27 DAY TOUR STARTS 08 SEP 2024

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Six gastronomic dinners with 1/4 bottle of wine and 1/2 bottle of mineral water included!
• One special snack in a typical farm house in the region of Puglia.
• Four star hotel accommodation (bed and breakfast). Some hotels are set in scenic positions and offer excellent panoramic views of the surrounding areas.
• Modern air conditioned mini coach with English speaking tour manager.
• A wide range of local excursions available daily from all the major centres of the itinerary. These tours, provided at no extra cost, are on an optional basis.
• Scenic cruise from Salerno to the Isle of Capri.
• Funicular from the harbour of the Isle of Capri to the main town.
• Scenic train from Salerno to Pompei.
• Scenic cruise along the Amalfi Coast with three stops at charming sea villages.
• Picturesque steam train across La Sila National Park.
• Ferry boat from Southern Italy to Sicily. Our mini coach will also be ferried with the group.
• Cable car at Taormina, Sicily.
• Cable car at Erice, Sicily.
• Air travel from Palermo to Rome.

AT YOUR OWN COST

• Meals other than those included in the package. Optional group dinners in picturesque restaurants will be arranged at special reduced prices.
• Entry tickets into museums, gardens, palaces, fortresses and castles.
• Cable car at Mount Etna, Sicily.
• Single accommodation supplement.
• Travel Insurance.

HISTORIC PROFILE

Southern Italy and Sicily used to be an ancient Greek colony called Magna Grecia (Great Greece). Vestiges of stunning magnificence are still evident today in many cities and towns boasting heritage Greek temples and theatres.

In the 3rd century B.C. the Romans took over and with the fall of the Roman Empire, the Goths invaded the Italian peninsula as well as Sicily. However they soon lost control of Southern Italy and Sicily because the Arabs prevailed setting up many Emirates along the coast of Calabria and in Sicily. Their dominion lasted a couple of centuries.

After year 1,000 the Normans invaded Southern Italy and Sicily and the Arabs suffered a massive defeat. More than 500 mosques were demolished and replaced with churches and cathedrals. Then came the Swabians (from today Germany) who built or upgraded a series of spectacular fortresses and castles still prominent and in excellent conditions today.

After a brief rule by the Angevis of France, the Aragoneses (from today Catalunya) took over. Once Catalunya was annexed to Spain, Southern Italy and Sicily came under Spanish rule from the 16th century until 1861 when they were annexed to the newly formed United Kingdom of Italy.

PROGRAM

Sun 08 Sep 09.00 – Passengers report to our tour guide at the Hotel Comfort, 3 km from Rome Airport in the town of Fiumicino. This is an excellent four star hotel and if people stay the night before, they can also use the hotel shuttle (we can organize accommodation if required).

Departure for Salerno with an intermediate stop at Caserta to visit the local sumptuous Royal Palace which was built in the 18th century by Charles of Bourbon, son of the King of Spain Philip V. At that time the Kingdom of Southern Italy and Sicily (with Naples being the capital) was under Spanish rule and Charles was the King who decided to build a Royal Palace (which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in a magnificent setting to compete with the great European residences, first of all Versailles.
12.00 – Lunch stop along the freeway just before reaching Caserta.
13.30 – Arrival at the Royal Palace. In respect of the visit to the palace and its park we provide a map to enable individual sightseeing.
15.30 – Departure from Royal Palace.
16.30 – Arrival in Salerno.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant (included).

Mon 09 Sep 09.00 – Scenic cruise along the Amalfi Coast, renowned for its rising steep mountains and picturesque villages. It is a unique scenic environment, but the narrow precarious road along its shores triggers very difficult traffic conditions. That’s why we prefer navigating along this beautiful coastline with intermediate stops at three picturesque villages: Cetara, Amalfi and Positano with ample time in each place.
16.40 – Arrival back in Salerno.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Tue 10 Sep 09.00 – Scenic train to Pompei, the famous Roman town which was buried by the ashes of the nearby Volcano Vesuvio in 79 A.D.
10.30 – Arrival in Pompei. In terms of sightseeing we provide two options: a) setting your own pace with our exclusive map (especially designed and printed to our specifications) which outlines all the key highlights with numbers and related information; b) touring the site behind a local guide with an umbrella (at your own cost).
14.00 – Departure from Pompei.
15.30 – Arrival in Salerno.
16.00 – Brief orientation in Salerno and time at leisure.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Wed 11 Sep 08.40 – Departure for the island of Capri by hydrofoil. Navigation is along the Amalfi Coast enhancing its beauty.
10.40 – Arrival at the island and funicular to the main town. Local brief orientation about the scenic and historic highlights of Capri. Time at leisure to set your own pace and priorities (map provided).
16.30 – Departure from the island.
18.50 – Arrival in Salerno.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Thu 12 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Barletta, an historic small city along the Adriatic Sea. Travel is along a freeway, but we make an intermediate detour to the ancient spent Volcano Vulture and its charming unspoilt little lakes. After a scenic drive to the crest we stop for lunch in picturesque setting by the lake.
17.00 – Arrival in Barletta.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Fri 13 Sep 08.30 – Brief orientation (about one hour) covering the main highlights of Barletta and time at leisure.
14.00 – Scenic drive into the National Park of High Murge.
15.00 – Arrival at Castel del Monte in the heart of the park. It is a fascinating castle commissioned by the German Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century and listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. After visiting the castle we return to Barletta.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sat 14 Sep 08.30 – Spectacular drive along the Gargano Promontory. Its coastline plunges into the sea quite steeply, originating plenty of cliffs, bays and beautiful grottos. After a few panoramic stops we get to Peschici, set on a cliff and featuring a picturesque downtown district. Local orientation and time at leisure.
14.00 – Departure from Peschici. On the way back we climb to the top of the promontory for a scenic drive at altitudes between 700 and 800m. Eventually, from the town of Castel St. Angelo, set in panoramic position at 800m above the Mediterranean, we start a spectacular descent all the way to the sea level.
17.30 – Arrival back in Barletta.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sun 15 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Alberobello, a famous highlight of the Puglia Region, listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site because of its unusual trulli, the characteristic white conic-roof houses of the district.
10.30 – Arrival in Alberobello, local orientation and time at leisure.
13.30 – Departure from Alberobello. On the way back we stop at an historic farm-house, surrounded by olive groves for a visit and a local snack (included).
17.00 – Arrival back in Barletta.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Mon 16 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Gallipoli, with an intermediate stop at the picturesque town of Locorotondo which boasts a very well preserved historic architecture. Local sightseeing and time for lunch.
13.30 – Departure from Locorotondo.
17.00 – Arrival in Gallipoli.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Tue 17 Sep 08.30 – Brief orientation in Gallipoli (from Greek Callipolis, Beautiful Town) which was an ancient Greek colony. It is a fortress island-town connected to the mainland by way of a bridge. Its architecture is a fusion of Oriental, Baroque and Spanish styles. After the orientation, time at leisure.
13.30 – Departure from Gallipoli and short scenic coastal drive to the picturesque village of Santa Maria al Bagno. Local time at leisure and return to Gallipoli.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Wed 18 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Otranto, on the Adriatic Sea, at the other side of the Puglia peninsula.
10.00 – Arrival in Otranto, a town of ancient Greek origins, renowned for its beautiful setting on the Adriatic coast as well as its historic heritage. Local orientation and time at leisure.
13.30 – Very scenic drive along the coastline edge of the southern tip of the Puglia Region until we get back to Gallipoli. A number of look-out stops will be made en route as well as at a famous grotto which stretches 150m inland from an open mouth at the seaside.
17.30 – Arrival back in Gallipoli.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Thu 19 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Brindisi, a city of Roman origin which was the terminal of one of the major Roman roads: the Via Appia. Brindisi is the only Italian city graced by a beautiful ample fjord which enhances its beauty and makes it a perfect harbour. And that has triggered its strategic and commercial importance for many centuries.
10.30 – Arrival in Brindisi. Local orientation and time at leisure.
15.00 – Departure from Brindisi.
17.00 – Arrival back in Gallipoli.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Fri 20 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Amantea, a renowned seaside resort on the west coast of the Calabria Region. As in any long trip we stop en route for refreshments and lunch.
17.30 – Arrival in Amantea.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Sat 21 Sep 08.30 – Brief orientation in Amantea and morning at leisure.
14.00 – Scenic drive along a panoramic road climbing from Amantea to the picturesque village of Lago, set at 400m in the Appennini Mountain Range flanking the Calabria coastline. After some time at the village for a cup of coffee or an ice cream we drive back to Amantea.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sun 22 Sep 08.30 – Departure for La Sila National Park, one of the largest in Italy (74,000 hectares), boasting a very high percentage of forest land (80%) , beautiful lakes and peaks reaching almost 2,000m.
10.30 – Arrival at Camigliatello Silano (1,270m), the most prominent resort within the park. Brief local sightseeing and short drive (7km) to the nearby Lake Cecita which houses the Park Visitor Centre. Then we drive back to Camigliatello Silano, where we board an historic steam train for an half an hour ride to San Nicola Silvana Mansio at 1,400m.

After local lunch/snack we return by train to Camigliatello Silano and continue on a short scenic drive to Lake Arvo, one of the most beautiful in the Park. From Lake Arvo we get back to Amantea.
18.00 – Arrival in Amantea.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Mon 23 Sep 10.15 – Departure for Scilla, one of the most picturesque towns in the Calabria Region, endowed with a castle sitting on top of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. Travel is by scenic train which runs along a pretty coastline flanked by high rising mountains.
11.30 – Arrival in Scilla. Local orientation and time at leisure.
16.45 – Departure from Scilla.
18.00 – Arrival back in Amantea.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Tue 24 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Taormina, one of the most famous highlights in Sicily, due to the imposing Greek ruins and its setting at 200 m above sea level with the snow capped Volcano Etna in the background. Travel is on a freeway along the coast of Calabria to Villa San Giovanni where we board a ferry to Messina. From Messina to Taormina travel is along another coastal freeway.
17.00 – Arrival in Taormina.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Wed 25 Sep 08.30 – Orientation in Taormina covering the main Greek historic highlights as well as its picturesque downtown district. Our scenic hotel, located along the coastline, is close to a cable car which (in only 2 minutes!!) climbs to the centre of Taormina avoiding the traffic congestion and restrictions which affect this famous place. After the orientation it’s time at leisure. Return to hotel at time of your convenience with a pre-paid cable car ticket.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Thu 26 Sep 08.30 – Scenic drive to the Volcano Etna, the biggest and highest in Europe (peak of 3,300m). Its circular base has a perimeter of 200km. Whilst the upper cone of the volcano is very bear, the lowest wider part, below 1,500m, is very lush and fertile with a great variety of cultivations.

10.30 – Arrival at the chalet Sapienza set at 1,900m on the slopes of the Etna Volcano. After local refreshment an optional cable car can take you higher at 2,550m. Otherwise you can enjoy a scenic walk or simply relax at the chalet which can also provide lunch/snack.
13.30 – Departure from the chalet Sapienza for a scenic drive along the western slopes of the volcano at altitudes between 500 and 800m, until we reach the picturesque village of Centuripe (at 730m) where we stop for some sightseeing before returning to Taormina.
17.30 – Arrival back in Taormina.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Fri 27 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Siracusa, the greatest Greek city in Sicily, developed in the 7th century B.C. on the small island of Ortigia which is linked to the mainland by a bridge. Whilst the modern developments have taken place on the mainland, Ortigia still maintains the pristine ambience of by-gone times.
10.30 – Arrival in Siracusa. Orientation in the downtown district of Ortigia covering the main historic highlights and time at leisure.
15.00 – Departure from Siracusa.
17.00 – Arrival back in Taormina.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sat 28 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Milazzo, set on a tiny long peninsula off the north eastern coast of Sicily. Travel is along a modern freeway which follows the seaside contour of north east Sicily all the way from Taormina to Milazzo. Apart from its scenic beauty, Milazzo boasts quite a few historic features.
10.00 – Arrival in Milazzo. Local orientation and time at leisure.
13.30 – Scenic drive along the peninsula of Milazzo all the way to the northern tip. Then we return to Taormina.
17.00 – Arrival back in Taormina.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sun 29 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Trapani, a major city on the other side of Sicily, on the west coast. Our initial drive is across the scenic Peloritani Mountains, climbing up as high as 1,000m before descending to the northern coast of Sicily. Then we continue to the Sanctuary of Tindari where we stop for a brief visit and refreshment before moving to the adjacent Greek archaeological site also in a panoramic spot. After leaving the Greek site we join a freeway along the scenic coastline of northern Sicily. Lunch stop along the freeway.
17.00 – Arrival in Trapani.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant (included).

Mon 30 Sep 08.30 – Downtown orientation covering the main historic highlights. Like many other towns and cities in Sicily, Trapani has ancient Greek roots but came under Roman rules in the 2nd century B.C. The current physiognomy of the central district, mostly features monuments spanning the last five centuries without relevant Greek or Roman icons. After the orientation it’s time at leisure for the rest of the day.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Tue 01 Oct 08.30 – Departure for Palermo along a freeway which takes to Palermo Airport. At the airport we catch the local Metro Line which gets to downtown Palermo avoiding all the traffic congestion of this major city. Downtown orientation covering the main architectural highlights of the city. Then it’s time at leisure with map provided.
15.30 – Departure from Palermo.
17.30 – Arrival back in Trapani.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Wed 02 Oct 08.30 – Cable car from Trapani to Erice at 750m above sea level. The splendid location of Erice on a peak, boasts an incomparable view over the coastline and the inner Sicilian countryside. But, apart from the scenic location, Erice is a picturesque medieval town full of charming alleys, little squares and pretty stairways. Local orientation and time at leisure.
12.30 – Cable car back to Trapani.

14.00 – Departure for the archaeological site of Segesta, one of the most ancient cities in Sicily.
15.00 – Arrival in Segesta and local guided sightseeing.
16.30 – Departure from Segesta.
17.30 – Arrival back in Trapani.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Thu 03 Oct 08.30 – For the last day of our tour the program is easy, short and highly spectacular!! It involves a scenic drive along the panoramic peninsula north of Trapani. A picturesque road leads to the resort of San Vito lo Capo located at the tip of the peninsula in beautiful setting. Local time at leisure to relax and enjoy a lunch/snack by the sea.
13.30 – Departure from San Vito lo Capo.
15.00 – Arrival back in Trapani.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Fri 04 Oct 08.30 – Departure for Palermo Airport.
11.00 – Arrival at the airport. End of the tour.

A COMPLIMENTARY AFTERNOON FLIGHT TO ROME AIRPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR

HOTELS

We believe that you are entitled to know exactly what you get for your money and that’s why we clearly state not only the number of stars but also the location of the hotels we use.

Unless you are in a rush tour, where you get to the hotel late at night and leave early morning, we do believe that a good location makes a world of difference to the quality of your holiday.