Slow down to the languid pace of the south – hot winds, and even hotter locals both signs that you've arrived in a part of Italy that marches to its own tune. See the fiery splendors of Sicily revealed beneath the shadow of Italy's largest volcano, Mount Etna, where you will enjoy local wine tasting under the warm Sicilian sun.
Slow down to the languid pace of the south – hot winds, and even hotter locals both signs that you've arrived in a part of Italy that marches to its own tune. See the fiery splendors of Sicily revealed beneath the shadow of Italy's largest volcano, Mount Etna, where you will enjoy local wine tasting under the warm Sicilian sun.
Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. On arrival to Rome Fiumicino Airport transfers will operate at 9.30am, 12.30pm and 3.30pm. Guests arriving later should make their own way to the hotel. Relax after your journey or explore on your own. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening for a Welcome Reception. Enjoy an orientation drive through the city – a perfect introduction to this beautiful city, the center of which has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its ruins, imposing monuments, statues and fountains.
From Rome, visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery to commemorate those who died in the huge battle here during WWII, and view the Benedictine Abbey at Cassino, which was originally founded by Saint Benedict in the 6th century, making it one of Europe's oldest monasteries and a recognized center of arts and culture. Next stop at the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii. Your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour of the excavations buried for centuries under a layer of volcanic ash when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. See such sites as the Amphitheater, dating back to 80 BC, and the Gymnasium which used to have a pool in the middle. You'll also see the Temple of Apollo and the impressive Basilica. Arrive later at your hotel in Sorrento.
Enjoy a full day to do as you please in this beautiful resort town. Shop, relax, see the sights of your choice or consider and Optional Experience. Whatever you decide, your Travel Director will be on hand to help you get the most out of your day. Tonight savor a delicious Be My Guest dinner at a beautiful Sicilian winery and restaurant overlooking Mount Etna.
Say arrivederci to Sicily and your newfound friends at the end of a memorable vacation. Return transfers on will arrive at Palermo Airport at 8am. Conditions apply.
Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
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9 May 18 | 19 May 18 |
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$2,625pp | Call 1-877-622-9109 | |||
16 May 18 | 26 May 18 |
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$2,625pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
30 May 18 | 9 Jun 18 |
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$2,625pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
20 Jun 18 | 30 Jun 18 |
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$2,595$2,465pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
27 Jun 18 | 7 Jul 18 |
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$2,595$2,465pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
4 Jul 18 | 14 Jul 18 |
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$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
11 Jul 18 | 21 Jul 18 |
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$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
1 Aug 18 | 11 Aug 18 |
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$2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
8 Aug 18 | 18 Aug 18 |
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$2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
15 Aug 18 | 25 Aug 18 |
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$2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
29 Aug 18 | 8 Sep 18 |
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$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
5 Sep 18 | 15 Sep 18 |
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$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
26 Sep 18 | 6 Oct 18 |
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$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
26 Sep 18 | 6 Oct 18 |
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$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
3 Oct 18 | 13 Oct 18 |
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$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
10 Oct 18 | 20 Oct 18 |
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$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
17 Oct 18 | 27 Oct 18 |
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$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now |
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: $490 p.p.
Triple Discount: $70 p.p.
Guaranteed Room Share is not available on this trip.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $97 per person.
Airport transfers: On arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport transfers will operate at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm. Guests arriving later should make their own way to the hotel. Return transfers on the last travel day will arrive at Palermo Airport at 8:00 am.
Cruise Connection: This trip starts or ends in a popular cruise port, so you can combine a cruise with a more in-depth guided vacation in Europe.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
Past Travelers: Save an additional 5% off the Land Only price of the vacation.
14 meals: 9 hot buffet breakfasts, 5 dinners, all with tea and coffee.
The currency in Italy is the Euro (€). While it’s a good idea to bring some euros for when you first arrive in Italy, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate when you arrive in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks in Italy. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
One of the most enjoyable parts of traveling is sampling the local cuisine. While pizza and pasta are national favorites, few travelers understand just how varied Italy’s cuisine actually is. In fact, each of the country’s 20 regions has its own distinctive cuisine. Lunch (pranzo) is traditionally the most substantial meal of the day. A full meal consists of antipasto (starter), a primo piatto (pasta, rice or soup), a secondo piatto (meat or fish) with a side, or contorno (vegetable or salad), then fruit. Finish with espresso and maybe a splash of liqueur. Wine is usually served with the meal, accompanied by mineral water. Tap water is safe to drink, but not always tasty. We recommend you buy bottled mineral water. ‘Acqua non potabile’ means the water is not safe to drink. Find out about some local specialties to try in Italy’s top destinations below.
Throughout Southern Italy, you can enjoy a variety of fresh and dried pasta with tomato sauce, vegetables marinated in olive oil, seafood, limoncello (lemon liqueur), and a selection of delicious desserts. In Rome, you can try humble pasta dishes such as carbonara, amatriciana, aglio e olio (garlic and olive oil) and cacio e peppe (pecorino cheese and pepper). Other foods to try include pizza, a variety fried foods called fritti that come stuffed with everything from salted cod to zucchini flours, and and a selection of cheeses including the popular pecorino Romano. You’ll also find traditional desserts such as Rome’s crostata di ricotta, Italy’s version of cheesecake, deep-fried zeppole rolled in sugar, as well as Sicily’s famous cannoli.
In Italy, the weather changes very quickly, with temperatures varying from morning to night. We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Keep in mind that your shoulders and knees should be covered while visiting religious sites. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
At bars and restaurants, tipping is less common or generous as in the U.S. When dining out, it’s appropriate, although not required, to leave an extra euro or two for your waiter.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Adult Price: €49.00
A scenic drive takes you through the Sorrentino countryside to an 18th century Olive Oil mill. You’ll enjoy a guided visit of the gardens, mill and wine cellar, followed by a simple meal of traditional pizza and wine. And there'll also be the chance to see how mozzarella and pizza are made.
Adult Price: €61.00
Join us for an evening of Neapolitan specialties at one of our favorite family-run restaurants. While you’re wined and dined, enjoy a cultural experience performed by local artists who'll take centre stage and demonstrate the famous Tarantella dance.
Adult Price: €43.00
Come with us for a drive along the famous Amalfi Coast. You’ll have a chance to visit the exclusive artists’ paradise of Positano, which is magnificently positioned on the Mediterranean coast.
Adult Price: €41.00
Experience Capri's spectacular cliffs, famous turquoise waters and white grotto the best way: by boat. In Capri town, enjoy a lemon granita, a specialty of the island. Or if the weather doesn't allow, we'll take you on a tour of the island to Anacapri, and a visit to Villa San Michele.
Adult Price: €56.00
Discover rustic village life with your Local Specialist as we visit Savoca, the Sicilian setting for 'The Godfather'. Enjoy the stunning views before a visit to Vitelli's bar, featured in the film and famous for 'granita di limone'. Later, you’ll journey up Mt Etna, one of the most intriguing volcanoes in the world.
Adult Price: €50.00
With your Local Specialist, you’ll visit the most fascinating town in Sicily, once the capital of Magna Graecia, including the beautiful island of Ortygia. Entrance to the archaeological site of Syracuse is included.
Adult Price: €64.00
A fantastic Sicilian evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner of Southern Italian specialities, with musical entertainment.
Adult Price: €68.00
Climb by minibus to the heights of Castelmola, above Taormina, to enjoy the best views of this magical part of Sicily. You'll enjoy wandering the cobbled streets with interesting shops and cafes. Then, dine in a restaurant that has the best view in Sicily, with wine included.
Adult Price: €60.00
Join us for a drive to the coast of Sicily, where we’ll arrive at the quaint fishing village of Sferracavallo. You’ll have the chance to sample a delicious fishermen’s feast, accompanied by wine and soft drinks.
Adult Price: €36.00
Take a drive along the blue coastal highway to the quaint medieval village of Cefalu. You'll have the chance to stroll from the long golden beaches into the winding Arab streets with your Local Specialist.
Adult Price: €30.00
A panoramic drive through verdant forest with spectacular views over the city of Palermo brings us to the summit of Mt. Pellegrino. Here we visit the grotto of Santa Rosalia, Palermo's patron saint. Later, with a Local Specialist, we explore and sample Palermitano street food at one of the most famous and colorful markets with its stalls of olives and spices. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy picturesque Sicilian everyday life.
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