Great Southern Italy 2025

13 Day 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 lunches), 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. Starts from Rome enjoy the scenery of the Amalfi Coast, Apulia, Basilicata, and Calabria regions reach the Mediterranean Sea and then embark on a Sicilian adventure. During this marvelous vacation through the south of Italy, you will have the opportunity to enjoy many picturesque towns considered to have outstanding universal value for cultural and natural heritage by the World Heritage Committee (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 and driver and head to your hotel via transfer bus at (9:30 am, 12:30 pm, or 3:00 pm) after a quick rest, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Rome’s highlights followed by a special Welcome Dinner at one of Rome’s lively restaurants.

Hotel: Belstay Roma Aurelia, Aurelia Antica or similar (1 night)

Day 2 – Naples – Amalfi Coast

After breakfast, follow the Highway of the Sun towards Naples, the city famous for being the standard for pizza and having the best espresso in Italy. In the morning our local guide will share the history of monuments and sites such as the Triumphal Arch of New Castle, the St. Charles Theater, the Royal Palace, the Galleria Umberto, and the semicircular Piazza Plebiscito. In the afternoon drive towards the Amalfi Coast to reach your waterfront hotel where you’ll have some free time at your own pace before enjoying dinner.

Hotel: Le Due Torri, La Lucertola or similar (2 nights)

Day 3 – Amalfi Coast – Sorrento

Free time for shopping in the town of Sorrento, famous for its fantastic lemons which are used to make the regional “limoncello” liqueur. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant with an unforgettable panaromic view. In the afternoon enjoy views of the enchanting colorful towns built on dramatic inclines along the Amalfi Coast (overlooking Amalfi and Positano). Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Day 4 – Taranto – Lecce

Leave the Amalfi Coast to reach Taranto, a seaside city which lies between the Mar Grande (Big Sea) and Mar Piccolo (Little Sea). Enjoy some free time to see the 15th-century Aragonese Castle and the San Cataldo Basilica. In the afternoon, take a scenic drive to the Honey Colored Town of Lecce, known as “The Florence of the South”. There will be a sightseeing tour of this which will include the stunning Basilica and its monumental “Piazza Del Duomo”. In the evening, discover the under-the-radar wine scene and flavors of typical local dishes amoungst the cobblestone streets.

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

Day 5 – Otranto – Salento

Today, a full excursion through the province of Salento. Visit the ancient town of Otranto. Walk through the 1000-year-old walled hamlet and the 11th-century Norman cathedral with the best-preserved mosaic floors in southern Italy. Enjoy lunch at a”Masserie” (a fortified farmhouses which has been luxuriously restored). After lunch experience beautiful Lecce at your own pace.

Day 6 – Castellana Caves – Alberobello

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 and conical roofs. Afterwards, some free time for strolling around the many local boutiques and coffee shops before dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Relais Porta del Sud, Park Hotel La Grave or similar (2 nights)

Day 7 – Matera – Itria Valley

Drive to the famous Sassi of Matera (a fascinating cluster of prehistoric cave dwellings built into the rocks of deep ravines) for a walking tour. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/). Wind up the day with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 8 – Calabria – Sicily

Leaving the town of Matera, drive through the unforgettable landscapes of the Calabria region down to Villa San Giovanni. There will be some free time for lunch in the beautiful village of Pizzo. In the afternoon, take a forty-five-minute ferry ride to Sicily. Upon arrival enjoy some free time followed by dinner.

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

Day 9 – Taormina – Mt. Etna

Visit the 3rd-century Greek Amphitheater in Taormina, the second largest of its kind in Sicily. Situated above the city, it offers spectacular views of the bay and Mt. Etna. Later, embark on an exciting excursion to Mt. Etna. Lunch will be served on the slopes of Etna with wine tastings from local farms. Weather permitting, we will ascend 5,400 feet to the highest active volcano in Europe.

Day 10 – Agrigento

Drive to Agrigento for a walking tour through the Valley of the Temples where you will discover some of the world’s most striking and well-preserved Grecian ruins, second only to Athens! a Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/) Tonight’s dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Blu Kaos, Hotel Villa Romana or similar (1 night)

Day 11 – Erice – Palermo

Explore the medieval town of Erice which is surrounded by ancient Elimi & Phoenician walls. This little town is situatiod 2887 feet above sea level and allows striking sea views. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch stroll through the charming old stone streets and see medieval churches such as the Cathedral of Erice.

Hotel: IBIS Style Palermo, Bel 3 or similar (2 nights)

Day 12 – Palermo – Monreale – St.Rosalia

This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city featuring the honey-colored Cathedral and Piazza Bellini. From there travel to the town of Monreale to visit the magnificent 12th century Norman Cathedral. Picturesque views of the Conca d’Oro (famous for its 50,000 square feet of precious Byzantine mosaics) will astonish as we make our 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
Includes all taxes (including city tax)
Baggage handling included (ask your driver)
All standard gratuities for hotel personnel

24 Meals:

12  breakfast buffets
1 wine and olive oil tasting with fine local food
3 lunches – two main courses, dessert, local fine wine (1/4)
8 dinners – 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 discretion 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: 

Rome:

Comfortable sightseeing bus tour of the Colosseum, 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 3rd-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 12th 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

*(WLG) = With Local Guide and wireless headsets

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