“Southern Italy”
Tour highlights:
The regions of Calabria, Campani;
The cities of Cosenza, Amalfi.
Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Palermo (Sicily)
Arrive Palermo’s Punta Raisi Airport (in the morning) where you are met by you’re company’s director/guide and an air-conditioned motor-coach with driver, a luxury which we will enjoy every day for the entire tour. Check in at our lovely 4-star hotel in downtown Palermo by the water near the Botanic Gardens. Then a short tour of Palermo with our bus and an easy walk: the 12th c. Cathedral, the 11th c. Palazzo dei Normanni, the wonderful 12th c. churches of S. Cataldo and Martorana, and more. Tonight a delicious welcome-to-Sicily dinner with local specialties. Includes: (D)
Day 2 - Caltanissetta
This morning we'll board our motorcoach again and we'll go to visit the fabulous 12th century Norman cathedral of Monreale with its glittering Byzantine golden mosaics that rival in size and beauty those of Ravenna and Venice. We'll then stop at the quaint seaside resort town of Cefalù, to enjoy this interesting little town and have a nice lunch (independently) by the beach. Then it's on to our beautiful 4-star hotel where a welcome dinner is included. Includes: (B) (D)
Day 3 - Caltanissetta
This morning, the fabled Valley of the Temples at Agrigento (entrance incl.). Here, we'll walk through the excavations to see the remains of three major Doric Greek temples built in the 6th and 5th century B.C., and more. Later, return to our hotel and free time for some shopping and/or relaxation. Includes: (B) (D)
Day 4 - Taormina
This morning, we'll drive past Mount Etna (a still active volcano) to the enchanting resort town of Taormina, clinging to a mountain high above the blue coast. Check in at our fantastic 4-star hotel below by the water and after a beautiful funivia (cable car) ride up to town, we’ll tour Taormina's classical Greco/Roman Theater (entrance incl.) with a beautiful view of Etna. You can then shop and explore more independently or relax by our private beach. Includes: (B)
Day 5 - Taormina
Today is a free day. Perhaps, a wonderful boat ride around the bay or a shopping expedition through quaint and lovely old Taormina. Includes: (B)
Day 6 - Cosenza (Calabria)
Our late morning departure will permit additional enjoyment of Taormina and the hotel before we cross the legendary Straits of Messina by ferry and travel through the region of Cacalbria to our 4-star hotel in bustling and stylish Cosenza. Includes: (B) (Dinner with specialties)
Day 7 - Amalfi (Campania)
Today, a drive north to Pompeii, where we'll take a tour of this ill-fated city (entrance incl.) which is truly a "time capsule". Later, we’ll drive to the spectacular Costiera Amalfitana (Amalfi Coast) and the ancient maritime city of Amalfi. Then check-in at our other beautiful 4-star hotel by the water. Welcome-to-Amalfi dinner with specialties of the region of Campania. Includes: (B) (D)
Day 8 - Amalfi
A drive up the mountain to visit Ravello, one of the most enchanting villages in the world. A visit to the beautiful Villa Cimbrone (entr. included) for magnificent, heavenly views, and where Greta Garbo used to secretly meet her lover, director Stokowski. Then back to Amalfi and the rest of the day is free. Your tour director will have various suggestions and directions for activities on your own. Includes: (B) (D)
Day 9 - Amalfi
Today is a free day. Our motorcoach will take everyone to nearby Amalfi from where some of you may decide to take a boat to the Isle of Capri. Others may prefer to take an easy public bus to charming Positano and/or Sorrento. Some others may prefer to enjoy the beach and the sea right there in Amalfi. The tour director will give detailed directions to all and will also offer you an extra option for the afternoon: a fantastic hike in the nearby “Valley of the Mills”, a wonderful idyllic experience. Our motorcoach will pick everybody up in Amalfi after your independent dinner at 9:30 pm. Includes: (B)
Day 10 - Naples (Campania)
Today, we’ll drive on the western portion of the Amalfi Coast which is evermore beautiful. We’ll soon arrive at famous Sorrento where we’ll spend most of the day walking around the charming old town, relaxing, eating, and doing last minute shopping. We’ll then drive to nearby Naples and to our beautiful 4-star hotel, a lovely villa, not far from the airport. An excellent dinner is included tonight with Neapolitan specialties. Includes: (B) (D)
Day 11 - Naples
Today our local expert guide (the same archaeologist who showed us around in Pompeii) will come and meet us and together we’ll tour Naples. First we’ll visit the archaeological museum where some very interesting artifacts that came from Pompeii are conserved. Then after a light lunch, we’ll see (exteriors) the main attractions that Naples has to offer: Piazza del Plebiscito with the Royal Palace, the 13th century castle known as the Maschio Angioino, the Cathedral of San Gennaro, where the saint’s blood miraculously liquefies once a year, the 14th century Castel dell’Ovo, and more. We’ll return to our hotel in mid-afternoon to relax and pack. Tonight farewell dinner with more local specialties. Includes: (B) (D)
Day 12 - Your flight home
This morning transfer to Naples' Capodichino airport for your return flight. Includes: (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Cost of the tour includes:
- 11 nights lodging, double occupancy;
- 7 entrance fees: Monreale Cathedral, in Palermo; Valley of the Temples and the Museum, in Agrigento; Graeco/Roman Theater in Taormina; Villa Cimbrone in Ravello; the excavated Roman city of Pompeii; the Archaelogical Museum in Naples;
- Transfers to and from airport by motor-coach in Palermo & Naples, (on scheduled days of arrival & departure);
- "Basic" tips to waiters, guides, porters, drivers, etc.
- Comprehensive booklet, "Planet Italy", what to expect, passports, food, packing light, pickpockets, exchanging money, etc.
- A lifetime membership in "The Italian Lovers Club" featuring a 3% discount on all future tours).
Cost of the tour does not include:
- Air transportation;
- Personal expenses & Additional meals;
- Gratuities to tour director and hotel maids;
- Anything not expressly mentioned under “Cost of the tour includes”.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Archeology/History
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