Southern Italy & Sicily
11 Days from $2,465 per person
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.
Overview
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.
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Day 1: USA - Europe
Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included). -
Day 2: Arrive Rome
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.
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Day 3: Rome – Cassino – Pompeii – Sorrento (2 Nights)
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.
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Day 4: Sorrento – Isle Of Capri Excursion
Gain a Cultural Insight during a demonstration of the art of inlaid wood at a workshop in Sorrento. Take a ferry to the Isle of Capri, the isle of Sirens according to Greek mythology, and continue to Capri town by funicular railway. See the famous Piazzetta during your guided walking tour with a Local Specialist and spend some time people-watching at one of the local cafés. -
Day 5: Sorrento – Taormina (Giardini Naxos) (3 Nights)
Drive south via Salerno and through Calabria. Travel across the straits of Messina to the rugged and historic island of Sicily and to the beachside resort town of Giardini Naxos below Taormina. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel. -
Day 6: Taormina Sightseeing
Your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour of Taormina on the slopes of Monte Tauro overlooking the sea. Visit the Greek theater and the sub-tropical terraced gardens. Stroll along the elegant Corso Umberto with a gelsi gelato and on to the Piazza for splendid panoramic views across the bay. Spend free time shopping for souvenirs and handmade lace on the Corso. -
Day 7: Taormina
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.
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Day 8: Taormina – Agrigento
Enjoy views of Enna on the way to Agrigento, where your Local Specialist takes you to visit the Valley of the Temples - the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. See the splendid Temple of Concord and the Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. -
Day 9: Agrigento – Erice – Mondello – Palermo (2 Nights)
Travel to Erice and explore this famous hilltop medieval town in western Sicily with its cobbled streets, Norman Castles and stunning views of the sea, salt pans and wooded hillsides. Perhaps take a walk to the ruins of the famed Venus Castle with its Balio Gardens. Before arriving in Palermo, the Sicilian capital, visit the chic seaside resort of Mondello, with its beautiful beach, popular with the elite Palermitans. -
Day 10: Palermo Sightseeing and Excursion to Monreale
Meet your Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour of Palermo. See The Opera House of Palermo and the Cathedral. Travel to the town of Monreale for views of La Conca d'Oro and explore the magnificent 12th century Norman Cathedral. Later join your companions and celebrate with a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. -
Day 11: Depart Palermo
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.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Definite Departure
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|
$2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 29 Aug 18 | 8 Sep 18 |
|
$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 5 Sep 18 | 15 Sep 18 |
|
$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 26 Sep 18 | 6 Oct 18 |
|
$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 26 Sep 18 | 6 Oct 18 |
|
$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 3 Oct 18 | 13 Oct 18 |
|
$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 10 Oct 18 | 20 Oct 18 |
|
$2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 17 Oct 18 | 27 Oct 18 |
|
$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.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
Meal Summary
14 meals: 9 hot buffet breakfasts, 5 dinners, all with tea and coffee.
Included Highlights
Be My Guest
- Visit Maria Marano's wine farm at the foot of Mount Etna for a walking tour through the estate, and enjoy home-made appetizers accompanied by local wine
Cultural Insight
- Witness the exquisite craft of inlaid wood at a workshop in Sorrento
Local Specialist
- For included sightseeing in Pompeii, Capri, Taormina, Agrigento and Palermo
Hidden Treasure
- Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure
Sightseeing Highlights
- City tour in Pompeii, Capri, Taormina, Agrigento, Palermo
- Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Cassino, the excavations at Pompeii, the impressive ruins of the ancient Greek Theater at Taormina, the Temples of Concord and Juno at Agrigento, the medieval town of Erice, the Norman Cathedral at Monreale, the fishing village of Mondello
- Cruise to the Isle of Capri
- View St Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Benedictine Abbey at Monte Cassino, the fortress town of Enna, Palermo Cathedral
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
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Currency
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.
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Cuisine
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.
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Packing
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.
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Tipping
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
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Baggage
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.
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Health and Fitness
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.
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Insurance
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.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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.
Sorrento
Sorrento Farmhouse Dinner
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.
Neapolitan Dinner and Dance
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.
Amalfi Coast and Positano
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.
Discover The Isle Of Capri
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.
Taormina
Mt Etna, Savoca And The Godfather
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.
Syracuse - The Wonder Of Ancient Sicily
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.
Sicilian Dinner and Entertainment
Adult Price: €64.00
A fantastic Sicilian evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner of Southern Italian specialities, with musical entertainment.
Dinner in Castelmola, the Most Dramatically Located Village in Sicily
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.
Palermo
Sferracavallo With Lunch Or Dinner
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.
A Visit to Cefalu
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.
Colors and Traditions of Palermo
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.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
