Best of Southern Italy & Sicily Tour

Gorgeous view of the Calabria, Italy coastline

What to expect on this itinerary

Capture the essence of history, culture, and cuisine during your customizable, 14-day highlights tour of Southern Italy and Sicily. Indulge in the alluring splendor of heritage featured in colorful towns around the Amalfi Coast and within the elegantly-preserved architecture of Palermo. From walking the excavated streets of Pompeii to strolling beneath luxurious, Baroque adornments in Lecce, your Southern Italy and Sicily tour embraces grandeur and immerses you in unrivaled beauty.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Rome, Tarquinia, Caserta, Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Sorrento, Amalfi, Ostuni, Lecce, Otranto, Matera, Maratea, Taormina, Syracuse, Valley of the Temples, Palermo, Capri, Sicily

Suggested Duration

14 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Rome – Arrive in the Rome with a Tour of Ancient Tarquinia

The city of Rome remains a powerhouse of history, rising along the banks of the Tiber River. Your flight will land at Fiumicino Airport, where your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival and escort you into the bustling heart of the city center. The trickling water of the Trevi Fountain will embody the grandeur of the Baroque era and marvels of the greater city with images of an opulent Oceanus that is framed by the detailed life of the sea.

After settling into the comforts of your luxurious hotel, your guide will meet you in the lobby and lead you to the magnificent acropolis of Tarquinia, which acted as the capital of the Etruscan settlement over two millennia ago. Authentic and unforgettable history will come to life around the 3,000-year-old City of the Dead on a private tour of the Monterozzi necropolis with the oldest dating back to the 7th century BC. 

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Breakfast
Day 2

Sorrento – Visit Caserta Palace and Naples Archeological Museum

Day 3

Sorrento – Discover Remarkable Pompeii and Herculaneum

Day 4

Sorrento – Traverse the Charm and History of the Amalfi Coast

Day 5

Sorrento – Indulge in the Grandeur and History of Capri

Day 6

Ostuni – Explore Matera and Alberobello en route to Ostuni

Day 7

Ostuni – Delight in the Unique Ambiance of Lecce and Otranto

Day 8

Maratea – Enjoy the Distinctive Seaside Luster of Maratea

Day 9

Taormina – Travel Across the Strait of Messina to Taormina

Day 10

Taormina – Embrace the Powerful Allure and Beauty of Mt. Etna

Day 11

Taormina – Revel in the Ancient History in and around Siracusa

Day 12

Palermo – Wander Ancient Temples in Agrigento en route to Palermo

Day 13

Palermo – Tour the Fabulous History and Culture of Palermo

Day 14

Palermo – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Revel in the thrills of a private helicopter ride over the Amalfi Coast to reach the inspiring atmospheric scenery of the island of Capri
  • Discover the authentic flavors of Sicily during a luxurious wine tour, visiting a mixture of family-owned estates along the foothills of Mt. Etna
  • Witness the magnificent collection of ancient artifacts from Roman colonies such as Pompeii in the National Archeological Museum in Naples
  • Wander through millennia of history along the Italian Peninsula during a private tour of the cave-dwellings of Matera
  • Embrace the historic charm and enchanting ambiance of the collective seaside towns of Maratea
  • Delight in the immersive, fairytale atmosphere of Alberobello, which derives from the unique Trulli homes that shape the diverse neighborhoods
  • Bask in views one of the largest ancient Greek theaters in the world during your private walking tour of Syracuse
  • Sample the delectable cuisine of Sicily when indulging in a memorable dinner at a celebrated Michelin-starred restaurant in Palermo
  • Discover gilded embellishments and displays of regal opulence in Caserta Palace that can be found both in the royal apartments and across the luscious gardens
  • Marvel at the gorgeous scenery and chic Baroque architecture of Taormina on a cliff that overlooks the sapphire waters of the Ionian Sea

Detailed Description

Whether discovering the rich history of Rome or the impressive architecture of Syracuse, indulging in the flavors of vineyards that are spread across the foothills of Mt. Etna or wandering along the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea in Otranto, your 14-day, highlights tour of Italy and Sicily will reveal the beauty of local heritage and the magnificence of the natural landscape. This exploration through Italy will provide you with an unrivaled journey that takes you from the regal Etruscan tombs of Tarquinia to the ancient Greek Theater of Syracuse. You will take your time to enjoy the majesty of Italy with private tours, luxurious excursions, and unique activities that will shape your memorable journey, spanning coastline, gorges, and an epic and ancient history.

Your highlights tour of Southern Italy and Sicily will begin with your arrival in Rome, where you will stay for one night and discover the marvels of the underground tombs of Tarquinia, finding elaborate artwork and unique burial traditions of the pre-Roman civilization. You will have four nights in a captivating hotel in Sorrento for plenty of opportunities to explore the wondrous scenery and culture around the Bay of Naples from the extravagance of the Caserta Palace to a private driver that transfers you to the various towns of the Amalfi Coast.

You will have a scenic helicopter transfer to Capri island and enjoy a tremendous private tour through the impressive history of Pompeii and Herculaneum, featuring remarkable mosaics and the preservation of daily Roman life. Two nights in the charming Pugliese town of Ostuni will take you across the peninsula toward the Adriatic Sea, delving into the rugged cave-dwellings of Matera, the Baroque architecture of Lecce, the seaside heritage of Otranto, and the fabulous fairytale images of Trulli homes in Alberobello.

Your tour will return you to the Western shores of Italy with a night in Maratea, which is a collection of resort towns that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and is known for its stunning views and 44 churches. Three nights in Taormina will introduce you to the pleasures of Sicily with private tours that will take you deep into traditions that date back to the Phoenicians and Magna Grecia. You will taste a range of fabulous wines that have been produced on family-owned estates at Mt. Etna in addition to finding the remains of ancient Greek architecture that accentuate the Baroque designs of Syracuse. The end of your Southern Italy and Sicily vacation will culminate in vivacious Palermo where you can indulge in the sensational flavors of a Michelin-starred restaurant and the exquisite culture of markets, Norman and Arab architecture, and elegant squares.

Consider learning more about our travelers’ favorite Italy travel activities by reading their Italy travel reviews.

Starting Price

$6,300 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

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 5670 reviews

Grace B.
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My husband and I went through Zicasso to plan our honeymoon to Italy and Greece. This was the best decision ever! We worked closely with our travel specialist to plan our trip and she was absolutely phenomenal. This was our first international trip outside of the US, so we were a bit nervous at first! However, our specialist ensured every aspect of the trip was organized and that we were taken care of every step of the way.

The biggest relief was transportation. We did not have to give a second thought as to how we were getting places; we had drivers set up at every destination and for nearly every activity. Also, we had 24/7 support if anything were to go wrong, which gave us peace of mind.

If you are hesitant to use Zicasso for your next trip, I want you to know that I was too, but it was the best decision! We were able to personalize and tailor our trip to our needs without the hassle of dealing with the details.

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I was very pleased with the entire planning of the trip. The communication with Zicasso's tour company was excellent. The meals that were pre-arranged by them were fantastic and we probably would not have found them on our own.

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The trip was amazing all around. Incredible. The service and itinerary were perfect. We highly recommend Zicasso's travel company.

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Our trip was absolutely amazing! This was the trip of a lifetime. Zicasso and our trip planner were incredible. He was repeatedly helpful, offering personalized attention to our needs. He booked amazing tours for us and seemed to really grasp what we wanted. Everything was incredible.

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Robert K.
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It was a great pleasure working with Zicasso's tour agency. Our travel designer and her staff were attentive to the kind of trip we wanted and planned a great itinerary. The hotels, restaurants, and drivers were all top-notch. For us, the acid test was the quality of the guides, and they excelled there as well. We would happily have them plan another trip for us.

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My husband and I had a great time on our trip to the northeast Adriatic Coast of Italy. We have very specific tastes as far as where we like to stay and the private tours we like to have during the trip. Zicasso's travel company did a great job, giving us fantastic hotels, and all of our tour guides were top-notch.

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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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