Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily

Day 1 (Door to Door)

Arrive Rome

Enjoy your private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Rome, where a transfer is provided to your first hotelscenically located in beautiful gardens. Settle in, relax or start exploring this glorious city; spend some time wandering through the vast parklands of the Villa Borghese or just relax at a café in the Piazza Navona. Later, join your Tour Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Drink. (WD)
Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters (SFC)

Day 2

Rome - Alberobello

Head southwards passing by the brooding hilltop monastery of Cassino to Caserta, and take the scenic route across the Apennines to the Adriatic coast. Our destination is the small town of Alberobello, in the heart of the unique Trulli region. Sunday evenings are popular for the traditional ritual of passeggiata, a pre-dinner promendade to 'see and be seen'. After working up an appetite, why not dine out? The region of Puglia is a food and wine lovers' paradise. (BB)
Hotel: Astoria (FC)

Day 3

Alberobello - Matera and Castellaneta excursion

Take time to explore Alberobello, with its strange white Truli buildings spread out over the hillside. Truli are circular structures with conical roofs and domed within, built with local limestone and stacked without using mortar. This afternoon continue to Matera to see the extraordinary 'Sassi' or cave dwellings that were once home to more than 15,000 people.We walk along the time-worn streets to the simple white houses amd churches dug out of the rock. We return via Castelleneta, birthplace of Rudolph Valentino, for a photo stop at his statue and at the 'Gravina Grande' (Great Ravine). (BB, D)
Hotel: Astoria (FC)

Day 4

Alberobello - Giardini Naxos

Thismorning we follow the shores of the Gulf of Taranto to the gorgeous mountainous region of Calabria, favourite holiday destination for the Italians. We cotinue around the Purple Coast, which takes its name from teh colour of its rocky mountain slopes. At the very toe of Italy we make the short ferry crossing to Sicily to spend three relaxing nights in the beautiful seaside resort of Giardini Naxos. (BB, D)
Hotel: Sant' Alphio (SFC)

Day 5

Taormina excursion

Today we visit Taormina, founded in 400BC, and beautifully located overlooking the sea and the peak of Mount Etna. We visit the 3rd century Greek theatre and the glorious subtropical terraced gardens before strolling along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for splendid panoramic views across the bay to the Ionian Sea. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at your own pace. (BB, D)
Hotel: Sant' Alphio (SFC)

Day 6

Giardini Naxos at leisure

Enjoy a full day at leisure or perhaps take an optional excursion through the Sicilian vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano, to see the Silvestre Crater and walk through the lava domes. (BB, D)
Hotel: Sant' Alphio (SFC)

Day 7

Giardini Naxos - Palermo

Drive to the attractive hillside town of Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily. Explore the Valley of the Temples, the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. Especially impressive is the massive Temple of Concord and the clifftop Temple of Juno which overlooks the sea. In the afternoon, we continue to the historic capital of Sicily, Palermo. (BB, D)
Hotel: Excelsior Palace (SFC)

Day 8

Palermo sightseeing

Sightseeing with a local guide today includes Quattro Canti Square, the Cathedral and the mosaics in the Palatine Chapel of the Palace of the Normans. We also visit Monreale with its finely decorated cathedral. In the afternoon there is free time to explore or shop in Palermo or to take one of the local excursions offered by your Tour Director. (BB)
Hotel: Excelsior Palace (SFC)

Day 9

Palermo - overnight ferry

We drive eastwards along the coast to the charming fishing town of Cefalu. Visit the cathedral, erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II and spend some time at leisure. Later, we return to Palermo, taking time to relax before meeting the overnight ferry to Naples in the early evening. (BB)

Day 10

Bay of Naples

We arrive in Naples in time for breakfast and an orientation tour of the city. Afterwards, we continue to Pompeii, buried in 79 AD by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. We walk with a local guide through the cobbled streets to the Forum and inspect some of the shops and villas before continuing to your hotel. (BB)
Hotel: La Medusa (SFC)

Day 11

Capri excursion

Today we take the cliff-top road to Sorrento to witness a demonstration of inlaid 'intarsio' woodwork before continuing across the Bay of Naples to the delightful Isle of Capri. Take a funicular train up to Capri Town to spend some time wandering the narrow alleyways and exploring the island's exclusive boutiques before returning to your hotel. (BB, D)
Hotel: La Medua (SFC)

Day 12

Bay of Naples - Rome

Travel north to return to Rome. On arrival, visit the Colosseum and see the Forum, once the religious, political and commercial heart of the Roman Empire. Tour St Peter's Basilica, housing works of art by Michelangelo and Bernini. (BB, HD)
Hotel: Oly (FC)
Dining Highlights: Tonight join your fellow travellers for a last night celebration dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 13 (Door to Door)

Depart Rome

We transfer to Rome airport for your return scheduled flight back to the UK. On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting private car for your door to door transfer to your home. (BB)

Dates and prices

Destination Info