10 Days Off the Beaten Path Tour of Southern Italy and Sicily

Mountain side village of Castelmezzano in the Potenza Province of Southern Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

Experience scenic hikes, exhilarating ziplines, intriguing caves with this immersive 10-day vacation to southern Italy and Sicily. Unique experiences and private day trips are included in this amazing and unforgettable vacation. Zipline in Castelmezzano, climb Mt. Vesuvius to enjoy incredible views of Naples, and venture to the Blue Grotto.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Naples, Sorrento, Palermo (City), Matera, Cosenza, Catania

Suggested Duration

10 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Naples – Explore Mt. Vesuvius

Your 10-day journey will begin when you land at Naples International Airport, where a private driver will greet and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation. Upon your arrival, you will have some time to settle in and relax before your guide leads you on an excursion to Mt. Vesuvius. Your guide will lead you up the side of the famous volcano, and once you are at the top, you will have an incredible view of Naples and the surrounding area.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Day 2

Sorrento – Capri and the Blue Grotto

Day 3

Matera – Adventures in Castelmezzano

Day 4

Matera – The Unique Homes of Alberobello

Day 5

Cosenza – Immersive Nature Hike

Day 6

Catania – The Gorgeous Island of Sicily

Day 7

Catania – Explore Syracuse and Ortigia

Day 8

Palermo – Stroll through Enna

Day 9

Palermo – The History of the Catacombs

Day 10

Palermo – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Climb Mount Vesuvius to enjoy incredible views of the Bay of Naples
  • Venture into the narrow opening of the legendary Blue Grotto and witness the amazing blue aura all around you
  • Experience an exhilarating zipline ride in Castelmezzano with the Lucanian Dolomites in the background
  • View the traditional homes of Alberobello that are known for their stone construction and cone-shaped roofs
  • Discover the fresh air and natural beauty of Sila National Park during a hike through the area
  • Traverse the bridge that connects Syracuse to the island of Ortigia, which is full of historic ruins and stunning views
  • Enjoy the views in Enna as you explore the Enna Cathedral and Lombardy Castle
  • Explore the winding twists and turns in the Capuchin Catacombs, home to the world’s largest collection of skeletons

Detailed Description

This journey through southern Italy and Sicily leads you to some of the most magnificent towns and villages in the area. Your exciting 10-day tour will begin when you land at Naples International Airport. In the afternoon, you will head out for a private tour of the impressive Mt. Vesuvius. The next morning, you will transfer to Sorrento. Here, you will enjoy an excursion to the stunning island of Capri, which will feature a memorable visit to the Blue Grotto.

The following day, you will continue to Matera. Along the way, you will stop in Castelmezzano for a zipline experience. The following morning, you will enjoy a day trip to the nearby town of Alberobello. During your private tour, you will get an up-close look at the unique trulli homes for which the town is known. After one more night in Matera, you will head to the age-old city of Cosenza. After having some time to get acquainted with your new hotel, you will indulge in a scenic hike through Sila National Park.

A relaxing private transfer and a scenic ferry ride will be in store for you the following day as you make your way to the island of Sicily. By the end of the day, you will reach your hotel in the delightful city of Catania. The next morning, you will journey to Syracuse and the island of Ortigia. Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and during your private tour, you will get to see and explore ancient ruins. On the next day of your trip, you will transfer to your final destination of Palermo. During your drive through the countryside, you will stop for a tour in the city of Enna, which is located over 3,000 feet above sea level. After your first night in Palermo, you will explore the history of the city with a private visit to the Capuchin Catacombs.

Starting Price

$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 605 reviews

Italy Trip Review: Taormina, Agrigento, Palermo, 8 Nights

Our Zicasso travel specialist did a fantastic job planning our family vacation for five adults.

Each hotel was top-notch. At the villa in Taormina, the rooms were luxurious, with unbelievable views of the bay and Mount Etna from private verandas. The staff were gracious and the restaurant's breakfast buffet delicious. Lunch and dinner were top-notch. The hotel in Agrigento was modern and the grounds were exceptional. It was close to the Valley of the Temples, with amazing views of the ruins from each room and the beautiful infinity pool. The hotel in Palermo was old-fashioned luxury with up-to-date facilities and close to the old town.

Our tour guides and drivers were excellent.

My only regret is that we only had 10 days to explore Sicily as there was so much more to see!

Our agent did a yeoman's job helping us plan this trip.

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Italy Honeymoon Review: Rome, Sorrento, Florence, Venice, Vineyard, Wine Experience, 11-Night Trip

Zicasso's tour company did a wonderful job of planning our dream honeymoon! Our travel agent took into consideration our wants and wishes, and created half- and full-day activities for us throughout the trip. We were able to visit four locations (Rome, Sorrento, Florence, and Venice) while in Italy. The trip was a perfect mix of relaxation and exploration. The tour company took away the stress of traveling and allowed us to enjoy the days without worries.

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Italy Luxury Travel Review: Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Sicily, History, Local Cuisine, Bike Tour, Cooking Class, 2 Weeks
"We recently had an amazing trip in southern Italy, organized by a Zicasso tour company that I can't recommend enough!"

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Italy Tour Review: Sicily, Archaeology, Cooking Class, Mount Etna, Art Class, Olive Oil and Lemon Farm, History, Guides, 1 Week

We loved Sicily! Zicasso's travel operator provided us with an amazing trip! Every guide and activity surpassed our expectations. From the archaeological parks to the cooking class at the palace, the art class, the Jeep tour of Mount Etna, the olive oil and lemon farm, but especially the guides she selected for us, it was pure joy! The history of that country is mind-boggling and fascinating to learn about.

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Italy Tour Review: Sicily, Herb Farm, 8 Nights

We could not have been more pleased with choosing this Zicasso tour operator to help us plan and coordinate our tour of Sicily. Having never been there and being seniors, we very much appreciated having drivers, guides, and hotels all taken care of for us. The drivers were always on time. The hotels were very good quality, with fantastic breakfasts included. Whenever we needed to reach our tour operator, they immediately responded. I'm spreading the word here in the States about this travel company.

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Italy Travel Review: Sicily, Ragusa, Cefalu, Siracusa, Taormina, Wine, Local Cuisine, 13 Days

The trip itself was OK. We loved getting to know Sicily and the itinerary provided by Zicasso's travel company was very interesting. The suggestion I would make for new travelers to this region is that they choose another time, instead of May. We expected warmer weather.

Another suggestion is that if you are going to rent a car, choose a small one. The cities are really small (downtown), so the streets are very narrow. You have to be very careful when driving. In Ragusa, a parking lot near the best part of the city should be recommended (I have already told the travel consultant about that).

As for the rest, everything went just fine and I would recommend visiting Sicily.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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