TRANS WORLD TRAVEL, INC.

Sunday, September 24, 2023 - Chicago Departure: This afternoon we will depart from Chicago O’Hare Airport en route to Europe. Meals and beverages will be served as appropriate during the overnight flight.

Monday, September 25 - Rome: After arrival in Rome this afternoon, we will meet our professional tour manager and proceed to our waiting motor coach. During the drive to our hotel, our tour manager will share information about our tour and details of today’s schedule. We will enjoy dinner and overnight at our Rome hotel. Welcome to Italy! (D)

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Tuesday, September 26 - Rome (Vatican Museums, Sis- tine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica: We begin our day with a tour of the Vatican State – its Museums, the Sistine Cha- pel and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. The afternoon and evening are free to continue exploring the treasures of the Eternal City. (B)

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Wednesday, September 27 - Rome (Papal Audience & Classical Tour): This morning we will participate in the Pa- pal Audience, which will be requested for our entire group. Following free time for lunch we will enjoy a tour of Classi- cal Rome, during which we will see the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Capitoline and Palatine Hills. Overnight in Rome. (B)

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Thursday, September 28 - Rome / Pompeii / Hercula- neum / Sorrento Area: This morning we will depart Rome and head south for a tour of the ruins of Pompeii, the sump- tuous town that was buried in 79 A.D. by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. We will walk through the ancient streets and see the baths, forums and villas built by the prosperous Ro- mans. Later, we visit Herculaneum, a popular resort of the 1st century, where the homes of the ordinary townspeople were spectacularly preserved by the mud from the eruption of Vesuvius. We will continue to the Sorrentine Peninsula in the early evening for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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Friday, September 29 - Sorrento Area (Amalfi Coast Ex-cursion): Today we will take one of the most dramatic and spectacular drives in the whole of Italy. The road clings to the rocky peninsula as it passes through the famous villages of Positano and Amalfi, perched precariously on the cliff face. We will spend time in Amalfi to experience the unique atmosphere of this once powerful maritime city state, before returning to our hotel for free time and overnight. (B)

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Saturday, September 30 - Sorrento Area / Taormina: This morning we depart the Sorrentine Peninsula and continue the journey south, through Calabria and onto the Straits of Messina. Although one of the poorest, this is also one of the most spectacular parts of Italy. We will drive to Mes- sina to board our ferry and sail to Sicily. Strategically poised between Europe and Africa, this mystical land is a treasure trove of the countless civilizations which have influenced its development and exploited its riches. We drive to the chic resort of Taormina, perched above the Mediterranean Sea on Monte Tauro for dinner and overnight (B, D)

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Sunday, October 1 - Taormina: Favored by its climate, Taormina is famous for bougainvillea, cacti and exotic gar- den terraces, but also for the historic legacy of its ancient ruins. No wonder that Sir Winston Churchill made this a fa- vorite vacation spot. During our walking tour, we will visit the Greek and Roman outdoor theater, enjoy the panoramic views of Mt. Etna and Taormina’s beautiful coastline and stroll through the alleys and squares of the atmospheric old town. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the Public Gardens, visit the local shops and boutiques or just relax in a sidewalk café and watch the world go by. Over- night Taormina. (B)

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Monday, October 2 - Taormina (Siracusa Excursion): This morning we drive to Siracusa, birthplace of the math- ematician Archimedes. It attracted visitors such as the phi- losopher Plato and later the Apostle Paul. Here we will visit the 5th century B.C. Greek Theater that could seat up to 16,000 people, the Altar of Hieron II, and the Roman Am- phitheater. We return to Taormina for an evening at leisure. (B)

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Tuesday, October 3 - Taormina / Piazza Armerina / Agrigento: Today we will drive to the town of Piazza Armerina where we will visit the well preserved mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale, which was probably a Roman emperor’s country mansion. In the afternoon we continue to Agrigento, perched above the Mediterranean, for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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Wednesday, October 4 - Agrigento / Monreale / Palermo: We begin the day with a walk through the breathtaking Valley of Temples to view some of the finest Greek ruins in the world. Then we drive north to Monreale for a visit to the beautiful Norman Cathedral with its breathtaking mosaics and the Benedictine Cloister, before continuing on to Paler- mo, the island’s capital city, for dinner and ovenight. (B, D)

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Thursday, October 5 - Palermo (Erice Excursion): This morning we will enjoy a mini tour of Palermo, before driv- ing to the hilltop town of Erice, one of the oldest inhabited places on the whole island of Sicily. Wandering the narrow alleys and small piazzas is like taking a step back in time. We will return to Palermo for our Farewell Dinner. (B, D)

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Friday, October 6 - Palermo Departure: Early this morn- ing we will transfer to the Palermo aiport to begin our jour- ney home. We will arrive in Chicago late this afternoon. Welcome Home!

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B - Breakfast, D - Dinner

 

Program Highlights

• Round trip air transportation from Chicago, including taxes and fees in effect as of November, 2022

• 11 nights accommodations in first class (3 & 4 star) hotels

• Breakfast daily and 6 dinners as noted in the itinerary

• Professional tour manager to accompany the group in Europe

• European transportation via private motorcoach

• Comprehensive sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary, including applicable entrance fees

• Masses to be scheduled during the tour
• Porterage of one suitcase per person at European hotels