SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY

 

Day 1 Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2 Fri. ARRIVAL IN ROME, ITALY. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring this great city which you’ll get to know even better at the end of your tour.

Day 3 - 4 Sat. to Sun. ROME. Two days in which to get well acquainted with Rome. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B daily)

Day 5 Mon. ROME-VESUVIUS-POMPEII-CAPRI. South all the way today. First a stop to enjoy the awe-inspiring sights of one of Europe’s greatest live volcanoes—Vesuvius! Then to Pompeii where time stopped in 79 A.D., when the Vesuvius eruption totally destroyed it. On the included visit you can see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum—even human and animal bodies solidified by lava. Just a few more miles to the Neapolitan Riviera for embarkation on the ferry to Capri to enjoy two overnights on this charmed island. (B,D)

Day 6 Tue. CAPRI. This legendary island is surrounded by a rocky coastline—the crashing sea has formed remarkable caves. The town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set and optional excursions take you to see more of the island. Join Tiberius, Emma Hamilton, and Axel Munthe, who all fell in love with this exquisite spot. A full day to do exactly what you please. Maybe explore some of the island’s lovely walks or join an optional excursion to see Mount Solaro and the house of Axel Munthe (San Michele). (B,D)

Day 7 Wed. CAPRI-SORRENTO. EXCURSION TO AMALFITAN COAST. Take the ferry to Sorrento this morning. Few places in the world match the very special charm of Sorrento. This picturesque resort on the Bay of Naples boasts a marvelous climate, beautiful views, trendy shops and boutiques, interesting museums and a vibrant night life. Don’t miss out on the included excursion along the breathtakingly beautiful Amalfitan coast. (B,D)

Day 8 - 9 Thu. and Fri. SORRENTO. Two full days to enjoy this town set on a plateau high above the waters of the Bay of Naples and with truly spectacular views as far as towering Vesuvius. Sorrento’s terraces, hung with flowers, jut from winding streets and alleys above a small harbor. Streets are filled with shops, cheerful bars, and cafés. (B on day 8; B,D on day 9)

Day 10 Sat. SORRENTO-VILLA S. GIOVANNI-FERRY CROSSING-TAORMINA AREA. Today, by way of the comfortable motorway, travel through the wild and mountainous scenery of Italy’s most southern regions before boarding the ferry for the 45-minute crossing to Sicily. Only a few more miles bring you to Taormina area, where you overnight. (B,D)

Day 11 Sun. TAORMINA. Magnificently situated on a 700-foot plateau, Taormina has wonderful views along the coast. The heart of the town is Piazza Nove Aprile, a paved square with unrivaled views to the sea and the Mount Etna volcano. (B,D)

Day 12 Mon. TAORMINA AREA-MOUNT ETNA-SYRACUSE. This morning take advantage of the visit to the heights of Mount Etna and the option of a jeep or cable-car ride for a better view of Europe’s largest active volcano. Drive even further south to Syracuse, where you have the option of visiting the ancient Grecian sites or doing just as you please. (B,D)

Day 13 Tue. SYRACUSE-PIAZZA ARMERINA-AGRIGENTO. Today you drive westward to Piazza Armerina, a maze of steep streets and rich in the atmosphere of Sicilian life. Nearby is Casale, once a palatial hunting lodge famous for its mosaics including the “Bikini Girls,” ten athletic maidens dressed for all the world as modern tourists! Then past Caltanissetta, surrounded by sulphur mines, to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, one of Italy’s archaeological jewels—especially in spring when the slopes are frosted with almond blossoms. The Doric Temple of Concord is the best preserved outside Athens, and the hilltop Temple of Juno Lacinia is the valley’s most impressive. (B,D)

Day 14 Wed. AGRIGENTO-SELINUNTE-PALERMO. Leave Agrigento for Selinunte, one of the most striking and interesting sites in Sicily. See the remains of the Acropolis. Then, northeast to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. This evening enjoy an optional farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. (B)

Day 15 Thu. AT LEISURE IN PALERMO. A full day to enjoy this busy and colorful city full of interesting squares and marketplaces, churches and palazzos in every style from Moorish to baroque. Evening embarkation for the overnight ferry Palermo-Naples. (B)

Day 16 Fri. NAPLES (Disembarkation)-ROME. North this morning back to the “Eternal City” with plenty of time to enjoy one of the optional excursions, to do last-minute shopping, or maybe sip a drink in Piazza Navona and watch the world go by.

Day 17 Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM ROME ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

 

Your Travel Package Includes

SIGHTSEEING
Visits to Sorrento, Mount Etna, Piazza Armerina, Capri, Selinunte, Mount Vesuvius
GUIDES Local Guides for city sightseeing in Rome, Pompeii, Agrigento. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring.
TRANSPORTATION
Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Rome and Palermo if Cosmos issues the tickets. Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach.
QUALITY ROOMS Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges ROME Caravel (ST), CAPRI Villa San Michele (ST) or Residenza (F), SORRENTO Tirrenia (ST), TAORMINA AREA Albatros (ST) at Letojanni, SYRACUSE Park (ST) at Syracuse or Club Helios (ST) at Noto Marina, AGRIGENTO Akrabello (ST), PALERMO Ponte (ST)
MEALS 14 Buffet breakfasts (B), 8 Dinners (D)