Country Roads of Southern Italy & Sicily
Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Settle in before joining your Travel Director for a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, welcomed by the Rector of the basilica. End the day getting to know your fellow travellers over Roman specialties during dinner at a local restaurant. (D) Stay: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Rome is about art, antiquity, piazzas and palaces, and our guided walk with a Local Expert has it in abundance. Sightsee the local way, with a leisurely passeggiata through the backstreets, where a friend in Rome will explain how modern life takes place. Toss a coin into the spectacular Trevi Fountain, see the Pantheon, the best-preserved monument from the Roman period, and enjoy free time to do as the Romans do.
Perhaps join a tour to discover the incredibly characteristic Roman quarter of Trastevere. Get off the beaten track and explore Rome's most untouched and unique districts and most consistently unchanged medieval neighbourhoods, Trastevere is dotted with ancient and dimly lit churches, crumbling buildings and streets barely wide enough for a Fiat.
With your Local Expert, explore the medieval labyrinth of alleyways and pause from time to time to take in this very atmospheric area. A maze of food shops, art galleries, cafes, apartment buildings and pretty squares, this district was once rather run-down and working-class, but has now become one of the city's liveliest and most popular neighbourhoods. (B)
Meet your Local Expert for a guided visit to one of the icons of the Roman era. Enter the Colosseum and imagine the roar of the spectators as you hear stories of how ancient Romans liked to be entertained. Later, depart for Sorrento. (B/D) Stay: Isabella, Sorrento
The impossibly blue sea welcomes you to the sun-drenched island of Capri as you cruise by jetfoil.
On arrival, meet your Local Expert for an orientation walk through the narrow alleyways. Explore Capri with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the immaculate Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire the views over the Faraglioni Rocks. Alternatively, enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri's famous lemon liqueur. (B)
Start your day in Pompeii, buried in A.D. 79 by the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Walk with your Local Expert through the cobbled streets to see a city frozen in time. Venture on to Alberobello. (B/DW) Stay: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Admire another of Italy's record number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a Local Expert. The trulli of Alberobello are circular structures with conical roofs that are domed within. They are built from local limestone and stacked without using mortar.
In the evening, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience using home-grown organic and locally sourced, seasonal produce, you sit down to a delicious four-course, Farm-to-Table dinner. (B/DW)
The day is free for you to enjoy. Perhaps choose to visit Lecce – often referred to as ‘the Florence of the south' - with its dazzling architecture and beautiful Baroque buildings. Later, relax and indulge in the amenities of your remarkable hotel. (B)
Visit Matera with a Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi - a labyrinth of cave dwellings, churches, staircases and arches, hewn out of the solid rock. You may recognise Matera as the biblical backdrop for the film ‘The Passion of the Christ.' Continue to the small village of Grottole.
Once a thriving community, it has lost most of its activity and population. Meet Andrea, a local striving to bring back the area's traditional way of living. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience explore the historic old town to learn about the fascinating history of the village and enjoy an aperitif with local snacks helping to preserve the culture. (B/DW) Stay: MH Matera Hotel
In the morning, travel along the Violet Coast to the very toe of Italy and board your ferry bound for Sicily, across the Strait of Messina. According to Grecian legend, this was home to the mythical sea monsters Scylla, a six-headed rock monster, and Charybdis, a whirlpool, based on either side of the strait. Together, they posed an inescapable threat to passing seafarers as avoiding one meant passing too close to the other.
You will soon arrive at your hotel where you will spend three glorious nights on the Taormina Riviera. Join a Local Expert for a visit to the Greek Theater of Taormina, graced with the most spectacular of backdrops. Stroll along the elegant Corso Umberto to the Piazza IX Aprile and admire the panoramic views and hews of blue from the sky to the azure sea.
Later, take your pick of specially selected restaurants for your Dine-Around evening. (B/DW) Stay: Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA
The day is at leisure to relax at your resort's private beach, or perhaps explore the medieval quarter? Don't miss the chance of an optional drive through the national park to Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano. (B)
Early risers may experience what D.H. Lawrence christened the ‘dawn coast of Europe.' The day is free to explore Taormina at your leisure, or to embark on an Optional Experience to Syracuse. (B)
Drive to Agrigento and explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. See the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno, overlooking the sea. In the afternoon, continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo. (B) Stay: NH Palermo
Join a historian on a guided walk to see the gems of the old city. Visit the amazing Palatine Chapel in the Palace of the Normans. Outside, there are few clues to its astonishing interior, completely covered in glittering 12th century mosaics. Continue to the Palermo Cathedral which has been altered over the years and observe its unique blend of architectural styles.
In the afternoon, there is free time to explore or shop in Palermo or continue sightseeing. In the evening, join your fellow guests and Travel Director at a local restaurant for a dinner of delicious local cuisine and wine. (B/DW)
Your journey draws to an end. Departure transfers arrive at Palermo Falcone–Borsellino Airport. (B)
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Settle in before joining your Travel Director for a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, welcomed by the Rector of the basilica. End the day getting to know your fellow travellers over Roman specialties during dinner at a local restaurant. (D) Stay: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Rome is about art, antiquity, piazzas and palaces, and our guided walk with a Local Expert has it in abundance. Sightsee the local way, with a leisurely passeggiata through the backstreets, where a friend in Rome will explain how modern life takes place. Toss a coin into the spectacular Trevi Fountain, see the Pantheon, the best-preserved monument from the Roman period, and enjoy free time to do as the Romans do.
Perhaps join a tour to discover the incredibly characteristic Roman quarter of Trastevere. Get off the beaten track and explore Rome's most untouched and unique districts and most consistently unchanged medieval neighbourhoods, Trastevere is dotted with ancient and dimly lit churches, crumbling buildings and streets barely wide enough for a Fiat.
With your Local Expert, explore the medieval labyrinth of alleyways and pause from time to time to take in this very atmospheric area. A maze of food shops, art galleries, cafes, apartment buildings and pretty squares, this district was once rather run-down and working-class, but has now become one of the city's liveliest and most popular neighbourhoods. (B)
Meet your Local Expert for a guided visit to one of the icons of the Roman era. Enter the Colosseum and imagine the roar of the spectators as you hear stories of how ancient Romans liked to be entertained. Later, depart for Sorrento. (B/D) Stay: Isabella, Sorrento
The impossibly blue sea welcomes you to the sun-drenched island of Capri as you cruise by jetfoil.
On arrival, meet your Local Expert for an orientation walk through the narrow alleyways. Explore Capri with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the immaculate Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire the views over the Faraglioni Rocks. Alternatively, enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri's famous lemon liqueur. (B)
Start your day in Pompeii, buried in A.D. 79 by the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Walk with your Local Expert through the cobbled streets to see a city frozen in time. Venture on to Alberobello. (B/DW) Stay: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Admire another of Italy's record number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a Local Expert. The trulli of Alberobello are circular structures with conical roofs that are domed within. They are built from local limestone and stacked without using mortar.
In the evening, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience using home-grown organic and locally sourced, seasonal produce, you sit down to a delicious four-course, Farm-to-Table dinner. (B/DW)
The day is free for you to enjoy. Perhaps choose to visit Lecce – often referred to as ‘the Florence of the south' - with its dazzling architecture and beautiful Baroque buildings. Later, relax and indulge in the amenities of your remarkable hotel. (B)
Visit Matera with a Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi - a labyrinth of cave dwellings, churches, staircases and arches, hewn out of the solid rock. You may recognise Matera as the biblical backdrop for the film ‘The Passion of the Christ.' Continue to the small village of Grottole.
Once a thriving community, it has lost most of its activity and population. Meet Andrea, a local striving to bring back the area's traditional way of living. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience explore the historic old town to learn about the fascinating history of the village and enjoy an aperitif with local snacks helping to preserve the culture. (B/DW) Stay: MH Matera Hotel
In the morning, travel along the Violet Coast to the very toe of Italy and board your ferry bound for Sicily, across the Strait of Messina. According to Grecian legend, this was home to the mythical sea monsters Scylla, a six-headed rock monster, and Charybdis, a whirlpool, based on either side of the strait. Together, they posed an inescapable threat to passing seafarers as avoiding one meant passing too close to the other.
You will soon arrive at your hotel where you will spend three glorious nights on the Taormina Riviera. Join a Local Expert for a visit to the Greek Theater of Taormina, graced with the most spectacular of backdrops. Stroll along the elegant Corso Umberto to the Piazza IX Aprile and admire the panoramic views and hews of blue from the sky to the azure sea.
Later, take your pick of specially selected restaurants for your Dine-Around evening. (B/DW) Stay: Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA
The day is at leisure to relax at your resort's private beach, or perhaps explore the medieval quarter? Don't miss the chance of an optional drive through the national park to Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano. (B)
Early risers may experience what D.H. Lawrence christened the ‘dawn coast of Europe.' The day is free to explore Taormina at your leisure, or to embark on an Optional Experience to Syracuse. (B)
Drive to Agrigento and explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. See the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno, overlooking the sea. In the afternoon, continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo. (B) Stay: NH Palermo
Join a historian on a guided walk to see the gems of the old city. Visit the amazing Palatine Chapel in the Palace of the Normans. Outside, there are few clues to its astonishing interior, completely covered in glittering 12th century mosaics. Continue to the Palermo Cathedral which has been altered over the years and observe its unique blend of architectural styles.
In the afternoon, there is free time to explore or shop in Palermo or continue sightseeing. In the evening, join your fellow guests and Travel Director at a local restaurant for a dinner of delicious local cuisine and wine. (B/DW)
Your journey draws to an end. Departure transfers arrive at Palermo Falcone–Borsellino Airport. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- 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.
- Sorrento: Perched upon the cliffs, lookout to see the mighty Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples.
- Capri: Cruise by jetfoil to this famous isle through beautiful blue Mediterranean waters.
- Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the first century.
- 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 1950s and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Agrigento: Admire magnificent Hellenistic remains in the Valley of the Temples, such as the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno.
- Palermo: Discover the Sicilian capital with your Local Expert. See Pretoria Square and the 16th century fountain. View the composite architectural styles of the Palermo Cathedral and visit the Palatine Chapel.
- 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.
- Rome: Follow in the footsteps of gladiators for a deeper insight into life in ancient Rome when you enter the Colosseum.
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 and learn the history behind this traditional lemon liqueur.
- 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 preserve village life. Your visit advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- Rome: Savour dinner at a uniquely Roman restaurant, offering a perfect exploration of Lazio's typical flavours.
- Palermo: Experience local customs as you delve into tantalising flavours and rustic dishes served with local wine.
- Dining Summary: 2 Dinners (D), 13 Breakfasts (B), 5 Dinners with Wine (DW)
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
- 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.
- Sorrento: Perched upon the cliffs, lookout to see the mighty Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples.
- Capri: Cruise by jetfoil to this famous isle through beautiful blue Mediterranean waters.
- Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the first century.
- 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 1950s and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Agrigento: Admire magnificent Hellenistic remains in the Valley of the Temples, such as the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno.
- Palermo: Discover the Sicilian capital with your Local Expert. See Pretoria Square and the 16th century fountain. View the composite architectural styles of the Palermo Cathedral and visit the Palatine Chapel.
- 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.
- Rome: Follow in the footsteps of gladiators for a deeper insight into life in ancient Rome when you enter the Colosseum.
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 and learn the history behind this traditional lemon liqueur.
- 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 preserve village life. Your visit advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- Rome: Savour dinner at a uniquely Roman restaurant, offering a perfect exploration of Lazio's typical flavours.
- Palermo: Experience local customs as you delve into tantalising flavours and rustic dishes served with local wine.
- Dining Summary: 2 Dinners (D), 13 Breakfasts (B), 5 Dinners with Wine (DW)
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Trip Reviews (7) View All Most Recent 'Country Roads of Southern Italy & Sicily' Reviews
From Puglia it was on to Sicily with its evidence of the early habitation by the Moors and Greeks. We appreciated the sightseeing at Taormina, Syracusa and Agrigento as examples. As Sicily had experienced heavy rain, our tour director, Margaret, changed the itinerary enabling us to safely see all our planned sights. Personally, we would have liked to reach the top of Mt Etna; but maybe another day. Margaret also ensured we all enjoyed our tour. The coach was very comfortable and always spotless. Our driver, Massimo with his excellent driving skills, made us feel safe and was always there to provide assistance off the coach as required. Thankyou Margaret and Massimo! This tour was filled with great variety, excellent direction and comes highly recommended.
Accommodation was generally good although the Hilton in Giardini Naxos was a disappointment mainly because it was not in a very central location and appeared to be due for an overhaul. The Grand Hotel La Chiusa Di Chietri, Alberobello was also some distance from the town (approx 6-7kms) however the accommodation was good. The Grand Hotel Di Maratea Pianetamaratea, Maratea although a little dated was great especially for the views and being a slightly older hotel the room was actually one of the larger ones we had. Our tour guide (Chris Beck) was great and very knowledgeable and our driver (Sabatino) was fantastic. The places he maneuvered the coach through were amazing especially through the very narrow streets. What ever he is paid it is no where near enough. (GJ: I'm sure he'd agree! :)
Brochure
Insight Vacations Europe, Britain & the World (2025-26)
Brochure
Insight Vacations Europe, Britain & the World (2025-26)
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