Home/ Italy Tours /Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily
trulli-houses-alberobello-italy-swiper-hero-gallerytemple-of-concordia-italy-swiper-hero-gallerycefalu-beach-palermo-sicily-italy-swiper-hero-gallerycannoli-pastry-syracuse-italy-swiper-hero-gallerymatera-ancient-town-italy-panoramic-view-swiper-hero-gallerypompeii-vesuvius-ruins-italy-swiper-hero-gallerytaormina-theater-sicily-italy-swiper-hero-gallerypiazza-pretoria-palermo-italy-sicily-swiper-hero-galleryrome-aerial-roman-ruins-colosseum-italy-swiper-hero-gallerysyracuse-sicily-centre-city-italy-swiper-hero-gallery
Home/ Italy Tours /Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily

Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily

Discover the wonders of sun-soaked southern Italy on this 10-day tour. Explore Rome the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Alberobello, and Sicily.

10 Days | 1 Countries
RomeRome
Up to $2,070
From
$1,715
View Dates & Rates
Flexible bookings: 10-day money-back guarantee

Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily

10 Days | 1 Countries

Summary

This Southern Italy tour has it all! Discover ancient Rome’s wonders and explore the ruins of Pompeii. Enjoy free days to explore the Amalfi Coast, Taormina and Palermo. See the Trulli houses of Alberobello and the ancient cave city of Matera. Discover Southern Italy & Sicily, and return home forever changed!

Europe tour map

Tour Overview

Start Point IconStart Point

Hotel in Rome

End Point IconEnd Point

Hotel in Rome

Accommodation IconAccommodation

9 Nights, (3 & 4 star hotels & ferry)

9 Nights

(3 & 4 star hotels & ferry)

Meals IconMeals

9 Breakfasts | 1 Lunch | 3 Dinners

9 Breakfasts

1 Lunch

3 Dinners

Transport IconTransport

Air-conditioned coach & ferry

Air-conditioned coach & ferry

Tour Type IconTour Type

Fully-guided tour

Fully-guided tour

Europe tour map

Itinerary

Start Point IconStart Point

Hotel in Rome | 10:00 AM

End Point IconEnd Point

Hotel in Rome | 11:00 AM (traffic dependant)

trevi-fountain-rome-highlights-of-southern-italy-and-sicily-day-1

Welcome to Rome! Meet your fellow travellers as your tour leader gives you an overview of the upcoming itinerary. Then, embark on an orientation tour of the city before enjoying some free time. Alternatively, join the optional Vatican Museums Guided Tour to experience the spellbinding masterpieces of the Vatican. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

mealsDinner
Experiences:
Included
Discover Rome on an orientation tour

 Get acquainted with this enchanting city on an orientation tour. Admire the Spanish Steps and make a wish in the Trevi Fountain!

Included
Discover Rome on an orientation tour

 Get acquainted with this enchanting city on an orientation tour. Admire the Spanish Steps and make a wish in the Trevi Fountain!

Included
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Rome

Join your tour leader and fellow travellers in celebrating the first night on tour with a welcome dinner at a local Italian restaurant.

Included
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Rome

Join your tour leader and fellow travellers in celebrating the first night on tour with a welcome dinner at a local Italian restaurant.

Optional
Vatican Museums Guided Tour

Visit the smallest country in the world, skip the lines and be mesmerised by the artistic masterpieces in the Vatican Museums and on a guided tour!

Optional
Vatican Museums Guided Tour

Visit the smallest country in the world, skip the lines and be mesmerised by the artistic masterpieces in the Vatican Museums and on a guided tour!

hotelBV Oly Hotel (or similar)
sorrento-highlights-of-southern-italy-and-sicily-day-2

En route to the Amalfi Coast, explore Pompeii in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating UNESCO-listed archaeological site before sitting down for an included lunch. Afterwards, travel to tonight’s hotel in Salerno. This evening, join the optional excursion to explore the Salerno Cathedral and Old Town before sitting down for an authentic Italian dinner.

mealsBreakfast, Lunch
Experiences:
Included
See Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii

Explore the UNESCO-listed ancient ruins of Pompeii, famously destroyed in 79 AD, in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius with a local guide.

Included
See Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii

Explore the UNESCO-listed ancient ruins of Pompeii, famously destroyed in 79 AD, in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius with a local guide.

Optional
An Evening in Salerno

Explore Salerno’s stunning cathedral, stroll its historic center, and enjoy a dreamy seaside dinner with sunset views of the Amalfi Coast!

Optional
An Evening in Salerno

Explore Salerno’s stunning cathedral, stroll its historic center, and enjoy a dreamy seaside dinner with sunset views of the Amalfi Coast!

hotelGrand Hotel Salerno (or similar)
isle-of-capri-sorrento-free-day-highlights-of-southern-italy-and-sicily-day-3

Made up of a number of gorgeous old towns hugging the coastline, the Amalfi Coast is our base for the day. Choose our optional excursion to the stunning towns of Positano and Amalfi. Take in postcard-perfect views, wander through Positano and Amalfi’s lively streets, sit down for a tasty lunch, and visit a limoncello factory and paper museum.

mealsBreakfast
Experiences:
Optional
Highlights of the Amalfi Coast

Sail to Positano and Amalfi, explore charming streets, savour a delicious lunch & taste authentic limoncello on an unforgettable coastal adventure!

Optional
Highlights of the Amalfi Coast

Sail to Positano and Amalfi, explore charming streets, savour a delicious lunch & taste authentic limoncello on an unforgettable coastal adventure!

hotelGrand Hotel Salerno (or similar)
sassi-di-matera-highlights-of-southern-italy-and-sicily-day-4

Explore the southern Italian region of Apulia. Stop in the ancient cave city of Matera, known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City). Matera is famous for its cave-dwelling districts; the ‘Sassi’. After, enjoy an orientation tour of Alberobello and admire its famous ‘trulli’ houses. Find a spot to enjoy dinner this evening before heading to the hotel.

mealsBreakfast
Experiences:
Included
Visit Matera; an ancient cave city

Known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City), Matera is famous for its extensive cave-dwelling districts; the ‘Sassi’.

Included
Visit Matera; an ancient cave city

Known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City), Matera is famous for its extensive cave-dwelling districts; the ‘Sassi’.

Included
Explore Alberobello

Discover the area’s beautiful 14th-century whitewashed stone huts that have iconic conical roofs, and are specific to the Itria Valley, with a local guide.

Included
Explore Alberobello

Discover the area’s beautiful 14th-century whitewashed stone huts that have iconic conical roofs, and are specific to the Itria Valley, with a local guide.

hotelHotel Ara Solis (or similar)
Sicily

Enjoy a coastal drive along the Ionian Sea this morning. Enjoy a ferry ride to the island of Sicily; home of Mount Etna. Prepare for stunning views while on the way to Taormina. Arrive, and embark on an orientation walking tour of this hilltop town. This evening, top off the Sicilian experience with an included dinner at the beachside hotel.

mealsBreakfast, Dinner
Experiences:
Included
Catch a ferry to Sicily

Take a scenic ferry ride from the mainland to Sicily; the home of Mount Etna. Admire the views as the ferry travels to Taormina.

Included
Catch a ferry to Sicily

Take a scenic ferry ride from the mainland to Sicily; the home of Mount Etna. Admire the views as the ferry travels to Taormina.

Included
Discover Taormina

Embark an orientation tour of this charming hilltop town famously seen in The White Lotus. Admire the historic Porta Catania and the Villa Comunale.

Included
Discover Taormina

Embark an orientation tour of this charming hilltop town famously seen in The White Lotus. Admire the historic Porta Catania and the Villa Comunale.

Included
Enjoy dinner at a beachside hotel in Taormina

Taste authentic Sicilian cuisine and join the group for dinner at a restaurant overlooking the ocean.

Included
Enjoy dinner at a beachside hotel in Taormina

Taste authentic Sicilian cuisine and join the group for dinner at a restaurant overlooking the ocean.

hotelHotel Kennedy (or similar)
taormina-baroque-church-highlights-of-southern-italy-and-sicily-day-6

Enjoy a free day in enchanting Taormina. Why not embark on an optional day trip to Mount Etna? Walk in the volcanic ash and learn more about the volcano from the local guides. After, indulge in a feast of local produce at a charming enoteca. Alternatively, relax on the beach and swim in Taormina’s crystal clear waters!

mealsBreakfast
Experiences:
Optional
Mount Etna Day Trip

Explore Mount Etna, an active volcano and UNESCO World Heritage Site! Learn about the area from a local guide. A Sicilian feast is included for lunch.

Optional
Mount Etna Day Trip

Explore Mount Etna, an active volcano and UNESCO World Heritage Site! Learn about the area from a local guide. A Sicilian feast is included for lunch.

hotelHotel Kennedy (or similar)
valley-temples-sicily-italy

This morning, drive to Cefalù, a historic town that boasts some of Italy’s finest beaches. Enjoy free time or join the locally-guided tour which includes lunch at a local restaurant. Next, travel to Palermo. Enjoy a walking tour through the city’s highlights including the Piazza Indipendenza, Porta Nuova and the Cathedral of Palermo. Dinner is included tonight.

mealsBreakfast
Experiences:
Included
Visit Syracuse

Discover Greek remains dating back to the 5th century BC, wander cobbled lanes, explore the vibrant food market and admire baroque architecture.

Included
Visit Syracuse

Discover Greek remains dating back to the 5th century BC, wander cobbled lanes, explore the vibrant food market and admire baroque architecture.

Included
Explore the Valley of the Temples

The ‘Valle dei Templi’ includes the remains of seven temples built in the Doric style. Admire exquisite examples of Magna Grecia art and architecture.

Included
Explore the Valley of the Temples

The ‘Valle dei Templi’ includes the remains of seven temples built in the Doric style. Admire exquisite examples of Magna Grecia art and architecture.

hotelHotel Dioscuri Bay Palace (or similar)
Cefalu-Italy-Sicily-sea-view

Leaving Agrigento this morning, take a scenic drive through central Sicily and arrive in the town of Cefalù. Cefalù is a historic town that boasts some of Italy’s finest beaches. Here, enjoy free time to explore or join the locally guided tour which includes lunch at a local restaurant. Next, travel on to Palermo. Arrive in the afternoon, and enjoy a walking tour that will introduce you to the city’s highlights. Founded more than 2,700 years ago by the Phoenicians, Palermo is noted for its history, culture, architecture and food. Top sights on the walking tour include the Piazza Indipendenza, Porta Nuova (The New Gate) and the Cathedral of Palermo. Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.

mealsBreakfast, Dinner
Experiences:
Included
Visit Cefalù

Enjoy free time in this coastal city which is famous for its beaches and Norman cathedral complete with soaring towers and Byzantine mosaics.

Included
Visit Cefalù

Enjoy free time in this coastal city which is famous for its beaches and Norman cathedral complete with soaring towers and Byzantine mosaics.

Included
See the sights on a walking tour of Palermo

Explore popular attractions in Sicily’s buzzing capital. Marvel at the Piazza Indipendenza, Porta Nuova (The New Gate) and the Cathedral of Palermo.

Included
See the sights on a walking tour of Palermo

Explore popular attractions in Sicily’s buzzing capital. Marvel at the Piazza Indipendenza, Porta Nuova (The New Gate) and the Cathedral of Palermo.

Optional
Scenic Cefalù: Guided tour & lunch

Enjoy a guided walking tour of the scenic city of Cefalù along with a three-course Sicilian lunch at a local restaurant.

Optional
Scenic Cefalù: Guided tour & lunch

Enjoy a guided walking tour of the scenic city of Cefalù along with a three-course Sicilian lunch at a local restaurant.

hotelHotel Villa D'Amato en Palermo (or similar)
cathedral-of-palermo-highlights-of-southern-italy-and-sicily-day-9

Enjoy a free day to explore Sicily’s capital! To discover this city’s many historical hidden gems, join the Hidden Palermo optional excursion. Admire beautiful churches, diverse architecture and art! Palermo is renowned for its delicious cuisine and sweet treats, don’t forget to try some during your free day. This evening, take an overnight ferry back to the Italian mainland.

mealsBreakfast
Experiences:
Optional
Hidden Palermo

Explore the hidden gems of Palermo. Uncover fascinating history, admire stunning architecture and artworks and taste traditional Sicilian sweets!

Optional
Hidden Palermo

Explore the hidden gems of Palermo. Uncover fascinating history, admire stunning architecture and artworks and taste traditional Sicilian sweets!

hotelGrandi Navi Veloci S.p.A (or similar)
rome-black-coffee-on-wooden-table-center

Arrive in Naples this morning. Continue on the coach and travel back to Rome, where the tour will come to an end. Please note that the ferry times may differ throughout the year. Take this into account when booking your outbound flight.  Alternatively, stay an extra night in Rome and book accommodation with our partner Booking.com. Arrivederci, Italy!

mealsBreakfast

Tour Highlights

Optional Experience
Highlights of the Amalfi Coast
Highlights of the Amalfi Coast

Sail to Positano and Amalfi, explore charming streets, savour a delicious lunch & taste authentic limoncello on an unforgettable coastal adventure!

Optional Experience
Mount Etna Day Trip
Mount Etna Day Trip

Explore Mount Etna, an active volcano and UNESCO World Heritage Site! Learn about the area from a local guide. A Sicilian feast is included for lunch.

Included Experience
Discover Taormina
Discover Taormina

Embark an orientation tour of this charming hilltop town famously seen in The White Lotus. Admire the historic Porta Catania and the Villa Comunale.

Included Experience
See Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii
See Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii

Explore the UNESCO-listed ancient ruins of Pompeii, famously destroyed in 79 AD, in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius with a local guide.

Included Experience
Visit Matera; an ancient cave city
Visit Matera; an ancient cave city

Known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City), Matera is famous for its extensive cave-dwelling districts; the ‘Sassi’.

Choose your preferred itinerary option

This tour is available in multiple options – choose your preferred option using the buttons below:

Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily

Travel on the 2nd leg of the combo tour to experience the best of Southern Italy & Sicily

From $1,715 Save your space with a 10% deposit
View Itinerary
tour map

Highlights

You'll Love

12 Included Experiences!

  • Discover Rome on an orientation tour
  • Enjoy a welcome dinner in Rome
  • See Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii
  • Visit Matera; an ancient cave city
  • Explore Alberobello
  • Catch a ferry to Sicily
  • Discover Taormina
  • Enjoy dinner at a beachside hotel in Taormina
  • Visit Syracuse
  • Explore the Valley of the Temples
  • Visit Cefalù
  • See the sights on a walking tour of Palermo

Optional Experiences

Enhance your tour with these carefully selected optional experiences. Each one is designed to add depth and excitement to your journey, allowing you to customize your adventure according to your interests.

Pre-Book
Vatican Museums Guided Tour€85

Visit the smallest country in the world, skip the lines and be mesmerised by the artistic masterpieces in the Vatican Museums and on a guided tour!

Book On Tour
An Evening in Salerno€60

Explore Salerno’s stunning cathedral, stroll its historic center, and enjoy a dreamy seaside dinner with sunset views of the Amalfi Coast!

Book On Tour
Highlights of the Amalfi Coast€110

Sail to Positano and Amalfi, explore charming streets, savour a delicious lunch & taste authentic limoncello on an unforgettable coastal adventure!

Book On Tour
Mount Etna Day Trip€140

Explore Mount Etna, an active volcano and UNESCO World Heritage Site! Learn about the area from a local guide. A Sicilian feast is included for lunch.

Book On Tour
Scenic Cefalù: Guided tour & lunch€60

Enjoy a guided walking tour of the scenic city of Cefalù along with a three-course Sicilian lunch at a local restaurant.

Book On Tour
Hidden Palermo€40

Explore the hidden gems of Palermo. Uncover fascinating history, admire stunning architecture and artworks and taste traditional Sicilian sweets!

Dates & Rates

You are viewing the unfiltered Dates and Rates

If you are planning to travel a different year, please select here to view the relevant itinerary:

Exclude Sold Out Dates
Price Breakdown
Standard Tour Cost US$1,865
Total Price US$1,865

Price is based on a sharing twin room. Single room (optional).

Contact Us

Full payment is required on tours starting within the next 60 days

Accommodation

We partner with a range of hand-picked hotels in each destination. The hotels listed below are those we stay at most frequently. However, you may stay at different hotels of a similar standard. 

A confirmed list of hotels is emailed to all travellers prior to their tour departure. To extend your stay in Rome, click here to book pre and post-tour accommodation through our partner Booking.com.

bv-oly-hotel-rome-roombv-oly-hotel-rome-breakfast-room
Accommodation Icon BV Oly Hotel
warmth-hotel-rome-twin-roomwarmthotel-rome-outside
Accommodation Icon Warmthotel
grand-hotel-salerno-roomgrand-hotel-salerno-lounge
Accommodation Icon Grand Hotel Salerno
Hotel-Ara-Solis-roomHotel-Ara-Solis-bathroom
Accommodation Icon Hotel Ara Solis
Taormina-Hotel-Kennedy-bedroomTaormina-Hotel-Kennedy-balcony-view
Accommodation Icon Hotel Kennedy
Agrigento-Hotel-Dioscuri-bedroomAgrigento-Hotel-Dioscuri-pool
Accommodation Icon Hotel Dioscuri Bay Palace
Hotel Villa D-Amato en PalermoHotel Villa D-Amato en Palermo bath
Accommodation Icon Hotel Villa D'Amato en Palermo
grandi-navi-veloci-feery-cabingrandi-navi-veloci-reception
Accommodation Icon Grandi Navi Veloci S.p.A

Reviews

Overall RatingRatings Star4.6/566 Reviews
D
Verified Traveller Deb
3 Jun 2025
Ratings StarRatings StarRatings StarRatings StarRatings Star
So much history in S. Italy & Sicily!

This was our 7th tour w/ Expat & it did not disappoint. From exploring the ruins of Pompeii, to the ancient cave city of Matera, to the Trulli houses, to the Valley of the Temples....

M
Verified Traveller Mary
14 Nov 2024
Ratings StarRatings StarRatings StarRatings StarRatings Star
I highly recommend this Highlights of Southern Italy tour

My dream for life time came true, my only wish if we could have a day extra in each places …other than that I truly had a great time

Q
Verified Traveller Quickmarch
28 Sep 2024
Ratings StarRatings StarRatings StarRatings StarRatings Star
The tour offered something different ever day

We had an excellent guide in Moona. Our driver made us feel safe throughout. The itinerary was interesting and showed us the differing aspects of Southern Italy.

Similar Tours

Explore more with our diverse selection of tours, featuring similar adventures with unique destinations and unforgettable experiences.

Map View

Additional Information

For pre-departure and visa information, as well as frequently asked questions regarding preparing for and travelling on this tour, please visit our Help Centre.

Help Center

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights. Please click here to visit Skyscanner - a useful tool for comparing prices from the vast majority of airlines.

When you book for more than one person, we will by default group you together in the same room(s), unless you request single supplements or specifically request us not to. 

If there are unequal numbers (3, 5, 7 etc.) then the remaining traveller will be roomed with another passenger of the same gender. Please note that minors under the age of 18 cannot share with another traveller outside of your group's booking.

If you are making separate bookings and would like to share the same room(s), please send us an email with the booking references for each of the travellers and the details of your preferred rooming allocation.

Yes, and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Passengers and their personal property travel with Expat Explore solely at their own risk. A suitable insurance policy should provide adequate cover for medical expenses arising through illness or accident prior to or during the holiday, and loss of holiday monies through cancellation or curtailment of the holiday or other insurable reasons. Clients should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities in their tour. 

For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries. To receive a quote from our preferred travel insurance partner please visit World Nomads*.

For more information on what to look for in a travel insurance policy, click here.

While Expat Explore cannot assist with booking pre or post-tour accommodation, we have partnered with Booking.com for affordable accommodation options prior to and after the tour. 

If you would like to receive the hotel list in advance so that you can book accommodation at or nearby the start hotel, please request this by sending an email to info@expatexplore.com with your booking reference.

Expat Explore can provide travellers requiring visas with visa support documents on a request basis. Please note that you are required to pay for your tour in full in order to receive the documents. This is an embassy/consulate requirement by law. Once you have received confirmation that your booking has been paid in full, you can request your visa support documents by emailing info@expatexplore.com - please allow up to 10 working days to receive these documents.

All travellers are required to carry their own bags. Our walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down stairs. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.

Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email for consideration. Expat Explore reserves the absolute right to accept or decline a booking at our discretion.

Your deposit secures your spot on tour and locks in the price you pay. Although the deposit you pay at the time of booking is non-refundable, you're protected by our 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee – a full refund if you cancel within 10 days of making your booking.

For more information, please refer to the 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee in our Terms & Conditions.

Before the tour starts, you will receive an email from us requesting your dietary requirements. There is always a vegetarian option available. We try as much as we can to offer you the traditional local cuisine.

No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. We have partnered with Welcome Pickups to secure a hassle-free service. You will be met at the arrivals gate by your driver. Your driver will track your flight, so they'll wait for you even if it's delayed. Please click here to book an airport transfer.

This is up to you and will vary depending on how much you wish to spend on snacks, drinks, souvenirs etc. We do not include entrance fees to attractions and museums. We do, however, provide you with free time to see everything you want, and our tour leaders will have all the information on pricing and locations so you can manage your own budget. Please refer to your tours specific pre-departure information and optional excursions guide for further details.