The sun-kissed south and Sicily are the star attractions on this mesmerising southern Italy trip from Rome to Palermo. Taste local Sicilian wine on the slopes of snow-capped Mount Etna, learn about the ancient Greek heritage of Agrigento and get lost in the medieval cobbled streets of Erice.
Ciao Roma, the 'Eternal City', which you'll have an opportunity to explore on your own before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception this evening. Enjoy an orientation drive - a perfect introduction to this beautiful city, the centre of which has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its ruins, imposing monuments, statues and fountains.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Grand Palatino
From Rome, visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Cassino to commemorate those who died here in the WWII battle and view the Benedictine, originally founded by Saint Benedict in the 6th century. Next, stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii. Your Local Specialist will take you on a walking tour of the excavations buried for centuries under a layer of volcanic ash after Mount Vesuvius erupted. See such sites as the Gymnasium, the Temple of Apollo and the impressive Basilica before continuing to your hotel in Sorrento.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Johanna Park
Take a ferry to Capri, the isle of sirens according to Greek mythology. You'll ascend to Capri town by funicular railway and see the famous Piazzetta during your guided walking tour with a Local Specialist. Spend some free time people-watching at one of the local cafés before returning to the mainland where you can enjoy free time in Sorrento.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 4
Cross the Strait to Taormina
Drive south via Salerno and through Calabria, crossing the straits of Messina to Sicily and the beachside resort town of Giardini Naxos below Taormina. Tonight Connect With Locals during a Be My Guest experience hosted at a beautiful Sicilian winery and restaurant overlooking Mount Etna.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Sant Alphio Garden Giardini Naxos
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 5
Gardens and More in Taormina
Your Local Specialist will take you on a walking tour of Taormina on the slopes of Monte Tauro, overlooking the sea. Visit the Greek theatre and see the terraced botanical gardens. Then, stroll along the elegant Corso Umberto with a gelsi gelato and on to the Piazza for splendid panoramic views across the bay. Later, there's free time for shopping for souvenirs and handmade ceramics on the Corso.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 6
Taormina Your Way
Enjoy a full day to do as you please in this beautiful resort town. Shop, relax, see the sights of your choice or consider an Optional Experience. Whatever you decide, your Travel Director will be on hand to help you get the most out of your day. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Enjoy views of Enna on the way to Agrigento, where your Local Specialist will take you to 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.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Dioscuri Bay Palace
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 8
Explore Sicilian Towns and on to Palermo
Travel to Erice and discover 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 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.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Garibaldi
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 9
Enjoy the Views in Monreale
Meet your Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour of Palermo. See Palermo's Opera House 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 your journey with a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Say arrivederci to Sicily and your newfound friends at the end of a memorable holiday. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Visit Maria Marano's wine farm at the foot of Mount Etna for a walking tour through the estate, and enjoy home-made appetisers accompanied by local wine at a Be My Guest dinner. (Day 4)
Sightseeing highlights
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Explore Pompeii, Capri, Taormina, Agrigento and Palermo with a Local Specialist
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Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Cassino, the excavations at Pompeii, the ruins of the ancient Greek theatre at Taormina, the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, Erice, Monreale Cathedral and Mondello
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View the Benedictine Abbey at Monte Cassino, the fortress town of Enna and Palermo Cathedral
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Cruise to the Isle of Capri
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Optional Experiences and free time
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Handcrafted Highlights
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LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELERS REVIEWS
Southern Italy and Sicily Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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Awesome tour... need better food
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4
The coach was great. I loved the itinerary. Hotels were nice except in inconvenient locations outside of the city.
Evana was amazing! She was always calm, cool, and collected. She always had a good attitude and was full of knowledge. The only thing I did not like about the tour for the amount I paid was the multiple hotel meals and hotels located outside of main cities.
Although clean the hotel beds and pillows lack quality and were uncomfortable Some of the locations were too far out of the way to venture on some "own time" exploration. The breakfast were good with excellent choices. Staff was courteous and helpful
Our Travel Director Evana Ghidinellie was exceptional in every aspect she was professional, knowledgeable and passionate and a joy to have as our tour leader Our Driver Mario Franco was kind, respectful, patient and an excellent driver. Together they made a great team
I was disappointed that we did not visit Castelmola It would have been helpful to know that in advance of the trip. The rest of the itinerary and coacn and hotels were very good.
The travel director and coach driver were excellent. The hotels were very good except for the first stay at Hotel Victoria. The room was small and the shower setup was extremely inconvenient. The local specialists were very good though the one at Pompeii was a disappointment. There was not enough information given about Pompeii. The minivans were difficult for older or overweight people to get in. My husband suffered an injury getting in from an overzealous driver who "helped" him in. They should have more training in dealing with older people. One of the minivan drivers on the Amalfi Coast was reckless. There was no help in getting on and off the ramp for the ferry to Capri and there were no side rails. My husband fell and suffered with a leg that was black and blue and swollen throughout the remainder of the trip. Most of our meals were not good. My husband eats meat and I am vegetarian. They were not seasoned. The first meal in Rome at Amedeo was absolutely delicious. The farmhouse meals were very good and a great experience. We would probably not choose Trafalgar again. The only reason we gave a 4 star was because of the travel director and the coach driver and the comfortable hotels.
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Trip Notes
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Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1.
Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink in all of the destinations on this trip. Please remember to bring a water bottle.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Double-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless traveling as part of a family group.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange your flights to arrive on or before day 1.
Your selected dates have an enhanced itinerary.
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You’ll be traveling in Autumn, Winter or Spring, and this itinerary has been enhanced for you to enjoy the unique experiences these seasons offer.