Day 1 – Giardini Naxos, Sicily

Your Italian journey begins in Giardini Naxos, a seaside resort on Sicily’s eastern shores. Settle in and enjoy the relaxed coastal atmosphere, with Mount Etna rising in the distance. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day at leisure, exploring independently or relaxing by the waterfront. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for an orientation briefing, followed by an evening at leisure.

Day 2 – Giardini Naxos

This morning, explore beautiful Taormina, home to ancient relics, rocky hills, and charming gardens. With an expert local guide, you’ll stroll the lively pedestrian main street and climb to the city’s well-preserved Greek theatre. The afternoon is yours to explore more of Taormina or relax in Giardini Naxos – the “garden of Sicily.” This evening, gather for a welcome dinner where traditional Sicilian melodies fill the air.

Day 3 – Giardini Naxos

Today is yours to spend as you wish. Perhaps you’ll opt to experience Sicily’s wilder side on an off-road adventure up Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Take in awe-inspiring views from a 4×4 vehicle and hop out to walk amid lava formations and basalt rocks. After a wine-paired lunch at a winery on the slopes of Mount Etna, return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 4 – Giardini Naxos

This morning, it’s your choice! Linger in Giardini Naxos, enjoying a leisurely morning of dolce far niente (sweet do nothing): stroll along the beach, dip your toes in the Mediterranean Sea, perhaps treat yourself to some gelato -OR- take a walk in old-world Sicily as you visit the hilltop village of Savoca. Known to film lovers as a setting for The Godfather, Savoca captures a sense of quiet nostalgia and cinematic history. The afternoon is at leisure: remain in Giardini Naxos or head to nearby Taormina to wander its streets and browse local shops.

Day 5 – Giardini Naxos – Matera

Take a short and scenic ferry ride across the narrow Strait of Messina, separating Sicily from Italy’s mainland. During your full day bus transfer, pass through the unspoiled region of Calabria and onto the Basilicata region. Wander through the twisting vines of a local winery before touring the cellar for a tasting. Linger over regional cuisine at dinner in the winery’s agriturismo restaurant.

Day 6 – Matera

Explore the Sassi di Matera, an ancient settlement of carved cave dwellings that has been continuously inhabited for millennia. A local guide shares the history and explains why film producers are seeking out this unique landscape. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps you’ll visit the Palombaro Lungo, an underground cistern once essential to the city’s water storage system, or explore independently, discovering the surrounding countryside and rock churches that reflect Matera’s prehistoric and medieval past.

Day 7 – Matera

This morning, explore Alberobello, in the nearby region of Puglia. During a walking tour, marvel at the town’s whimsical trulli homes, known for their distinctive cone-shaped roofs. Then, explore another side of Puglia during a guided visit to the Castellana Caves, a vast underground system featuring dramatic chambers, towering stalactites, and striking rock formations shaped over millennia. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 8 – Matera – Sorrento

After a full morning’s drive, stop at a sustainable buffalo dairy farm for a taste of freshly made mozzarella and a peek into the history of this iconic cheese. After lunch at the dairy, continue to the Sorrentine Peninsula and settle in for a three-night stay. This evening, discover the allure of Sorrento during a walk around its charming old town.

Day 9 – Sorrento

This morning, take in the sights and colors of the Mediterranean Sea as you drive along the initial stretch of the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. Gaze out over the deep blue hues of the sea paired with the bright citrus fruits lining the hillsides. Pause in Positano with its pastel-colored houses and pebbly beaches. Then, learn a few tips and tricks behind authentic Neapolitan-style pizza making before a pizza lunch, capped with homemade limoncello. Back in Sorrento, enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 10 – Sorrento

Enjoy a day at leisure to take in the laid-back charm of Sorrento. Perhaps you will embark on an optional ferryboat trip to the Mediterranean isle of Capri. Upon arrival, admire the island’s iconic scenery on a panoramic cruise, passing by steep cliffs, endless small caves, and the famous Faraglioni rocks, jutting out of the water. Spend time in Capri town with its world-famous piazzetta and explore this island paradise of chic boutiques, lush vegetation, and outdoor cafés. Return to Sorrento in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

Day 11 – Sorrento – Pompeii – Rome

Journey north to Rome. En route, experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii. Here, it’s your choice! Soak in the history of this 2000-year-old Roman town at your own pace by picking between a leisurely-paced walking tour of Pompeii’s essential sights -OR- a faster-paced walk combining the highlights with Pompeii’s further-out gems. Step into another time as you explore the preserved buildings and imagine life in the 1st-century. An afternoon-long transfer leads to Rome, where you arrive in the early evening. Celebrate the end of your journey with a delightful farewell dinner.

Day 12 – Rome – Tour Ends

Your tour comes to a close today.