23 Days | Discover the secrets of Italy’s vibrant south on a journey through the Amalfi region, Calabria and Sicily.
Acquaint yourself with Italy's 'Eternal City' of Rome and learn about the catastrophic fate of Pompeii. Soak up the sunshine in the coastal town of Sorrento and explore the beautiful Amalfi Coast, before heading south to Calabria, a hidden gem for those who stray off Italy’s beaten path. Continue to bustling Sicily, with the volcanic valleys of Mt. Etna, the timeworn streets of Syracuse, the Baroque wonders of Ragusa, the ruins of the Valley of Temples and the rich anti-mafia history of Palermo. Starring dramatic cliffside villages, clear waters and delicious seafood, this is a chance to experience the highlights of southern Italy.
Trip overview
- Start
- Rome, Italy
- Finish
- Palermo, Italy
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Italy
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- ZMSFC
- Wander around Rome's famous landmarks including the Colosseum, Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and much more. This is a city that bucket lists were made for
- Feel La Dolce Vita while sipping espresso alongside sharp-dressed locals on the glamorous Sorrentine Peninsula
- Explore the vast, frozen in time ruins of ancient Pompeii, which emerged from the ashes after thousands of years, and take a peak inside the steaming crater of Mt Vesuvius, the volcano that destroyed it
- Hike among the olive groves on the Path of the Gods along the spectacular Amalfi Coast
- Get up close and personal with the active volcanoes scattered across the Aeolian Islands and perhaps take a dip in one of the sulphur springs
- Surrounded by dramatic valleys and craters set in a lunar-like landscape, towering Mt. Etna is one of the greatest natural beauties of the Mediterranean, and Europe’s largest active volcano
- Search crumbling Greek and Roman ruins in the charming seaside town of Taormina
- Due to the terrain the means of transportation on this trip is a mix of local trains, private vehicles and public buses. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. Trains are comfortable and all have toilets, however can often be quite busy.
- Please note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the trains, and up and down stairs at train stations and at hotels, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'What to Take' section of the trip notes. You may want to consider taking a backpack rather than a wheelie bag, however this is up to your personal preference and what you feel more comfortable with.
- Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Additionally, please be aware that July, August and the first half of September is high season along the Southern Italian coast, which means that the local infrastructure is under a lot of pressure with a lot of people in the towns we visit. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
- Hotel rooms in Europe can seem rather small by American or Australian standards and often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
- On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
22 breakfasts
Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Ferry, Metro, Cable car
Hotel (20 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)
- Naples - Leader-led orientation walk
- Naples - café sospeso
- Pompeii - Archaeological Site
- Pompeii - Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Mt Vesuvius - Crater Rim Walk & Summit Climb
- Sorrento - Limoncello Tasting
- Sorrento - Gelato Making Demonstration
- Amalfi - Walk of the Gods Hike (Sentiero degli Dei)
- Amalfi - Coastal Ferry Cruise Positano to Amalfi
- Civita - Nature based hike
- Tropea - Stromboli by Night
- Reggio Calabria - Archaeological Museum
- Messina - traditional boat sailing
- Taormina - Day Trip
- Mt Etna - Day Trip
- Siracusa - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Noto & Ragusa - Day Trip
- Agrigento - Guided visit Valley of the Temples
- Erice - local sweets tasting
- Palermo - Anti-Mafia Movement Tour
- Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo - EUR14
- Rome - Christian Catacombs - EUR10
- Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill - EUR19
- Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House - EUR6
- Rome - Galleria Borghese - EUR16
- Rome - Pantheon - EUR5
- Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator - EUR10
- Rome - Venezia Palace - EUR17
- Naples - Archaeological Museum - EUR15
- Naples - Duomo - Free
- Naples - St Claire's Church and Cloister - EUR6
- Pompeii - Herculaneum Ruins - EUR14
- Pompeii - Sanctuary of St Mary of the Rosary - Free
- Capri - Hydrofoil Sorrento to Capri - EUR44
- Amalfi - Chiostro del Paradiso - EUR3
- Amalfi - Valley of the Mills Hike - Free
- Amalfi - Ravello & Valley of the Dragons - Free
- Amalfi - Cattedrale S.Andrea - Free
- Reggio Calabria - Aragonese Castle - EUR5
- Taormina - Greek Theatre - EUR10
- Siracusa - Castello Maniace - EUR4
- Siracusa - Cathedral - EUR2
- Siracusa - Archaeological Museum - EUR14
- Siracusa - Neapolis Archaeological Park - EUR13
- Monreale - Cathedral & Cloister - EUR13
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, excluding Day 9 to 10. Availability is limited due to small properties we use. please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. As this is a combination of 3 trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in Amalfi and Catania.
3. You don't have a lot of time in Rome at the start of the trip, so if you're keen to explore this spectacular city in depth we recommend you arrive a day or two before the start of the trip, especially if you would like to see the Vatican Museum as it is closed most Sundays. Please check opening times here: vatican.va.
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