Highlights of Sicily & Southern Italy ( LM)

14 days from Rome to Palermo

2025 Tour Details 2024 Tour Details »

In Greek mythology, the Scylla and Charybdis were two sea monsters located in the Strait of Messina between Sicily and the Italian mainland, endangering ancient mariners, and inspiring the expression “being caught between a rock and a hard place.” Will you find yourself in such a predicament on this Undiscovered Tour of Southern Italy and Sicily? On the contrary, you’ll delightfully find yourself caught between Byzantine and Roman culture, flanked by Norman and Italian influences, and in the midst of a cross-cultural wonderland. Your comparison of cobblestones, customs, and cuisine gets underway in Rome, heads down to the dramatic Sorrento Coast, and then kicks the fun from Italy’s heel to its toe and all the way into the great melting pot of Sicily. From Italy’s lower half to its largest island, ruins, resorts—a rich history awaits.

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 Meals & Itinerary

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant
Dinner Dinner

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Day 2

ROME–CASTEL GANDOLFO–SORRENTO AREA Holy Grounds CASTEL GANDOLFO Take a LF guided visit of the Papal Palace and the Barberini Gardens.
Breakfast Breakfast
193 mi / 310 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Enjoy an extraordinary, guided visit to explore the Papal Palace and beautiful Barberini Gardens. Stroll the spectacular grounds of the grand papal retreat of Castel Gandolfo, where Holy Fathers and world dignitaries walked and talked about faith and the world at large.


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Day 3

SORRENTO AREA. EXCURSION TO CAPRI Coves, Cliffs & The Clear Blue Sea SORRENTO AREA Jetfoil ride to Capri.
CAPRI Take a funicular ride from the harbor to the village for guided sightseeing, including the Augustus Gardens. Free time for lunch.
SORRENTO AREA Free time.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Nestled high above the sea on the island of Capri lie the exquisite Gardens of Augustus. This natural paradise promises 180-degree panoramic views and a kaleidoscope of botanical beauty on the cliffs overlooking island and the sapphire sea below.


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Day 4

SORRENTO AREA. EXCURSION TO POMPEII AND NAPLES Time Standing Still in Pompeii POMPEII Take a guided walking tour of the excavations. Free time to browse.
NAPLES Guided sightseeing includes an orientation drive on the panoramic road to Posillipo, a stop in Piazza Plebiscito.
Breakfast Breakfast
68 mi / 110 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE The fascinating archaeological site of Pompeii is a treasured glimpse into Roman life near the Bay of Naples. This once thriving and sophisticated Roman city was consumed by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., with its residents and structures buried beneath inescapable ash and stone. See the preserved site of excavated ruins that reveal remarkable frescoes, artwork, and artifacts within its streets and the dwellings of the people who perished here.


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Day 5

SORRENTO AREA–BARI Spectacular Apulia SORRENTO COAST Scenic drive to Bari.
Breakfast Breakfast
186 mi / 300 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Puglia region forms the heel of Italy’s “boot,” with whitewashed towns, centuries-old pastoral landscapes, and the magnificent Mediterranean coastline. The vibrant port of Bari and its lovely Baroque architecture is a feast for the eyes and palate in the quintessential Italian style.


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Day 6

BARI–LECCE–ALBEROBELLO AREA Sweet Strolls in Apulia BARI Guided sightseeing includes a walking tour of Bari Vecchia, the city’s oldest district, and San Nicola’s Church.
LECCE Walking tour with a Local Guide includes the Duomo and Santa Croce Basilica. LF Taste traditional pasticciotto (filled pastry) with almond-infused iced coffee.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
186 mi / 300 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITIONS Traditional pasticciotto is the beloved cream-filled pastry of Lecce, which graces the shelves of Apulia’s bakeries and restaurants. Legend has it that this ubiquitous confection was invented by happy accident when chef Andrea Ascalone made too much cake batter, using the excess ingredients to mix up the original pasticcio (meaning mishap or mess in Italian) - a smaller cake with a creamy filling. Sink your teeth into this heavenly pastry with an almond iced coffee to complete the experience.


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Day 7

ALBEROBELLO AREA Stone Houses ALBEROBELLO Guided walking tour includes a visit to a Trullo (traditional conical-roof house). Free time this afternoon and evening.
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The iconic round houses (Trulli) date back hundreds of years. These Trulli, constructed of dry stone and cone-shaped roofs include the oldest structures built in the 16th century and were used as grain storage or residences. Made without cement in the masonry techniques of the day, these whitewashed homes were easily disassembled to avoid property taxes when the collectors came calling! Today, you can stroll the streets lined with Trulli houses to see their conical rooftops decorated with symbols such as a cross, heart, astronomical symbol, or the evil eye.


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Day 8

ALBEROBELLO AREA–MATERA–PIZZO CALABRO–REGGIO CALABRIA Creamy Desserts & Cave Dwellings MATERA Orientation walk with panoramic view of the picturesque sassi house (cave houses). Take a scenic drive along the Gulf of Taranto.
PIZZO CALABRO Enjoy a LF traditional tartufo (ice cream dessert) tasting.
REGGIO CALABRIA Join a guided visit of the museum that houses the Bronzi di Riace (famous bronze warrior sculptures).
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
280 mi / 450 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES The only thing better than a taste of gelato is having a few different tastes inside a chocolate-shelled truffle! Indulge in a tartufo dessert that will melt in your mouth during a visit to Pizzo Calabro.


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Day 9

REGGIO CALABRIA–TAORMINA RIVIERA Grand Greek Drama STRAIT OF MESSINA Ferry crossing to Sicily.
TAORMINA Visit the ancient Greek theatre. Free time to explore.
Breakfast Breakfast
81 mi / 130 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The Greek Theatre of Taormina is considered one of the most impressive examples of auditorium engineering and architecture for its superb natural setting and acoustical design. This ancient marvel was dug into the hard rock slopes of Mount Tauro in the 3rd-century BC, with seating to accommodate thousands of spectators. The Teatro Antico di Taormina was built in the Greek tradition of incorporating the natural surroundings to become part of the performance, with light and air permeating the columns to become part of the story.


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Day 10

TAORMINA RIVIERA The Pearl of the Mediterranean TAORMINA RIVIERA Enjoy a free day in Taormina, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION With a backdrop of the Volcanic Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea providing the cinematic setting for the resort town of Taormina, this Pearl of the Mediterranean is a picturesque coastal gem that will spoil you with its stunning beaches, village beauty, and sumptuous culinary specialties.


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Day 11

TAORMINA RIVIERA Sicilian Summits TAORMINA RIVIERA Enjoy a free day.
Breakfast Breakfast

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE What better way to spend this free day than with an excursion to Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano and one of the most active in the world. Learn how in 1669, an eruption that lasted 112 days developed a record long stream of lava that destroyed the city of Catania.


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Day 12

TAORMINA RIVIERA–AGRIGENTO–PALERMO Timeless Temples AGRIGENTO Take a guided walking tour of the Valley of Temples en route to Palermo.
Breakfast Breakfast
211 mi / 340 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY The ruins of Akragas remain Sicily's most amazing archaeological site. The impressively well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in spectacular setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the remarkable Valley of the Temples.


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Day 13

PALERMO Cathedrals & Human Heroes PALERMO Guided sightseeing includes a visit to the cathedral. Scenic drive to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and a visit to the Norman Cathedral. LF Hear about the important role that the organization "La Casa di Paolo" plays to help local children and their families followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant which employs young people with a difficult past.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

LOCAL FAVORITE
FOREVER REMEMBERED "La Casa di Paolo" is a special place. Once the pharmacy of judge Paolo Borsellino's parents and now an invaluable point of reference where children can do their homework in a safe environment with the help of volunteers. Paolo Borsellino and his convoy were killed when a bomb went off just in front of his mother's house on July 19th 1992. His brother and niece decided to commemorate the memory of a human judge who put the lives of others before his own, helping those who would be easy preys of the organised crime if left on their own.


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Day 14

PALERMO Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Breakfast

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 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

LINO NEFANDO

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" My life is a journey... Born in Southern Italy, my passion is history and rediscovering the traditions and the most refined art of this country. I love to share with my customers on the Globus tours moments of the breathtaking coastlines, the monuments and the unbelievable recipes of Italy. Follow me, I am going to make you live the Italian experience as if you were a part of this never-ending show."

Tour Director -  LINO NEFANDO

 Accommodations

ROME

DEGLI ARANCI

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

SORRENTO AREA

TOWERS HOTEL STABIAE SORRENTO COAST

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

BARI

EXCELSIOR

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

ALBEROBELLO AREA

SEMIRAMIDE PALACE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

REGGIO CALABRIA

GRAND HOTEL EXCELSIOR

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

TAORMINA RIVIERA

HELLENIA YACHTING HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

PALERMO

MERCURE PALERMO CENTRO

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).
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