Rome, Naples & Sicily Highlights - 11 Days

Welcome to Italy! On arrival in Rome, make your own way to our start hotel. Start seeing the sights of Rome straight away with your hop on hop off bus ticket.

Sit back and relax on the open-top panoramic bus and spot your favourite city landmarks from a different viewpoint. Perhaps hop off the bus to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck and taste some authentic Italian gelato, before getting back on the bus to head to next stop or simply enjoy the views of Rome from the comfort of the bus. Once you have seen all the sights from the bus, enjoy the rest of the evening before heading back to the hotel.

Rome - Sorrento. Setting off from Rome, we head south, passing through Lazio and Campania to reach Sorrento. On arrival in this pretty coastal city, the rest of the day is free for you to explore Sorrento. Perhaps enjoy some shopping, or sample some local limoncello. This evening, dinner is included - please dress smartly (jacket for men) as it is a formal dinner!

Sorrento - Capri - Sorrento. Today we explore the beautiful and exclusive Mediterranean island of Capri. Weather permitting, we will visit the Blue Grotto sea cave by row boat. You can enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (at your own expense) and free time to explore the island. Capri was a summer home for the Roman emperor Augustus and today is popular with celebrities. After our visit, we return to Sorrento.

Sorrento - Pompeii - Palermo. After a final breakfast in Sorrento, we head to the ruined city of Pompeii for a guided tour. In the year 79 AD, the residents of Pompeii, a prosperous and sophisticated Roman city, were going about their day. Suddenly and without warning, the normally quiet Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the city in up to 6 metres of ash and pumice. Whilst many Pompeiians escaped, approximately 2,000 people were buried and perished. The ash perfectly preserved the city, and on our guided tour we will see some of the surviving artifacts, mosaics and buildings, and will find out more about the eruption and what life was like in the city before this fateful day.

After our tour, we drive to the port of Naples, and board the overnight ferry to Palermo, capital of Sicily. Note that dinner and breakfast are not included on the ferry, but can be purchased onboard.

We arrive in Palermo and disembark the ferry before transferring to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to head out and explore Palermo.

This morning we visit Monreale, located in the fertile valley of La Conca d'Oro and renowned for its almonds, citrus fruits, and olive oil. We'll visit UNESCO-listed Monreale Cathedral and there will be time for some lunch and shopping if you choose.

Returning to Palermo, we enjoy a guided walking tour of the Sicilian capital. This 3,000-year-old city has a rich history which our local guide will share with you. Step back in time as we explore the narrow streets of the Old Town and visit the impressive Palermo Cathedral. After our tour, you will have free time to further sightsee independently.

Palermo - Erice - Marsala - Agrigento. We enjoy a busy day of Sicilian sightseeing today! Departing Palermo, we head to the medieval village of Erice, where little has changed since the 6th century. Hewn into the side of Monte San Giuliano, Erice offers incredible views and delightful labyrinthine lanes to explore.

We then continue to a traditional tavern in the wine-producing region of Marsala. Here we can visit the wine cellar before enjoying included wine tasting and lunch. Then it's onwards to Agrigento, on Sicily's south coast.

This afternoon we visit the Valley of the Temples, one of the most outstanding surviving examples of Ancient Greek architecture in the world. We take in the incredible Temple of Concordia, Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Jupiter, which was once the largest Doric temple ever constructed. Reaching our hotel, the evening is at leisure.

Agrigento - Ragusa. Today we drive to the hilltop town of Ragusa. Here we visit the enchanting historical centre, known for its Baroque palaces and churches. We see the old gate of San Giorgio, and the Giardini Iblei, a picturesque public garden with sweeping views of the surrounding area. Then we head to Piazza Pola to visit the Baroque Church of San Giuseppe, a hidden gem in the city. We also see the elegant Cathedral of San Giorgio and Cosentini Palace, a beautiful Baroque villa protected by UNESCO.

Ragusa - Noto - Syracuse - Taormina. Our first stop after departing Ragusa this morning is the picturesque town of Noto. We visit the Cathedral of San Nicolò, rebuilt in the years following an earthquake in 1990.

Driving along the coast, we then reach Syracuse, at Sicily's southeastern tip. Here we visit Ortygia, an island that is also home to Syracuse's oldest area, with lots of medieval streets and Baroque architecture to admire. There is free time to explore this fascinating and historic area. Continuing to Taormina, the evening is at leisure.

Today we visit the largest active volcano in Europe - Mount Etna. This stratovolcano last erupted in 2022, and you may well see signs of volcanic activity including smoke billowing from the top of the volcano. On our visit, we learn about this volcanic activity and see the lava fields from previous eruptions. Weather and conditions permitting, we have the opportunity to hike to the summit, 1,800m above sea level.

Returning to Taormina, the rest of the day is free for you to explore this hilltop coastal town. We recommend visiting the Ancient Greek amphitheatre, Teatro Antico di Taormina, which is still in use today.

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before our Sicilian adventure comes to an end.