Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily

Welcome to Rome! Meet up with your tour guide at our hotel in the afternoon and prepare for a great evening! We’ll enjoy a ‘Rome by night’ driving tour, where you’ll see the many historical sights of Ancient Rome, including the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum and Pantheon. During the tour we will stop off at a local restaurant for dinner so you can really get to know the other passengers on your tour.

Leaving Rome, we’ll head to the Sorrento peninsula, stopping off along the way to see Mount Vesuvius and to explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii, destroyed in 79AD in a catastrophic volcanic eruption. Upon arrival on the Sorrento peninsula we have a two night stay. This area is famous for limoncello (a sweet lemon liqueur), the perfect way to finish off your included dinner this evening!

A gorgeous old town hugging the coastline, the Sorrento peninsula is our base for the day. Explore the towns in your own time, or alternatively choose our optional excursion to the famous Isle of Capri, where you can spend some free time exploring the rugged coastline, ancient Roman ruins and stylish piazzas.

Today we’ll head east and explore the southern Italian region of Apulia, taking a comfort stop along the way in the ancient cave city of Matera. Known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City), it is famous for its extensive cave-dwelling districts, the ‘sassi’. Later we'll arrive in Alberobello, and enjoy an orientation tour of the region's famous ‘trullo’ houses. These beautiful 14th century whitewashed stone huts have iconic conical roofs, and are specific to the Itria Valley. This afternoon you’ll have free time to further explore Alberobello; check out the trullo church of St Antony and the trulli museum.

This morning we’ll make our way to the ‘football’ of Italy, taking a drive through the beautiful Reggio Calabria region before enjoying a ferry crossing to the island of Sicily. Prepare for a stunning view of Mount Etna as we make our way to Taormina, where we’ll enjoy an evening walking tour before dinner.

Enjoy a free day to relax on Sicily's beautiful beaches, or explore the island's quaint towns. The town of Taormina itself is one of Italy’s most popular summer destinations, perched on the side of a mountain and offering medieval churches, a castle and Greek amphitheatre. For those looking to explore further afield on their Italian tour, speak to your tour leader for their recommendations, including boat tours of the beautiful coast line, paragliding and 'Godfather' tours.

Today we’ll drive to through the heart of Sicily, along the way taking a comfort stop in Catania. With a Unesco-listed historic centre boasting many beautiful baroque buildings. This afternoon, get your cameras ready as stopping at the ‘Valle dei Templi’ (Valley of the Temples), one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and architecture. We’ll then arrive at our accommodation in Agrigento.

Enjoy a beautiful drive this morning as we make our way round the western tip of Sicily to the island's capital, Palermo. Along the way we'll make a comfort stop in Marsala, a city built on the ruins of the ancient Carthaginian city of Lilybaion, and famous for it's Marsala wine. Arriving early afternoon in Palermo, you’ll enjoy a walking tour to 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. Sights you'll see on you walking tour include the San Giovanni degli Eremiti church, Piazza Indipendenza, Porta Nuova (The New Gate) and the Cathedral of Palermo. 

Enjoy the day to further explore Sicily’s capital. Over the centuries Palermo has been colonized by many different rulers, including the Greeks, Romans and Normans. This melting pot has resulted in a variety of architectural styles for you to explore in the historic old town.

This evening, we’ll take an overnight ferry back to the Italian mainland. For travellers who wish to stay on in Palermo, tonight’s hotel accommodation will be included in the tour price, and the tour will end in Palermo on Day 10 after breakfast.

This morning we’ll arrive in Naples where travellers can choose to end their tour, or continue on the coach with the tour leader and make our way back to Rome, where the coach will drop off at the hotel.