Southern Italy & Sicily featuring Taormina, Matera and the Amalfi Coast
Southern Italy & Sicily featuring Taormina, Matera and the Amalfi Coast
12 Days Starting and ending in Italy
Visiting: Palermo, Sicily, Monreale, Agrigento, Valley of the Temples, Mount Etna, Naxos, Taormina, Matera, Pompei, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Sorrento Peninsula
Tour operator:
Tour code:
13267
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 44
Physical rating:
Medium, Activity Level 3
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Collette with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Journey through a crossroads of civilizations in Sicily and on to the spectacular coastlines of Southern Italy. Uncover Sicily’s capital Palermo and its Moorish and Norman influences. Explore Agrigento’s ancient Valley of the Temples. Travel to the historic hilltop town of Taormina. Visit a local winery for a wine tasting and agriturismo dinner. Venture to the ancient cave dwellings of Sassi di Matera. Discover spectacular Mt. Etna Volcano National Park. Explore the stunning Amalfi Coast and Sorrento. Walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans in the excavated Pompeii. Allow the unique culture to capture your heart and get a glimpse into an age-old heritage composed of ancient monuments and cultivated lands.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Overnight Flight
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Federico II Central Palace
Meals Included: No Meals
The hidden treasures of Southern Italy and Sicily are yours to explore, for it’s here you’ll find breathtaking scenery, historic cities, centuries-old hilltop villages, and iconic cuisine.
Day 2 : Palermo, Sicily - Tour Begins
Location: Palermo, Sicily
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Federico II Central Palace
Meals Included: Dinner
Your Italian sojourn opens in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Discover the city’s vibrant culture as you take in its picturesque harbors, cobblestone piazzas, and captivating energy. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring authentic Sicilian cuisine.
Day 3 : Palermo
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Federico II Central Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch,
Get to know “Palermo in a Nutshell” and discover the city’s Moorish, Norman, and Spanish architecture on a walking tour. Explore the Kalsa district - home to Mafia legends and lush gardens - before tasting local snacks at a 19th-century eatery. The afternoon is yours! Perhaps you'll peruse the open-air markets, visit one of Palermo's art galleries, or relax in an outdoor café.
Day 4 : Palermo - Optional Excursion
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Baia di Ulisse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Decide how you spend your morning because it’s your choice! Embark on a walking tour of the historic city center and visit La Martorana church, Fontana Pretoria, and more -OR- tour the Teatro Massimo Opera House, the third largest in Europe and seen in The Godfather Part III. Perhaps you will join an optional excursion to medieval Cefalù (UNESCO) with a local guide before visiting a nearby farm for a ricotta cheese demonstration* and farm-to-table meal, made with family recipes.
Day 5 : Palermo - Monreale - Agrigento - Valley Of The Temples
Location: Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento, Valley of the Temples
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: UNA Naxos Beach Sicilia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner,
Visit the nearby town of Monreale (UNESCO) and wander along the paintings, mosaics, and cloisters of its 12th-century cathedral. Travel over rolling hills and peaceful farmland to the town of Agrigento. As the sun begins to set, explore the stunning Valley of the Temples (UNESCO), one of the world’s most esteemed archaeological sites, and get an up-close view of the temples of Juno, Concordia, and Hercules.
Day 6 : Agrigento - Mt. Etna - Giardini Naxos
Location: Agrigento, Mount Etna, Naxos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: UNA Naxos Beach Sicilia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner,
Journey east to Sicily’s Ionian Coast. En route, discover the impressive Mt. Etna (UNESCO) Volcano National Park where a local expert introduces you to the park’s spectacular landscapes sculpted by nature. Later this afternoon, continue on to Giardini Naxos – the “Garden of Sicily” – for your 2-night stay.
Day 7 : Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos
Location: Naxos, Taormina, Naxos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: MH Matera
Meals Included: Breakfast
Set out for beautiful Taormina, home to ancient relics, rocky hills, and charming gardens. With an expert local guide, you’ll see Corso Umberto, the verdant public gardens, and the city’s well-preserved Greek theatre. Enjoy free time to relax or independently explore on your own. Return to Giardini Naxos for the evening.
Day 8 : Giardini Naxos - Matera
Location: Naxos, Matera
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: MH Matera
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner,
Take a short ferry ride to Villa San Giovanni, located on Italy’s mainland. Pass through the unspoiled region of Calabria to the Basilicata region. Wander through the twisting vines of a local winery before joining an expert for a tour of the cellar with a tasting. Linger over regional cuisine at dinner in the winery’s restaurant.
Day 9 : Matera
Location: Matera
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Michelangelo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner,
Explore the Sassi di Matera (UNESCO), an ancient settlement of carved cave dwellings. A local guide shares the history and explains why film producers are seeking out this unique landscape. Visit a local shop and get a taste of regional specialties. This afternoon decide how you explore because it’s your choice! Discover more of Matera with a guided tour of an underground cistern followed by free time to browse the city’s stores and cave churches -OR- head to Alberobello (UNESCO) and marvel at the town’s whimsical trulli homes, known for their distinct, cone-shaped roofs.
Day 10 : Matera - Pompeii - Sorrento
Location: Matera, Pompei, Sorrento
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Michelangelo
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a stop in Vietri Sul Mare, famous for its precious majolica pottery, experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii (UNESCO). A local guide gives you an in-depth look into this 2,000-year-old Roman town, nestled in the foothills of Mount Vesuvius. Step into another time as you explore its preserved buildings and imagine life in the 1st century. End your day in Sorrento and settle in for a 2-night stay. Later this afternoon discover this charming seaside resort and learn about the local tradition of wood marquetry.
Day 11 : Sorrento - Amalfi Coast Drive - Sorrento
Location: Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Sorrento
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Michelangelo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner,
This morning take in the sights and colors of the Mediterranean Sea as you wind your way along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast (UNESCO). Gaze out over the deep blue hues of the sea paired with the bright citrus fruits lining the hillsides. Sample regional specialties at a family-owned limoncello factory before returning to Sorrento for an afternoon at leisure. This evening, celebrate the end of your journey with a delightful farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 12 : Sorrento Peninsula - Tour Ends
Location: Sorrento Peninsula
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say arriverderci to Italy as your tour comes to a close today.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Drinks with Meals
(non-alcoholic)
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Train Tickets
(if train occurs once tour starts and before tour ends – i.e. not airport transfers)
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Meals – Half Board
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Fully Guided
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Country Entry Visas
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Tipping and Gratuities
Experiences
- Stand in awe before the ancient Greek theatre in Taormina.
- Tour a vineyard and cellar with an expert guide.
- Experience Mt. Etna Volcano National Park with a local expert.
Options
Palermo: Visit Cefalu and a Local Farm
This afternoon, set off for the stunning seaside town of Cefalù on Sicily’s northern coast. Stroll the charming medieval streets with a local guide and visit the city's magnificent cathedrals that showcase Norman architecture. Next, journey to a family-owned farm picturesquely set in the mountains. Meet the owners and discover what a typical day on a Sicilian farm is like during a private tour of the property, where you learn about its traditional products. Later, sit back and relax as a chef prepares local specialties for you featuring the farm’s own products and secret recipes. Then sit down to a hearty meal– Italian-style, complete with wine of course! Duration approximately 6 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. Gratuities are included.
Price: £100
Catania: A Walk in Old World Sicily
The movies come to life before your eyes in charming Savoca, Sicily. This historic hill-top village was one of the filming locations for the classic 1972 movie "The Godfather." It is where Al Pacino’s character Michael Corleone fell in love with a young Sicilian girl. This remarkable village was founded in 1134 and even today, remains untouched. Your tour will take you through its quaint alleyways to the historic Bar Vitelli, where Michael asks for Apollonia’s hand in marriage from her father. You will also see the church built in the 14th century where the wedding of Michael and Apollonia was filmed, the Chiesa di Santa Lucia or Chiesa di San Nicolò. Savoca is considered to be one of the most beautiful “borgos” (small villages) in Italy. This journey through the past is sure to give you the feeling of being in old-world Sicily and should not be missed. Duration approximately 2 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 12 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.
Price: £50
Giardini Naxos: The Flavors of Sicily
Linger over an exquisite four-course meal while traditional Sicilian melodies fill the air. Join us on your free evening for an unforgettable dinner at a popular local restaurant. Your evening begins with a typical Italian antipasto and continues with a variety of local specialties and fine Sicilian wines. Delight in the lively music performed by talented local musicians who are sure to have you clapping and singing along. Sit back and savor the flavors of Sicily during a fun-filled evening with true Italian ambiance and local cuisine. Duration approximately 2.5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. Gratuities are included.
Price: £85
Check out our Q&As
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What currencies are required for this tour?
Local currency.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
That will vary by country of residence and country destination.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Yes. Baggage is limited to 1 checked bag and 1 carry per person.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Yes, most likely. Our tours draw travelers from the United States, Canada and Australia, predominatly.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Absolutley. Out tours are crafted with that in mind – striking a balance between included experiences and time to explore on your own.
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What is the maximum group size?
Varies by tour.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Yes, it varies by tour.
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What is the tipping policy?
Igratuities for included meals and accommodation housekeeping are included. It is customary to tip you Tour Manager and driver at the end of the tour.
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes, you will receive full information within the weeks leading up to your departure.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
Varies by tour, but typically thjey are 4* / 4*+, and an occaissional 5*
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
We can accommodate children as young as 5 years old, provided they are traveling / rooming with a parent or legal guardian.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, unless you purchase and land and air package from Collette.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Varies by tour.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, with few exception.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Primarily, yes. All of the coaches used must meet rigourous safety and cleanliness standards.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, the fees associated with required Visa’s are an additional expense.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Effective immediately and until further notice, all guests will be required to bring one of the following: proof of vaccination (official vaccination certificate in paper or electronic form), proof of recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test result (FDA Approved diagnostic) for a test performed 72-hours or less from the start date of the tour with you on tour to verify information you will be pro
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, our Customer Care center would be happy to help.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes, an experienced Tour Manager, with the passion for travel, discovery and the destination - will guide you through your journey from start to finish,
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Yes.
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Collette requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of collette charges.
Up to 300 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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