Event Brochure - European Routes For Leisure

THE SICILY FIAT 500
TOUR
7TH TO 18TH OCTOBER 2016
A Grand To u r by the new
Fiat 500 to include a run in the orig inal 1960’s Cinquecento icon
A Tour of this stunningly beautiful island with a difference
• in your own car – a new Fiat 500
• at your own pace, following a detailed Route Book
• stopping where you wish, to visit what you want
• enjoying the very best of the scenery and historic sights
• staying in the best hotels that are all most beautifully located
• and participating in some very special events – see below
Taormina Greek Theatre & Mount Etna
Sicily, located at the toe of Italy, is 25% bigger than Wales. It’s the largest island in the
Mediterranean, with a history going back over 3000 years. The highest point, Mount Etna,
3350m/10990ft is the highest active volcano in Europe. Sicily has a long and fascinating history
from the Phoenicians and Greek in 750BC to the Normans for nearly 700 years ending in 1816.
Vandals, Byzantines, Romans and Arabs are just some of the non Tourists who have enjoyed
the beautiful scenery. Since 1946 it has been an autonomous region of Italy and the population
are very definitely Sicilian first and Italian second. The terrain is mostly hilly and mountainous
with beautiful stone villages and small towns clinging to the hillsides. Coastal villages and towns
are stunningly set beside crystal clear water and, of course, fish cuisine predominates, though
flocks of sheep and goats, complete with bells, were often found being guided by shepherds on
the back roads during the recce. Daytime temperatures between 18 & 28c can be expected.
During the Tour you will be able to:
• Take an optional visit to Mount Etna including a jeep drive up it
• Visit the beautiful Greek amphitheatre at Taormina, with the backdrop of Mt Etna
• Enjoy a walk through one of the mountain towns with dinner in a
local restaurant
Greek Colosseum in the Valley of Temples
• Wander the beautiful ancient coastal town of Cefalu
• Visit the mountain village of Erice, via one heck of a mountain
road drive
• Stay in the only hotel in the Valley of Temples and enjoy a private visit
to the Temples
• Enjoy Marsala and wine tasting from the hotel’s vine yards at Baglio
AND BEST OF ALL
Take a ride in a genuine historic Fiat 500 with the owner, through
the narrowest of streets in a World Heritage Town and, later,
enjoy making your own chocolate in a specialist factory where the
ingredients are quite different from Cadbury’s, and yes you do get
to taste !!
Great roads - fantastic views
There are also optional Walking Guided Tours of the historic centres of Taormina,
Palermo and Ragusa. Plus a jeep tour up Mount Etna.
And now – a word about your transport – the modern Fiat 500
Cefalu - A beautiful Lunch stop
“A charming recreation of a much-loved classic, with modern amenities and
top-level safety features. The Fiat 500C isn’t particularly comfortable, but
it’s enjoyable and extremely endearing” said What Car.
In reality, you are sat reasonable high up and it seems much more like
a bigger car when you are inside, as there is plenty of room, including
leg room, in the front. The rear seat takes a large suit case easily and
the boot will take a medium sized case and hand luggage. The
full-length canvas roof folds in stages. With it in the mid-position, there’s
some wind noise and buffeting around the folded canvas, but it’s better
than in many small convertibles. The Tour Itinerary
Friday 7th
Flights, as ERL is not ATOL registered, are to be individually booked to Catania. BA and Easyjet go direct from Gatwick, Alitalia does one stops from LHR and City and there
are one stops from Manchester, Birmingham and maybe Stanstead for next summer, but October dates are not yet open at the time
of writing. Contact ERL for latest information. Whenever you arrive you will be met at Catania airport and transferred to Taormina.
The Tour Welcome Reception will be at 7.30pm followed by Dinner in the San Domenico Hotel.
Saturday 8th
A free day to explore Taormina, with an optional Guided Walking Tour at 10.30am. In the evening you are free to eat at one of Taormina’s
many restaurants or in the hotel as you wish The hotel’s Michelin 2 star restaurant must be booked in advance.
Taormina’s Old Quarter
Sunday 9th
A free day again, with an exciting optional Jeep Tour to Mount Etna by 4/4. Departing at 9am to reach the Northern side of Etna. Drive up an old lava flow by 4wd jeep.
Stop to enjoy the beautiful panorama of the “Bove Valley” (the most important geological site of Mt. Etna where the last lava flows of 2012, 2013 and 2014 have been going
down). Visit caves originated by prehistoric lava flows (10.000 years old) with helmets, lamps and rope. Trekking around old craters dating back from 1865. Visit the lava
flow that originated from Piano Provenzana in 2002 (the last important eruption of the volcano) and the old road. Return to the hotel around 1.30/2.00 pm. Driver-Guide
Volcano expert included. At 3pm the Fiat 500’s will arrive and there will be time to complete paperwork and try them out. The evening is again free.
Monday 10th
Off to the hills today – a drive through the interior of Sicily with tremendous views. After a 7 mile stretch of Autostrada we head
inland via Randazzo, Troina, Nicosia, and Gangi to our 2 night hotel 7 miles north of Castelbuono. Dinner in Santa Anastasia is
included tonight. Mileage 125
Tuesday 11th
A free day to relax – enjoy the superb pool, visit the Winery (just 50m from the pool) or take a walk amongst their 900 acres
of vines. At about 6pm we will board a bus for the short journey to Castelbuono. A typical mountain town, with a population of
Castelbuono
about 11,000, dating back to mostly the 17thC. Walk up the main street to the castle (the shops will be open) and back before
having dinner in Restaurant Nangalarruni. Famous for its wild mushrooms, in soups, pasta sauces and with wild pork – rustic, yet sophisticated say the Tour Guides.
Mileage nil
Wednesday 12th
To Palermo today, but first to the Norman sea town of Cefalu in 10 miles for a two hour beak to enjoy this medieval gem. Enjoy a coffee and even lunch as you wander
though the fisherman’s quarter or visit the 10thC Cathedral built by Roger ll and the lively Piazza Duomo in front. From here Palermo is 45 miles away on the coastal road.
An optional Walking Tour of historical Palermo is offered at 5pm. Dinner is in our hotel this evening. Mileage 55
Thursday 13th
A straight drive out of Palermo on the P1 mountain road to Partinico and on to Alcamo.Then right to Alcamo Marina on the coast and on to Valderice and then up to Erice
perched on top of Monte San Giuliano. Erice is well worth a walk round, partly walled from the Phoenician times with many Baroque patrician houses, some with mouth
watering pastry shops. After the steep run down the mountain the route takes us through Trapani and onto the S115 direction Marsala. After 13 miles we reach our hotel,
Baglio Oneto. Dinner with wine tasting first is included here this evening. Mileage 88
Friday 14th
Inland on minor roads, often with flocks of sheep and the shepherd moving along them, to near Mazara for coffee. Travelling along the back coastal roads with good views
of the sea we arrive at Sciacca (pronounced Shaka) for a lunch break at the port. A serious fishing port this with nigh on a hundred big trawlers moored up. The main road,
the S115, takes us to Agrigento and probably the best positioned hotel of the Tour, Villa Athena. Dinner is included here and if the weather is good it will be outside by the
pool, looking at the floodlight four Greek temples, the main one being the 5thC BC Temple of Concord. Mileage 105
Saturday 15th
After breakfast use the hotel entrance direct into the Valley of Temples, where a Guide will take you around the Temples (included). Then it’s back to the Hotel for coffee,
a rest and maybe lunch, before the drive to near Ragusa. Using the S115 (again) through Gela to Vittoria, then south towards the sea and our hotel for the next two nights,
Hotel Donnafugata. Tonight is a free evening for you to eat where you wish – the formal hotel restaurant or the more relaxed Golf Club Restaurant.. Mileage 78
Sunday 16th
After breakfast we will take a coach to Modica where we will split into two groups. One will visit the chocolate company, where
they will be taught why Sicilian Chocolate is so different from our UK chocolate. They will
then have a chance to make some and enjoy it. Group two will take to 10 vintage Fiat 500s
for an exciting drive around Midica’s back streets and alleys. After an hour or so the groups
will change over, so by 1pm all will have done both. Free time now follows for own lunch
arrangements – there are many cafes and restaurants in Modeca. At 2pm the bus will take
you to Ragusa for either free time in the World Heritage City or an optional Walking Tour.
Dinner in the evening will be a Wine Buffet in their cellars.
Mileage nil.
Monday 17th
Chocolate time
Your carriage awaits
Today we use the coastal road at first with a coffee stop at Pozzallo as we drive to Siracuse, 69 miles, for lunch, sight seeing and shopping, before continuing via the Autopista
to Catania and our final hotel where Dinner is included. Mileage 109
Tuesday 18th
Departures for the nearby airport (5 minutes), depending on flight timings.
Total Tour Mileage 560
Our Hotels
San Domenico Palace Hotel, Taormina,
5 star, 103 rooms
Converted into a luxury hotel from the 15thC Dominican Monastery San
Domenico Palace. The original structures are all preserved and a “modern”
wing was added in 1896. A terraced garden leads
down to the swimming pool. There are magnificent
views of the coast and Mt Etna. Named after the
founder of San Domenico, the Principe Cerami
Restaurant has 2 Michelin stars. A Member of the
Leading Hotels of the World.
www.san-domenico-palace.com
Abbazia Santa Anastasia, Castelbuono,
5 star, 29 rooms
Another medieval Benedictine Monastery conversion,
now a stunning boutique hotel, set in its own vineyards
of 900 acres up in the hills with distant views of the
Mediterranean. The good sized rooms are all named
after grape varieties and feature much wood, but have all
modern facilities. The beautiful large pool and terrace set
amongst the ancient stone buildings offers total peace.
www.abbaziasantanastasia.com
Hotel Piazza Borsa, Palermo,
4 star, 127 rooms
Once a convent dating back to the 16thC, the cloisters remain, as does the old
Convent door. Situated in the old quarter of Palermo, a 15 minute walk from
the harbour and near the Theatre, it thus gives plenty of opportunity to wander
the old streets of this interesting city. Our cars will be taken by the hotel staff to
nearby overnight garaging.
www.piazzaborsa.it
Hotel Baglio Oneto, 24 miles south of Erice,
4 star, 48 rooms
Neither a former convent nor monastery, it is based on the Baglio, meaning
home fortress, built in the late 1800’s to protect the Oneto family from pirates.
The family have been producing oil and wines here for much longer, certainly
since the 1300’s. Now a beautiful property set 150 meters above sea level with
panoramic views. All bedrooms have balcony or terrace and the
use of stone, wood and wrought iron with various courtyards
gives a lovely Mediterranean feeling.
www.bagliooneto.it
Hotel Villa Athena, Agrigento,
5 star, 27 rooms
In an outstanding position, the only hotel
in the Unesco listed Valley of Temples. A
300 year old villa set in landscaped gardens
with outdoor pool, spa and wellness centre.
Dinner outside overlooking the floodlight
Greek Temple is a great memory (weather
permitting) A huge advantage of this hotel
is the ability for guests to enter the Valley of
Temples by a private gate to view the monuments before the public arrive. A Member of the Small
Luxury Hotels of the World. www.hotelvillathena.it
Hotel Donnafugata Golf Resort, Ragusa,
5 star, 202 rooms
Large extremely well equipped hotel, set in the country some 3 miles south of Ragusa.
Indoor and outdoor pools, full Spa, excellent restaurant, cafeteria, wine cellars –
where we are having a dinner, hair salon, tennis courts and a 36 hole golf course, with
good restaurant in the Club House.
www.donnafugatagolfresort.com
Hotel N.H. Parco Degli Aragonesi,
4 star, 124 rooms
On the edge of Catania, 5 minutes from the Airport
convenient and easy to find
For Website look up N.H. Hotels at
Catania
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What’s Included on The Tour:
Private car or minibus transfers on arrival at Catania Airport to Taormina, and eventually back to Catania Airport.
Welcome Reception
Bed and buffet breakfasts for 11 hotel nights in 4 and 5 star hotels, most in stunning locations
Eight hotel dinners with wines, water and coffee or tea – there are 3 free evenings
Wine tasting in Baglio Oneto, including Marsala Wine.
Guided Tour of the Valley of Temples at Agrigento, including Entry Fee
Hire car for 8 days – every effort is being made by ERL to obtain Fiat 500 Convertibles,
but no guarantee can be given, as the Italian Hire Car Companies can substitute if they have to.
Theon
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Grantham

Saturday
and
Sunday
drives
around
the
flat
and
slightly
hilly
lands
of Lincolnshirein Modica.
Historic Fiat 500 Tour
with
owner
driver
and
visit
to
and
making
of
Chocolate

Saturday and Sunday drives around the flat and slightly hilly lands of
Lincolnshire
Saturday
and
Sunday
drives
around
the
flat
and
slightly
hilly
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•


Saturday
Saturday
and
and
Sunday
Sunday
drives
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around
around
the
the
flat
flat
and
and
slightly
slightly
hilly
hilly
lands
lands
of
Lincolnshire
of
Lincolnshire
Detailed Tour Guide,
Plates/stickers,
badges
and services
of an
experienced
Tour
Director
plus an Italian
to picturesque
villages
interesting
places,
including
close
a Lancaster
WWll
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Rally Visits
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including
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•

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 
Three
nights
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board–
all all
in deluxe
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with
marble
bathrooms,
with
fullfull
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 nights
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
Entry
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
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• Entry
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 
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
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
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price
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
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

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with
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Sunday
on
Sunday
evening
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Giving
Diner
with
wines
on
Sunday
evening
•
Meals other than stated above
Insurance – either personal or the hire car, except the basic usual Hire Car cover. All drives should take out full excess cover from Insurance4carhire
Items of a personal nature, including drinks, other than stated in the itinerary: eg tips and gratuities, laundry, phone calls etc.
Optional Tours and Prices, per person: (All must be booked in advance)
Saturday 8th – Walking Tour of Taormina including admission to the Greek Amphitheatre
£20.00
Sunday 9th – Morning Jeep Tour to Mount Etna with experienced driver/guide
£82.00
Wednesday 12th – Walking Tour of historic Palermo, hopefully to include the historic Theatre
£8.00
Sunday 16th – Walking Tour of Ragusa Ibla (Ibla means upper)
£11.00
Belton House
Lancaster NX611 at the Lincolnshire Aviation centre
BeltonBooking
House
NX611
the Lincolnshire
Aviation centre
The above are all bookable via the
Form. A full refundLancaster
will
be atgiven
if a Tour
does not go ahead.
Belton House
Belton
Belton
House
House
(Minimum number 20)
(minimum number 15)
(minimum number 20)
(minimum number 20)
Lancaster
Lancaster
NX611
NX611
at theatLincolnshire
the Lincolnshire
Aviation
Aviation
centre
centre
Lancaster NX611 at the Lincolnshire Aviation centre
£xxx.00
PER
PERSON,
SHARING
ACCOMMODATION
£xxx.00
PER
PERSON,
SHARING
ACCOMMODATION
£xxx.00
£xxx.00
PER
PER
PERSON,
PERSON,
SHARING
SHARING
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
£425
PER
PERSON,
SHARING
ACCOMMODATION
Belton House
European Routes for Leisure
European
Routes
for
Leisure
Sleepers
Cottage,
Penton
Mewsey,
Andover,
Hants SP11 0RA
European
Routes
Leisure
European
Routes
for for
Leisure
Sleepers
Cottage,
Penton
Mewsey,
Andover,
Hants
SP11
0RA
European
European
Routes
Routes
for
for
Leisure
Leisure
Sleepers
Cottage,
Penton
Mewsey,
Andover,
Hants
SP11
0RA
Sleepers
Cottage,
Penton
Mewsey,
Andover,
Hants
SP11
0RA
T:
01264
771188
E:
info@ERLevents.com
I:
www.ERLevents.com
Sleepers
Sleepers
Cottage,
Cottage,
Penton
Penton
Mewsey,
Mewsey,
Andover,
Andover,
Hants
Hants
SP11
SP11
0RA
0RA
T: 01264
771188
E: info@ERLevents.com
I: www.ERLevents.com
T:01264
01264
771188E: E:
info@ERLevents.com
I: www.ERLevents.com
T:
771188
info@ERLevents.com
I: www.ERLevents.com
More than
200 motoring events run
over the last 25 years
BOOK NOW - Only £50 booking deposit per booking, no more to pay until 5th February 2016
1990 - 2015
25 YEARS
T: T:
01264
01264
771188
771188
E:
info@ERLevents.com
I: www.ERLevents.com
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More
than E:
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events run over the
last
25 years
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the over
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More
thanthan
than
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25
yearsover the last 25 years
More
200
motoring
events
run
Belton House
Belton House
Belton
Belton
House
House
£xxx.00
PER
PERSO
£xxx.00
PER
PERSON,
£xxx.00
£xxx.00
PER
PER
PERSON,
PERSO
£425
PER
PER
BOOK NOW - Only £50 bookin
1990 - 2015
25 YEARS
E
Sleepers
Co
Sleepers
Cotta
Sleepers
Cottage
T:
01264
77118
Sleepers
Sleepers
Cotta
Co
T:
01264
771188
T:
771188
E
More
T:01264
T:
01264
01264
771188
7711
More
than
More
than
More
More
than