Duration : 8 Hours
Starting From:Our private shore excursion to Palermo, Mondello & Monreale from Palermo has a bit of everything -- the most famous architectural sights plus the beach.
Features of this day trip to Palermo, Mondello & Monreale from Palermo:
PALERMO
Capital of Sicily, Palermo is a vibrant city that brilliantly exhibits the island’s typical fusion of art, architecture and culture. The structures resulting from centuries of ever-changing foreign domination are so unique that UNESCO declared seven monuments in Palermo a World Heritage Site.
Palazzo Normanni (the Norman palace) is one of the most impressive Arab-Norman monuments in the city. Built as a royal palace by the Saracens in the 9th century, it was enlarged by the Normans and completed by the Spanish in the 17th century. Today it houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly.
Within the Norman palace, the showstopper is without a doubt the 12th Century Palatine Chapel. The shimmering mosaics inside the chapel are truly jaw-dropping.
The Cathedral of Palermo, founded in 1185, is another splendid example of a commixture of
architectural styles. Visit the royal
tombs of the island’s greatest kings and check out the fabulous crown of Constance of
Aragon.
To get the real flavour of Palermo, literally and figuratively, do not miss the open-air markets. The souk-like atmosphere vividly recalls the city’s Arab past, and the stalls are bursting with fresh fish, colourful produce and local food specialties of every sort.
We’ll drive by the grand theatres, 19th-century Teatro Massimo (seen in The Godfather III) and Teatro Politeama.
If time permits and you’re in the mood for something macabre, visit the Capuchin Catacombs, where the preserved bodies of 8000 monks are on display in a one-of-a-kind spectacle.
MONREALE
The cathedral of Monreale is one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the Italian Middle Ages, famous for its interior Byzantine mosaic decoration, among the most magnificent in the world.
MONDELLO
On the way to Mondello we’ll ascend the high promontory of Mount Pellegrino that rises almost 2000 feet above sea level. Within a cave in the hillside is the shrine of Santa Rosalia, patron saint of Palermo. Santa Rosalia perished in the cave in the 12th Century, then appeared to citizens of Palermo hundreds of years later, according to lore.
Finally, beach time! The bay of Mondello, set
between Mount Gallo and Mount Pellegrino, is simply beautiful. The soft sand and shallow crystalline water
make it great for families. If the beach
is not your thing check out the Liberty villas along the seaside promenade.
NOT INCLUDED
1. Is this tour private?
The tour is private just for your party, however, if you wish to join a tour and alleviate costs, please check with us our shared guaranteed excursion options.
2. Is the driver also a guide?
Our English-speaking drivers are NOT licensed guides. In order to provide you with the best-in-class service, our English-speaking driving guides have been trained to offer our clients a nice overview with information regarding the major highlights avoiding the expensive charges of hiring a private guide. Due to strict Italian laws & regulations that protect officially licensed guides, our driving guides can comment and explain the sights only from inside the vehicle but are not allowed to do so once they are outside the vehicle. They are regularly licensed instead to chauffeur the public. We highly recommend that you never book with any touring company that does not make this clear.
3. Does the driver go with us inside the monuments?
No, only a licensed guide is authorized to accompany you during the visit of sights. Our driver will drop you off close to the sights but will stay with the vehicle for the duration of your visit.
4. Does this tour include lunch and admission fees to sites?
No tickets or lunch are included in the rate. Please contact our office for pricing and reservations.
5. Does it include a guide?
No guide is included either. Please contact our office for pricing and reservations.
6. What is the duration of the tour?
The duration of the tour is 7/9 hours, including pickup and drop off at the ship.
7. Is the itinerary flexible?
Our itineraries are completely flexible, and we will be happy to operate any changes to the original itinerary (within reason). Please contact our office with all the requests you may have so that we can better organize your day.
8. Do you guarantee the return to the ship on time?
In almost 30 years of business, we have never missed the ship that is why we have organized all itineraries to guarantee your return on time.
9. Is gratuity included in the price?
Tips are never included in our quotes. We think that a tip shouldn’t be included in the rate otherwise it would be a tax!!! Once in Italy do not feel as though you have to tip everyone because someone told you to. Tip only if you really liked the service. Tips are generally: 10% not bad 15 % great 20 % best tour in my life. Please report any abuse.
There will be a full charge for bookings canceled with less than 72-hour notice for any service required. In this case, a full charge will be made on your credit card. If you miss your flight or if your airline decides to cancel the flight due to bad weather or if your flight is directed to another airport on arrival, please advise us on time (as soon as you know) or a full charge will be made.
Please give us enough time so we can accept other reservations and allocate them to our chauffeurs. If the ship does not make it to the pier for bad weather, you will not be considered responsible so NO CHARGE will be made to your credit card. A full charge will be made for a no-show-up.
Only pre-purchased skip-the-line tickets (if requested) are not refundable under the circumstance and will be charged to your card.
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