February web

Tours & Travel

February 2014

Valentine’s Day

INSIDE

St. Agata Festival Circumetnea Historical Train Adventure Fire Works at Elephant Square & Wine Tasting Noto “San Corrado” Festival and La Trota Restaurant Paintball and BBQ

Information Tours & Travel

February 2014 •

Tours & Travel

ITT Gear & Go

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PICK UP & DROP OFF NAS I: CDC Parking lot. MARINAI: In front of Youth Complex.

NAS II: Flight Line Clinic.

All children 17 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on ALL trips both ITT and ODR

1 Catania Shopping Trip

Depart: NAS II 8:30 am, Marinai 8:45 am, NAS I 9:00 am Sat Return: 2:00 pm Cost: $8 (Includes transportation, bring Euro for food and shopping) Spend your day shopping at the Catania Market and in the downtown Catania shops. The driver will drop you off downtown near the McDonald's, just behind the fish market. From there it’s easy to walk to Elephant Square to start your shopping adventure! * We recommend you bring small bills and coins in Euro for shopping because credit cards are typically not accepted and the vendors can’t always make change from larger bills* ----------------------------------------------

Farmers Market Shopping in Catania

Sundays in February 2, 9, & 16th Depart: NAS II 8:30 am, Marinai 8:45 am, NAS I 9:00 am Return: 2:30 pm Cost: $11 (Includes transportation, bring Euro for food and shopping) *On February 9th the location of the market will be near the top of Etnea Street. The bus will do the 1st stop there and then the 2nd stop will be at the Antique Market.

Check out this Farmers Market for fresh food direct from the farmers!!

After we’ve shopped at the Farmers market, we’ll head over to visit the antique market in Catania. We recommend that you bring small bills and coins in Euros for shopping because credit cards are typically not accepted and the vendors can’t always make change from larger bills.

St. Agata Festival

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday February 3, 4, 5 Cost: $20 for one, $30 for two.

Witness the great celebration dedicated to St. Agata, the patron saint of Catania. Explore the history of this Saint and partake in the processions and festivities observing her importance during one of these three days of celebration. *This festival is very busy and crowded. Please keep your purse or wallet close to you. ITT recommends that you don’t bring any valuables with you on this tour.*

Monday, 3rd February

Depart: NAS II 6:30 pm, Marinai 6:45 pm, NAS I 7:00 pm Return: 11:30 pm Fire works and classical music performed at Elephant square, then free time for people and festival watching.

Tuesday, 4th February

Depart: NAS II 4:00 pm, Marinai 4:15 pm, NAS I 4:30 pm Return: 11:30 pm Tuesday, the 4th of February is the day of the religious procession along the streets of Catania. The Catanian people used to perform this procession outside the Roman city walls in Roman times. Fireworks will take place near the Roman Amphitheater.

Wednesday, 5th February

Depart: NAS II 3:30 pm, Marinai 3:45 pm, NAS I 4:00 pm Return: 11:30 pm This is the second day of the religious procession that will be held all along Etnea Street. There will also be fireworks at Elephant Square.

8 Circumetnea Historical Train Adventure

Sat Depart: NAS I 6:45 am Return: 4:30 pm Cost: $30 includes fees (Bring 15 Euro for Food) Get ready for some fabulous views of Mt. Etna during the Circumetnea Historic Train Adventure! We’ll ride the train around Mt. Etna with a stop in the notable town of Randazzo for lunch. This medieval walled city was devastated in WWII when more than 80% of its houses were destroyed by Allied Forces. *We will walk a bit in Randazzo, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes!* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12 Fire Works at Elephant Square & Wine Tasting

Wed Depart: NAS II 5:00 pm, Marinai 5:15 pm, NAS I 5:40 pm Return: 11:00 pm Cost: $25 (Includes Wine tasting and appetizers) There will be many fireworks on this day in honor of St Agata, the St Patron of Catania! After the fireworks show, we’ll have a wine tasting at the Enoteca Wine and Charme in downtown Catania. We will taste different Sicilian Wines and have many different Sicilian appetizers as well.

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14 Valentine's Day Dinner at *Il Sole e Il Sale*

Depart: NAS II 6:00 pm , Marinai 6:15 pm , NAS I 6:30 pm Return: 11:00 pm Cost: $68 Sign-up by: February, 7th Take your sweetheart out for a lovely dinner on Valentine's Day without having to worry about the transportation.

ITT has set up a romantic dinner with the Il Sole e Il Sale Restaurant in Acireale. There will be a welcome drink as you arrive and then a typical Sicilian dinner will follow. Gaze into each other's eyes while enjoying this delicious dinner and listen to live music.

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Fri

ITT and ODR reserve the right to modify tour itineraries in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Mon Depart: NAS II 9:00 am, Marinai 9:15 am, NAS I 9:30 am Return: 4:00 pm Cost: $49 (lunch and cafe in Nicolosi included) *Children 0-10 yrs old FREE* We are off to Taormina, known for its spectacular views of Mt. Etna and the lush vegetation surrounding the Mediterranean. There will be time for shopping, visit the Greek Amphitheater, and eat lunch in this beautiful town. Afterwards we’ll have an excellent wine tasting at Gambino winery located on the slopes of Mt. Etna.

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19 Noto “San Corrado” Festival and La Trota Restaurant

Wed Depart: NAS II 10:00 am, Marinai 10:15 am, NAS I 10:30 am Return: 7:30 pm Cost: $55 (Includes lunch. You have a choice of meat or fish; please inform the ITT staff of your choice when you register for the tour) This is an excellent opportunity to see some of the most wonderful examples of Baroque architecture in Noto (UNESCO) Sicily; the “Lacy City”. We’ll have lunch at the La Trota Restaurant first and then have our tour. After the tour, there will be a chance to watch the San Corrado Festival, which celebrates the Patron Saint of Noto.

Thu

Orecchiette with sauce!

Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm Sign-up: ITT Ages: 8 & up Cost: $35 Learn How to make homemade earring pasta with red pugliese tomato sauce.

Every student will learn how to make the pasta themselves. Bring your aprons and containers to take some home with you!

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February 2014

17 Taormina and Gambino Winery

Cooking 6 Sicilian Class: Homemade

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Depart: NAS II 8:00 am, Marinai 8:15 am, NAS I 8:30 am Return: 5:00 pm Cost: $75 (Includes entrance fees and lunch) Visit the archeological area of Siracusa, including the Ear of Dionysius, the Cordari Cave, the Greek-Roman Amphitheater and the historic island of Ortigia. Then relax for a leisurely restaurant lunch; you have a choice of meat or fish, please inform ITT at the time of registration.

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Instructional Classes 2

Tours & Travel

15 Siracusa and Seafood Restaurant

Beginners Digital Photography Class

Dates: February 18th & 20th Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Sign-up: ITT Cost: $25 You live in Italy so you decided to get a brand new camera to capture all of your amazing travels and experiences, or maybe you got a new camera for Christmas! But wait, what are all of these different buttons and dials for? Join us for a basic digital photography class. Learn about manual modes, and do some hands on learning compositions. Must bring your own camera.

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26 Crepes

22 Palermo

Depart: NAS II 6:30 am, Marinai 6:45 am, NAS I 7:00 am Return: 6:30 pm Cost: $45 (Bring Euro for Lunch and entrance fees to the Catacombs) Join us for a tour of both the Cathedral in Palermo and the Monreale Cathedral located just outside the city. Palermo's Cathedral houses a unique mixture of Arab, Norman, Byzantine, Swabian, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. We will also see Monreale, another awe-inspiring church known for the intricate mosaics decorated in biblical themes that decorate the nave. After our tour of both places, we will head to the Capuchin Catacombs, a macabre but unique place. *The tour of the catacombs is NOT required. Please bring approx. 5 Euro with you for the entrance fees.

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Wed Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Sign-up: ITT Ages: 8 & up Cost: $33 Learn how to make homemade crepes with several types of either salty or sweet fillings. Every student will learn how to make their own crepes. Bring your aprons and containers to take some home with you!

23 Piazza Armerina Imperial Villa and Agriturismo Acireale Carnevale

Thursday, February 27th, & Saturday, March 1st Depart: NAS II 4:00 pm, Marinai 4:15 pm, NAS I 4:30 pm Return: 11:00 pm Cost: $20 (Bring 15 Euro for Food) Tuesday, March 4th Depart: NAS II 4:00 pm, Marinai 4:15 pm, NAS I 4:30 pm Return: 12:00 am Cost: $20 (Bring 15 Euro for Food) Don’t miss the best Carnevale in Sicily! Large and small scale parade floats made of paper mache or flowers, marching bands and majorettes, confetti, and music will all be part of this unique cultural experience. Don’t forget your mask!

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Sun Depart: NAS II 9:00 am, Marinai 9:15 am, NAS II 9:30 am Return: 5:00 pm Cost: $60 (Includes entrance fees and Lunch) First head to Piazza Armerina, the most beautiful and well known Roman ruins in Italy, famous for its mosaics. You will learn about how the Roman people used to live back in 400 A.D. Then relax while having lunch at a local Agriturismo.

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Outdoor Rec

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PICK UP & DROP OFF NAS I: ITT Parking Lot. All children 17 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

ITT Gear n Go will sell Winter Ski Lift Tickets to Ski/Snowboard on Mt. Etna beginning this month. (weather permitting)

Riding in Motta Santa 2 Horseback Anastasia and BBQ

22 Snowshoe Mount Etna

Depart: 7:30 am Return: 4:30 pm Cost: $35 (Bring Euro for Lunch and snacks) Enjoy snowshoeing in the forest of Mt. Sartorius on this approx. 3 hours snowshoe of medium intensity. This is one of oldest conifer forests of Mt. Etna, with trees between 200-300 years old. This is a family friendly trip; however, children must be able to snowshoe for approximately two hours at a time. Bring plenty of water and snacks along with you on this trip. Make sure to dress in layers; you’ll warm up while you’re snowshoeing but cool down once we stop for breaks, Mountain Bike and wear at least one waterproof layer on the outside. Waterproof boots are recommended for this trip. Snowshoes will be provided by Sat Along the Simeto River Depart: 8:00 am Return: 3:00 pm Cost: $30 (Includes gear, Outdoor Recreation. Please inquire if you need waterproof pants or guides, & transportation) $15 with your own gear! jackets.

Join us for a mountain bike ride along the Simeto River, the main river of --------------------------------------------------------------------------Sicily. We will bike for approx. 5 hrs, or for about 20 miles, to finish at the Paintball and BBQ (Day & Night) Simeto River Natural Reserve along the Sea. We provide the gear, Monday, February 17th transportation, and instruction; however, this trip is not for beginners Depart: 8:30 am Return: 2:00 pm due to the duration and intensity of the trip. If you wish to bring your Friday, February 28th own bike, we will transport it for you on our bike trailer. Bring plenty of Depart: 3:00 pm Return: 9:00 pm water, lunch, and snacks along with you on this trip.

Cost: $5 (Bring 30 Euro cash to pay Paintball field) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Up your adrenaline by playing paintball in Motta Sant’Anastasia at Sun

Depart: 9:30 am Return: 1:00 pm Cost: $40 (Includes: transportation, horseback riding and BBQ lunch) Ages: 8 & up Let’s enjoy the beautiful views around the Motta Santa Anastasia area from horseback! Join us for a 1 hour trail ride led by a professional guide.

Beginner to moderate riding experience is necessary for trail riding. ODR recommends: jeans, boots with up to 1/2-inch heel, and leather gloves.

Maximum 4 people so sign up quickly as this trip will fill up fast!

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Sat

15

20 Belay Class & OPEN CLIMB

Thu Time: 5:00 pm -7:30 pm Rock wall cave in the gym Cost: $5 per person Interested in learning to belay so that you can climb on the indoor climbing wall at Midtown? Sign up for our two hours rock wall certification course. We’ll teach you everything you need to know so that you can climb and belay safely. All equipment will be provided by Outdoor Recreation. Already certified? Join us during these same hours for open climb time! We’ll have an Outdoor Recreation staff on hand to assist you if necessary.

this superb paintball field! This field provides the opportunity for scenario games as it offers both urban structures and natural structures to use as barriers. Outdoor Recreation will provide the transportation for you. Bring Euros for the BBQ, gear rental, and paint. We recommend you bring some water and some snacks with you as well. Children 17 years and younger MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Difficulty levels Adrenaline scales

Calcio Catania DISCOUNT SOCCER TICKETS

2 FEBRUARY 16 FEBRUARY

CATANIA-LIVORNO CATANIA-LAZIO

Catania Soccer Games - Prices are variable depending on the opponent. Please check with ITT for prices. ITT offers transportation for an additional $5 per ticket. US ID card holders only . Seats are limited and tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Snowboarding on Mt. Etna (Snow and Weather Permitting)

Saturdays: 1, 8, 15, 22 Cost: $25 (Transportation ONLY, no rental package) $35 (Transportation & rental package) Ages: 12 & up; 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Experience the ride of a lifetime and shred the slopes on Mt. Etna! Bring gear or rent from Outdoor Recreation. Not a snow person? Ride up for a day of shopping and lunch. Gear rental package includes: snowboard, boots, bindings, and helmet.

Note: All reservations for rental gear must be taken the day before the trip on a first-come, first-serve basis. *LIFT TICKETS are NOT included! You may purchase these from ITT before the trip at a discounted price or you may purchase them on the mountain. (Bring 15-20 Euro for Food)

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SIGONELLA MWR

Simeto River

ITT and ODR reserve the right to modify tour itineraries in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

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