Southern Italy & Sicily featuring Taormina, Matera and the Amalfi Coast
From Italy to Italy
Tour Operator: Collette
Physical rating: 3
Prices From:
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
Indulge in a delicious regional dinner inside a winery's <I>agriturismo</I> restaurant.- Experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius.
- Sample Sicilian snacks at a popular 19th-century eatery.
- Sample some local specialties at a family-owned limoncello factory.
- Venture along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.
- Journey to Sassi di Matera, known for its cave dwellings.
- Tour a vineyard and cellar with an expert guide.
- Stand in awe before the ancient Greek theatre in Taormina.
- Experience Mt. Etna Volcano National Park with a local expert.
Itinerary
Day 1
:
Palermo, Sicily - Tour Begins
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: Hotel Federico II Central Palace
Meals: 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 2
:
Palermo
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: Hotel Federico II Central Palace
Meals: 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. Decide how you spend your afternoon 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.
Day 3
:
Palermo - Optional Excursion
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: Hotel Federico II Central Palace
Meals: Breakfast
The entire day is yours! Maybe you’ll peruse the open-air markets, shop in cozy boutiques, or relax in an outdoor café. Or 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 4
:
Palermo - Monreale - Agrigento - Valley of the Temples
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: Baia di Ulisse Hotel
Meals: 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 5
:
Agrigento - Mt. Etna - Giardini Naxos
Location: Agrigento
Accommodation: Hellenia Yachting Hotel
Meals: 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 6
:
Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos
Location: Giardini Naxos
Accommodation: Hellenia Yachting Hotel
Meals: 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 7
:
Giardini Naxos - Matera
Location: Giardini Naxos
Accommodation: MH Matera Hotel
Meals: 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 8
:
Matera
Location: Matera
Accommodation: MH Matera Hotel
Meals: 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 9
:
Matera - Pompeii - Sorrento Peninsula
Location: Matera
Accommodation: Hotel Michelangelo
Meals: 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 along the Sorrento Peninsula, where you’ll settle in for a 2-night stay.
Day 10
:
Sorrento - Amalfi Coast Drive - Sorrento Peninsula
Location: Sorrento
Accommodation: Hotel Michelangelo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Discover the seaside resort town of Sorrento and learn about the local tradition of wood marquetry. Sample regional specialties at a family-owned limoncello factory before winding 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. Celebrate the end of your journey with a delightful farewell dinner.
Day 11
:
Sorrento Peninsula - Tour Ends
Location: Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast
Say arriverderci to Italy as your tour comes to a close today.
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
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: £85
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: £43
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: £73
