Sicily with Alex Polizzi
10 Days
From £2,529
In association with Prestige Holidays
Check availability
Call now and book 01425383617 Quote ref: SICILY POLIZZI
Check availability
Call now and book 01425383617
Quote ref: SICILY POLIZZI
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Enjoy the wonderful sights, coastline and food of Italy’s largest island with the popular TV presenter

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Sicily has been a crossroads of the Mediterranean for thousands of years and offers a fascinating mix of sights, from Greek temples and Norman churches to beautiful Baroque palazzos. You will take in many of these highlights, as well as the gorgeous coastline and some fabulous restaurants on this superb nine-night escorted tour.

Plus, Good Housekeeping readers will be joined on the island by 'The Hotel Inspector' Alex Polizzi, the TV presenter whose family roots can be traced here. Alex explored Sicily in two brilliant TV series (Alex Polizzi's Secret Italy and Alex Polizzi's Italian Islands), and she can't wait to share her passion for the island with you on this exclusive new holiday.

"I know Sicily better than almost anywhere in Italy. There's so much to it. I'm enormously looking forward to joining you there."

- Alex Polizzi

Meet 'The Hotel Inspector'

Alex Polizzi, granddaughter of the hotelier Lord Forte, will stay with you in Castellammare del Golfo - the 'Sea Fortress on the Gulf' - for two days. She will join you on tours of the medieval Arabic hilltop town Erice, and the Greek temple and amphitheatre at Segesta. Plus, Alex will give an exclusive talk about the island and join you for a delicious dinner in an authentic trattoria.

The treasures of Palermo

The historic city on the north coast has a heady mix of influences, from Arabia to Europe. See the Palatine Chapel, the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily; marvel at the gold leaf mosaics of Monreale; and take in the sights and scents of a lively street market.

Memorable meals

You'll eat at wonderful restaurants, such as Baglio Fontana, a 19th-century rural farmhouse near Palermo; Ristorante da Vittorio, as seen on Sicily Unpacked and Rick Stein's Mediterranean Escapes; and Relais Torre Marabino, an ex-Norman fortress that produces its own organic wines.

Fascinating excursions

Enjoy off-the-beaten-track tours, such as one to television detective Montalbano's Scicli, as well as visits to a working olive oil farm, chocolate tasting in Modica and a local wine tasting.

Valley of the Temples

Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is possibly the greatest archaeological attraction in Sicily. It includes the wonderfully preserved Temple of Concordia.

Comfortable hotel stays

You'll tour the west, south and and southeast of Sicily and stay in carefully selected hotels throughout, such as Hotel Punta Nord-Est, Colleverde Park Hotel, Hotel Principe d'Aragona and Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel (or similar).

To read more about this trip:
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Download the brochure here

Reasons to book

Valley of the Temples

Marvel at the preserved Temple of Concordia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and possibly Sicily's greatest archaeological attraction.

Exciting excursions

Enjoy off-the-beaten-track tours, to television detective Montalbano’s Scicli, to a working olive farm, and for chocolate and wine tastings.

Activities with Alex Polizzi

Alex will stay with you in Castellammare del Golfo, join you on tours of Erice and Segesta and at a dinner, and give an exclusive talk.

Explore ancient Palermo

See the Palatine Chapel, marvel at the gold leaf mosaics of Monreale and enjoy the scents of the street market in Arabic-influenced Palermo.

Eat at wonderful restaurants

Savour Italian classics in a 19th-century rural farmhouse near Palermo, an ex-Norman fortress that produces its own organic wines, and more.

Carefully selected hotels

Throughout your tour, stay in carefully selected historic and modern hotels many with pools, overlooking temples, churches and the sea.
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Tour brochure
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Your expert guide

Alex Polizzi
Italy and its cuisine

Alex comes from a long line of hoteliers and is the grand-daughter of Lord Forte. Following a degree in English at Oxford University, Alex trained at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, worked for Marco Pierre White at the Criterion, and has worked at Rocco Forte Hotels around the world.

In 2008, Alex started presenting the highly acclaimed Channel 5 show, The Hotel Inspector, which was followed by two series for Channel 5 in which she explored her Italian heritage: Alex Polizzi's Secret Italy and Alex Polizzi's Italian Islands.

Price includes

  • Comfortable accommodation in three- and four-star hotels around the island throughout:
    • Three nights at Hotel Punta Nord-Est in Castellammare del Golfo
    • Two nights at Colleverde Park Hotel in Agrigento
    • Two nights at Hotel Principe d'Aragona in Modica
    • Two nights at Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel*
  • Excursions including:
    • Guided tours of Selinunte, one of the largest and most impressive Greek archaeological sites in the Mediterranean
    • Walking tour of Valley of the Temples
    • Guided tour of the Villa Romana del Casale
  • Exclusive talk and dinner in a local trattoria with Alex Polizzi.
  • Visit Erice and Segesta with Alex.
  • Nine breakfasts, three lunches, including one at Ristorante da Vittorio, and seven dinners, including one at Baglio Fontana, with a wine tasting.

Availability

From
Tue, Tue, Oct 20, 2020
To
Thu, Thu, Oct 29, 2020
Duration
10 Days
Price per person
£2,529*
* Price based on twin/double share; single supplement applies. Flights based on London departure, regional flights may be available at a supplement. Timings of Alex’s events subject to change. There may be slight alterations to the itinerary and hotels. This trip is ATOL-protected. Prestige Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Prestige, a company wholly independent of Hearst. This trip is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
Call now to book 01425383617
Quote ref: SICILY POLIZZI
Got any questions about this trip? Send us an enquiry

Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Arrive in Palermo
    Palermo, Italy

    Fly to Palermo today and upon arrival, transfer to Castellammare del Golfo ('Sea Fortress on the Gulf'), a delightful seaside town with what has been described as the most beautiful peninsula in Italy. It has also been noted for being the birthplace of many American Mafia figures. Tonight, there is an evening meal in a local trattoria.

    Accommodation - Hotel Punta NordEst, Castellammare del Golfo
    Meals - Dinner
  2. Day
    2
    Erice and Segesta
    Erice, Italy

    Today you'll visit the medieval Arabic hilltop town, Erice. This afternoon, explore the Greek temple and amphitheatre at Segesta. Alex Polizzi will deliver a presentation before dinner in an authentic trattoria.

    Accommodation - Hotel Punta NordEst, Castellammare del Golfo (or similar)
    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day
    3
    Monreale and Palermo
    Monreale, Italy

    Spend a full day today visiting Monreale and Palermo. Marvel at the gold leaf mosaics at Monreale, stroll through a typical Palermo street market, and visit the Palatine Chapel. This evening, enjoy dinner at Baglio Fontana, a 19th-century rural farmhouse near Palermo, enjoying a wine tasting and traditional meal with an explanation of the tuna fishing industry in Sicily.

    Accommodation - Hotel Punta NordEst, Castellammare del Golfo (or similar)
    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day
    4
    Selinunte and Agrigento
    Agrigento, Italy

    Visit Selinunte, one of the largest and most impressive Greek archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, followed by a long and leisurely seafood lunch at the fabulous Ristorante da Vittorio. This lovely eatery has featured on Sicily Unpacked and Rick Stein's Great Mediterranean Escapes. This afternoon, take the coastal drive to Agrigento and check in to Colleverde Park Hotel.

    Accommodation - Colleverde Park Hotel, Agrigento (or similar)
    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  5. Day
    5
    Valley of the Temples
    Valley of the Temples , Italy

    This morning, there is a walking tour of the Valley of the Temples before an afternoon visit to a working olive oil farm including a tasting and lunch. Continue to the hilltop town of Naro with its medieval castle and panoramic views.

    Accommodation - Colleverde Park Hotel, Agrigento (or similar)
    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day
    6
    Villa del Casale and Modica
    Modica, Italy

    Enjoy a guided tour today of the Roman Villa del Casale, then continue on to the Baroque south-east for an early evening arrival in Modica. You'll spend the next two nights at Hotel Principe d'Aragona, Modica (or similar).

    Accommodation - Hotel Principe d’Aragona, Modica (or similar)
    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  7. Day
    7
    Modica and Ragusa
    Ragusa, Italy

    Enjoy a leisurely guided walk around the Baroque treasure of Modica. There'll be free time for a snack lunch, and perhaps even chocolate tastings-for which Modica is renowned, hosting an international festival every year.

    This afternoon, depart to the nearby Baroque town, Ibla di Ragusa, a UNESCO gem, including a short guided tour. There'll be free time for lunch in Ragusa before dinner at the superb boutique agriturismo, the Relais Torre Marabino, an ex-Norman fortress which produces its own organic fare and wines.

    Accommodation - Hotel Principe D’Aragona, Modica (or similar)
    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day
    8
    Scicli and Noto
    Noto, Italy

    Depart to Scicli, featured in popular scenes from the detective series Montalbano, to discover its fabulous churches and Baroque architecture. This afternoon, there is a visit to Noto to explore its highlights. Continue to Ortigia to check in to your next hotel and enjoy dinner in a local pizzeria.

    Accommodation - Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel, Ortigia (or similar)
    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  9. Day
    9
    Ortigia (Siracusa)
    Siracusa, Italy

    Morning visit to the stunning Baroque peninsula of Ortigia (Siracusa), with a guided walking tour and lunch in a typical trattoria. Enjoy free time this evening to wander around the beautiful town and choose from numerous fantastic trattorie for dinner.

    Accommodation - Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel, Ortigia (or similar)
    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  10. Day
    10
    Travel home
    Catania, Italy

    Transfer to the airport in Catania for your departure home.

    Meals - Breakfast

Brought to you by

Prestige Holidays
This tour is operated solely by Prestige Holidays
Prestige Holidays has been arranging tours to fabulous destinations for 30 years, providing guests with unique and authentic travel experiences while avoiding the crowds

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This tour is protected by the following:

Availability

From
Tue, Tue, Oct 20, 2020
To
Thu, Thu, Oct 29, 2020
Duration
10 Days
Price per person
£2,529*
* Price based on twin/double share; single supplement applies. Flights based on London departure, regional flights may be available at a supplement. Timings of Alex’s events subject to change. There may be slight alterations to the itinerary and hotels. This trip is ATOL-protected. Prestige Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Prestige, a company wholly independent of Hearst. This trip is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
Call now to book 01425383617
Quote ref: SICILY POLIZZI
Email us