Southern Italy & Sicily - Itinerary
Enjoy the marvelous history, culture, and cuisine of Sicily and Southern Italy. Discover the unique mix of Moorish, Norman, and Spanish Baroque architecture in Palermo. Admire the dazzling interior of Monreale’s 12th century cathedral. Explore the impressive ruins in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily. Home to ten major temples and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this setting on a cliff offers stunning views and warm colors at sunrise and sunset.
Travel by ferry to mainland Italy and along the picturesque Amalfi Coast, where the Mediterranean meets the mountains. Observe local artisans demonstrate the art of inland wood making. Take a somber tour of Pompeii, buried by ash at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, and its remarkably-preserved ruins. View imposing monuments of ancient Rome such as the Forum, the Circus Maximus, and the Colosseum. And be sure to toss a coin into Trevi Fountain to ensure that you will someday return!
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
Day 1 -
Overnight Flight
Join Collette Vacations in exploring the hidden treasures of southern Italy and Sicily. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, historic cities, centuries old hilltop villages, and wonderful cuisine. Your journey begins with an overnight flight to Palermo.
Day 2 -
Palermo, Sicily - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a special welcome dinner at a local restaurant featuring traditional Sicilian cuisine. Today dinner will be included.
Day 3 -
Palermo - Monreale - Agrigento
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. A Palermo cultural tour features the lovely squares of Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria and Piazza Bellini. Note the exotic mixture of Moorish, Norman and Spanish Baroque styles that make this city special. You also see the Palace of the Normans, La Martorana Church, and the Cathedral, which houses the Imperial Crown of Constance of Aragon in its treasury. In the nearby town of Monreale, visit the 12th century Cathedral with its dazzling interior of multicolored marbles, paintings, mosaics and cloisters. Depart Palermo for Agrigento later this afternoon. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 4 -
Agrigento
Learn about ancient Greek cultures when you visit the Archeological Museum, known for its extensive collection of Greek vases and mosaics. Then, proceed to the stunning Valley of the Temples, one of the most important archeological sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From ancient times to the present day, the Valley of the Temples’ ruins, landscape flora and colors have inspired poets, writers and painters. Here, get an up-close view of the temples of Hercules, June, Dioscuris, Vulcan and Olympian Zeus. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 5 -
Agrigento - Piazza Armerina - Giardini-Naxos
Depart Agrigento today and travel to the central part of Sicily, arriving in the town of Piazza Armerina. Here you pay homage to the Roman past at Villa Casale, which houses one of the most incredible collections of ancient mosaics in the world. Later, visit Mt. Etna Volcano National Park to see the spectacular landscapes sculpted by nature. Arrive in Giardini Naxos, the “garden of Sicily” and your home for the next two nights. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 6 -
Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos
This morning you visit beautiful Taormina, known for its charming atmosphere, significant monuments and flowering gardens. Enjoy viewing the Greek Temples, Corso Umberto and the bountiful Public Gardens. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to further explore this delightful town. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 7 -
Giardini Naxos - Amalfi Coast
Today, travel to Messina where you will take a short ferry to Villa San Giovanni on the mainland of Italy. Travel northward through the beautiful and unspoiled region of Calabria and into Campania, arriving later this afternoon on the Amalfi Coast. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 8 -
Amalfi Coast - Sorrento - Amalfi Coast
Begin your day exploring the popular seaside resort town of Sorrento. Visit local artisans and watch them demonstrate the art of inlaid wood making. Upon arriving in Amalfi, you will have free time to explore the town square, ceramic shops and cafes. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 9 -
Amalfi Coast - Pompeii - Rome
Travel towards the Bay of Naples and experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius. Soak in the history of the preserved original buildings of a typical Roman town 2,000 years ago. The forms of people who died in Pompeii are evident and cast an insight into how they lived. Later, travel to Rome, the magnificent capital of Italy. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 10 -
Rome
Begin your day with an optional tour to the “Magnificent Treasures of the Vatican Museums.” Later, enjoy a tour of Classical Rome featuring the Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, and the Arch of Constantine. Contemporary Rome is highlighted through the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Tonight you will celebrate the end of your journey with a farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 11 -
Rome - Depart for Home
Your tour ends today, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful vacation. Today breakfast will be included.
