Excursions & Sights

• Visit Crotone, the only Calabrian port on the Ionic coast.

• Visit Taormina’s Greek theatre, dating back to the 3rd century BC

• Visit the sub-tropical terraced gardens in Taormina

• Stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile in Taormina for panoramic views

• Guided tour of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento to see the Temple of Concord

• See the beautifully decorated Cathedral of Monreale

• See the Cathedral and visit the Palatine Chapel in Palermo ‘Intarsio’ inlay woodworking demonstration in Sorrento

• Visit the Spanish Steps in Rome and tour St Peter’s Basilica

Scenic drives

• Apennines, Calabria mountains, Sorrento cliff top road

Guided City Tours

• Indepth sightseeing tours in Rome, Palermo & Pompeii

• Orientation tours in Alberobello, Taormina, Naples & Sorrento

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director

• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet

• First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

• Overnight ferry from Palermo to Naples

• Travel bag, document wallet, map book journal and information pack

• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 13

Tour Pace
An evenly paced tour with two-night stays in Alberobello, Giardini Naxos, Palermo and the Bay of Naples. Also enjoy a relaxed evening in the Calabrian holiday resort of Crotone, favorite holiday destination of Italian families.

DAY 1 – FRI – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Rome.

DAY 2 – SAT – ROME AT LEISURE
Welcome to Rome! On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel, scenically located in beautiful gardens. Settle in, relax or start exploring this glorious city. Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters.

DAY 3 – SUN – ROME – ALBEROBELLO. Head southwards passing by the brooding hilltop monastery of Cassino to Caserta, and take the scenic route across the Apennines to the Adriatic coast. Your destination is the small town of Alberobello, in the heart of the unique Trulli region. The region of Puglia is a food and wine lovers’ paradise, so set some time aside in the evening to dine out. Hotel: Astoria. (BB)

DAY 4 – MON – ALBEROBELLO AT LEISURE
Take time to explore Alberobello, with its strange white Trulli buildings spread out over the hillside. Trulli are circular structures with conical roofs and domed within, built with local limestone and stacked without using mortar. Relax in the afternoon or perhaps visit the stark white-washed town of Ostuni, reminiscent of a North African Arab medina. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – TUE – ALBEROBELLO – CROTONE
Take the small local roads to Matera to see the extraordinary ‘Sassi’, or cave-dwellings, that were once home to more than 15,000 people. Walk along the time worn stone streets to the simple white houses and churches dug out of the rock. Now follow the shores of the Gulf of Taranto to the gorgeous mountainous region of Calabria - favorite holiday destination for the Italians. Spend the night in the resort of Crotone. Hotel: Costa Tiziana Resort. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – WED – CROTONE – GIARDINI NAXOS
The country roads continue around the Gulf of Squillace before turning inland through the town of Catanzaro, perched on its hilltop. On the western side, continue along the Purple Coast, which takes its name from the color of its rocky mountain slopes. At the very toe of Italy make the short ferry crossing over to Sicily. Spend the night in the beautiful seaside resort of Giardini Naxos.
Hotel: Sant Alphio. (BB)

DAY 7 – THU – TAORMINA EXCURSION
Visit Taormina, founded in 400BC, and beautifully located overlooking the sea and the peak of Mount Etna. Visit the Greek Theatre (3rd century BC) and the glorious sub-tropical terraced gardens before strolling along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for splendid panoramic views across the bay to the Ionian Sea. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at your own pace. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – FRI – GIARDINI NAXOS – PALERMO
Drive to the attractive hillside town of Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily. Explore the Valley of the Temples, the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. Especially impressive is the massive Temple of Concord and the clifftop Temple of Juno which overlooks the sea. Later, continue to the historic capital of Sicily, Palermo.
Hotel: Excelsior Palace. (BB,D)

DAY 9 – SAT – PALERMO
Sightseeing with a local guide includes Quattro Canti Square, the Cathedral and the mosaics in the Palatine Chapel of the Palace of the Normans. Also visit Monreale with its finely decorated cathedral. In the afternoon there is free time to explore or shop in Palermo or to take one of the local excursions offered by your Tour Director. (BB)

DAY 10 – SUN – PALERMO – OVERNIGHT FERRY
Drive eastwards along the coast to the charming fishing town of Cefalu. Visit the cathedral, erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II and spend some time at leisure. Later, return to Palermo, taking time to relax before meeting the overnight ferry to Naples in the early evening. (BB)

DAY 11 – MON – FERRY – BAY OF NAPLES
Arrive in Naples in time for breakfast and an orientation tour of the city. Afterwards, continue to Pompeii, buried in 79 AD by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Walk with a local guide through the cobbled streets to the Forum and inspect some of the shops and villas before continuing to your hotel.
Hotel: La Medusa. (BB,D)

DAY 12 – TUE – CAPRI EXCURSION
Take the cliff-top road to Sorrento to witness a demonstration of inlaid ‘intarsio’ woodwork before continuing across the Bay of Naples to the delightful Isle of Capri. Take a funicular train up to Capri Town to spend some time wandering the narrow alleyways and exploring the exclusive boutiques before returning to your hotel. (BB,D)

DAY 13 – WED – BAY OF NAPLES – ROME
Travel north to return to Rome. On arrival, visit the Colosseum and see the Forum – once the religious, political and commercial heart of the Roman Empire. Tour St Peter’s Basilica, housing works of art by Michelangelo and Bernini, before joining your fellow passengers for a last night celebration Dinner.
Hotel: Oly. (BB,HD)

DAY 14 – THU – RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with transfers to the airport. (BB)

• Taxes not included.

• The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.

Single room supplement $560
Share a Triple Room SAVE $80
Young traveler 5-17 discount 5%

Book and Pay        4 - 6 months in advance         SAVE 2.5%
Book and Pay        7 - 9 months in advance         SAVE 5%
Book and Pay     10- 12 months in advance         SAVE 7.5%
Book and Pay     Over 12 month in advance         SAVE 10%

Tours must be booked and paid for in full for this discount to apply.  Discounts apply to the land only portion of your tour.  Restrictions apply as follows: Does not apply to Nile or Mediterranean cruises; does not apply to additional accommodations; does not apply to Independent vacations; does not apply to Turkey or Israel tours; does not apply to other select tour, please call for details.

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