Southern Italy & Sicily featuring Taormina, Matera and the Amalfi Coast

The hidden treasures of Southern Italy and Sicily are yours to explore, for it's here you'll find breathtaking scenery, historic cities, centuries-old hilltop villages and iconic cuisine.

Your Italian journey begins in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Discover the city’s vibrant culture as you take in its gritty, unshakable spirit, and captivating energy. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring authentic Sicilian cuisine.

This morning, visit hilltop Monreale, ascending 92 steps to its 12th-century cathedral and entering to see its majestic Byzantine mosaics. Next, travel to a family-owned farmhouse, picturesquely set in the hills surrounding Palermo. Meet the owners and discover what a typical day on a Sicilian farm is like, and then tuck into a hearty farm-to-table lunch, made with family recipes. Return to Palermo for an evening at leisure.

Begin the day with an extensive walking tour of Palermo’s old town. On foot, uncover cobblestone piazzas and ornate buildings, many worn by time and conflict. This afternoon, relax aboard your bus as you travel over rolling hills and peaceful farmland to Sicily’s southern coast for a two-night stay in the outskirts of Agrigento.

This morning, step back 25 centuries and delve into ancient Greek history with a visit of the stunning Valley of the Temples, one of the world’s most esteemed archeological sites. Get an up-close view of the temples of Juno, Concordia, and Hercules during an extensive walking tour of this ancient acropolis. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure at your hotel, where you can take in the views from its panoramic terrace and walk along the beach. Spend the evening as you wish. Perhaps you’ll head to Agrigento’s old town for a stroll through its historic center and free time to explore.

Venture deep into Sicily’s countryside to Piazza Armerina, home of the ancient Villa Romana del Casale. Explore the site with an expert insider for a locally guided tour of its impressive Roman mosaics. In the afternoon, journey to Sicily’s eastern shores for your three-night stay in Giardini Naxos. This evening, perhaps you’ll join an optional dinner with music, where traditional Sicilian melodies fill the air.

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 and climb to the city’s well-preserved Greek theatre. The afternoon is yours to explore more of Taormina or relax in Giardini Naxos – the “garden of Sicily.”

Today is yours to spend as you wish. Perhaps you’ll opt to experience Sicily’s wilder side on an off-road adventure up Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Take in awe-inspiring views from a 4x4 vehicle and hop out to walk amid lava formations and basalt rocks. After a wine-paired lunch at a winery on the slopes of Mount Etna, return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Take a short and scenic ferry ride across the narrow Strait of Messina, separating Sicily from Italy’s mainland. During your full day bus transfer, pass through the unspoiled region of Calabria and onto 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.

Explore the Sassi di Matera, an ancient settlement of carved cave dwellings that has been continuously inhabited for millennia. A local guide shares the history and explains why film producers are seeking out this unique landscape. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps you’ll join an optional tour to Alberobello in the nearby region of Puglia. Here, marvel at the town’s whimsical trulli homes, known for their distinct, cone-shaped roofs.

After a full morning’s drive, stop at a sustainable buffalo dairy farm* for a taste of freshly made mozzarella and a peek into the history of this iconic cheese. After lunch at the dairy, continue to the Sorrentine Peninsula and settle in for a two-night stay.** This evening, discover the allure of Sorrento during a walk around its charming old town.

This morning, take in the sights and colors of the Mediterranean Sea as you sail*** along the initial stretch of the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. 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 relaxing along the beach, before returning to Sorrento for an evening at leisure.

Journey north to Rome. En route, experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii. Here, it’s your choice! Soak in the history of this 2000-year-old Roman town at your own pace by picking between a leisurely-paced walking tour of Pompeii’s essential sights -OR- a faster-paced walk combining the highlights with Pompeii's further-out gems. Step into another time as you explore the 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.

Your tour comes to a close today.