A cultural tour of Palermo features the lovely squares of Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria and Piazza Bellini. Note the exotic mixture of Moorish, Norman and Spanish Baroque styles that make this city special. View the Palace of the Normans, La Martorana church, and the cathedral which houses the Imperial Crown of Constance of Aragon. In the nearby town of Monreale, visit the 12th-century cathedral with its dazzling interior of multicoloured marbles, paintings, mosaics and cloisters. The remainder of your day is at leisure to relax or perhaps visit the city’s museums and shops.

  Breakfast    High  26°  Low  21°   Grand Hotel Federico Ii

Day 3. Palermo – Agrigento – Giardini Naxos

Ease your way into the local culture as your Tour Manager offers up a few key phrases of the native language before travelling through the countryside with rolling hills and working farms towards the town of Agrigento. Upon arrival, explore the stunning Valley of the Temples, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. From ancient times to the present day, the Valley of the Temples’ ruins, landscape and colours have inspired poets, writers and painters. Here you get an up-close view of the temples of Juno, Concordia, Hercules and Jupiter. Continue on to Giardini Naxos, the “garden of Sicily,” for your 3-night stay.

  Breakfast & Dinner      High  24°  Low  14°    Hellenia Yachting Hotel

Day 4. Giardini Naxos – Taormina – Giardini Naxos

This morning, travel to beautiful Taormina, known for its charming atmosphere, significant monuments and flowering gardens. Join a local guide for a tour introducing you to the city. You will see Corso Umberto and the bountiful public gardens and visit the Greek Theatre. Enjoy some free time to independently explore this delightful town.

  Breakfast      High  24°  Low  14°    Hellenia Yachting Hotel

Journey to vibrant Catania. The choice is yours! You may join a local guide to visit the cathedral and view the main sights of this historic and Baroque city (UNESCO). Witness the daily spectacle of bartering for fresh fish and produce when you visit the local market. Or, perhaps you would prefer to visit the Museo dello Sbarco (Allied Landing Museum). This fascinating museum is dedicated to the Allied landing on the southern coast of Sicily in 1943. Later, everyone comes together to discover the impressive Mt. Etna Volcano National Park with a local expert and take in the spectacular landscapes sculpted by nature. Return to Giardini Naxos.

  Breakfast      High  26°  Low  15°    Diana Mazza

Day 6. Giardini Naxos – Matera

Travel to Messina where you will take a short ferry ride to Villa San Giovanni on Italy’s mainland. Travel through the beautiful and unspoiled region of Calabria and into the Basilicata region. This afternoon you’ll visit one of the area’s local wineries for a wine tasting and informative walk through the cellars and vineyards. Linger over a delicious regional dinner in the winery’s own “agriturismo” restaurant.

  Breakfast & Dinner     High  22°  Low  13°    Hotel Del Campo

Day 7. Matera – Alberobello – Matera

Today, explore the “Sassi di Matera,” an ancient settlement of carved cave dwellings. A local guide will help you learn the history of this site and why it has recently caught the eye of many film producers. Afterward, stop at a local shop for a chance to sample some regional produce. Enjoy some free time in Matera to browse the shops or taste the local cuisine before heading to the mystical town of Alberobello. See some of the most unusually built homes (UNESCO)—known as trulli—that have cone-shaped roofs. Surprisingly, no mortar is used to hold the stones together. Return to your hotel for dinner.

  Breakfast & Dinner     High  22°  Low  13°    Hotel Del Campo

Day 8. Matera – Salerno – Sorrento Peninsula

Today, travel towardss Campania and the Bay of Naples, one of the most breathtaking areas of Italy. Make a stop in Salerno to explore the historical city centre at leisure. Take a moment to gaze at its impressive cathedral, considered to be the most beautiful medieval church in Italy. Arrive at the Sorrento Peninsula in the late afternoon. Sit back and take in the views of this magical place.

  Breakfast & Dinner     High  23°  Low  13°    Crowne Plaza Stabiae sorrento Coast

Day 9. Sorrento – Amalfi Coast Drive – Amalfi – Minori – Sorrento Peninsula

Take time to discover the lovely seaside resort town of Sorrento on your own. Then, begin your adventure experiencing the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. Make a special stop in the charming town of Amalfi where you will have time to explore. Then it’s off to Minori where you have the opportunity to sample some of the local specialities at a family-owned limoncello factory. You’ll also enjoy a typical Italian afternoon break at a local café and pastry shop. Your evening is at leisure.

  Breakfast    High  23°  Low  13°    Crowne Plaza Stabiae sorrento Coast

Day 10. Sorrento Peninsula – Pompeii – Rome

Drive along the Bay of Naples and experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius. Soak in the history of the preserved original buildings of a typical Roman town 2,000 years ago. A local guide will provide an in-depth view of this remarkable archaeological site. Later, travel to Rome where you will spend your last evening. Celebrate the end of your journey with a farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant.

  Breakfast & Dinner    High  23°  Low  13°    Donna Laura Palace Hotel

Day 11. Rome – Tour Ends

Your tour ends today.

  Breakfast

This morning you may wish to participate in an optional tour to the magnificent treasures of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. Later, we set out on a panoramic tour of Classical Rome featuring the Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, and the Arch of Constantine, followed by an in-depth guided visit of the spectacular Colosseum. Contemporary Rome is highlighted through the legendary Piazza Navona.

Breakfast   High  28°  Low  16°    Hotel Imperiale Rome

Day 3. Rome – Montecassino – Amalfi Coast

Depart Rome and journey to the Amalfi Coast. En route, ease your way into the local culture as your Tour Manager teaches you a few key phrases of the native language. Make a stop at the Benedictine monastery of Montecassino, perched on a mountaintop south of Rome. You’ll discover its rich history while exploring the monastery’s ornate chapel, peaceful courtyards, and fascinating museum.

  Breakfast & Dinner      High  27°  Low  17°    Raito Hotel

Day 4. Amalfi Coast – Sorrento – Amalfi – Minori – Amalfi Coast

Begin your day exploring the popular and charming seaside resort town of Sorrento. This afternoon, travel to the delightful town of Amalfi where you have time to explore. Next, continue to Minori where you will have the opportunity to sample some of the local specialities at a family-owned limoncello factory. You’ll also enjoy a typical Italian afternoon break at a local café and pastry shop. Your evening is at leisure.

  Breakfast      High  27°  Low  17°    Raito Hotel

After breakfast, discover one of Italy’s most surprising products during a tour of a local buffalo milk mozzarella factory. Your day continues with a visit to Paestum where a local guide will escort you through some of the best-preserved Greek temples outside of Greece. End your day with dinner at a popular local restaurant.

  Breakfast & Dinner      High  27°  Low  17°    Raito Hotel

Day 6. Amalfi Coast

Enjoy a day at leisure to take in the beautiful scenery of the Amalfi Coast. You may wish to sign up for an optional boat trip (weather permitting) to the wonderful Mediterranean island of Capri, where a local guide will provide an interesting tour of this paradisaical island.

  Breakfast     High  27°  Low  17°    Raito Hotel

Day 7. Amalfi Coast – Pompeii – Winery – Amalfi Coast

Today, experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius. Soak in the history of the preserved original buildings of a typical Roman town 2,000 years ago. A local guide will provide an in-depth tour of this remarkable archaeological site. Stop at a local winery at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius to savour the famous Lacryma Christo wines and enjoy a typical Neapolitan lunch.

  Breakfast & Lunch     High  27°  Low  17°    Raito Hotel

Day 8. Amalfi Coast – Naples – Rome

Bid farewell to the Amalfi Coast this morning and proceed to colourful and vibrant Naples. Enjoy a visit to the fascinating National Archaeological Museum, one of the finest in the world. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner celebrating the completion of a marvellous trip to Italy.

 Breakfast & Dinner     High  28°  Low  16°    Arome Lifestyle Hotel

Day 9. Rome – Tour Ends

Your tour comes to a close, leaving you with a lifetime of memories of this joyous part of Italy.

  Breakfast

Today you choose how you want to spend your day in Stresa. Cruise on scenic Lago Maggiore past islands, villas, and historic palaces, and also enjoy a guided visit of the quaint town of Pallanza. Or, visit an ancient village nestled in the mountains where you stop at a local farm to sample their artisanally produced cheeses paired with the region’s delicious wines. Your evening in Stresa is at leisure. Perhaps you will investigate the piazzas, flower-lined cobblestone streets and lakeside promenades.

  Breakfast    High  17°  Low  4°    Regina Palace Hotel

Day 3. Stresa – Orta – Italian Riviera

Ease your way into the local culture as your Tour Manager teaches you a few key phrases of the native language. Depart the Italian Lakes region for Sestri Levante on the Ligurian coast. Stop at Lake Orta and take a boat to Isola di San Giulio. Walk the grounds of this charming island with its working convent. Experience the outdoor cafés and shops of this lakeside resort. Continue on to the Italian Riviera.

  Breakfast & Dinner      High  9°  Low  3°    Grand Hotel Dei Castelli

Day 4. Italian Riviera – Cinque Terre

Spend your day discovering the colourful Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel by rail through the medieval villages of the Cinque Terre perched on the edge of the sea. Traverse the rugged coastal area dotted with terraced vineyards, arriving at this nearly inaccessible string of fishing villages tucked between the mountains and the Mediterranean. Feel like you have stepped back in time, spending an afternoon independently exploring this magical place. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to help you plan your adventure.

  Breakfast      High  9°  Low  3°    Grand Hotel Dei Castelli

Drive to the medieval city of Lucca, encircled by 16th-century Renaissance walls. Tour the piazza on foot. Next, visit the Cathedral of San Martino and the Piazza Napoleone. Then, set off to get a taste of the region by sampling an array of seasonal, local delicacies at speciality food shops. End the day in a historic Tuscan villa and begin a relaxing four-night stay*.

  Breakfast & Dinner    High  19°  Low  8°    Villa Sanpaolo

Day 6. Florence

Get to know Florence with a walking tour of the city’s treasures and monuments, including the Piazza del Duomo, the centre of religious life in medieval Florence, and the Piazza della Signoria. Visit the Museo della Casa Fiorentina Antica, housed in the 14th-century Palazzo Davanzati. Explore independently before returning to your villa. At dinner, sample Tuscan cuisine in one of Tuscany’s traditional restaurants.

  Breakfast & Dinner    High  19°  Low  8°    Villa Sanpaolo

Day 7. Siena

Travel to Siena for an expert-led walking tour. Visit the town’s dramatic cathedral, a stunning example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Stroll through narrow medieval streets as you experience life in this historic cultural centre. Return to your villa for a relaxing afternoon.

  Breakfast & Dinner    High  19°  Low  8°     Villa Sanpaolo

Day 8. Tuscan Countryside

Visit a winery in the heart of Tuscany that showcases the wine cellar, family estate, vineyards and olive groves. Participate in a Tuscan cooking lesson given by the winery’s own chef. Enjoy an authentic Tuscan lunch expertly paired with wines produced on-site. Return to the villa for some leisure time.

  Breakfast & Lunch    High  19°  Low  8°     Villa Sanpaolo

Day 9. Tuscany – Bologna – Venice

Depart for Venice and stop en route in Bologna. Take a guided walking tour of the centre, virtually unchanged since the Renaissance. Sample local delicacies at speciality food shops. Arrive in romantic Venice for your two-night stay.

  Breakfast    High  21°  Low  13°    Hotel Bonvecchiati

Day 10. Venice

Enjoy a boat trip** to Murano Island for a fascinating glass-blowing demonstration. Return to St. Mark’s Square for a locally guided walking tour featuring the Clock Tower, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, and a visit to the Doge’s Palace. Tonight, partake in a celebratory farewell dinner.

  Breakfast & Dinner    High  21°  Low  13°    Hotel Bonvecchiati

Day 11. Venice – Tour Ends

Wake up in Venice and depart for home.

  Breakfast