OVERVIEW

Get a taste of seaside Mondello and browse a centuries-old market where many of the fresh ingredients found in your lunch will be on display. Sun-splashed Mondello, a northern district of Palermo, is known for its lengthy beach but it is also home to a curious attraction – a late 19th-century Chinese palace complete with pagoda roofs. After viewing the exterior of this unexpected landmark, you will browse La Vucciria, an ancient open-air market where every imaginable type of locally sourced food is for sale. Crates of produce, a huge variety pasta, piles of squid and swordfish steaks; it’s all there. With visions of these delicacies still fresh in your mind, you will settle in at a nearby restaurant for a traditional Sicilian lunch. Although the menu changes seasonally, it will likely include the quintessential dish caponata, a pungent sort of ratatouille with eggplant as the main ingredient.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold a rather out-of-place Chinese palace in Mondello, a district north of Palermo.
• Browse the seemingly endless stands in the centuries-old open-air market La Vucciria.
• Enjoy a Sicilian lunch made with locally sourced ingredients, perhaps from La Vucciria.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Sicilian wines are famous and today you’ll visit a winery honoring a century and a half of wine making tradition. Among Sicilian hills, experience and attention for the environment give life to elegant wines with distinct personalities. Your tour begins with a pleasant drive through the Sicilian country with beautiful landscapes.

Arriving at the farm, you’ll learn its interesting history and the process of wine making from vine to bottle. At the end of the tour, you’ll taste some of its product accompanied by a small snack. Afterward, you’ll have some free time to browse in the gift shop.

This tour is an introduction to Sicily’s capital and its attractions combined with a visit to Monreale and its cathedral, said to be one of the most outstanding Norman structures in the world. A panoramic drive through the city of Palermo brings you to the historical center to visit the Doumo (cathedral), with a long and complex history. It was built with the intention to surpass the cathedral of nearby Monreale; although for most visitors, Monreale’s Duomo remains the winner, but still well worth a visit. Its construction began in the 12th century, but has been restored and modified many times through the centuries, giving the structure a mix of styles. The 15th century south porch of Catalan style, with its fine carved wooden doors, is one of its most interesting features. Inside, you’ll find the tombs of many of Sicily’s kings and other members of the royal families.

A drive of about six miles brings you to Monreale, and a ten minute uphill walk to its cathedral. It’s a classic blend of Norman art with Arabic, northern, classic and Byzantine elements. Looking at its exterior you’ll find that it’s pleasant enough, but the magnificent splendor of this temple is found inside. Over 68,000 square feet of rich golden mosaics cover its interior, second only to Hagia Sofia’s in size, but much better preserved. They depict biblical events, with a huge figure of Christ crowning the apse. After visiting the cathedral, enjoy some free time to explore the old town of Monreale on your own.

Learn about Palermo and see the sights mostly from the comfort of your motorcoach. Drive to Mount Pellegrino, standing isolated from the mountain chain surrounding Palermo, almost as if protecting the city. Here enjoy a great panoramic photo opportunity of the city at its feet. In Palermo, drive along Via Liberta, considered to be the most important street in the city because of its size, the elegance of its shops and the double row of plane trees which line this majestic way. See the 19th century Teatro Politeama, and Via Ruggero Settimo. Pass Via Maqueda, and the neoclassical Teatro Massimo, Palermo's Opera House, built at the end of the 19th century.

At the intersection of Palermo's four original streets, marvel at Quattro Canti, the Four Corners, where you’ll find four statues in groups of four, symbolizing the seasons, the Spanish Kings, and this city's patron saints. See the magnificent Cathedral, the product of the blending of centuries of Muslim and Christian history and culture, before visiting Foro Italico. Continue on to Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Piazza Marina, surrounded by historic buildings of unquestioned artistic beauty. You’ll make a stop in Piazza Marina to enjoy an ice cream.

OVERVIEW

This excursion is for guests that use a cane/walker, have limited mobility issues or for companions of those guest that have booked mobility equipment tour.

Those guests that are fully dependent on their mobility device please book: PMO_A2 ACCESSIBLE Mobility Equipment: Palermo and Monreale.

Tour includes step-free routes, shorter distances and no stairs. Accessible restrooms with wide doors for wheelchairs are present along the tour route. Vehicles are adapted with an access ramp (or lift where available) to accommodate a limited number of wheelchairs and/or mobility scooters. Guides are not allowed to push wheelchairs; therefore, guests needing special assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied.

Become immersed in Sicilian history by exploring Palermo’s medieval city center and a church in Monreale that William II, the Norman ruler of Sicily, commissioned in the 12th century. Often invaded, Palermo still bears the influence of past conquerors, especially its cathedral, which over the centuries has been embellished with architectural styles that include Norman, Gothic, Neoclassical and Catalan. You will also see the Palatine Chapel, which UNESCO deemed worthy of a World Heritage site designation for its mosaics. On the outskirts of Palermo on the slopes of Mount Caputo, you will find Monreale. While following the guide through the enchanting streets, you will see the UNESCO World Heritage site church in Monreale. The rather modest exterior only hints at the glorious splendor inside. The Romanesque bronze doors, beautifully sculpted with biblical scenes, are among only a handful in all of Europe. Stunning golden mosaics and sacred art cover most every interior surface.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See two UNESCO World Heritage sites, one in Palermo, the other in Monreale.
• Recognize Palermo’s many styles of architecture that reflect those of its conquerors.
• Explore beautiful hillside Monreale, which overlooks a fertile valley.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.

OVERVIEW

This excursion is for guests who are fully dependent on their mobility device. You will be required to supply your own wheelchair/scooter. Your mobility equipment (manual or electric) must not exceed the following dimensions: W 35", L 39", H 59".

Those guests that are companions, use a cane or walker, or have limited mobility issues must book the companion tour code: PMO_A1 ACCESSIBLE Companion: Palermo and Monreale.

Tour includes step-free routes, shorter distances and no stairs. Accessible restrooms with wide doors for wheelchairs are present along the tour route. Vehicles are adapted with an access ramp (or lift where available) to accommodate a limited number of wheelchairs and/or mobility scooters. Guides are not allowed to push wheelchairs; therefore, guests needing special assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied.

Become immersed in Sicilian history by exploring Palermo’s medieval city center and a church in Monreale that William II, the Norman ruler of Sicily, commissioned in the 12th century. Often invaded, Palermo still bears the influence of past conquerors, especially its cathedral, which over the centuries has been embellished with architectural styles that include Norman, Gothic, Neoclassical and Catalan. You will also see the Palatine Chapel, which UNESCO deemed worthy of a World Heritage site designation for its mosaics. On the outskirts of Palermo on the slopes of Mount Caputo, you will find Monreale. While following the guide through the enchanting streets, you will see the UNESCO World Heritage site church in Monreale. The rather modest exterior only hints at the glorious splendor inside. The Romanesque bronze doors, beautifully sculpted with biblical scenes, are among only a handful in all of Europe. Stunning golden mosaics and sacred art cover most every interior surface.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See two UNESCO World Heritage sites, one in Palermo, the other in Monreale.
• Recognize Palermo’s many styles of architecture that reflect those of its conquerors.
• Explore beautiful hillside Monreale, which overlooks a fertile valley.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.