lunch at the Ristorante Sibilla.
Monday, March 19, Rome w/Dr. Alessi
Today's activities will be "Holy Rome"--St. Peters Basilica/Vatican Museums. Time permitting we will also visit the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona
Tuesday, March 20, Rome w/Dr. Alessi
Today we will include as much as your stamina permits: visits to the Forum and Palatine.Colosseum, Imperial Fora, Markets of Trajan, and Santa Maria Maggiore.
Wednesday, March 21, Depart for USA or continue w/Rome w/Dr. Alessi
Museum Day: National Museum, Capitoline, Borghese Galleries
Thursday, March 22, Depart for USA or continue w/Rome w/Dr. Alessi
Friday, March 23, Depart for USA
| NAME | PMO ARRIVAL | NAME | FCO DEPARTURE | |
| Laurence Barker | 3/4 AZ1785, 11:30 |
David Krug & Judy Harrison | 3/18 UA967, 9:45 | |
| Dave Stein | 3/4 AZ1785, 11:30 | Dave Stein | 3/18 UAL967, 10:45 | |
| John & Janie Wendelken | 3/4 AZ1207, 20:25 | Mickie McElroy | 3/19 AF1205, 10:20 | |
| Harry & Ellen Carter | 3/4 AZ1791, 21:25 | Sara & John Patterson | 3/20 AA6511, 11:55 | |
| Scott Anderson & Janet Woltman | 3/4 AZ1791, 21:25 | Ben & Gail Plummer | 3/21 DL241, 8:25 | |
| Scott & Merri Plummer | 3/5 AZ1777, 10:20 | Terry & Louise Weidner | 3/21 DL241, 8:25 | |
| Roy & Diane Ellis | 3/5AZ8187, 10:20 | Scott & Merri Plummer | 3/21 DL241, 8:25 | |
| Katherine & Jacques Wyatt | 3/5 DL8190, 11:35 | Roy & Diane Ellis | 3/21 DL241, 8:25 | |
| Paul Alessi | 3/5 AZ1785, 11:30 | Rudy & Genny Estrada | 3/21 DL8501, 10:20 | |
| Ben & Gail Plummer | 3/5 AZ1785, 11:30 | Katherine & Jacques Wyatt | 3/21 DL8501, 10:20 | |
| Terry & Louise Weidner | 3/5 AZ1785, 11:30 | Laurence Barker | 3/22 Open | |
| Rudy & Genny Estrada | 3/5 DL8190, 11:35 | Harry & Ellen Carter | 3/22 AF2305, 7:20 | |
| Mickie McElroy | 3/5 AZ1205, 14:05 | Scott Anderson & Janet Woltman | 3/22 AA5564, 8:00 | |
| Sara & John Patterson | 3/5 16:00 | John & Janie Wendelken | 3/22 UA967, 9:45 | |
| David Krug & Judy Harrison | 3/5 EJ957, 17:55 | Paul Alessi | 3/23 DL8123, 10:25 | |