|
ITINERARY Insight Vacations - Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily
Tour Pace
An evenly paced tour with three nights in Alberobello and two night stays in Giardini Naxos, Palermo & the Bay of Naples. Plus added attraction of overnight ferry from Palermo to Naples.
Day 1 - ROME AT LEISURE
Welcome to Rome! On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Settle in, relax or start exploring your hotel's facilites. Early arrivals can spend some time wandering through the vast parklands of the Villa Borghese or just relax at a cafe in the Piazza Navona. Later, join your Tour Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills
Day 2 - ROME - ALBEROBELLO
Head south past by the brooding hilltop monastery of Cassino to Caserta, and take the scenic route across the Apennines to the Adriatic coast. Your destination is the small town of Alberobello, in the heart of the unique Trulli region. Sunday evenings are popular for the traditional ritual of passeggiata, a pre-dinner promenade, to 'see and be seen'. After working up an appetite, why not dine out? The region of Puglia is a food and wine lovers' paradise.
Hotel: Astoria (BB)
Day 3 - ALBEROBELLO - MATERA & CASTELLANETA EXCURSION
Take time to explore Alberobello, with its strange white Trulli buildings spread out over the hillside. Trulli are circular structures with conical roofs and domed within, built with local limestone and stacked without using mortar. This afternoon continue along the small local roads to Matera to see the extraordinary 'Sassi', or cave-dwellings, that were once home to more than 15,000 people. Walk along the time worn stone streets to the simple white houses and churches dug out of the rock. Return via Castellaneta, situated on the "Gravina Grande" (Great Ravine) and birthplace of Rudolph Valentino; hear about the the "Latin Lover's" life and make a photo stop at his statue. (BB,D)
Day 4 - ALBEROBELLO - GIARDINI NAXOS
Follow the shores of the Gulf of Taranto to the gorgeous mountainous region of Calabria - favourite holiday destination for the Italians. Continue around the Purple Coast, which takes its name from the colour of its rocky mountain slopes. At the very toe of Italy make the short ferry crossing over to Sicily. Spend three relaxing nights in the beautiful seaside resort of Giardini Naxos.
Hotel: Sant' Alphio Garden (BB,D)
Day 5 - TOARMINA EXCURSION
Visit Taormina, founded in 400BC, and beautifully located overlooking the sea and the peak of Mount Etna. Visit the Greek Theatre (3rd century BC) and the glorious sub-tropical terraced gardens before strolling along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for splendid panoramic views across the bay to the Ionian Sea. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at your own pace. (BB,D)
Day 6 - GIARDINI NAXOS AT LEISURE
A full day to enjoy the beaches, bustling fishing port or visit the Archeological Museum. Don't miss the chance of an optional drive through Sicilian vineyards to Mt Etna, Europe's largest volcano to see the Silvestre Crater and walk through the lava domes! (BB)
Day 7 - GIARDINI NAXOS - agrigento - PALERMO
Drive to the attractive hillside town of Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily. Explore the Valley of the Temples, the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. Especially impressive is the massive Temple of Concord and the clifftop Temple of Juno which overlooks the sea. In the afternoon, continue to the historic capital of Sicily, Palermo.
Hotel: Best Western Ai Cavalieri. (BB,D)
Day 8 - PALERMO
Sightseeing with a local guide includes Quattro Canti Square, the Cathedral and the mosaics in the Palatine Chapel of the Palace of the Normans. Also visit Monreale with its finely decorated cathedral. In the afternoon there is free time to explore or shop in Palermo or to take one of the local excursions offered by your Tour Director. (BB)
Day 9 - PALERMO - OVERNIGHT FERRY
Drive eastwards along the coast to the charming fishing town of Cefalu. Visit the cathedral, erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II and spend some time at leisure. Later, return to Palermo, taking time to relax before boarding the overnight ferry to Naples in the early evening. (BB)
Day 10 - FERRY - Pompeii - BAY OF NAPLES
Arrive in Naples in time for breakfast and an orientation tour of the city. Afterwards, continue to Pompeii, buried in 79 AD by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Walk with a local guide through the cobbled streets to the Forum and inspect some of the shops and villas before continuing to your hotel.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Le Medusa (BB,D)
Day 11 - CAPRI EXCURSION
Take the cliff-top road to Sorrento to witness a demonstration of inlaid 'intarsio' woodwork before continuing across the Bay of Naples to the delightful Isle of Capri. Take a funicular train up to Capri Town to spend some time wandering the narrow alleyways and exploring the exclusive boutiques before returning to your hotel. (BB,D)
Day 12 - BAY OF NAPLES - ROME
Travel north to return to Rome. On arrival, visit the famous Colosseum where gladiators once fought, and see the Forum - former religious, political and commercial heart of the Roman Empire. Continue to the Vatican City to tour St Peter's Basilica, mother church of the Catholic faith, housing works of art by Michelangelo and Bernini. Tonight join your fellow passengers for a last night celebration dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Sheraton Roma (BB,HD)
Day 13 - ROME
Arrivederci Roma! Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30. (BB)
|
