Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily (Small Groups, 15 Days)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Rome
Duration
15 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy

Description

Embark on a captivating 15-day journey through Italy's most iconic cities and hidden gems. This multi-day tour offers an immersive exploration of Italy's rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. From the ancient ruins of Rome and the unique Trulli houses of Alberobello to the sun-drenched island of Capri and the dramatic landscapes of Sicily, every day brings a new adventure. Enjoy authentic local experiences, guided walks with local experts, and delicious regional cuisine. Whether you're marveling at Michelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, exploring the labyrinthine streets of Trastevere, or tasting world-renowned olive oil in Puglia, this tour promises a truly unforgettable Italian experience.

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Included

6 Dinner with Wine (DW)

14 Breakfast (B)

1 Lunch with Wine (LW)

1 Dinner (D)

Rome: Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers at a uniquely Roman local restaurant.

Capri: Enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri's traditional lemon liqueur.

Palermo: Sample a variety of cuisine on your Dine-Around evening.

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Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).

If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.

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14 nights accommodation

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From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

Taormina: During your orientation with your Travel Director, visit the courtyard of Palazzo Corvaja, seat of the first Sicilian parliament, and stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile.

Cefalu: Your Travel Director will show you the cathedral, built to fulfil a vow. Walk to the medieval stone fountain in the old fishermen's quarter, find the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina and see the harbour.

Catania: During an exploration with your Travel Director see the Duomo, Piazza and the noble buildings of Palazzo Senatorio.

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Choose between two carefully selected activities

Capri: Discover the luxuriant Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire views of the Faraglioni rocks.

Capri: Enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri's traditional lemon liqueur.

Palermo: Visit the spectacular 12th Century Palatine Chapel. Its sombre exterior gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world.

Palermo: Learn about the civil anti-mafia movement and discover the lesser known history of Palermo.

Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.

Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.

Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.

Alberobello: Dine at Trattoria Terra Madre, where owner Alessandro and his nonna have built a restaurant that focuses on sustainability and creating jobs for locals. Everything is grown organically and harvested on site, and excess produce is donated to their community. The restaurant sources their produce locally, implements a strategy to reduce their food waste and promotes sustainable agricultural practices. Trattoria Terra Madre, advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production.

Grottole: Participate in the fascinating Wonder Grottole project. This regeneration initiative works to rehabilitate the abandoned historic centre and preserves traditional village life.

Rome: Sightsee the local way, with a leisurely passeggiata through the backstreets, where a friend in Rome will explain how modern life takes place, around ancient treasures like the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

Capri: Cruise by jetfoil to this famous isle through beautiful blue Mediterranean waters to meet your Local Expert.

Alberobello: Led by a Local Expert, explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing the Trulli of Alberobello. Circular structures with conical roofs that are domed within, built from local limestone and stacked without using mortar.

Matera: With your Local Expert, visit the famous Sassi or cave dwellings, which were home to approximately 20,000 people until 1950 and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.

Messina: Cross the Straights of Messina to Sicily by ferry.

Taormina: Should you awake early, you may see why this is known as 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.'

Taormina: Visit the ancient Greek Ampitheatre with your Local Expert. Set on a cliff, open to the sky, take your seats and enjoy the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna.

Agrigento: A Local Expert will lead you through the magnificent remains of the Greek colony in the Valley in the Temples. See the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno.

Syracuse: Walk through the gardens of Paradise Quarry, listen to the acoustics in the mysterious Ear of Dionysius and visit the Greek theatre.

Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

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Map

Attractions

Gravina Sotterranea, Gravina in Puglia, Bari, Apulia, ItalyGravina Sotterranea
photo of trevi fountain at sunrise beautiful full view, Rome, Italy.Trevi Fountain
photo of Side View with the Bell Tower of the Basilica of San Clemente in the Center of Rome on a Background of Partly Cloudy Sky,Rome Italy.St. Clement Basilica
photo of Michelangelo Capitoline Steps to Piazza Campidoglio on Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy.Capitoline Museums
Roman ruins in Rome, ItalyPalatine Hill
Akrai Greek Theatre
Giardini di Augusto
Cathedral of the Nativity of Mary Most Holy (Duomo) in Syracuse, Sicily, ItalyCathedral of Syracuse
Monti Sartorius
Sunrise at Fontana di Piazza Duomo and Umberto Corso street in Taormina, Sicily island, ItalyBasilica of St. Nicholas of Bari
Trulli di Alberobello Puglia
photo of view of Pantheon in the morning. Rome. Italy.Pantheon
Calemma
Siracusa, Ortigia Island from the air at sunset, Sicily, Italy. Isola di Ortigia, coast of Ortigia island at city of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. Aerial view. June 2023Island of Ortigia
Trajan ForumTrajan Forum
Agrigento, Sicily, Italy. Ercole Ancient Greek temple in the Valley of the Temples, Sicilian island.Valle dei Templi
Palazzina Cinese
Rocca di Cefalù
photo of view of Palermo, Italy at the Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Italy.Palermo Cathedral

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Rome

  • Rome
  • Episcopio di Porto - Arrival day
  • More

Welcome to the eternal city of Rome, a treasure trove of classic antiquities, medieval buildings, and Renaissance palaces. Upon arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Settle in and relax before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a delightful welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Rome

  • Rome
  • More
  • Trevi Fountain
  • Pantheon
  • Trajan Forum
  • More

Discover the heart and soul of Rome with a guided walk through its historic streets. Toss a coin into the spectacular Trevi Fountain, marvel at the ancient Pantheon, and explore the charming district of Trastevere with a local expert. Enjoy free time to immerse yourself in the local culture and perhaps join a tour to uncover more of Rome's hidden gems.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Vatican City and Journey to Alberobello

  • Alberobello
  • Rome
  • More
  • St. Clement Basilica
  • Capitoline Museums
  • Palatine Hill
  • More

Begin your day with a visit to the Vatican Museums, where you'll admire Michelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel and explore St. Peter's Basilica with a local expert. Later, embark on a journey to the charming town of Alberobello.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Discovering Alberobello

  • Alberobello
  • More
  • Trulli di Alberobello Puglia
  • More

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello with a local expert. Admire the unique Trulli houses, circular structures with conical roofs built from local limestone. In the evening, enjoy a Farm-to-Table Highlight Dinner featuring organic and locally sourced produce.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Free Day in Alberobello

  • Alberobello
  • Ostuni
  • More

Enjoy a free day to explore Alberobello at your own pace. You may choose to join an optional experience to the stunning city of Ostuni, known for its dazzling white houses and fascinating history. Visit a local mill to taste the renowned olive oil of Puglia, or enjoy an authentic dinner at a local 'Masseria', a typical ancient fortified farmhouse.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Matera and Grottole

  • Matera
  • Alberobello
  • More
  • Gravina Sotterranea
  • More

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi in Matera, a labyrinth of cave dwellings and churches carved out of solid rock. Continue to the small village of Grottole, where you'll meet a local striving to preserve the traditional way of life. Enjoy a light lunch with wine and learn about the fascinating history of the village.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Pompeii and Sorrento

  • Pompei
  • Sorrento
  • Matera
  • More

Journey to Pompeii, a city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Walk through the cobbled streets with a local expert and discover the city's fascinating history. Continue to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched on the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples, offering stunning views of Mount Vesuvius.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Island of Capri

  • Capri
  • Sorrento
  • More
  • Giardini di Augusto
  • Calemma
  • More

Cruise across the azure sea to the sun-drenched island of Capri. Ascend to Capri Town and explore its narrow alleyways with a local expert. Choose to visit the immaculate Gardens of Augustus and admire the views over the Faraglioni Rocks, or enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri's famous lemon liqueur. Return to Sorrento by funicular.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Journey to Sicily

  • Sorrento
  • Taormina
  • More

Travel along the Purple Coast to the very toe of Italy and board a ferry bound for Sicily, crossing the mythical Strait of Messina. Upon arrival, check into your hotel on the Taormina Riviera, where you'll spend the next three nights.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Exploring Taormina

  • Taormina
  • More
  • Monti Sartorius
  • Basilica of St. Nicholas of Bari
  • More

Start your day with an optional experience to Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Later, visit the old town of Taormina with a local expert. Visit the Greek theatre set on a cliff and stroll through the old town, admiring Taormina's grandest buildings and the elegant Corso Umberto.

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Day 11

Day 11 – Day 11: Cefalu and Palermo

  • Cefalù
  • Taormina
  • More
  • Rocca di Cefalù
  • More

Travel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu. Visit the town's imposing cathedral, stroll down to the medieval stone fountain, and enjoy a picture-perfect view of the little harbour. Later, continue your journey to Palermo.

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Day 12

Day 12 – Day 12: Exploring Palermo

Day 12: Exploring Palermo

  • Palazzina Cinese
  • Palermo Cathedral
  • More

Explore Palermo with a choice of two experiences. Visit the spectacular 12th-century Palatine Chapel with a local expert, or join the Anti-Mafia tour and learn how locals are working together in modern-day Palermo. In your free time, you could visit Palermo Cathedral and observe its unique blend of architectural styles. In the evening, enjoy a Dine-Around experience exploring Palermo's culinary scene.

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Day 13

Day 13 – Day 13: Agrigento and Ragusa

  • Ragusa
  • More
  • Valle dei Templi
  • More

Journey to Agrigento and explore the Valley of the Temples with a local expert. See the massive Temple of Concordia and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Continue your travels to the hilltop town of Ragusa.

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Day 14

Day 14 – Day 14: Syracuse and Catania

  • Syracuse
  • Catania
  • Ragusa
  • More
  • Akrai Greek Theatre
  • Cathedral of Syracuse
  • Island of Ortigia
  • More

Visit Syracuse's Paradise Quarry and the superb Greek theatre with a local expert. Explore the atmospheric Old City of Ortygia, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces. Continue to Catania and celebrate your time in Sicily over dinner with your fellow travelers.

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Day 15

Day 15 – Day 15: Departure

  • Catania - Departure day
  • More

Enjoy views of Mount Etna on your way to Catania Airport for your departure. Departure transfers arrive at Catania Airport at 06:30 and 08:30.

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