Enjoy spectacular natural scenery combined with fascinating architectural remnants from ancient history on the Rome, Southern Italy, and Sicily tour. The all-inclusive southern Italy vacation itinerary includes free days in Southern Italy’s Alberobello and in Sicily’s famous resort town Taormina.
Begin your all inclusive Rome to Sicily escorted tour in Rome. There there is a unique visit the the Gandolfo Gardens. The trip focuses on tours of Southern Italy’s sightseeing highlights. In Campania your Italy trip includes visits to Capri, Caserta, Naples, Pompeii, and Sorrento. The southern Italy tours include the southern Italian regions of Calabria, Puglia and Basilicata. In Matera you’ll tour Southern Italy’s highlight the Sassi prehistoric cave houses built into rock. In Sicily you’ll step back in history to the Magna Grecia. Taormina, Siracusa, Agrigento and Palermo will take you on a tour through Western Civilization. The Rome, Southern Italy, and Sicily tour concludes in Palermo.
For the day-by-day Rome, Southern Italy and Sicily tour itinerary click here.
Highlights
15-Day Rome, Southern Italy and Sicily Tour Map
Rome, Southern Italy and Sicily Tour Highlights:
- Breakfast included daily and 6 dinners included
- Excursion to Capri
- Pompeii Tour with local expert guide
- Guided visit of the Bronzi di Riace museum in Reggio Calabria
- Siracusa guided walking tour of the ancient Greek archaeological site
- Agrigento guided tour of the Valley of Temples
- Excursion to the Dorian Temples and Acropolis in Selinunte
- Guided Palermo sightseeing includes the cathedral, the Royal Palace’s Palatine Chapel
- Excursion to Monreale to visit the Norman Cathedral
- 13 nights in first class accommodations
For the day-by-day Rome, Southern Italy and Sicily tour itinerary click here.
Accommodations
Rome, Southern Italy and Sicily Tour Accommodations:
- 1 Night Rome – Mediterraneo
- 3 Nights Sorrento – Towers Hotel Stabiae
- 1 Night Bari – Grande Albergo delle Nazione
- 2 Nights Alberbello – Grand Hotel D’Aragona
- 1 Night Reggio Calabria – Grand Hotel Excelsior
- 3 Nights Giardini Naxos (Taormina) – Hellenia Yachting
- 2 Nights Palermo – Mercure Palermo Centro
For the day-by-day Rome, Southern Italy and Sicily tour itinerary click here.
Optional Tours
Below are examples of optional tours that may be offered with your vacation. Option tours are scheduled during what is otherwise free time. The package price does not include optional tours.
Sorrento
Dinner in Sorrento
Spend a remarkable evening, enjoying fine food from the Campania region as you bask in the delightful atmosphere at one of Sorrentos most beloved historical restaurants.
Neapolitan Experience
Enjoy a delicious dinner on the picturesque bay of Naples.
Charming Positano
Enjoy a scenic drive of the Amalfi Coast and visit Positano village.
Bari
Polignano a Mare: Pictuersque Fishing Village on the Sea
The village is the birthplace of great singer Domenico Modugno….Volare oh oh cantare oooooh ooh
Alberobello
Apulian Dinner with Folklore in Traditional Masseria
Enjoy a lovely meal in a traditional masseria.
Discover the Itria Valley
Trulli (traditional drystone huts) enclosed by vineyards and olive groves stretch as far as the eye can see – this is the authentic side of the Itria Valley. The panorama is filled with a timeless magic, in the heart of which lie the fascinating village of Martina Franca.
Taormina Riviera
Sicilian Dinner
Why not enjoy a typical Sicilian gastronomic dinner in beautiful surroundings with spectacular views?
Excursion to Syracuse and Ortigia
Travel to Syracuse and enter its marvellous archaeological site.
Excursion to Etna Volcano
Enjoy a scenic drive with a Local Guide through orchards, vineyards, and forests up to the Europe’s highest active volcano.
Palermo
Dinner by the Sea in Sferracavallo
Enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner at a typical Sicilian restaurant.
15-Day Southern Italy Tour and Sicily Tour
Check the box next to the Rome, Southern Italy and Sicily tour you would like to join.
Rome, Southern Italy and Sicily Tour Daily Trip Itinerary
The southern Italy and Sicily tour from Rome has it all. Tour highlights include the pre-historic cave houses in Sassi. Escorted tours include the important ancient Roman and ancient Greek archaeology sites in southern Italy and Sicily. Along the way you’ll enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty along the Amalfi Coast, southern Italy, and Sicily.
DAY 1 Depart the United States for Rome
Day 2 Arrive in Rome
Benvenuti a Roma. The Eternal City welcomes all visitors. Upon arrival in Rome you will transfer to your hotel. Then you have some time to get your legs back with a stroll around the “Eternal City.” Get ready for its majesty, beauty, and history. This evening you’ll meet your tour director who will be your Italy tour escort from Rome through southern Italy and Sicily. This evening you’ll be welcomed to Italy and Rome with an authentic Roman dinner with local wines while enjoying the company among like-minded travelers. (Dinner)
DAY 3 – Guided Tour of Castel Gandolfo
Visit the Papal Palace Castel Gandolfo, former summer residence of the popes and since October 2016 a museum that is open to the public. Also visit the magnificent Barberini Gardens, where ruins of the residence of Roman Emperor Domitian are still visible. Then, continue south on the Highway of the Sun, to your hotel in Stabiae in Southern Italy. (Breakfast)
DAY 4 – Sorrento to Capri Tour
Today you’ll cross the Bay of Naples to the world famous jetsetters paradise Capri. A fabulous beach side resort since the Ancient Greeks and Roman Emperors build their summer homes on this lovely island. Upon arrival in the port you’ll take the funicular up the rock to the charming pizza to begin your tour of this picturesque village. After your guided tour you’ll also have free time to stroll around the shops and quaint alley ways. After your day in Capri you’ll return to your hotel for a free evening. (Breakfast)
DAY 5 – Pompeii Tour
Pompeii is located across the Bay of Naples from Naples, and a few miles from Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. It was covered in ash when the volcano Mt Vesuvius exploded 2000 years ago. Today Pompeii provides a picture of life during the ancient Roman period. During your guided tour of Pompeii you’ll visit the patrician homes, public baths, and commercial districts that were simultaneously destroyed and preserved by the volcanic ash. After your tour of Pompeii you have an afternoon free. You may also join an optional tour to the Amalfi Coast. (Breakfast)
Day 6 – Naples Tour
Today we journey around the Bay of Naples to the vibrant city of Naples. Naples is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. Since the ancient Greeks inhabited the area during the Magna Grecia, to the ancient Romans, and through successive invaders, Naples is layer upon layer of history. After you’ll continue on to Bari. (Breakfast)
DAY 7 – Southern Italy tour continues to Lecce and Alberobello
Today your southern Italy tour continues when you follow your Local Guide for a pleasant walk through BARI VECCHIA, the city’s oldest district. Next is Lecce, where your guided walking tour reveals why Lecce is called the “Florence of the South.” Admire its baroque buildings and squares, and taste pasticciotto with almond-flavored iced coffee. Continue to Alberobello.. (Breakfast & Dinner)
DAY 8 – Alberobello
In the morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of the town, and visit one of its unique trulli—whitewashed, stone, circular houses with pinnacled, conical roofs. Balance of the day is at leisure. You may wish to join an optional dinner at a traditional Apulian agriturismo. (Breakfast)
DAY 9 – Southern Italy Tour of Sassi Matera in Basilicata and Calabria
Stop in Matera, and enjoy a panoramic view of the picturesque Sassi houses. Afterwards, enjoy a spectacular drive south along the Gulf of Taranto and stop in Scilla, called the “Venice of Calabria.” Leaving the coast, arrive in Reggio Calabria and enjoy a guided visit of the museum that houses the world-famous bronze warrior sculptures, Bronzi di Riace. (Breakfast & Dinner)
DAY 10 – Sicily tour to Taormina
This morning the Southern Italy tour continues by ferry across the Strait of Messina to the beautiful island of Sicily. Sicily’s location in the Mediterranean made it the melting pot of the Mediterranean world: Carthaginians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Saracens, Normans, French, and Spanish all left their marks and contributed to Sicily’s culture and heritage. From Messina your Sicily tour travels to Taormina. This 4000 year old resort town is located on hilltop town overlooking the Ionian Sea and Mt Vesuvius. The ancient Greek’s amphitetheater located here is one of the best preserved from the Magna Grecia period. Upon arrival you’ll have tome to stroll around this charming town and shop along Corso Umberto I. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste local specialties, like the Sicilian Granita (a treat similar to sorbet). (Breakfast)
DAY 11 and 12 – Taormina Area. Excursion to Syracuse and Mt Etna
Here you have two days to just relax in this beautiful resort or choose from our exciting optional excursions: to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, and to the fascinating archaeological site of Syracuse, birthplace of mathematician Archimedes and once a powerful Greek port whose fleet was feared throughout the Mediterranean. On Tuesday evening, an included dinner with wine at a local restaurant with breathtaking sea view has been organized. On Wednesday evening, enjoy an included dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner daily)
DAY 13 – Sicily Tour from Taormina to the Valley of the Temples and Palermo
Today you’ll travel around the island of Sicily from Taormina to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples. There you’ll tour one of the finest ancient Greek archaeology sites in the world. The massive Temples have stood here for 2500 years. You’ll also visit the Dorian Temples and Acropolis at Selinunte. This site with its vast sea views is a favorite Sicily tour destination. Later this afternoon you’ll arrive in Sicily’s capital Palermo.
DAY 14 – Palermo and Monreale Escorted Tours
This morning your local expert tour guide will escort you around Palermo’s sightseeing highlights. Your Palermo escorted tour includes the Palermo Cathedral, Piazza Bellini, and the Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel in Palermo’s Royal Palace. After touring Palermo your Sicily tour will continue to Monreale. There you will visit the Norman Cathedral, famous for its byzantine mosaics. This afternoon visit a local farm and meet the casaro to see how he prepares a fresh ricotta. Then, enjoy your exclusive farewell dinner with local specialties and wine, the perfect way to celebrate your Italian vacation. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 15 – Rome, Southern Italy and Sicily Tour Concludes
After two weeks your escorted tour of Rome, Southern Italy and Sicily ends this morning with breakfast. The transfer to Palermo airport is included. You are sure to be flying home with lovely memories.
Click Sicily tours to view all tour packages to Sicily. For packages that include Sicily and Southern Italy visit the southern Italy tours page.
