brochure SummerFall 2016SAVE100

Bringing You the Best of Sicily
Message from the
CEO
We will soon be on our way to
the jewel of the Mediterranean—
Sicily! And there are a few spots
still open at this great price!
You won’t believe what you
are going to see: Ancient ruins
and modern marvels. Intricate
mosaics from the 1100s, noble family estates from the 1300s,
salt pans and vineyards and olive groves and ceramic artists.
In This Issue

Message from the
Common Grounds
Communications
CEO

Itinerary

Where to Eat

Where to Go for
Music & Nightlife

Important Numbers
Along the way you’ll meet fascinating people and enjoy
outstanding meals in some of the best and most
charming restaurants in Sicily.
Taste the wines and olive oils and coffees. Have a
cocktail and relax on some of the best beaches in the
world while people-watching. Shop the famous labels and
discover the lesser-known but equally outstanding
clothes and houseware designers. Immerse yourself in
the history and culture of this fascinating island.
As we make our way through the charming villages
along the sparkling Mediterranean coast that
welcome you with their sights and sounds and tastes,
sit back, relax and enjoy this beautiful, complicated
and fascinating island. It’s yours to discover. Join us.
Julia M. Messina
Common Grounds Communications CEO
“Travel is the only
thing you buy that
makes you richer.”
Anonymous
8 Days in Heaven…
I Mean Sicily
We've got 3 trips going this
summer & fall
Trip 1 arrives in Palermo on August 7 and departs on August 14
Trip 2 arrives in Palermo on August 21 and departs on August 28
Trip 3 arrives in Palermo on September 4 and departs on September 11
For reasonable airfare, check out Google flights, Cheapoair, Student Universe, Aer Lingus, TravelZoo, and Trip Advisor...
Trip 1 Aug 7-Aug 14
Trip 2 Aug 21 – Aug 28
Trip 3 Sept 4- Sept 11
Day 1
Arrive
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Depart
Aug 7
Aug 21
Sept 4
Aug 8
Aug 22
Sept 5
Aug 9
Aug 23
Sept 6
Aug 10
Aug 24
Sept 7
Aug 11
Aug 25
Sept 8
Aug 12
Aug 26
Sept 9
Aug 13
Aug 27
Sept 10
Aug 14
Aug 28
Sept 11
Day 1
Arrive at Palermo airport and bus
transport to rustic Scopello
accommodations at Villaggio
Grotticelli for a refreshing dip in the
pool and a Welcome reception before
exploring the charming ancient village
of nearby Scopello.
Day 2
Morning tour of the ancient Greek ruins of Segesta
followed by an afternoon of
food and wine and a visit to the
castle in Castellammare del
Golfo, then relax at the beach
or by the pool at the hotel.
Day 3
Erice
Today we’ll visit the seaside town of
Trapani, where you can breathe in the
history of this beautiful, complicated
island at its main museum or simply
shop for souvenirs along the
promenade. Then its off to the
fascinating mountain village of medieval Erice to explore the ancient hilltop castle and
wander its narrow, cobbled, car-free streets, admiring the art and architecture.
Day 4
Transfer to the exquisite feudal estate of the 14th century
Odonetto family, which continues to operate it today. This
working farm produces award-winning wine and olive oil
and offers one of the greatest dining experiences in Sicily.
Day 5
Famous for its handcrafted pottery, Sciacca is the next stop on our tour of
western Sicily. From there we’ll travel to Castelvetrano—olive-growing
capital of Sicily—to tour and dine at the 17th century family estate of Angela Consiglio,
award-winning olive oil producers of western Sicily.
Day 6
We’re off to Palermo, the capital of Sicily, where we’ll take
the double-decker bus tour to get an overview of the key
historic and cultural sites, then shop the Sicilian version of
Chicago’s Magnificent Mile before returning to our hotel to
relax a bit before heading out to Mondello for a taste of
Sicilian nightlife at the beach.
Day 7
We’ll visit Monreale this morning to tour the Duomo and wander the
narrow, winding streets of this ancient hillside town, then we’ll stop in
to visit the world-famous Cappuccin Catacombs of Palermo before
returning to the hotel for a Goodbye Feast.
Day 8 Depart
Elisa Messina Studio
Where to Go
for Music Clubs
& Night Life
Kursaal Kalhesa
Via Chiavettieri—wine bars, pubs and bars on a lively, popular street in the enter of the city near Corso
Vittorio Emanuele. You can also find great street food late at night.
Au Domino, one of Palermo’s original pubs: Via Principe di Belmonte 88
The American Bar, a rooftop affair with views over the city at the Grande Albergo Sole, Corso Vittorio Emanuele 291
Bottiglieria del Massimo, a wine bar just steps from the Teatro Massimo with outdoor seating on Via Spinuzza
59
Bar Fiera Vecchia, known for its inventive cocktail blends, Piazza della Rivoluzione
Tonnara Florio, Discesa Tonnara 4, dining, drinks, concerts
Piazza della Rivoluzione—clubs, pubs & grub
Calalevante—Addaura Dance Club 10 euros per person: fun, lively, young, sophisticated
Il Mida—Mondello Beach, where you can rent an umbrella and beach chair and enjoy a drink at sundown, then
have free appetizers with your drink during Sicilian beach happy hour from 7pm to 9pm
Ombellico Del Mondo—Mondello Beach, where you can rent beach gear as well as canoes and wind surf
boards, then have a drink while enjoying a snack.
Where to Eat in Palermo
Cascinari
I Manciatari
Stiticchio
La Braciera
La Casetta del Poeta
Osteria dei Cavalieri di Malta
Charleston Restaurant Mondello Lido
Monreale Dining Suggestions
La Taverna del Pavone
Bricco & Bracco
Giardino degli Aranci
Common Grounds Building Bridges for Cultural Understanding
Price $1998 + airfare
Contact Us
Tour payments: To reserve a place you must provide us with a deposit of
$500 per person. We accept personal checks from a US bank account (or a
bank draft/money order drawn on a US bank) made payable to "Common
Grounds Tours" in US dollars. Your final tour payment is due in our
office at least 45 days prior to the start of the tour, in one payment. Your
final payment due date will be listed on your initial confirmation letter and
tour invoice. Missing the final payment deadline may result in your being
removed from the tour! If you sign up for a tour less than 45 days before its
departure, the entire tour price must be paid, and the deposit portion is
nonrefundable.
333.728.1757 Italy cell
815-866-5167 US cell
Cancellations and refunds: Your tour deposit is 100% refundable for 30
days from the date it is received, unless noted otherwise below. After 30
days your deposit becomes nonrefundable, and will be forfeited should you
decide to cancel your reservation. Deposits made 60–90 days before a tour
departs become nonrefundable on the final payment due date. Deposits
made less than 45 days before a tour departs are nonrefundable.
Cancellations must be in writing: sent via email
to sicilytours1998@gmail.com or mailed to the Office
address in the column on the right. Cancellations become effective on
the date received by Common Grounds Tours.
Important Numbers
Tour Leader Cell:
333.728.1757
What's Included
• A small, friendly group of 20 - 24 — half the size of most tour groups
• Full-time services of a professional translator and guide
• All tours and admissions — Monreale Cathedral and Artisan tour • Sicilian doubledecker bus tour in Palermo • Cappucin Catacombs tour • Wine and Olive Oil tasting
tours in Marsala and Castelvetrano • Erice orientation walk • Segesta Greek ruins
tour • Sciacca ceramic artists tour
•
All group transportation

7 nights accommodations in memorable hotels

All breakfasts, 4 dinners and 3 cocktail receptions
Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your free-time drinks and sightseeing.
sicilytours1998@gmail.com
Office:
320 E 2nd Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362
Bus Driver Cell:
Taxi Service Alberto:
328.921.7633
Night Shuttle:
091.688.3901
347.699.9947
5 euros per person per
trip segment in Palermo
Hotel Casena dei Colli,
Via Villa Rosato 20/22,
Palermo:
091.688.9771
Baglio Oneto
Contrada Baronazza
Amalfi, 8
Marsala, Sicily
0923 746222
What they’re saying about us…
“Thank you SO much for giving me
this opportunity to experience Sicily
in the best way possible. I already
want to go back!!!!!!!!! Hugs.”
—Sharon B., Ottawa, IL
Common Grounds Building Bridges to Better Understanding
Villaggio Grotticelli
Contrada Grotticelli
Scopello
0924/ 535 102
sicilytours1998@gmail.com