Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

tourhub | Titan Travel | Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily | TTSSI

Bari

Scenic sight in Polignano a Mare, Bari Province, Apulia (Puglia), southern Italy.

Day 1
Alberobello, Italy
Alberobello

Alberobello, Italy

Days 1-2
Fabrizio Salvadori
The Sanctuary of the Most Holy Crucifix of Piety (Santissimo Crocifisso della Pietà) in Galatone, province of Lecce, Puglia, Italy
Lecce

The Sanctuary of the Most Holy Crucifix of Piety (Santissimo Crocifisso della Pietà) in Galatone, province of Lecce, Puglia, Italy

Day 3
Matera, Italy
Matera

Matera, Italy

Day 4
Max Roma
Taormina Town Hall, Public Garden Taormina.
Taormina

Taormina Town Hall, Public Garden Taormina.

Day 9
Sicilian coastal landscape with the mount Etna in the background, Sicily
Mount Etna

Sicilian coastal landscape with the mount Etna in the background, Sicily

Day 10
Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolo l'Arena in Catania, Sicily
Catania

Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolo l'Arena in Catania, Sicily

Day 11

Map
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Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

11 Days Starting in Metropolitan City of Bari, Italy and ending in Catania, Metropolitan city of Catania, Italy

Visiting: Bari, Alberobello, Martina Franca, Ostuni, Lecce, Matera, Altomonte, Pollino National Park, Reggio Calabria, National Archaeological Museum, Strait of Messina, Giardini Naxos, Savoca, Taormina, Mount Etna, Catania

Tour operator:

Titan Travel

Tour code:

TTSSI

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Moderate

Special diets catered:

Please advise requests

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

Tour Overview

This 11-day trip is southern Italy and Sicily in shades of sepia. Travelling through Puglia and Calabria with a ferry crossing over to Sicily, we explore the sun-warmed piazzas and palazzi of cobbled hilltop towns, wander ancient amphitheatres, and unearth architectural treasures - such as the 10,000-year-old ‘sassi’ cave dwellings of Matera and the kiln-shaped stone ‘trulli’ of Alberobello. We’ll top off our trip with a ‘The Godfather’ Sicilian village and a walk beneath the summit of restless Mount Etna - the highest active volcano in Europe.

Highlights

  • VIP door-to-door travel service

Places You'll See

Scenic sight in Polignano a Mare, Bari Province, Apulia (Puglia), southern Italy.

Scenic sight in Polignano a Mare, Bari Province, Apulia (Puglia), southern Italy.

Beautiful town of Alberobello with trulli houses among green plants and flowers, Apulia region, Southern Italy

Beautiful town of Alberobello with trulli houses among green plants and flowers, Apulia region, Southern Italy

Alberobello, Italy Fabrizio Salvadori

Alberobello, Italy

Matera, Italy simone agosta

Matera, Italy

Taormina Town Hall, Public Garden Taormina.

Taormina Town Hall, Public Garden Taormina.

Port of Catania, Sicily

Port of Catania, Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily

Itinerary

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Day 1

Fabrizio Salvadori Alberobello, Italy
Scenic sight in old town Bari, Puglia (Apulia), southern Italy.
Alleyway in old white town Bari, Puglia, South Italy
Scenic sight in Polignano a Mare, Bari Province, Apulia (Puglia), southern Italy.
Bari - The panorama of harbor and Teatro Margherita in the morning light.
Beautiful town of Alberobello with trulli houses among green plants and flowers, Apulia region, Southern Italy

Location: Bari, Alberobello

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel la Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello (4-star)

Meals Included: Dinner

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Bari. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in Alberobello, Puglia. The hotel sits amongst olive and almond trees in part of the original farm, or ‘chiusa’ from which the hotel takes its name.

Day 2

Fabrizio Salvadori Alberobello, Italy

Location: Alberobello, Martina Franca, Ostuni

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel la Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello (4-star)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today’s full-day trip starts with a tour of the remarkable zona dei trulli in the old town of Alberobello. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of 1,500 ‘trulli’ - white painted houses with dry-stone conical roofs that date back to the 14th century, only found in southern Puglia. The sea of kiln shaped rooftops appears straight out of a fairy tale.
Next, we visit the historic town of Martina Franca in the Apulian hills. With Italian cinematic good looks, we wander through the sun-dappled piazzas, baroque churches and palazzos of the old town. Rising above a patchwork of olive groves, cypress trees and the glittering waters of the Adriatic, we continue up to the whitewashed town of Ostuni - an image synonymous with Puglia and stereotypical Italy at its finest. Topped with a sand-coloured 15th-century Gothic cathedral, the ‘Citta Bianca’ (White City) sweeps down the hillside in a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and staircases, with pretty gardens, painted doorways and tiny Fiats and scooters parked on the cobbles. Our exploration will involve some uphill walking.

Day 3

The Sanctuary of the Most Holy Crucifix of Piety (Santissimo Crocifisso della Pietà) in Galatone, province of Lecce, Puglia, Italy
Rocky beach of Santa Cesarea Terme
The most beautiful coast of Apulia: Torre Dell'Orso Bay, ITALY (Lecce).
Ancient Roman Amphitheatre in Lecce, Puglia region, southern Italy
Lecce, Italy - Piazza del Duomo square and Virgin Mary Cathedral , Puglia region, southern Italy

Location: Lecce

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel la Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello (4-star)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we continue exploring this beautiful corner of southern Italy with a trip to Lecce. The old town is a masterpiece of creamy-coloured stone and intricate baroque façades. Dating back to the Trojan Wars, it was given a facelift in the 17th century and is adorned with crouching gargoyles, ornate stained glass and carved balustrades - the elaborate decorative style of which birthed its own architectural name, ‘barocco leccese’. We'll visit the cathedral and then an aristocratic mansion - where we'll enjoy aperitivo.

Day 4

Astrit Myrtaj Matera, Italy
Astrit Myrtaj Matera, Italy
Max Roma Matera, Italy
simone agosta Matera, Italy
simone agosta Matera, Italy

Location: Matera, Altomonte

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Barbieri, Altomonte (4-star)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our journey south to the Calabria region will be lengthy yet fascinating, stopping in the ancient troglodyte city of Matera. Thought to be the oldest city in the world after Aleppo and Jericho, the cave houses or ‘Sassi’ were inhabited for close to 10,000 years. Once described as the ‘the shame of Italy’ for the poor living standards, the residents were relocated in the 1950s.
Finally recognising the historical significance of these dwellings, Matera was given UNESCO status in 1993 and was awarded the European Capital of Culture in 2018. Today, the caves are museums, boutique hotels and filming locations for Hollywood blockbusters.
Arriving in Altomonte, we’ll stay for three nights. Our hotel is popular for local weddings and on these occasions we’ll have the use of a private restaurant and terrace.

Day 5

Location: Altomonte, Pollino National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Barbieri, Altomonte (4-star)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we take an orientation walk around Altomonte, a town known for its gorgeous churches, romantic stone squares and fabulous views over Pollino National Park and the Pellegrino mountains. The perfect wedding picture backdrop, Altomonte is known as the ‘Wedding City’ for the sheer number of couples that choose to marry here. The afternoon is free to explore.

Day 6

Location: Altomonte

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Barbieri, Altomonte (4-star)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The whole day is free to spend as you please.

Day 7

Location: Reggio Calabria, National Archaeological Museum, Strait of Messina, Giardini Naxos

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Caesar Palace, Giardini Naxos (4*)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we drive south to the coastal city of Reggio Calabria or the ‘toe’ of Italy, separated from Sicily by the narrow Strait of Messina. Before we board the ferry for the short crossing, we visit the National Archaeological Museum - home to two full-size Greek bronzes of bearded warriors from around 450 BC. Known as the Riace Warriors, they were found at sea off Calabria in 1972.
Our first taste of Sicily is the scenic drive to the town of Giardini Naxos.

Day 8

Location: Giardini Naxos

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Caesar Palace, Giardini Naxos (4*)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend the day at leisure.

Day 9

Aerial view of coastline of Taormina in Sicily, Italy
Taormina Town Hall, Public Garden Taormina.
Ancient Greek Theater in Taormina

Location: Savoca, Taormina

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Caesar Palace, Giardini Naxos (4*)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Even if you’re not a film fan, you can’t fail to be wowed by today’s visit to Savoca. This small medieval village shot to big screen fame when it featured in the 1972 film, ‘The Godfather’. There’ll be free time to explore and soak up the rustic charms and cinematic scenery.
Afterwards we visit the town of Taormina, the timeless jewel in Sicily's crown. Perched on a rocky hilltop with endless blue views across the ocean, the crumbling Corinthian columns, arches, and amphitheatre of the ancient Greek theatre are staggering. The one-time home of DH Lawrence and a stop on Europe’s famed Grand Tour during the 17th-19th centuries, the old town is a treasure trove of painted villas and tiled squares lined with chic pavement cafés.

Day 10

Sicilian vineyards with Etna volcano eruption at background in Sicily, Italy.
Smoking snow-capped Mount Etna volcano. Taormina, Sicily, Italy.
Sicilian coastal landscape with the mount Etna in the background, Sicily
Ruins of Ancient Greek theatre in Taormina on background of Etna Volcano, Italy.
Garden of Villa Comunale in summer

Location: Mount Etna

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Caesar Palace, Giardini Naxos (4*)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We head about halfway up the largest active volcano in Europe to the Rifugio Sapienza, where it’s an easy walk across the dried lava to the smaller Silvestri Crateri. After a short stop we head to a Sicilian winery for a tour and tasting. Accompanied by local appetisers of salami, olives and bread, we'll taste four local wines made using grapes from vines grown in the volcanic soil.

Day 11

Piazza del Duomo in Catania
View of the Church of the Badia di Sant'Agata and the Sant'Agata Cathedral
Port of Catania, Sicily
Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolo l'Arena in Catania, Sicily

Location: Catania

Meals Included: Breakfast

We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

What's Included

  • 10 nights in hotels

  • International flights. Prices are based on return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow or Gatwick.

  • Titan tour manager

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What's Not Included

Tipping and Gratuities

Check out our Q&As

  • Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?

    In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.

Reviews of this operator

Brian Jones (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from the great...

08-Apr-2024

Recently returned from the great Indian rail journey.My wife and I could hardly believe the value for money.From pick ups from Durham to Heathrow and back,to the number of coach and train journeys , quality hotels, great choice of food throughout and our first night in Heathrow Hilton. What really made our trip a success was our guide, Prashant,who managed a party of twenty four very varied, sometimes a little unpredictable travellers with ease.Nothing was too much trouble for him and as a group we gelled and warmed to Prashant as he kept us safe, well informed and a little entertained by his mix of authority and humanity.Where do I begin with the tour itself ? India,a country of extremes.Poverty,wealth,order,chaos.Sometimes bleak,often breathtakingly beautiful.The people,the cities,art, architecture,flaura and fauna.Delhi,Jaipur, Amritsar,Agra, Ranthambore, Chandigarh and the icing on the cake that is Shimla. An absolute masterclass of man versus nature,the railway and buildings are an unbelievable feat,but wait until you see the dual carriageway being built on the mountainside.🤯I could go on for a very long time but I'll just post some photos.Thanks to Titan,thanks to the excellent Prashant and and a massive thanks to the other twenty two travellers who helped shape our holiday of a lifetime.🏁💜

Odile Lawen (Google Reviewer)  

I have booked the Icelandic...

11-Mar-2024

I have booked the Icelandic Adventure holiday with Titan Travel, the Booking Staff was pleasant throughout. What I love about Titan Travel, transfer from your home to the airport and vice versa is included in the holiday.

Thomas Fisher (Google Reviewer)  

Danube cruise was great value....

13-Sep-2023

Danube cruise was great value. Well organised. Clear instructions from Titan prior to travel. Door to door service great.

Sarah Hoad  

Exceptional trip and service by Titan

04-Oct-2022

Just returned from a fabulous tour of California & the golden west. It’s a full on tour with early starts but you see so much varied landscape from the ocean to the desert to Yosemite. My 2nd tour with Titan & my first solo tour. Thoroughly enjoyed it & met some great people. Grand Canyon was amazing would definitely recommend

Trustpilot
Ms Margaret Aldgate  

Not merely a holiday, rather a memorable experience

29-Dec-2022

I have used other travel operators; this was the 1st time of touring with Titan----Israel, The Holy Land, from being collected from home and returned at the end of the holiday this was an unforgettable experience; the Tour Manager, a PhD Archaeology made the whole tour so interesting, he enlightened us throughout each day from an historical, archeological and Biblical viewpoint, bringing each site we visited come to life, and went over and above his remit escorting us for evening trips around the local area; thanks also to our very patient driver who coped with the very busy traffic; our hotels were good, professional and pleasant staff and really good food; I would recommend Titan to anyone looking for a fascinating tour with excellent efficient service thank you Titan nor just for a holiday for a memorable experience

Trustpilot
Sella Shan (Google Reviewer)  

We had a 2 weeks...

05-Dec-2023

We had a 2 weeks fantastic holiday arranged by Titan to Vietnam and Cambodia. Excellent,well organised Throughly enjoyed. Very good service by Vietnam Airlines, if you could afford book it in premium economy. We had a door to door service , picked up to airport from home and then dropped at home from airport, very convinient. Particular credit goes to our guide THI who is a caring, knolegeable, friendly down to earth man who made our trip a memorable one. I will not hesitate to book another holiday through Titan, their staff are friendly and helpful

Eileen Bulsara (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic holiday...

26-May-2023

We had a fantastic holiday in Mississippi. Right from our chauffeur driven car picking us up to the return journey, we had a great time. The first hotel The Gaylord was amazing,absolutely huge,first class. The second The Double tree in Memphis unfortunately wasn't, the hotel was tired and very basic, the only plus was where it is situated in the centre of town, we were only there two nights so it wasn't to bad. The American Queen Steam Boat was first class all the way, thoroughly enjoyed the seven nights sailing down the Mississippi. The last hotel the Sheraton New Orleans was very comfortable too. Our guide throughout our time away was Laura Tuttle. she was amazing, very knowledgeable, and helpful. We also had a coach driver Guil, who went over and beyond to give you the best time. Other coach guides included Jim,who was so funny, and also very knowledgeably. Very entertaining throughout. The entire itinerary itinerary was very well thought out, included a huge variety of visits to different Interesting locations. Highly recommend using Titan for all your holiday destinations.

Rob Steele (Google Reviewer)  

Review on “Cairo, Alexandra and...

26-Feb-2025

Review on “Cairo, Alexandra and a Nile Cruise" – 11 nights with Titan / Saga. 13-02-25 Overall the trip went very well, good journey from home with a car picking me up & transporting me from Cumbria to Heathrow & an adequate flight to Cairo with Egypt-Air. Met by our Tour Manager on arrival & transferred to our hotel. Hotel Swiss Inn Pyramids Resort was good Included Tours of The Pyramids & Alexandria were adequate Internal Transfer to Luxor was OK Our ship, The Nile Plaza was wonderful & the cruise fantastic with wonderful food, decent cabins & excellent staff. The included trips were well organised The flight home was OK with nice car & driver to take me back home. Pro’s Professional Tour Manager & knowledgeable Egyptologist for the duration of the trip. Decent hotel Excellent Nile Cruise ship serving fantastic food and excellent facilities including massage provided by very provisional masseur / masseuse Con’s Cairo hotel poorly located in October 5th City Scheduled trips often rearranged to generate time for optional extra money ones Optional trips sold at very high prices 3 unscheduled time consuming trips, an Alabaster outlet, an essential oils outlet & a Papyrus outlet – Prices in all 3 were exorbitantly high. Tour Manager & Egyptologist Tip expectation level of $60 / $80 each per person from a group of 35 – Even at the lower figure the tip alone (Without commission from the outlets & optional tours etc) works out at almost the ANNUAL salary of a Civil Engineer – Source https://www.timedoctor.com/blog/average-salary-in-egypt/ Overall summery Overall the trip offers excellent value for money, especially the pick-up & return home by car (Only one diversion to collect a couple en-route, total journey 8 hours Cumbria to Heathrow including stops) The trips included in the package were excellent as were the Hotel & Nile Cruiser. The group size of 35 was somewhat high but I’ll probably use Titan / Saga again &, with certain caveats as mentioned above, recommend them.

Susan Hawken (Google Reviewer)  

THE GREAT INDIAN RAIL JOURNEY!!!!...

03-Feb-2024

THE GREAT INDIAN RAIL JOURNEY!!!! (Dreadful) Avoid Titan and Saga at all costs. False descriptions of the tour and dreadful administration Returned to the UK last evening with a great sigh of relief after the worst holiday ever. 1. No block booking of airplane seats by Titan. (Husband and I sat apart on the long, overnight flight) 2. Unable to pre-book seats as Titan reference numbers did not coincide with anything. 3. Husband and I not sat together on any of the train journeys! In fact, on one occasion I was sat, alone on a sleeper carriage, a couple of carriages away from the rest of the group who were scattered over two or three carriages. Terrifying as a female to be sat alone in the midst of noisy locals!!!!! (Eventually the guide, Rahi, did come to rescue me and found a seat near the main group) 4. The guide, Rahi, would usually get off the coach and begin walking off without waiting for all the group to disembark the coach. (Spot the guide in the crowd!) 5. The guide, Rahi, refused to use any identifying prop such as a flag, hat, jacket or umbrella. Frightening to be in the manic crowds of Delhi and other crowded places to be unable to see the guide. 6. NO AUDIO HEADSET system on any excursion 7. The guide, Rahi, didn’t face the whole group, but stood sideways on and was unable to be heard by the majority. 8. OUTRAGEOUS behaviour by the guide when he enquired as to the whereabouts of my husband, whom I explained was in bed with an upset stomach and was feeling unwell. Rahi DID A REVERSE AIR PUNCH😳😳. This was in response to an earlier conversation when my husband had complained about our separate seating arrangements. TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL 9. When we arrived at Heathrow to find our aircraft seats were not allocated, we were advised to speak to our guide on arrival at Delhi. Rahi merely shrugged his shoulders and said he couldn’t do anything. 10. Tour pace incorrect - gruelling pace and only half a day relaxation due to the guide, Rahi, throwing in visits to shops and factories fie him to earn his commission as I head him tell another!!!!!!! 11. When off loaded the return flight due to illness, we were unable to get in contact with Titan/Saga. Left in Delhi without an hotel or flight!!! Found accommodation but didn’t remove shoes or clothes due to the poor standard. Final summary: Poor, disappointing, inefficient, incompetent, misleading, misrepresentations, are just a few words to describe.

Linda Vokes (Google Reviewer)  

Luxury VIP door to door...

17-Jul-2023

Luxury VIP door to door travel! I don't think so....Titan sent a Toyota Prius uber to Stanstead for a return journey to Newport, S Wales. 4 adults plus luggage! the experience was anything but luxurious. Contacted Titan on the return journey and since return. They simply didn't seem interested and offered us a £300 travel discount off a future trip! After a lot of emails they converted it to a £300 cash refund. Give it a lot of thought before booking !

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  • Free Date Changes

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  • Transfer as credit for future tours

    Titan Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform titan travel, 75 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Titan Travel requires a minimum deposit of 395 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of titan travel charges.

    Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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