Hi.
Welcome to KikiNetwork Travel.
I have a passion for taking small groups on life-changing adventures! Join me….
Hi.
Welcome to KikiNetwork Travel.
I have a passion for taking small groups on life-changing adventures! Join me….
KIKINETWORK TRAVEL
kiki@kikinetwork.com
Kiki 608-858-2733 or Nancy 206-491-5858
Sicily is the jewel of the Mediterranean. The island’s coastline varies from pristine sandy beaches to pebbly coves to jagged rock cliffs. Stamped upon Sicily’s natural beauty is a mosaic of European culture. Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and others left behind a legacy of architectural marvels that trace 3000 years of history.
Your trip begins when you land at the Catania airport and travel to Taormina, a hilltop city overlooking the sea with views of Mt. Etna. We’ll explore the nearby volcano Mt. Etna, visit a local vineyard, take a boat tour off the coast, and see the ancient Greek theater. Next up is Ortigia, a small Baroque island and historical center of Syracuse. Its impressive church buildings and elegant piazzas make it a perfect city for walking. The nearby Archeological Park site—home to both a Greek theater and Roman amphitheater—and the city of Noto will leave you awestruck.
Traveling west, we arrive in Agrigento for a sunset tour of the Valley of the Temples. These ruins are the most impressive testimony of the classical culture of Sicily. In Agrigento, we meet up with a professional chef and cook a Sicilian lunch. The following day, we’ll drive north to the Salt Flats along the coast and onto the stunning hilltop city of Erice.
We end our trip with three full days in Palermo. You’ll see the important royal and sacred sites, visit a private 18th-century palazzo, shop in the outdoor food markets, and eat lots of fantastic Sicilian food.
You’ll be met by a private driver at the Catania airport and transported to our seafront hotel in Taormina. Perched upon a rocky headland above the sea, Taormina has been a tourist destination in Sicily for hundreds of years. Beautifully restored medieval buildings, breathtaking views around every corner, and winding streets lined with shops, bars, and restaurants make it a perfect spot to hang out for a few days.
Unpack your bags, stroll around the surrounding Romantic-style gardens, or enjoy drinks on the hotel’s pool terrace. We’ll have dinner together and discuss the exciting days we have planned for you in Sicily.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Diodoro
Meals: Dinner
This morning, a local guide will lead us on a walking tour of Taormina. The star attraction is the remarkably situated ancient Greek theater from the 3 rd century BC, still used today for open-air performances. Afterward, we’ll head to the harbor for a private boat excursion. The view of Taormina from its gorgeous turquoise waters provides a unique perspective of this Old-World resort town.
The late afternoon and evening are free for you to wander through the elegant gardens, posh cafés, and shops of Taormina or to explore the nearby mountaintop village of Castelmola and the ruins of its 16th-century Norman castle.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Diodoro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Mt. Etna dominates the landscape of eastern Sicily. At 11,000 feet, it’s the highest mountain peak in Italy south of the Alps. As one of the world’s most active volcanoes, it’s in an almost constant state of activity. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the mountain’s lower slopes. We’ll drive to the base and take a cable car up to the summit this morning. An experienced guide will lead us on a pleasant hike over the lava-covered slopes as we enjoy sweeping coastline views.
Coming off the mountain, we’ll head to an outstanding winery showcasing Sicily’s winemaking tradition and innovation. Mt. Etna has several unique qualities that lend delicious complexity to its wines. The slopes are stacked with stone-terraced vineyards that follow old lava flows. The volcanic soil within these terraces differs due to Etna’s constant activity, and grapes cultivated just yards apart may taste wildly different. Some of the best Etna wines come from the northern slope. Here, we find the traditional 18th-century palmentos— cellars with built-in black lava stone basins where grapes were crushed and processed to make wine and stored. We’ll tour the Palmento Costanzo vineyard and taste several different wines while enjoying a traditional lunch made with local ingredients.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Diodoro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Leaving Taormina behind this morning, we’ll make our way in a private van toward the ancient city of Syracuse. A stop at Aci Castello allows us to explore a menacing-looking Norman castle and treat ourselves to an almond granita and brioche. In another hour, we’ll arrive in Ortigia, the historical center of Syracuse.
Roman statesman and orator Cicero declared Syracuse “The greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all.” Founded by ancient Greek Corinthians 2700 years ago, the island of Ortigia is a labyrinth of charming ancient and medieval streets packed with history and unique shops. After checking into our hotel, we’ll take a walking tour of Ortigia with a local guide. You’ll see many remains of Greek civilization, such as the temple of Apollo and the temple of Athena, which was eventually incorporated into the first Christian church. Following the walking tour, we’ll partake in an aperitivo and light dinner in an atmospheric courtyard of an old palazzo.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Hotel Gargallo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our day begins with an excursion to the beautiful Baroque town of Noto. Narrow, winding streets and numerous Baroque churches and buildings characterize it. We’ll walk around the charming town and relax over a delicious lunch. Local specialties include arancini (stuffed rice balls), cassata (a dessert made with ricotta cheese and candied fruit), and cannoli (a pastry filled with sweetened ricotta cheese).
We’ll drive back to Syracuse and the Neapolis Archaeological Park after lunch. Our local guide will bring to life two of the most significant ancient sites from both Greek and Roman history. The Greek theater dates from the 5 th century BC and staged the last tragedies of Aeschylus. Adjacent to the Greek theater is a 3rd-century Roman amphitheater that housed gladiator combats and horse races.
The evening is free of scheduled activities. You may want to explore the shops in Ortigia or enjoy the lively scene from an outdoor café.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Hotel Gargallo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Relax this morning and take a last walk around Ortigia before we depart for Agrigento at 1:00 pm. Our 2 ½ hour drive will take us southwest through central Sicily. After checking into our hotel, we’ll head out for an early evening sunset tour of the Valley of the Temples. Set upon a high ridge just outside Agrigento on Sicily’s southern coast, the site consists of eight temples initially constructed in the 5th century BC. The Valley of the Temples is one of the island’s star attractions and second only to Athens’s Acropolis in its significance as an archaeological site associated with the ancient Greeks.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Colleverde Park Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
By now, you’ve discovered that Sicilian gastronomy is matchless, having been formed by three millennia of customs from all around Europe and the Mediterranean. We’ll learn about the flavors and ingredients and prepare Sicilian dishes ourselves in a hands-on cooking class guided by a local professional chef. The lunch we’ve prepared will come with a sampling of excellent regional wines.
A trip to the Archaeological Museum after lunch will allow you to learn more about what was once the grandeur and importance of ancient Agrigento to the Greeks. The museum is housed in an old Cistercian monastery and includes a rich collection of Greek pottery and objects from excavations around the city.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Colleverde Park Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
We’ll start early today and travel northwest to the coastline and old Salt Road. A picturesque landscape of shallow ponds, windmills, and white pyramids of salt characterizes the area. The salt pans have been used since ancient times and still produce high-quality sea salt. We’ll take a boat ride through the lagoons and have lunch before boarding our van again for the 1-hour drive to Erice.
Erice is a medieval walled village perched on a rocky cliff 750 meters above sea level. One of the most beautiful viewpoints in Sicily, it offers a magnificent view of Trapani, the Aegadian Islands, and San Vito Lo Capo. We’ll have plenty of time to explore the narrow streets and small squares flanked by churches and noble palaces. Dinner on your own before we meet to drive to Palermo.
Departing Erice, we’ll drive to Palermo —the destination of our trip. Palermo is a royal city where you can trace the arc of Western Civilization in a few days. Founded by Phoenicians from Carthage in 700 BC, the city was conquered by the Greeks in the 5th century BC. Under Muslim rule for 120 years beginning in 904, Palermo rivaled Cordoba and Cairo in importance and splendor. The Normans arrived next and returned the city to Christianity. Palermo has experienced a revival in the last decade. It’s been revitalized with new museums, gentrified neighborhoods, walking streets, and upscale shops and hotels. Don’t worry, Palermo still retains its colorful edge and the grittiness known as “bella chaos” by locals.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Bellaroto Suite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Sundays in Europe are generally a rest day, reserved for relaxation and time with family and friends. This is particularly true in Palermo, given the historic dominance of the Roman Catholic Church. Although we aren’t in Rome, we will do what the locals do and slow our pace today.
Sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast. Take a walk or stop by a church and let the ancient rhythm of the Italian-language Mass wash over you. If you like flea markets, we’ll wander down to Piazza Marina and rummage through tables filled with Sicilian lace and dishes, old postcards, and perhaps old radios that no longer work. We’ll meet up together for a late afternoon meal.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Belloroto Suite
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, our delightful local guide will take us to several splendid examples of Palermo’s Arab-Byzantine and Norman architectural sites. The Palazzo Reale was constructed by Roger II, founder of the Kingdom of Sicily. It served as the luxurious palace of the Norman sovereigns and was enriched with terraces, exterior galleries, gardens, and ponds with an Arab flair. Following the death of Frederick II in 1250, the building was abandoned entirely for approximately three centuries until the Spanish viceroys chose it as their residence, significantly modifying its original look. The building contains the incredible Palatine Chapel. You will be dazzled by Byzantine mosaics with scenes from the Old and New Testament covering the walls of this tiny treasure chest.
After lunch, we’ll tour the imposing Palermo Cathedral. It was consecrated in 1185, but the building underwent restoration over the centuries, and mixed elements were added, giving life to an unusually harmonious combination. A vital aspect of the Cathedral is the elegant entrance in the Gothic-Catalan style. One of the columns has an engraving of a passage from the Koran in Arabic letters.
A visit to meet a puppeteer and his puppets will break up the day and be sure to put a smile on your face. The puppet theater, the Opera dei Pupi, emerged in Sicily at the beginning of the 19th century. Puppeteers often told stories based on medieval chivalric literature and were beloved by the working class. The carving, painting, and construction of the puppets, renowned for their intense expressions, were carried out by craftspeople employing traditional methods. Tonight, we celebrate our special farewell dinner.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Bellaroto Suite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We’ll meet our fabulous local guide and begin our day at the opera house. Nowhere, except maybe Sydney, does an opera house symbolize a city like the Teatro Massimo symbolizes Palermo. Massimo is the biggest in Italy, dominating the capital’s antique skyline. We’ll take a guided tour and explore the stunning auditorium and halls. We’ll learn about the renovation that closed the theater for 23 years in 1974 when Mafia corruption dominated Palermo. Its completion and re-opening became a symbol of the city’s rebirth.
Near the theater is the private Francavilla Palace, constructed in 1783 in Palermo’s countryside. Noble aristocrats who subsequently bought the home collaborated with the finest artists to make it a historic showplace. It is currently a residence, but we have a unique opportunity to meet the owner and tour the main salons, library, and garden. Afterward, we’ll walk around Palermo’s oldest market with vegetables, fruits, fish, and many odds and ends for sale and stop for lunch.
In the afternoon, we tour St. Catherine’s Church. It was built at the end of the 16th century and incorporates Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo elements. Almost every surface contains paintings, cherubs, decorative marble, and color. We have magnificent views of Palermo and the Pretoria fountain in the Quattro Canti square below the roof.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Bellaroto Suite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
All too soon, our trip comes to an end. A private driver will take you to the Palermo airport for your return flight to the U.S.
Price per person (Shared Room): $7,750
Single Room Supplement: add $1,200
Airfare is not included in the trip price. All tours, entrance fees, and most meals (as indicated on the daily itinerary) are included. Alcohol is not included unless specifically noted.
Group size is 6 - 12 participants. A deposit of 40% is required to reserve your place.
The elegant Hotel Villa Diodoro is located just a few steps from the idyllic town of Taormina. It boasts a pool area that looks out over Mount Etna and the bay of Naxos. The Diodoro, with 100 years of history, has been dedicated to the greek historian Diodoro Siculo, a renowned figure who lived in the old town, telling the story of how travelers from all over the world discovered Taormina in their search of beauty and sun, art and culture.
Hotel Gargallo is situated in the heart of the historic centre of Syracuse in an environment rich in art and history. The Hotel is found in a recently renovated 19th century building conveniently located close to many historic sites. This location makes it easy for guests to walk around the city or take public shuttles to explore beautiful Syracuse.
An oasis of peace and tranquility in a lush park setting with tropical plants and almond and olive trees. The Colleverde Park is situated between the historic center of Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. You’ll want to order an aperitif from the covered garden restaurant and enjoy the amazing views.
In the heart of Palermo's historic district, Bellaroto Suite is in a noble palace built between the 17th and 18th centuries. The suites are furnished with design furniture and the comfort of a boutique hotel. It’s close to many points of interest, including: the Cathedral, the Quattro Canti, Piazza Bellini, and the Vucciria market.
Planning a trip can be daunting. We want you to relax and know that we are committed to ensuring you're well prepared to enjoy your journey. We work hard to put together itineraries that match your interests and fit your budget. We aim to create trips that have the feel of casual travel with friends rather than formal tours.
Global travel can only succeed if communities benefit from tourism. We hire local operators who value sustainable travel and support their communities.
We specialize in journeys of discovery and inspiration. Our adventures are all about local culture—the people, history, art, and food. Our trips showcase a rich source of inspirational people, landscapes, and cityscapes. Traveling is the time for discovery, exploration and adventure.
In case of an emergency, all our guides are licensed and trained to handle situations that may arise. We are always with you to assist in any way we can to make your trip safe and memorable.
Payments: As soon as we receive your down payment, we will confirm your reservations and at this point, all change and cancellation policies will be in effect. KikiNetwork Travel will send you a finalized itinerary which will contain all necessary information including confirmation numbers, addresses, and phone numbers. We must receive 40% of the trip cost prior to 60 days before the start of the trip. The full cost of the trip must be paid 45 days prior to the start date of the trip.
Forms of Payment: We accept checks and credit cards (American Express, Visa, and MasterCard). There is a 3.9 processing fee for credit cards. If you pay by check there is no additional fee. You will need to mail the check to Kiki Keating, PO Box 223, Georges Mills, NH 03751.
Airfare/Visas/Special Permits: You are responsible for your own flight to the place of the trip departure. I am happy to advise and recommend certain flights and please email me at kiki@kikinetwork.com for more details.
You must obtain any necessary visas and travel permits for all countries that you will be traveling to or transiting through, and I will inform you of any visa needs. Visa and entry requirements may vary depending on your nationality, the length of your stay, and the purpose of your visit. Please make certain that your passport is valid for at least six months after the latest expected end date of your planned trip, as some countries will not allow entry if your passport will expire sooner.
Health and Safety Matters: Please visit your local hospital Travel Clinic. Your doctor will let you know what, if any, vaccinations or other health or safety precautions are necessary or recommended for your destinations. We are not physicians, and nothing we say should be interpreted as professional medical advice. Government health advisories can be found on the internet at: http://www.cdc.gov and http://www.who.int
Cancellations: In addition to any cancellation penalties related to trip components we are not responsible for (e.g. permits, airfare, travel insurance, etc.), the following fees will apply: 20% of trip cost 45 days or more prior to travel date, 50% of trip cost 45 to 30 days prior to travel date, cancellations made within 30 days of travel date are non-refundable. Cancellation penalties apply as soon as we have received payment. Cancellations for any reason whatsoever, including medical reasons, death in the family, strikes, wars, weather, natural disasters, airline default, or government travel warnings will not entitle you to any refund in the case of nonrefundable reservations. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is required.
Insurance: Insurance is required for any KikiNetwork travel trip. KikiNetwork Travel requires an insurance plan with 100% of trip cost insured, $150,000 of emergency assistance and transportation, and a minimum of $50,000 medical evacuation coverage. I have used and recommend the following insurance coverage companies. Please call me directly at 603-858-2733 to discuss and ask questions about travel insurance coverage.
Responsibility/Release and Assumption of Risk: By paying and signing up for a KikiNetwork Travel trip you are agreeing to the following statement; I understand and am aware that during the travel itinerary in which I will participate under the arrangements of KikiNetwork Travel and its agents or subcontractors, certain risks and dangers may arise, including but not limited to the hazards of traveling in unsafe areas or under unsafe conditions, the dangers of civil disturbance and war, the forces of nature, disease, hotels, tour operators or subcontractors. In consideration of, and as part of the payment for, the right to participate in such travel itineraries, I have and do hereby expressly assume all of the above risks. The terms of this agreement shall serve as a release and express assumption of risk for myself, my heirs, assignees, administrators, executors, and all members of my family, including any minors accompanying me. I have read and fully understand the provisions and the legal consequences of this Release and Assumption of Risk and I hereby agree to all its conditions, especially noting and agreeing to the portion of this provision that releases the Company and its agents, employees, officers, associates, and subcontractors, to the extent permitted by law, from liability for the negligent or reckless acts or omissions of the Company’s affiliated companies or subcontractors.
