Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome
You'll arrive in Rome and meet up with your Contiki group to get settled in the city. This evening there's an included dinner so you can start getting to know your crew while checking out what makes Rome the 'capital of the world.' It's a relaxed first night to shake off travel and find your footing in the city.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (BV Oly Hotel Roma (or similar))
- Day 2
Pompeii - Naples
Start the day heading to Pompeii for a guided walking tour through the ruins preserved by Mount Vesuvius. You'll see streets and buildings frozen in time from the ancient Roman city. After spending a few hours there, travel to Naples and check into your hotel near the city center. This afternoon or evening, if you want to get oriented, there's time to walk around Naples and try some local food. The city has a long history and the food scene is worth exploring when you get a chance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Campus X (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Pompeii ancient Roman town
- Tour of Naples to learn about the city's history and food culture
Landmarks Pompeii Mount Vesuvius 
- Day 3
Naples to Amalfi Coast
Today you're traveling along the Amalfi Coast, heading to Capri first with its dramatic cliffs and upscale cafes. There's an optional cruise available with swim stops in turquoise coves if that appeals to you. Later you'll arrive at the Amalfi Coast itself with its pastel-colored towns and clear waters. It's quite the visual shift from inland Italy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Cruise with swim stops in turquoise coves near Capri
Landmarks Capri Amalfi Coast - Day 4
Amalfi Coast
This is your free day on the Amalfi Coast, so you can structure it however you like. Optionally visit a lemon farm run by locals, or walk through Positano with its narrow streets and colorful buildings. You could also check out Amalfi itself. In the evening, take a stroll around and soak in Italian life happening around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Visit to local lemon farm
Landmarks Positano Amalfi - Day 5
Amalfi Coast to Rome
Head back to Rome for your third time there. You'll have time to explore more history and find new food spots around the city. There's an optional cooking class where you can work with a local chef to make pasta from scratch and then eat what you've created. It's a hands-on way to learn rather than just reading about it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (BV Oly Hotel Roma (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Cooking class with local chef to prepare pasta
- Day 6
Rome to Catania
Fly out to Sicily and land in Catania. Take time to walk through the UNESCO-listed historic core of this colorful Sicilian city with its baroque piazzas and old ruins scattered around. An included dinner at a local restaurant happens this evening, so you'll get a proper introduction to Sicilian food right away.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Katane Palace Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Catania's UNESCO-listed historic core
Landmarks Catania Piazza Stesicoro Via dei Crociferi - Day 7
Catania to Taormina
Travel from Catania to Taormina, which sits on a mountainside and has completely different vibes. You can take a cable car down from the historic centre to beaches below to swim and relax. Optionally join a cooking class to learn how to make Sicilian dishes like arancini and cannoli if you're interested in the culinary side.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Esperia (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cable car ride to beaches from historic centre
Optional Activities
- Cooking class with local professionals
Landmarks Taormina - Day 8
Taormina
You have options today. Optionally ride up Mt Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, and pass through vineyards and orchards along the way. If that doesn't appeal to you, stick around Taormina instead and hit the beach, check out the ancient Roman theatre, or find a spot to have a spritz and watch the day go by.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Esperia (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Ride up Mt Etna volcano with vineyard and orchard views
Landmarks Mt Etna - Day 9
Taormina to Noto
Leave Taormina and head to Syracuse, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with loads of ancient Roman and Greek history to see. From there you'll go to Noto, known for its baroque architecture and design. You'll stop at an organic farm to try farm-fresh food before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Panorama Palace Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Syracuse UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore Noto and Corso Vittoria Emanuele
- Tastes of Sicily experience at organic farm
Landmarks Syracuse Noto Corso Vittoria Emanuele - Day 10
Noto to Agrigento
Travel to the Valley of the Temples, an ancient archaeological site that's genuinely significant. Walk through temples, sanctuaries, and a necropolis with real historical weight to it. Later you'll arrive in Cefalu and have an included dinner featuring Sicilian specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Sicilian delicacies)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel La Giara (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Valley of the Temples UNESCO site with temples, sanctuaries and necropolis
Landmarks Valley of the Temples - Day 11
Cefalù
Spend the day in Cefalu taking in the coastal atmosphere. The town has some of Sicily's best beaches and notable Arabic architecture worth looking at. You can soak up sun and sea, or optionally do water sports or a coastal cruise if you want something more active. Wander through the winding cobbled streets, watch local fishermen work, and check out the food and nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel La Giara (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Water sports activities
- Coastal cruise
Landmarks Cefalù - Day 12
Cefalù to Palermo
Head to Palermo, Sicily's capital, which has an incredible food scene and complicated history. Join a walking tour through the historic centre to learn about Palermo's struggles against organized crime and the anti-Mafia movement. The day ends with a farewell dinner outside at the 'bistro of second chances' where you can reflect on the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner al fresco at 'bistro of second chances')
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Styles President (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walking tour of historic centre covering Palermo's Mafia history and anti-Mafia movement
Landmarks Palermo - Day 13
Palermo
It's time to head home after one last breakfast with the group. You'll exchange contact information with other travelers and say goodbye to your Contiki crew before heading to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
