12 days Southern Italy & Sicily featuring Taormina, Matera, Alberobello and the Amalfi Coast ( 2018 )
This journey will take you through a crossroads of civilizations in Sicily and on to the spectacular coastlines of Southern Italy. Begin your travels in Sicily. Uncover its Moorish and Norman influences that intertwine with Greek and Roman ruins standing guard over the landscape. Explore Agrigento’s ancient Valley of the Temples. Travel to the historic hilltop town of Taormina. Continue on to fascinating Southern Italy. Make a stop at a local winery for an agriturismo experience complete with wine tasting and a dinner featuring regional specialties. Explore the ancient town of “Sassi di Matera,” known for its cave dwellings. Spend time in the mystical town of Alberobello with its unusual cone-shaped roofed homes known as “trulli.” Discover spectacular Mt. Etna Volcano National Park. Explore the stunning Amalfi Coast and Sorrento. In evocative Pompeii, walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans who perished in the foothills of Mount Vesuvius.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overnight Flight | Explore the hidden treasures of Southern Italy and Sicily. You’ll find breathtaking scenery, historic cities, centuries-old hilltop villages and wonderful cuisine. ( Flight not included ) |
| 2 | Palermo, Sicily - Tour Begins | Your tour opens in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring authentic Sicilian cuisine. Dinner Grand Hotel Federico Ii |
| 3 | Palermo - Monreale - Palermo | Come to know Palermo on a tour featuring its lovely squares - Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria and Piazza Bellini. Along the way, discover an exotic mix of Moorish, Norman and Spanish Baroque styles. View the Palace of the Normans, La Martorana church, and the cathedral which houses the Imperial Crown of Constance of Aragon. In the nearby town of Monreale, visit the 12th-century cathedral with its dazzling interior of multicolored marbles, paintings, mosaics and cloisters. The remainder of your day is at leisure to relax or peruse the city’s museums and shops. Breakfast Grand Hotel Federico Ii |
| 4 | Palermo - Agrigento - Giardini Naxos | Travel over the countryside’s rolling hills and past peaceful farmland toward the town of Agrigento. Stop to explore the stunning Valley of the Temples (UNESCO), one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Here you get an up-close view of the temples of Juno, Concordia, Hercules and Jupiter. Continue on to Giardini Naxos, the “garden of Sicily,” for your 3-night stay. Breakfast & Dinner Hellenia Yachting Hotel |
| 5 | Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos | Set off for beautiful Taormina, known for its charming atmosphere, historic monuments and flowering gardens. Join a local guide for a tour of the city. You will see Corso Umberto and the bountiful public gardens, and marvel at its well-preserved Greek Theatre. Enjoy some free time to independently explore this delightful town. Breakfast Hellenia Yachting Hotel |
| 6 | Giardini Naxos - Catania - Mt. Etna - Giardini Naxos | Journey to vibrant Catania where the choice is yours! Join a local guide to visit the cathedral and view other iconic sights of this historic Baroque city (UNESCO); then witness the daily spectacle of bartering for fresh fish and produce at the local market. Or, explore the Museo dello Sbarco (Allied Landing Museum); this moving museum is dedicated to the Allied troops who landed on the southern coast in 1943. Later, gather together to discover the impressive Mt. Etna Volcano National Park with a local expert and take in the spectacular landscapes sculpted by nature. Return to Giardini Naxos for the evening. Breakfast Hellenia Yachting Hotel |
| 7 | Giardini Naxos - Matera | Venture to Messina for a short ferry ride to Villa San Giovanni on Italy’s mainland. Pass through the beautiful and unspoiled region of Calabria and into the Basilicata region. Make a stop along the way at one of the area’s local wineries. Join an expert on a walk through the cellars and vineyards before sampling their wines at a tasting. Linger over dinner featuring regional cuisine in the winery’s own “agriturismo” restaurant. Breakfast & Dinner Hilton Garden Inn Matera |
| 8 | Matera - Alberobello - Matera | Explore the “Sassi di Matera,” an ancient settlement of carved cave dwellings. A local guide shares the history of the site and reasons why it has recently caught the eye of many film producers. Continue to a local shop for a chance to sample some regional produce. Enjoy free time in Matera to browse the boutiques or taste the local cuisine before heading to the mystical town of Alberobello. Marvel at some of its most unusually built homes (UNESCO)—known as trulli—with distinct cone-shaped roofs. Breakfast & Dinner Hilton Garden Inn Matera |
| 9 | Matera - Salerno - Sorrento Peninsula | Travel towards Campania and the Bay of Naples, one of the most breathtaking areas of Italy. Make a stop in Salerno to explore the historic city center at leisure. Take a moment to gaze at its impressive cathedral, considered to be the most beautiful medieval church in Italy. Arrive at the Sorrento Peninsula in the late afternoon. Sit back and take in the views of this magical place. Breakfast & Dinner Crowne Plaza Stabiae sorrento Coast |
| 10 | Sorrento - Amalfi Coast Drive - Amalfi - Minori - Sorrento Peninsula | Savor time this morning in the lovely seaside resort town of Sorrento. Then, begin your adventure traversing the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. Make a stop in the charming town of Amalfi where you will have time to explore. Then it’s off to Minori. Take this opportunity to sample regional specialties at a family-owned limoncello factory. Later, sit down for a traditional Italian afternoon break at a local café and pastry shop. Your evening is at leisure. Breakfast Crowne Plaza Stabiae sorrento Coast |
| 11 | Sorrento Peninsula - Pompeii - Rome | Drive along the Bay of Naples to the excavated ruins of Pompeii, nestled at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius. A local guide will provide an in-depth view of this remarkable archaeological site. You will be immersed in history as you explore the preserved buildings of this 2000-year-old Roman town. Later, travel to Rome and celebrate the end of your journey with a farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant. Breakfast & Dinner Donna Laura Palace Hotel |
| 12 | Rome - Tour Ends | Your tour comes to a close today. Breakfast |