Great Southern Italy 2024

13 Days Tour Start in Rome – End in Palermo

24 Meals to include: 12 breakfast buffets, 4 lunches (wine and olive oil tasting with fine local food,3 lunch), 8 dinners

Main cities: Rome (1), Naples, Amalfi Coast (2), Lecce (2), Salento, Otranto, Castellana Caves, Alberobello, Itria Valley (2), Matera, Pizzo, Taormina (2), Mt. Etna, Agrigento (1), Valley of the Temples, Mt. Erice, Monreale, Palermo (2).

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Great Southern Italy is a 13-day tour, perfectly paced to enjoy the beauty of southern Italy. Starting from Rome enjoy the sceneries of the Amalfi Coast, Apulia, Basilicata, and Calabria regions reaching to the Mediterranean Sea where we will embark on a Sicilian adventure. During this marvelous vacation through the south of Italy, you will have the opportunity to enjoy many picturesque towns, which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value for their cultural and natural heritage (whc.unesco.org). Italy is an amazing country filled with beautiful art, magnificent architecture, an extensive history, delectable cuisines, fine wines, and friendly people. Known for its relaxed lifestyle, you will explore Italy in the same fashion.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrive in Rome, Italy!

Welcome to Rome Int. Airport (FCO)! Meet our tour guide & driver, head to your hotel via transfer bus at (9:30 am, 12:30 pm, or 3:00 pm) where you may rest or explore the “Eternal City” on your own. Later, enjoy a sightseeing tour followed by a special Welcome Dinner at one of Rome’s lively restaurants.

Hotel: Massimo D’Azeglio, Aurelia Antica or similar (1 night)

Day 2 – Naples – Amalfi Coast

After breakfast, you’ll follow the Highway of the Sun, passing the hilltop monastery of Cassino to Naples! This morning our local guide will share the history of the Triumphal Arch of New Castle, St. Charles Theater, the Royal Palace, the Galleria Umberto, and the semicircular Piazza Plebiscito where you can enjoy free time to taste the original espresso or enjoy the world famous pizza napoletana. In the afternoon, drive towards the Amalfi Coast to reach your hotel where you have some free time at your own pleasure before enjoy an included dinner.

Hotel: GH Excelsior, La Lucertola or similar (2 nights)

Day 3 – Amalfi Coast – Sorrento

Today, enjoy panoramic views of the enchanting towns along the Amalfi Coast (overlooking Amalfi and Positano) with some free time to enjoy at your own pleasure in Maiori. Lunch will be served at local restaurant. In the afternoon free time in Sorrento for shopping before drive back to your hotel. Enjoy the evening at your own pleasure.

Day 4 – Taranto – Lecce

This morning leave the Amalfi Coast to reach Taranto on the Ionio sea, lies between the Mar Grande (Big Sea) and Mar Piccolo (Little Sea) bodies of water. Bridges link the mainland to the old town on a small island. Enjoy some free time to see the 15th-century Aragonese Castle, the San Cataldo Basilica. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive to beautiful Lecce, also known as “The Florence of the South”. Guided on a sightseeing tour we’ll see this delightful city including the stunning Basilica & its monumental Piazza Del Duomo. Tonight, discover the flavors of typical regional dishes.

Hotel: GH di Lecce, GH Tiziano or similar (2 nights)

Day 5 – Otranto – Salento

Enjoy a full excursion through the Salento province including a visit to the ancient Roman & Byzantine town of Otranto, the easternmost point on the Italian peninsula. Walk through the 1000 year old walled hamlet & the 11^th century Norman cathedral with the best preserved mosaic floors in southern Italy. The picture-perfect blue waters, white buildings, & diving rocks make Otranto a frequent cover star of maps, books, & articles about the Apulia region. You will have the pleasure of enjoying lunch at a traditional Italian restaurant before enjoying beautiful Lecce at your own pace.

Day 6 – Castellana Caves – Alberobello

This morning, follow a local guide to explore the amazing Caves of Castellana. In the afternoon reach the village of Alberobello, known for its strange white Trulli buildings with their circular structures & conical roofs. Enjoy free time to stroll around the many local boutiques & coffee shops before dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel: GH Olimpo, Masseria Chiancone Torricella or similar (2 nights)

Day 7 – Matera – Itria Valley

Today drive to the famous Sassi of Matera, a fascinating cluster of prehistoric cave dwellings built into the rock stone of deep ravines, for a walking tour featuring a visit to one of the most picturesque cities of this tour. In 1993 the town was made a UNESCO World Heritage (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/) site for being “the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem”. Dinner will then be served at a local restaurant.

Day 8 – Pizzo Calabro – Taormina

Leaving the town of Matera, we will drive through the unforgettable landscapes of the Calabria region down to Villa San Giovanni. Free time for lunch in the beautiful village of Pizzo. In the afternoon we will take a forty-five minute ferry ride to Sicily before heading to Taormina area, affectionately called “The Pearl of the Ionic Sea”. Founded in 400 BC, this beautiful city overlooks the peak of Mount Etna and the sea. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Villa Diodoro, Ceaser Palace or similar (2 nights)

Day 9 – Mt. Etna

This morning visit the 3^rd century Greek Amphitheater, the second largest of its kind in Sicily. Situated above the city, it affords spectacular views of the bay and Mt. Etna. Later, we embark on an exciting excursion to Mt. Etna. Weather permitting, we will ascend 5,400 feet to the highest active volcano in Europe. Lunch will be served on the slopes of Etna with wine tastings from local farms. Then, explore Taormina & its beauty at your own pace. In the city, find homemade lace, coral jewels, ceramic, & much more by simply walking down Corso Umberto or through the tiny streets.

Day 10 – Agrigento

Drive to Agrigento for a tour of the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/) site home to five ancient Greek temples dating back to the 6^th century BC. It is here that we will find some of the world’s most striking and well-preserved Grecian ruins outside of Athens. Tonight’s dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Exclusive, Blu Kaos or similar (1 night)

Day 11 – Erice – Palermo

Today we explore the medieval town of Erice, situated 2,887 feet above sea level, surrounded by ancient Elimi & Phoenician walls on the northeastern side of the city. Stroll through the charming old stone streets & medieval churches like the Cathedral of Erice which was built in the 14^th century in Gothic Catalan style complete with solid marble ornate carvings where we see the picture of the famous Black Virgin venerated. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant followed by a short drive to Palermo where we will spend the evening at your own pace.

Hotel: Piazza Borsa, Palazzo Sitano or similar (2 nights)

Day 12 – Palermo – Monreale – St.Rosalia – Mondello

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, the honey-colored Cathedral and Piazza Bellini. From there, travel to the town of Monreale & visit the magnificent 12^th century Norman Cathedral. Picturesque views of the Conca d’Oro, famous for its 50,000 square feet of precious Byzantine mosaics, will astonish you as you make your way through this ancient city. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate the success of your vacation.

Day 13 – Leaving for home:

Arrivederci Italia! Our Departure transfer bus will arrive at Palermo Int. Airport (PMO) at 5:30 am and 7:30 am

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WHAT IS INCLUDED

Transportation:

Private airport transfer for your tour on arrival & departure in Rome. (see the Itinerary)
Luxury air-conditioned private minibus
Ferry from Calabria to Sicily

Accommodations:

First Class Hotels (4**** or 5*****)
Includes all taxes (including city tax)
Baggage handling included (ask your driver)
All standard gratuities for hotel personnel

24 Meals:

12 breakfast buffets
4 lunches to include:

1 wine and olive oil tasting with fine local food

3 lunch – two main courses, dessert, local fine wine (1/4)

8 dinners to include:

8 dinner – two main courses, dessert, local fine wine (1/4)

All Standard gratuities for restaurant personnel

Tour Guide & Tour Driver:

Your tour will be conducted by our tour guide & tour driver. They will take the worry out of foreign travel as they manage the intricate details of your tour, keeping you entertained with anecdotes and stories to make sure your vacation is educational, entertaining, fun and safe!
Any gratuities are at your pleasure for our tour guide & tour driver

Equipment:

Wireless headsets to hear our guides clearly and distinctly in public places allowing you to roam & explore sites (within 60 feet) without missing any insight from your local guides (group of 9 or more)
Travel documents (PDF) included
One umbrella per person in case of rain

VIEW – VISIT – WALKING TOUR – MUSEUMS AND GALLERY: (WLG) = With Local Guide and wireless headsets

Rome:

Comfortable sightseeing bus tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter Square, the Circo Massimo and Via Veneto

Naples:

View of the Triumphal Arch of the New Castle, St. Charles Theater, the Royal Palace, Galleria Umberto, and the semicircular Piazza Plebiscito, and Posillipo Hill

Lecce:

Guided tour through the center city, see the Basilica and its monumental Piazza del Duomo (WLG)

Otranto:

Visit the beautiful city and enjoy the view of the Castle

Castellana Caves:

Visit the remarkable karst cave system (WLG)

Alberobello:

Walking tour through the Trulli of Alberobello

Matera:

Visit the Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera (WLG)

Taormina:

Visit the 3^rd-century Greek Amphitheater and Mont Etna

Agrigento:

Visit the Valley of the Temples (WLG)

Palermo:

Visit of the city including the Cathedral, the “Palatina” Chapel, and panoramic tour of the town (WLG)

Monreale:

Visit the magnificent 12^th century Norman Cathedral (WLG)

Suggested attire:

Comfortable shoes are important for walking on the uneven surfaces
Attire for Italian Churches: No shorts, skirts, tank tops, or bare shoulders for men or women are permitted. Bermuda shorts are permitted

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