Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
Your Southern Italy and Sicily journey starts today. You're heading into a region packed with hidden spots, from coastal views and old cities to small villages perched on hillsides and food you won't forget.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Palermo)
- Day 2
Palermo
You'll arrive in Palermo at different times, so the day is flexible for wandering the city's character at your own speed. This evening you'll meet up with other travelers for a welcome dinner featuring real Sicilian food.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner featuring authentic Sicilian cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Palermo)
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Palermo
- Day 3
Palermo
Start by heading to Monreale on its hilltop. Climbing up 92 steps gets you to a 12th-century cathedral with beautiful Byzantine mosaics inside. After that, you'll drive to a family farm in the hills near Palermo for lunch made with recipes passed down through generations. You'll be back in Palermo by evening with free time to yourself.
- Meals
- Lunch (Hearty farm-to-table lunch at family-owned farmhouse with family recipes)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Baia di Ulisse)
Included Activities
- Visit Monreale Cathedral
- Tour of family-owned farmhouse
- Farm-to-table lunch at farmhouse
Landmarks Monreale Cathedral - Day 4
Palermo to Agrigento
This morning involves a long walk through Palermo's old town, where you'll see tight cobblestone squares and decorated buildings marked by history. Then you'll relax on the bus as it crosses rolling hills and quiet farmland heading toward the southern coast, where you'll stay for two nights near Agrigento.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Baia di Ulisse)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Palermo's old town
- Day 5
Agrigento
You're going back 25 centuries to explore the Valley of the Temples, one of the world's significant archaeological areas. The walking tour takes you through temples of Juno, Concordia, and Hercules on this ancient acropolis. After lunch, you'll have time to yourself at the hotel, whether that means relaxing on the terrace with views, taking a beach walk, or checking out Agrigento's old town.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Una Hotel Naxos Beach Sicilia)
Included Activities
- Extensive walking tour of Valley of the Temples
- Close-up views of temples of Juno, Concordia, and Hercules
Optional Activities
- Visit to Agrigento's old town
Landmarks Valley of the Temples Temple of Juno Temple of Concordia Temple of Hercules - Day 6
Piazza Armerina to Giardini Naxos
You'll head into the countryside to Piazza Armerina for a guided tour of Villa Romana del Casale, where you'll see impressive Roman mosaics with someone who knows the details. Afterward, you're driving to Sicily's east side for a three-night stay in Giardini Naxos. Tonight there's an optional dinner with traditional Sicilian music if you're interested.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Una Hotel Naxos Beach Sicilia)
Included Activities
- Expert guided tour of Villa Romana del Casale
- Viewing of impressive Roman mosaics
Optional Activities
- Optional dinner with music—four-course meal with traditional Sicilian melodies, Italian antipasto, local specialties, fine Sicilian wines, and local musicians ($95.00 pp)
Landmarks Villa Romana del Casale - Day 7
Taormina
A local guide walks you through Taormina, and you'll stroll down the busy main street pedestrian area then climb up to the Greek theatre that's still in good shape. From there you can see old relics, rocky hills, and nice gardens. The afternoon is yours to keep exploring Taormina or hang out in Giardini Naxos, which they call the garden of Sicily.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Una Hotel Naxos Beach Sicilia)
Included Activities
- Expert guided exploration of Taormina
- Stroll through pedestrianized main street
- Climb to Greek theatre
Optional Activities
- Off-road Mount Etna adventure in 4x4 vehicle with half-day exploration of lava formations and basalt rocks, wine-paired lunch at winery on Mount Etna slopes, return by late afternoon ($65.00 pp)
Landmarks Greek Theatre of Taormina - Day 8
Giardini Naxos to Matera
Your schedule is open. If you want something more adventurous, there's an optional off-road trip up Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. You'll ride in a 4x4 and walk around lava rock formations. There's also a wine-paired lunch at a winery on the volcano's slopes. By afternoon, you're heading to Matera for an overnight stay.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (UNAHOTELS MH Matera Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Off-road Mount Etna adventure—half-day exploration of Europe's largest active volcano by 4x4 vehicle with views of lava formations and basalt rocks, wine-paired lunch at winery on Mount Etna slopes, return to hotel in late afternoon
Landmarks Mount Etna - Day 9
Calabria - Basilicata - Matera
A short scenic ferry crosses the Strait of Messina, moving you from Sicily to mainland Italy. The full-day bus transfer takes you through the quiet Calabria region and into Basilicata. You'll stop at a local winery to walk through the vineyards and tour the cellar for a tasting. Dinner is regional food at the winery's agriturismo restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Regional cuisine at winery's agriturismo restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (UNAHOTELS MH Matera Hotel)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing of Strait of Messina
- Winery tour and wine cellar tasting
- Regional dinner at winery's agriturismo restaurant
Optional Activities
- Alberobello's Fanciful Trulli—journey to Puglia to explore UNESCO-protected Alberobello with expert local guide, viewing cone-shaped trulli homes with superstitious symbols, free time to explore, return to Matera in early evening ($65.00 pp)
Landmarks Strait of Messina 
- Day 10
Matera
You're exploring Sassi di Matera, an old settlement of caves carved into rock that people have lived in for thousands of years. A local guide explains the history and why filmmakers use this place for shooting. The afternoon is free, and there's an optional tour to nearby Alberobello in Puglia if you want to see the cone-shaped trulli houses the area is known for.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Michelangelo)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Sassi di Matera
- Local guide tour of cave dwellings and film production history
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to Alberobello in Puglia—explore UNESCO-protected town with expert local guide, view whimsical cone-shaped trulli homes, free time to explore, return in early evening ($65.00 pp)
Landmarks Sassi di Matera - Day 11
Matera to Sorrento
After a long morning drive, you'll stop at a sustainable buffalo dairy farm to try freshly made mozzarella and learn how this cheese is made. Lunch happens at the dairy itself. Then you continue on to the Sorrentine Peninsula for a two-night stay. Tonight you'll walk around Sorrento's old town to get a feel for the place.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at sustainable buffalo dairy farm)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Michelangelo)
Included Activities
- Visit to sustainable buffalo dairy farm
- Tasting of freshly made mozzarella
- Introduction to history of buffalo mozzarella
- Lunch at buffalo dairy farm
- Evening walk around Sorrento's old town
- Day 12
Amalfi Coast
You're sailing along part of the Amalfi Coast, where the Mediterranean Sea and bright lemon groves on the hillsides make for colorful views. You'll stop in Positano, which has pastel houses and pebbled beaches. Spend time browsing shops or relaxing on the beach before heading back to Sorrento with the evening to yourself.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Massimo D'Azeglio Hotel)
Included Activities
- Sailing along the Amalfi Coast
- Stop in Positano
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Positano boutiques
- Beach time in Positano
Landmarks Amalfi Coast Positano - Day 13
Pompeii to Rome
You're heading north toward Rome. On the way, there's a choice for seeing Pompeii. Either take a leisurely walk through the main sights or do a faster-paced tour that hits less-traveled spots. You'll see preserved buildings and get a sense of life from the 1st century. The afternoon is a long bus drive into Rome, where you arrive early evening. A farewell dinner wraps up the trip.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner in Rome)
Included Activities
- Excavated ruins exploration of Pompeii—leisurely tour of essential sights OR faster-paced off-the-beaten-path walk (traveler's choice)
- Farewell dinner in Rome
Landmarks Pompeii 
- Day 14
Departure
Your tour ends today.
