Archaeological Wonders of Southern Italy and Sicily

10 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
3.5/5 Great
30 reviews  
57%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Group Tour
Delve into the vibrant legacy of the Greeks and Romans in southern Italy and Sicily on a journey to ancient cities in spectacular settings. From our base in charming Sorrento, explore the haunting city of Pompeii, the gleaming temples of Paestum, and the splendid Amalfi Coast. Then travel to Sicily, Italy's largest island, edged with dramatic coastlines, scat...
From$6,195
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Gain special access to the excavations of Pompeii with a local expert and peer into the crater of Mount Vesuvius alongside a volcanologist.
    • Gaze at the spectacular mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale and descend into fascinating catacombs in Palermo.
    • Visit eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, from the dramatic Amalfi Coast and ancient Syracuse to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.
    • Hike through a landscape transformed by lava on Mount Etna and enjoy breathtaking views of Taormina and the coast.

What's this trip about?

    Delve into the vibrant legacy of the Greeks and Romans in southern Italy and Sicily on a journey to ancient cities in spectacular settings. From our base in charming Sorrento, explore the haunting city of Pompeii, the gleaming temples of Paestum, and the splendid Amalfi Coast. Then travel to Sicily, Italy's largest island, edged with dramatic coastlines, scattered with vestiges of Greek and Roman glory, and lorded over by a slumbering volcano. From the historic cities of Palermo and Syracuse to picturesque villages tucked into the hills, discover a legacy of great empires and a flourishing contemporary culture.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityNaples
End CityTaormina

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • History
  • Ruins & Archaeology

Trip includes

    • Accommodations
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
    • Pre-departure information
    • Entrance fees, excursions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary
    • Ground transportation during the expedition
    • Transfers to and from group flights where applicable
    • Services of an adventure consultant, guides and any other staff, and on designated “Photography” departures, a National Geographic Photographer
    • Taxes, port charges, baggage handling, and service charges
    • For itineraries that include camping, camp and cook staffs, tents, kitchen and dining tents and necessary Trip equipment (e.g., sea kayaks, rafts, personal floatation devices, etc.) Are provided
    • Internal airfare is included on some international expeditions as indicated in the itinerary

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Days 1 & 2: U.S./Naples, Italy/Sorrento

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Imperial Hotel Tramontano

Depart on an overnight flight to Naples. Upon arrival, take a scenic drive to Sorrento, a picturesque seaside town that will be our home for the next three days. After free time this afternoon, meet for a welcome reception and dinner.

Day 3: Pompeii/Mount Vesuvius

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Imperial Hotel Tramontano

Spend the morning in Pompeii, a city frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, blanketing the area in a thick layer of ash and debris. The site was only discovered many centuri...

Day 4: Paestum/Amalfi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Imperial Hotel Tramontano

Journey south through the province of Salerno to the Greco-Roman city of Paestum, a World Heritage site. Wander among its three magnificent Doric temples, and see impressive frescoe...

Day 5: Naples/Palermo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

Spend the morning at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, home to a grand collection of Roman artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum as well as an extensive collection of Greek antiquities. We fly to Palermo, Sicily, this afternoon and check into our hotel in the old city.

Day 6: Monreale/Palermo

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

After a panoramic tour of Palermo, travel to nearby Monreale for a visit to its Norman cathedral. Wander through Moorish-style arcades and cloisters and examine its exquisite gold mosaics ...

Day 7: Segesta/Selinunte/Agrigento

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Baglio della Luna

Head west to Segesta, where a beautifully preserved hilltop temple was begun in the fifth century by the indigenous Elymian people and never completed. Continue south to Selinunte, home of th...

Day 8: Piazza Armerina/Syracuse/Taormina

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay

Journey into Sicily's mountainous interior to the World Heritage site of the Villa Romana del Casale, near the town of Piazza Armerina. The villa's exquisite mosaics—some of the best preserved in t...

Day 9: Mount Etna/Taormina

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay

Europe’s largest active volcano, Mount Etna dominates eastern Sicily. Ascend to 10,000 feet above sea level by cable car and 4x4 to the very rim of this legendary volcano and behold a fasci...

Day 10: Taormina/Catania/U.S.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to the Catania airport for your return flight.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $6,195
Price per day$620
Last Updated: 11/19/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with National Geographic Expeditions.

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.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

National Geographic Expeditions Reviews & Ratings

3.5/5  Great
Excellent
16
Great
0
Average
3
Disappointing
5
Terrible
6
D

Disappointed

Nov 2018

Written on

Great sites, poorly managed

I grew up with National Geographic so when I signed up for a NG trip I was quite excited. I spent a lot of time on a crowded bus. Some of the accommodations were tw...

Write a Review

Other National Geographic Expeditions Reviews

E

Engedu

Oct 2023

National Geographic Expeditions Company Reviewsby National Geographic Expeditions

Inconsistent information, No Refund

We booked a National Geographic expedition Holland and Belgium by River. The promotional literature promised a 14-day deposit refund window. The “invoice” was marke...

C

CaliforniaSlug

Jul 2023

National Geographic Expeditions Company Reviewsby National Geographic Expeditions

How to Ruin a Trip to Norway

My husband and I took the Norway "Trains and Fjords" tour because neither of wanted to drive the twisty roads to see the majestic areas and wanted to avoid a cruise ...

W

WORLDWEARY

Nov 2022

Written on

TOO MUCH TOO FAST

Firstly, it was my understanding, and confirmed in a phone conversation with the company’s representative prior to our departure, that the schedule of events would g...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

National Geographic Expeditions

preferred
View Profile

National Geographic Expeditions span the globe and are designed to reflect our travelers' broad spectrum of interests, from small-ship expeditions and classic train journeys to photography workshops and family adventures. When you travel with us, you'll enjoy boundless opportunities to be surrounded by natural wonders and exotic wildlife, to explore celebrated archaeological sites, to learn about different cultures and share in local traditions. A National Geographic expert or expert team accompanies each expedition, sharing their knowledge and passion for a region and making each experience enriching and unforgettable.

An Extraordinary Legacy of Exploration

National Geographic Expeditions, the travel program of the National Geographic Society, was founded on the same belief in the importance of exploration that distinguishes the Society's 125-year history. Launched in 1999, National Geographic Expeditions now operates hundreds of trips each year, spanning all seven continents and more than 60 destinations.

Since its founding in 1888, the Society has developed incredible resources—from its network of experts, contacts, and Society-sponsored researchers all over the globe, to the top-tier editorial staff of National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler magazines, and the books, maps, and film and television divisions. National Geographic Expeditions taps these resources to create unique and authentic expeditions to fascinating parts of the world.

As part of the National Geographic Travel group, National Geographic Expeditions aims to fulfill the Society's mission to inspire people to care about the planet by providing meaningful opportunities to explore it. Proceeds from all travel programs support the Society’s efforts to increase global understanding through exploration, education and scientific research.

National Geographic Adventures

National Geographic Adventures are unique, active itineraries for intrepid travelers that feature spectacular places, cultural interaction, and physical challenge: the perfect mix for an unforgettable adventure. Trek through some of the world's most legendary mountain ranges and veer far off the beaten path, discovering wild landscapes by foot, kayak, horseback, or camel. Each adventure has a designated activity level—from Easy to Ultimate Challenge, and you'll have the option to take it easy or push your limits on a harder hike throughout most trips. Your group will never be larger than 16 travelers, and you'll explore in the company of top guides, enjoying adventures that are both physically active and culturally rewarding.

National Geographic Student Expeditions

National Geographic Student Expeditions offer active summer travel experiences for high school students in some of the world's most amazing places. With the guidance of dynamic trip leaders and top National Geographic experts, students explore their interests, build new skills, and experience new landscapes and cultures firsthand. Each type of program—expedition, field workshop, community service trip, and photo workshop—is designed to educate and inspire, combining adventure, discovery, and cultural immersion. Photo workshops are led by a National Geographic photographer and include instruction and daily photo shoots. Students in our community service programs live in a village and work with community members on a variety of service projects. On each expedition and field workshop, students get involved in a unique, hands-on project that allows them to delve deeper into a specific topic—such as photography, wildlife and conservation, filmmaking, or archaeology—and further engage with the places they visit.

National Geographic Difference

Travel that’s tailored to your interests: Whether you're a budding photographer, a natural history enthusiast, a parent looking for a great family trip, or a traveler seeking an active adventure, you'll find an array of opportunities that fit your passions and interests.

The beauty of happenstance: Some of the best moments in travel occur when you least expect them. So that you can savor these instances and enjoy each place in a way that’s meaningful to you, we offer options and build free time into our itineraries wherever we can.

Travel in good company: Lasting friendships often begin on National Geographic Expeditions. Your traveling companions are Society members like you: active, engaged, and curious about the world.

Explore the world in comfort and style: Whether you're relaxing in the arcaded courtyard of a 15th-century monastery in Peru or speeding through Siberia on a private luxury train, our accommodations are carefully selected for their exceptional quality, location, and character.

We'll take care of the details: Leave the legwork to us. We take care of the logistics and details so you can relax, enjoy, and immerse yourself in the places you are exploring.

Exceptional resources at your fingertips: To help prepare for your trip, we’ll send you detailed information specific to your trip, including National Geographic books, articles, or maps relating to your destination. You’ll also receive a 20-percent discount on your next purchase* from our gift catalog or online store—shopng.com—as well as a free one-year subscription to a National Geographic magazine of your choice.

We’ve explored the world for 125 years. Now, let us take you with us!

What they’re known for
Adventurous trips with an educational or experiential touch and themed tours for travelers with special interests like photography or birdwatching.

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • International airfare
    • Optional gratuities
    • Personal items

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

7 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 5 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
  • Taormina and Rome - Post-Trip Extension, 4 Days
Additional Information
Trip ID
nation-arcwonnat

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >