Country Roads of Southern Italy & Sicily - Small Group
Country Roads of Southern Italy & Sicily - Small Group
Country Roads of Southern Italy & Sicily - Small Group
14 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in Palermo, Italy
Visiting: Rome, Capri, Pompeii, Alberobello, Matera, Taormina, Palermo
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Eco Conscious, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Southern Italy and Sicily with the "Country Roads of Southern Italy & Sicily - Small Group" tour. This cultural adventure begins in the Eternal City of Rome, where you'll explore ancient treasures like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. Cruise to the enchanting isle of Capri, savoring limoncello and breathtaking views. Discover the preserved streets of Pompeii and the unique trulli of Alberobello. In Matera, delve into the historic Sassi cave dwellings. Cross the Strait of Messina to Sicily, where you'll visit the Greek Theater of Taormina and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Conclude your journey in Palermo, exploring its rich Norman history. Enjoy authentic dining experiences and make a positive impact with sustainable travel initiatives. With seamless transport and comfortable accommodations, this tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and relaxation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To The Eternal City Of Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals Included: Dinner
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.
Day 2: Rome With The Locals
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 3: Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Isabella, Sorrento
Accommodation Name: Isabella, Sorrento
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 4: Capri, The Isle Of Dreams
Location: Capri
Accommodation: Isabella, Sorrento
Accommodation Name: Isabella, Sorrento
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 5: Pompeii And Alberobello
Location: Pompeii
Accommodation: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 6: The Trulli Of Alberobello Relaxed Start
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 7: Alberobello At Leisure Relaxed Start
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 8: Journey South To Matera Relaxed Start
Location: Matera
Accommodation: MH Matera Hotel
Accommodation Name: MH Matera Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 9: To Sicily And The Taormina Riviera
Location: Taormina
Accommodation: Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA
Accommodation Name: Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 10: Free Time On The Taormina Riviera Relaxed Start
Location: Taormina
Accommodation: Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA
Accommodation Name: Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 11: A New Dawn In Sicily Relaxed Start
Location: Taormina
Accommodation: Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA
Accommodation Name: Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 12: Agrigento, The Valley Of The Temples And On To Palermo
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: NH Palermo
Accommodation Name: NH Palermo
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 13: Palermo And The Golden Age Of The Normans
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: NH Palermo
Accommodation Name: NH Palermo
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 14: Depart Palermo
Location: Palermo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your journey draws to an end. Departure transfers arrive at Palermo Falcone–Borsellino Airport.
Mode of Transport
Travel through Italy and Sicily with ease, including a jetfoil cruise to Capri and a ferry crossing the Strait of Messina, ensuring a seamless journey between stunning destinations.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Radisson Blu GHR in Rome, the Isabella in Sorrento, the Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri in Alberobello, the MH Matera Hotel, and the Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA in Taormina, concluding at the NH Palermo.
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
- 5 Dinner with Wine (DW)
Insight Experiences
- 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.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes in Rome during an after-hours visit, where you can admire the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of gladiators with a visit to the Colosseum.
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What activities are available on the Isle of Capri?
On the Isle of Capri, you can choose to visit the Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert to admire views of the Faraglioni Rocks or enjoy a tasting of limoncello, learning about the history of this traditional lemon liqueur.
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How does the tour support sustainable tourism?
The tour supports sustainable tourism through experiences like dining at Trattoria Terra Madre in Alberobello, which focuses on sustainability and local job creation, and participating in the Wonder Grottole Project, which aims to rehabilitate the historic center of Grottole and preserve village life.
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What is the significance of the visit to Matera?
In Matera, you will explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi, a labyrinth of cave dwellings and churches hewn out of solid rock, which served as the biblical backdrop for the film 'The Passion of the Christ.'
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What can I expect during the visit to Pompeii?
During the visit to Pompeii, you will walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ancient city, which was buried in A.D. 79 by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and see a city frozen in time.
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What are the highlights of the visit to Palermo?
In Palermo, you will join a historian for a guided walk to see the gems of the old city, including the Palatine Chapel with its 12th-century mosaics and the Palermo Cathedral, which showcases a unique blend of architectural styles.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions