Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily

Italian culture awaits your exploration as you arrive in the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Transfer from the airport to your centrally located hotel to meet the Tour Manager and fellow travelers in the lobby. Tonight, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Rome.

• Dinner

From ancient ruins to Baroque architecture, we explore the iconic landmarks of Rome today. Our guided tour starts at the Colosseum, Rome's ancient amphitheater and one of the world's most recognizable structures. Next, we visit a local coffee shop near the Trevi Fountain, where we can enjoy our drinks while admiring the view and our tour ends at the beautiful Piazza Navona. This plaza remains as significant today as it was during the Roman Empire with its Baroque fountain and cheerful atmosphere. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Rome at your own pace. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

A day of travel takes us from Rome to the sun-kissed Amalfi Coast. After breakfast, we travel by train to coastal Naples, known as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Naples is also famous for its pizza, which we sample at a local restaurant on arrival. We then return to the station to catch the train to Pompeii.

The city buried and preserved by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD, offers a glimpse into early Italy. A guided tour takes us through the incredibly intact streets and we walk among the shops, villas, baths, temples, and restaurants of this UNESCO World Heritage site. We also see the amphitheater - the oldest in the world - and some of the ancient city's extraordinary frescoes.

The final leg of our journey takes us to the beautiful town of Sorrento. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel, the Grand Hotel Vesuvio, which overlooks the Gulf of Naples. The evening is free to explore and enjoy this atmospheric destination. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Salty breezes and colorful villages are on the itinerary today as we cruise along the Amalfi Coast from the port in Massa Lubrense. Our first stop is the village of Amalfi, where there is time to explore. Discover the beautiful cathedral in the Main Square and wander through narrow streets lined with traditional homes and al fresco cafés. Enjoy a glass of locally produced limoncello or a lemon spritz, the local twist on the Aperol spritz, while taking in the stunning views.

Next, our boat takes us to Positano, a cliffside gem with a delicate balance of sophisticated ambiance and old-world charm. After our visit, we return to Sorrento where you can explore at leisure for the rest of the day. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, we head inland to the Salerno station to board our train to Matera. The scenic route takes us deep into southern Italy where we transfer to our elegant hotel on arrival, the UNA Hotel MH Matera. Set within walking distance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the town center, and more. Get acquainted with your new surroundings at leisure, before joining the group back at the hotel this evening for dinner. Overnight Matera.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day by having breakfast at the hotel and wandering around Matera at leisure. At over 9,000 years old, Matera it is one of the oldest constantly inhabited cities in the world. It is known for its caves, which have laid the foundation for many homes, businesses, and shops that creep up the hillsides.

Later this morning, a coach transfer takes us to the whitewashed town of Alberobello, where lunch is served in a local restaurant on arrival. This UNESCO-listed destination is filled with hundreds of Trulli, limestone slab homes with conical stacked stone roofs that date to the 14th century. Learn more about their origins and significance - and about Alberobello as a whole - on our guided tour. We return to Matera this evening in time for dinner at the hotel. Overnight Matera.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we leave the Boot of Italy and head into Sicily, the old-world island at its toe. Starting by coach, we venture south to the town of Paola on the west coast and then by train to Taormina-Giardini station on the island. As we arrive in Giardini Naxos, a resort town on Sicily's eastern coast, enjoy dinner accompanied by Italian wine at the hotel. Spend the evening exploring the town's offerings at leisure. Overnight Giardini Naxos.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Sicily's centerpiece, and one of the world's most active volcanoes, Mount Etna, is on full display today as we explore the island on a full-day tour. First, we venture to Rifugio di Sapienza, the highest point in Sicily. From here, you can walk to the Silvestri Craters, two craters formed by Mount Etna's eruption in 1892. Since they are inactive, you can explore the volcanic landscape up close. We continue with a coach transfer to Adrano, where we join the Circumetnea Railway on its route along the volcano's base.

This highly scenic stretch of track takes us to Randazzo, showcasing otherworldly lava fields and landscapes carved by lava flow. We pause at Gambino Winery to tour its vineyards and taste its varietals. A two-course lunch is also served during our visit. Following the tasting, we are escorted back to our hotel with the evening to spend at leisure. Overnight Giardini Naxos.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Traveling into the foothills of Mount Etna, we head to Taormina on the east coast of Sicily. This city is awash in medieval buildings, sherbet-colored homes, and landmarks spanning millennia. As we arrive this morning, we set out on a guided tour of its most impressive sites, including its Greek Theater, dating to the 3rd century B.C. This Greek specimen overlooks Mount Etna and the glittering Calabrian Coast and remains as a well-preserved glimpse back in time.

Following our visit to the theater, our tour continues to a local staple, Robert's, where we are treated to an authentic cannoli. Sink your teeth into this Italian treat composed of sweet, crispy pastry and decadent ricotta cream in the center. You are then free to continue exploring the city on your own before leaving the city for Palermo. We have the evening to relax in our new surroundings. Overnight Palermo.

• Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, enjoy a grand introduction to Palermo and nearby Monreale. Beginning at the UNESCO World Heritage Norman Palace, admire the home to the Palatine Chapel. This religious site was consecrated in 1143 and is a true work of art with its Byzantine mosaics, golden tiles, and gorgeous paintings. Following our visit, we head to the Capo Market for lunch where a guide leads us through the stalls to taste regional street food. Explore Sicily at your own pace for the rest of our time here.

This afternoon, the adventure continues to Monreale to visit its breathtaking 11th-century cathedral. Ornate and well-preserved, this structure has earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its golden mosaics, delicately carved columns, and impressive cloisters are a spectacular mixture of traditional Norman architecture and North African styles. We return to Palermo this afternoon with the rest of the day to enjoy the city as you please. Overnight Palermo.

• Breakfast

Wind-blown olive trees and arid landscapes frame the course to the hilltop city of Agrigento today. Our destination is the Valley of Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that holds Sicily's most impressive collection of Hellenic architecture in Sicily. This valley contains a total of eight temples and numerous ruins, each of which is dedicated to a different icon. A local guide joins us on arrival and leads us through this archeological site. Once we have had our fill of history, we finish our excursion at a nearby Agriturismo, where we enjoy drinks and a four-course lunch made from local ingredients. The evening is yours to soak up one last night in Palermo at leisure. Overnight Palermo.

• Breakfast, Lunch

From the mainland to its coveted Sicilian island, Italy's wonders span across many landscapes and coastlines. With memories of its rich history and gorgeous cities, our tour concludes this morning after breakfast. Guided tours showcased the ancient wonders of Rome and Pompeii while time at leisure let us discover the picturesque Amalfi Coast and Matera's historic caves. Continuing through Sicily's cities of Taormina and Palermo, our experience remained amazing ending in the monumental Valley of the Temples.

• Breakfast