Premium Sicily and Puglia
Overview
Highlights
- Come face-to-face with Europe’s largest active volcano, Mount Etna, as you walk into the centre of an extinct crater and visit a lava cave.
- Stay in spectacular places including a Feature Stay historic property in Nardo, that was once a Baronial Palace, as well as a Sicilian countryside estate built within a medieval watch tower.
- Dig in to some of southern Italy’s best eats with a genovesi tasting in Erice, mouth-watering cheese and chocolate tastings on your way to Siracusa, a cooking class in Palermo and an olive oil tasting on a farm that’s been active since Roman times.
- Step back in time and uncover magnificent ancient monuments and ruins on a guided tour through the Valley of the Temples and Siracusa Archaeological Park, plus join an expert local guide to explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii, destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD.
- Join a group of like-minded travellers on a tour takes a deep dive into the history, culture and natural beauty of southern Italy with one of our most experienced locally based leaders (legends) guiding the way.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Trip includes
- Palermo -Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Palermo - Welcome Meeting
- Palermo - Welcome Dinner
- Palermo - Anti-Mafia Tour
- Palermo - Sicilian Cooking Class
- Erice - Town Visit
- Erice - Genovesi Tasting
- Mazara del Vallo - Kasbah Visit
- Scala dei Turchi - Visit
- Agrigento - Guided visit Valley of the Temples
- Modica - Visit and Chocolate Tasting
- Noto - Guided Walk
- Siracusa - Ortigia Orientation Walk
- Siracusa - Archaeological Park Guided Visit
- Catania - Mount Etna Visit
- Taormina - Guided Walk
- Taormina - Greek Theatre Admission
- Polignano a Mare - Welcome Dinner
- Alberobello - Half Day Trip
- Ostuni - Olive Oil Tasting
- Lecce - Walking Tour
- Nardo - Walking Tour
- Matera - Ipogeo Underground Cistern
- Matera - Guided Walking Tour
- Pompeii - Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Pompeii - Archaeological Site
Itinerary
Welcome to Sicily, we’re kicking things off in the region's capital – Palermo. Upon arrival, a complimentary airport transfer will take you into the city. This evening we have our first dinner together and a welcome meeting with your local guide and fellow travellers....
Sicily's unique cuisine sees Spanish, Greek and Arab influences and combined with a gentle climate and fertile soil, it is known all over the world. Delve deeper into this all important part of culture during a hands on cooking class. Not only will get to know the rec...
Today it is time to say goodbye to beautiful Palermo as we head toward the small town of Erice. Located more than 750 meters above sea level, this beautifully preserved medieval town hosts, despite being handed from one ruling army to the next, many beautiful building...
This morning head east as you stop in the old port of Mazara del Vallo. It is here that some of the Arab influences in Sicily are most clearly visible. As you stroll through the kasbah (Arab Quarter) you will witness the artistic and cultural enrichment brought on by ...
This morning, after breakfast, travel to the nearby Valley of the Temples. One of the largest archaeological sites in the world, it is situated where the ancient city of Akragas once stood. Your local guide will bring this classical Greek site to life as you visit the...
Today, we kiss Agrigento goodbye and hit the road en route to Siracusa – but not without a few important stops along the way. The first stop today in Ragusa will not disappoint – it’s one of the most scenic towns in all of Sicily. Explore the town and then continue to...
This morning, enjoy an orientation walk through Ortigia – a small island just adjacent to the main town of Siracusa. Wandering the narrow streets and laneways will reveal ancient ruins, stunning fountains and authentic trattorias, all situated on the medieval island. ...
Today, come face-to-face with Europe’s largest active volcano on a daytrip up Mt Etna. At an altitude of approximately 2,000 metres, walk into the centre of an extinct crater and visit a lava cave that can be explored with helmets and torches. Walk among the cold lav...
After breakfast today, take a day trip to the charming city of Taormina. Start things off with a guided walk, where you’ll notice Greek influence in the architecture. Walk through the back streets, gardens, and visit the world-famous Greek theatre and the cathedral. T...
After breakfast, depart Sicily on an unescorted flight to Bari, via Rome. The Puglia portion of your adventure kicks off in the coastal town of Polignano a Mare, where you’ll be collected from the Bari airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. A welcome meetin...
Leave the coastline behind as you travel inland by private vehicle to the little town of Alberobello. Set among a tranquil landscape of olive groves, the town is famed for its unique beehive-shaped trulli; dwellings built from limestone in the 14th century. While the ...
This morning, travel to the small city of Ostuni and explore its whitewashed streets flanked with Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine buildings. Then, continue to a local olive oil producer on a farm that has been active since Roman times, with some trees thought to be c...
Before breakfast, you may like to take a walk through your Feature Stay’s historic ‘secret garden’ where it seems as if figures from days gone by could walk around the corner at any minute. Today head to the beautiful city of Lecce. With its ornate baroque buildings, ...
Enjoy a final morning at your Feature Stay hotel, sitting back with a coffee and soaking up the scenery. Then it’s time to say goodbye and travel on to Matera, an ancient city perched on a rocky outcrop. Along the way stop at a local winery for some wine tasting and l...
Today you will dive into Matera’s incredible old town, made famous by sassi; more than 3000 stone houses formed from natural grottoes and tufo cliffs, some dating back as far as the 8th century. Join a local guide who will lead you through a labyrinth of staircases an...
Begin the day by driving to the storied town of Pompeii, home to one of Europe’s most well-known archaeological sites – the ruins of Pompeii, caused by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD. Today you will join a local guide to discover the remains of this once thrivin...
Your Italian adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend more time discovering Naples, just get in touch ahead of time and we’d be happy to arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.
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Finish point
- Palazzo Salgar Hotel
- Via Nuova Marina, 120
- Naples
- ITALY
- Phone: +39 08119370780
Alternate Finish point
- For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point.
- 22 Aug 2024 (ZMPAC240822), 29 Aug 2024 (ZMPAC240829), 05 Sep 2024 (ZMPAC240905)
- Hotel Suite dei Catalani
- Via Agostino Depretis, 78
- 80133 Napoli NA
- Naples
- ITALY
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