FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

EXPLORE SICILY FROM WEST TO EAST IN 2010
**NIAF Launches its Latest Cultural Travel Program to Italy**
*Weekly Departures Beginning February 2010*

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 24, 2009) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) continues its popular travel program to Italy by offering excursions to Sicily, Italy. “Exploring Sicily from West to East” is a nine-day, seven-night tour departing from New York City. Costs range from $1,899 to $2,299 per person, based on double occupancy and month of departure.

“Exploring Sicily from West to East” visits the cities of Catania, Erice, Marsala, Monreale, Mt. Etna, Palermo, Ragusa, Savoca and Taormina. Guests will stay at a four-star hotel in Palermo and Giardini Naxos. The package includes round-trip airfare from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City to Palermo, four full-day escorted tours, and two half-day escorted tours. Participants may choose from 28 departure dates starting February 13, 2010 through November 13, 2010.

NIAF’s travel includes airport transfers in Italy, seven buffet-style continental breakfasts, seven dinners at the hotel with wine and mineral water included, one lunch at an Agriturismo, an English-speaking tour director, and all entrance fees. Other U.S. cities of embarkation may be available at an additional charge and are subject to scheduling constraints. The tour program, which has been sold out every year for the past 13 years, is offered on a “first-come, first-served” basis. For more information, visit www.niaf.org/travel.

For a brochure and reservation form, write to Italy Travel, c/o Unitours, 3010 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, NY 10557. Call toll-free at 888-846-6423 or 914-253-9177, fax to 914-253-9001, or e-mail Marianna Pisano at mpisano@unitours.com.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and promoting the heritage and culture of Americans of Italian descent.