Southern Italy & Sicily Featuring Taormina, Matera And The Amalfi Coast

Hotel(s)

NH Palermo, Palermo

Meal(s)

Dinner

Your Italian sojourn opens in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Discover the city's vibrant culture as you take in its gritty, unshakable spirit and captivating energy. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring authentic Sicilian cuisine. Today dinner will be included.

Experience

Experience seaside Cefalù and Sicilian hospitality during a farmhouse dinner.

Hotel(s)

NH Palermo, Palermo

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, set off for the stunning seaside town of Cefalù on Sicily's northern coast. Stroll the charming medieval streets with a local guide and visit the city's impressive cathedral showcasing Norman architecture. Next, journey to a family-owned farmhouse, picturesquely set in the surrounding hills. Meet the owners and discover what a typical day on a Sicilian farm is like. Later, sit back and tuck into a hearty farm-to-table dinner, made with family recipes. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Experience

Behold the glittering mosaics of Monreale's Cathedral.

Hotel(s)

Baia di Ulisse, Agrigento

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Begin the day with a walking tour of Palermo's old town. Uncover cobblestoned piazzas and ornate buildings, many worn by time and conflict. Visit hilltop Monreale (UNESCO), ascending on foot to its 12th-century cathedral for a guided tour of its majestic Byzantine mosaics. Then, it's your choice! Explore the cathedral's cloisters, taking in their serene atmosphere of the monastic complex -OR- ascend the southern tower to the panoramic terraces for a bird's-eye view over Palermo. This afternoon relax aboard your bus as you travel over rolling hills and peaceful farmland to Sicily's southern coast for a relaxing 2-night stay. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Hotel(s)

Baia di Ulisse, Agrigento

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Step back 25 centuries and delve into ancient Greek history for a visit of the stunning Valley of the Temples (UNESCO), one of the world's most esteemed archeological site. Get an up-close view of the temples of Juno, Concordia, and Hercules during an extensive walking tour of this vast archeological site. The afternoon is yours to relax. Perhaps you'll venture into Agrigento's old town or stroll along the beach close to your hotel, taking in the glittering Mediterranean Sea. This evening, pause for dinner at a local restaurant and an evening view of the illuminated Valley of the Temples. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Hotel(s)

Una Hotel Naxos Beach Sicilia, Giardini Naxos or Hellenia Yachting Hotel, Giardini Naxos

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Venture deep into Sicily's countryside to Piazza Armerina, home of the ancient Villa Romana del Casale (UNESCO) and explore the site with an expert insider for a locally guided tour of its impressive mosaics. In the afternoon, journey east to Sicily's Ionian Coast and to Giardini Naxos – the "garden of Sicily" – for your 2-night stay. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Experience

Stand in awe before the ancient Greek theatre in Taormina.

Hotel(s)

Una Hotel Naxos Beach Sicilia, Giardini Naxos or Hellenia Yachting Hotel, Giardini Naxos

Meal(s)

Breakfast

This morning, explore beautiful Taormina, home to ancient relics, rocky hills, and charming gardens. With an expert local guide, you'll stroll the lively pedestrianized main street, see the imposing Corvaja Palace and climb to the city's well-preserved Greek theatre. The afternoon is yours to explore more of this hillside resort or opt to see Sicily's wilder side on an off-road adventure to Mount Etna. During this optional tour, stare up at the iconic peak as your vehicle climbs along the sides of Europe's largest active volcano. Spend the day exploring this legendary giant, passing by lava formations and basalt rocks. This evening let traditional Sicilian melodies fill the air during an optional Sicilian dinner with musical accompaniment. Today breakfast will be included.

Experience

Tour a vineyard and cellar located in the badlands of Basilicata, Matera's region.

Hotel(s)

MH Matera Hotel, Matera

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Take a short ferry ride to Villa San Giovanni, located on Italy's mainland. During your full day bus transfer, pass through the unspoiled region of Calabria to the Basilicata region. Wander through the twisting vines of a local winery before touring the cellar for a tasting. Linger over regional cuisine at dinner in the winery's agriturismo restaurant. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Hotel(s)

MH Matera Hotel, Matera

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Explore the Sassi di Matera (UNESCO), an ancient settlement of carved cave dwellings. A local guide shares the history and explains why film producers are seeking out this unique landscape. Visit a local shop and get a taste of regional specialties. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps you'll join an optional tour to Alberobello (UNESCO) in the nearby region of Puglia. Here, marvel at the town's whimsical trulli homes, known for their distinct, cone-shaped roofs. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Experience

Savor freshly made mozzarella cheese during a visit to a buffalo dairy farm.

Hotel(s)

Hotel Michelangelo, Sorrento or Hotel Sporting, Sorrento or Hotel Majestic, Sorrento or Hotel Due Go

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch

After a stop at a sustainable buffalo dairy farm* for a taste of freshly made mozzarella and a peek into the history of this iconic cheese, arrive in Sorrento where you'll settle in for a 2-night stay.** Later this afternoon, discover this charming seaside town during a walking tour and learn about the local tradition of wood marquetry. Today breakfast and lunch will be included.

Hotel(s)

Hotel Michelangelo, Sorrento or Hotel Sporting, Sorrento or Hotel Majestic, Sorrento or Hotel Due Go

Meal(s)

Breakfast

This morning, take in the sights and colors of the Mediterranean Sea as you sail*** along the initial stretch of the breathtaking Amalfi Coast (UNESCO). Gaze out over the deep blue hues of the sea paired with the bright citrus fruits lining the hillsides. Pause in Positano with its pastel-colored houses and pebbly beaches. Spend time in this legendary locale browsing the posh boutiques or resting along the beach, before returning to Sorrento for an afternoon at leisure. Today breakfast will be included.

Experience

Experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius.

Hotel(s)

Radisson Blu GHR, Rome

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Journey north to Rome. En route, experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii (UNESCO). A local guide gives you an in-depth look into this 2,000-year-old Roman town, nestled in the foothills of Mount Vesuvius. Step into another time as you explore its preserved buildings and imagine life in the 1st century. An afternoon-long transfer leads to Rome where you arrive in the early evening. Celebrate the end of your journey with a delightful farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Say arrivederci as your Italian adventure comes to an end. Today breakfast will be included.