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Worldwide Escorted Bus Tours & River Cruises
Highlights Of Sicily & Southern Italy
Spectacular scenery combined with fascinating architectural remains and ancient history—all of this await you on this fabulous vacation through Sicily and Southern Italy. If you’re interested in Roman history, this tour is certainly for you. You’ll visit Matera, where you’ll see one of the Sassi Houses—prehistoric cave dwellings built into the rock—thought to be some of the first human settlements in Italy. You’ll also visit Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, known for its blue skies and rich heritage. Here, a tour highlight is Syracuse, the birthplace of Archimedes and a 2,700-year-old city that played a key role in ancient times when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the 5th-century BC archaeological site with the Roman Amphitheater and much more. Also visit Agrigento and see ancient Greek structures that have survived for 2,400 years! Photos and words cannot adequately capture these sights. History buffs will enjoy Pompeii, which was completely buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Imagine what life was like 2,000 years ago! This preserved town gives you an amazingly detailed look into life at the peak of the Roman Empire. Of course, you’ll also see the ancient structures in Rome, such as the Colosseum and Roman Forum.For those desiring amazing scenery, this tour is sure to delight. You’ll visit Sorrento and Capri—both offering breathtaking views of the crystal-clear, blue sea. Spend time gazing at the mesmerizing water, shop at the boutiques, and dine at the fabulous restaurants visited by celebrities. History, shopping, amazing scenery, tasty cuisine, and so much more are waiting for you on this Italy vacation. So pack your bag and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!A good story starts with a good vacation. What story might you discover next?
Highlights:
Itinerary:
| Day #1 |
Arrive in Rome, Italy. Time to rest or start exploring the “Eternal City.” At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D) |
| Day #2 |
Rome. Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then, time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (B) |
| Day #3 |
Rome–Naples–Sorrento. This morning, visit splendid REGGIA OF CASERTA, an impressive residence of 1,200 rooms with elegant GARDENS stretching two miles, reminiscent of the French Palace of Versailles. Next, enter lively and colorful Naples. A Local Guide takes you first to the NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, housing some of the world’s greatest Greco-Roman treasures; focus on the well-preserved objects found in Pompeii. Then, on to the city center to admire the remarkable Triumphal Arch of the New Castle, St. Charles Theater, the Royal Palace, Galleria Umberto, and the semicircular Piazza Plebiscito. Drive up to Posillipo Hill for a sweeping view of the Bay of Naples. Afterwards, continue to the charming resort of Sorrento. (B) |
| Day #4 |
Sorrento. Excursion to Capri. Speed across the bay by JETFOIL to the Isle of Capri. Ride the FUNICULAR to Capri village for a guided visit of this pretty town. Free time to explore the little shops on the Piazzetta before returning to Sorrento. (B) |
| Day #5 |
Sorrento–Pompeii–Matera. A short drive brings you to POMPEII, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Your Local Guide will walk you past patrician homes, public baths, and commercial districts strikingly recalling day-to-day life when Rome was at the apex of her power. Next, drive to Matera for a guided walking tour featuring a visit to one of the picturesque SASSI HOUSES. (B,D) |
| Day #6 |
At Leisure in Matera. Full day at leisure with plenty to do. Ask your Tour Director for suggestions. You may want to visit the picturesque town of Alberobello, famous for its unique trulli, whitewashed dry stone circular houses with pinnacled, conical roofs. (B) |
| Day #7 |
Matera–Reggio Calabria. A spectacular drive south along the gulf of Taranto before heading inland to Reggio Calabria. (B,D) |
| Day #8 |
Reggio Calabria–Taormina Area. This morning, enjoy a guided visit to the MUSEUM that houses the world-famous bronze warrior sculptures Bronzi di Riace. Next, cross the Strait of Messina by FERRY and arrive in Sicily, the great melting pot of the Mediterranean world: Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Saracens, Normans, French, and Spanish have left their marks and contributed to its rich heritage. Continue to your hotel in the Taormina area. You may want to sign up for an exciting optional excursion to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. (B) |
| Day #9 |
Taormina Area. Excursion to Syracuse. Today, enjoy an included excursion to Syracuse, birthplace of the mathematician Archimedes and once a powerful Greek port whose fleet was feared throughout the Mediterranean. It attracted visitors such as the philosopher Plato and, later, the Apostle Paul, who converted its citizens to Christianity. Enter the ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE with a Local Guide for a visit to the 5th-century BC sparkling white Greek Theater, the Garden of Paradise, the Ear of Dionysus, the Altar of Hieron II, the Roman Amphitheater, and the Cordmakers’ Cave. (B,D) |
| Day #10 |
Taormina Area–Agrigento–Selinunte–Palermo. A day devoted to the scenic beauty and ancient Greek treasures of southwest Sicily. Head south to Agrigento and enjoy a walk with your Local Guide through the breathtaking VALLEY OF TEMPLES. Even travelers who have visited Athens and Delphi are awed by the gigantic yet graceful Greek structures that miraculously survived 24 centuries of tormented history. Also visit the DORIAN TEMPLES and ACROPOLIS at Selinunte, built on a natural balcony overlooking the Mediterranean. Arrive at your hotel in Palermo. (B) |
| Day #11 |
Palermo. Start sightseeing with a Local Guide. Visit the ornate Piazza Bellini, the CATHEDRAL, and the Arab-Norman PALATINE CHAPEL in the Royal Palace. Later, drive up to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and a visit to the 12th-century NORMAN CATHEDRAL, famous for its 50,000 square feet of precious byzantine mosaics. End with a visit to the typical and picturesque village of Mondello. Back to Palermo. Tonight, you may wish to enjoy local specialties on an optional dinner outing. (B) |
| Day #12 |
Palermo. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Hotels:
Rome NH Leonardo Da Vinci (F), Sorrento La Residenza (F), Matera Hilton Garden Inn (F), Reggio Calabria Grand Hotel Excelsior (SF), Taormina Area Hilton (SF) at Giardini Naxos, Palermo NH Palermo (F)
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Pricing Options:
| Depart US | Land-Only |
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| 04/16/2011 | $2,289.00 | | 04/23/2011 | $2,299.00 | | 04/30/2011 | $2,299.00 | | 05/07/2011 | $2,299.00 | | 05/14/2011 | $2,299.00 | | 05/21/2011 | $2,299.00 | | 05/28/2011 | $2,299.00 | | 06/04/2011 | $2,319.00 | | 06/11/2011 | $2,319.00 | | 06/18/2011 | $2,319.00 | | 06/25/2011 | $2,319.00 | | 07/02/2011 | $2,299.00 | | 07/09/2011 | $2,299.00 | | 07/16/2011 | $2,279.00 | | 07/23/2011 | $2,279.00 | | 07/30/2011 | $2,279.00 | | 08/06/2011 | $2,279.00 | | 08/13/2011 | $2,279.00 | | 08/20/2011 | $2,299.00 | | 08/27/2011 | $2,319.00 | | 09/03/2011 | $2,319.00 | | 09/10/2011 | $2,319.00 | | 09/17/2011 | $2,319.00 | | 09/24/2011 | $2,319.00 | | 10/01/2011 | $2,299.00 | | 10/08/2011 | $2,289.00 |
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