Country Roads of Southern Italy & Sicily - Small Group
Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
SE725MZN19-4
Start City:
Rome
End City:
Catania
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
First Class
Tour Length:
15 days
Age Requirement:
5+ Years Old
Tour Capacity:
40
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Aug 03, 2024 | Saturday, Aug 17, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote |
Promotions
LOW UNPUBLISHED PRICES ON INSIGHT VACATIONS TOURS
Why pay full price? Call us or click above for a quick quote and save money on Insight Vacations Tours.
Limited-Time Air Offer: up to $400 Off Air-Inclusive Vacations
Limited-Time Air Offer: up to $400 Off Air-Inclusive Vacations
Promotion Details
Save $100 per person on Economy or Premium Economy airfare; save $200 per person on Business Class airfare. Valid for Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Insight, Brendan Vacations or Costsaver vacations booked with Economy, Premium Economy or Business Class airfare for travel April 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Must be booked with deposit between April 1, 2024 and May 30, 2024. Mention promotion code at time of booking; not valid online. Not valid on group bookings and offer is not combinable with group discounts, Future Travel Credit carry forward discount, Last-Minute Deals or any other airfare discounts; savings are combinable with Global Tour Rewards benefits or other general market promotions on the land portion of the tour. Standard commission on airfare applies. Other conditions may apply.
Global Tour Rewards Members Exclusive Sale, Extra 10% Savings
Global Tour Rewards Members Exclusive Sale, Extra 10% Savings
Promotion Details
Receive an extra 5% Global Tour Rewards Discount, combinable with the standard Global Tour Rewards 5% Member Benefit, for savings up to 10% on select 2024 departures. New bookings only made with deposit between March 29, 2024 and May 30, 2024. Standard booking and payment policies apply. If guests change to another tour or date not on sale, they are responsible to pay the difference and adhere to different payment conditions. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Extra savings may be combined with Global Tour Rewards 5% Member Benefit, but is not combinable with other promotional offers (including Seasonal Sale, Last Minute Deals, etc.), group discounts, Future Travel Credit carry forward discount or any other discount or promotion. Other conditions may apply.
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Roommate Match Solo Traveler Savings
Promotion Details
Offer does not apply to all vacations, contact your travel consultant for applicable vacations. There is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Does not apply to additional accommodation, stopovers, airfare or flight supplements, Independent City Breaks, Israel, Jordan, Eastern Mediterranean trips with included cruises or cruise extensions. Exceptions apply.
Tour Itinerary
Indulge in Italy’s finest food and views during this 15-day guided tour. When in Rome, you will toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain during a walking tour with a Local Expert. In Sorrento, settle into a luxurious resort and take in the views of Mount Vesuvius, which buried Pompeii in a sea of lava in 79 A.D. A restaurant’s founder will share why he uses only organic ingredients that he grows himself — and you will indulge in those freshly picked vegetables during a farm-to-table dinner featuring fresh orecchiette pasta. In Palermo, a historian will take you through the old city, showing you its cathedral and the Palatine Chapel in the Palace of the Normans, where glittering 12th century mosaics will surely take your breath away.
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Day 1
Welcome to the Eternal City of RomeWelcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Settle in before joining your Travel Director for a private visit for Insight Vacations guests to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, welcomed by the Rector of the basilica. Gaze in awe at the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics, illuminated for this evening's experience, and see the first sculpture by Bernini. End the day getting to know your fellow travelers over Roman specialties during a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.Accommodation: Kolbe Hotel Rome.
Meals: Dinner -
Day 2
Rome with the LocalsRome is about art, antiquity, piazzas and pizza, and our guided walk with a Local Expert has it in abundance. Sightsee the local way, with a leisurely passeggiata through the backstreets, where a friend in Rome will explain how modern life takes place. Toss a coin into the spectacular Trevi Fountain, see the Pantheon, the best-preserved monument from the Roman period, and enjoy free time to do as the Romans do. Perhaps join a tour to discover the incredibly characteristic Roman quarter of Trastevere. Get off the beaten track and explore Rome’s most untouched and unique districts and most consistently unchanged medieval neighborhoods, Trastevere is dotted with ancient and dimly lit churches, crumbling buildings and streets barely wide enough for a Fiat. With your Local Expert, explore the medieval labyrinth of alleyways and pause from time to time to take in this very atmospheric area. A maze of food shops, art galleries, cafes, apartment buildings and pretty squares, this district was once rather run-down and working-class, but has now become one of the city's liveliest and most popular neighborhoods.Accommodation: Kolbe Hotel Rome.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 3
Vatican and AlberobelloWith your Local Expert, visit the Vatican Museums. Inside the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling before visiting St. Peter’s Basilica. Next, journey to Alberobello.Accommodation: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 4
The Trulli of Alberobello Relaxed StartAdmire another of Italy's record number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a Local Expert. The Trulli of Alberobello are circular structures with conical roofs that are domed within. They are built from local limestone and stacked without using mortar. In the evening, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience using home-grown organic and locally sourced, seasonal produce, you sit down to a delicious four-course, Farm-to-Table Highlight Dinner.Accommodation: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 5
Free Time in Alberobello Relaxed StartThe day is free for you to enjoy this extraordinary town as you wish. Why not join an Optional Experience to the stunning city of Ostuni? With its dazzling white houses and fascinating history, it is a true delight. Your Local Expert experience reveals this town reminiscent of a North African Arab Medina. Admire the stark white-washed buildings, narrow cobbled streets and arched stairways. Set against three hills and perched high above the beautiful sea; 'The White Town' is a photographer's delight. Afterwards, visit a Mill to taste the renowned olive oil produced in this area that incorporates olives from the ancient groves of Puglia. Or, join an optional Masseria Dinner in Puglia, a food lovers' paradise. You’re off to the countryside to a local 'Masseria', a typical ancient fortified 'Farmhouse'. Enjoy an authentic dinner in a 'country roads' experience all served up with great wines form the region.Accommodation: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 6
Journey South to Matera Relaxed StartVisit Matera with a Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi — a labyrinth of cave dwellings, churches, staircases and arches, hewn out of the solid rock. You may recognise Matera as the biblical backdrop for the film ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ Continue to the small village of Grottole. Once a thriving community, it has lost most of its activity and population. Meet Andrea, a local striving to bring back the traditional way of living of the area. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience explore the historic old town to learn about the fascinating history of the village. Later, enjoy a light lunch with wine, helping to preserve the local culture.Accommodation: MH Matera Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 7
Pompeii and SorrentoJourney to the region of Campania to visit Pompeii, buried in A.D. 79 by the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Walk with your Local Expert through the cobbled streets to see a city frozen in time. Venture on to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched upon the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples and looking over to Mount Vesuvius.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 8
Capri, the Isle of DreamsCruise by jetfoil across the impossibly blue sea to the sun-drenched island of Capri. On arrival ascend to Capri Town and meet your Local Expert for an orientation walk through the narrow alleyways. Explore Capri with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the immaculate Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire the views over the Faraglioni Rocks. Alternatively, enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri’s famous lemon liqueur. Descend to the port by funicular before returning to Sorrento.Accommodation: Hotel Isabella, Sorrento.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 9
To Sicily and the Taormina RivieraIn the morning, travel along the Purple Coast to the very toe of Italy and board your ferry bound for Sicily, across the Strait of Messina. According to Grecian legend, this was home to the mythical sea monsters Scylla, a six-headed rock monster, and Charybdis, a whirlpool, based on either side of the strait. Together, they posed an inescapable threat to passing seafarers as avoiding one meant passing too close to the other. You will soon arrive at your hotel where you will spend three glorious nights on the Taormina Riviera.Accommodation: RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 10
Taormina and the Dawn Coast of EuropeYour hotel faces east, so early risers may learn why D.H. Lawrence christened this 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.' After breakfast, perhaps take an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Travel to the old town of Taormina, which clings to the side of Mount Tauro, overlooking the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the Greek theater set on a cliff and open to the sky. Take a moment to sit in this ancient theater and admire the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll through the old town and admire Taormina's grandest building and along the elegant Corso Umberto.Accommodation: RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 11
Cefalu and PalermoTravel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu. The town's imposing cathedral was erected to fulfill a vow made by the Norman King Roger II. Stroll down to the medieval stone fountain and seek out the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina for a picture-perfect view of the little harbor. Later, travel onwards to Palermo.Accommodation: NH Palermo.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 12
Palermo & the Golden Age of the NormansExplore Palermo with Insight Choice. Choose a walking tour with a visit to the spectacular 12th century Palatine Chapel with a Local Expert. Alternatively, join the Anti-Mafia tour of Palermo, part of a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and find out how locals are working together in modern day Palermo. In your free time this afternoon, you could visit Palermo Cathedral which has been altered many times over the years and observe its unique blend of architectural styles. For your dining pleasure, you can experience the foods the locals like to eat and experience how they like to eat it on your Dine-Around Evening.Accommodation: NH Palermo.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 13
Explore the Valley of the Temples and on to RagusaJourney to Agrigento. Explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert and see the massive Temple of Concordia and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Your travels continue to the hilltop town of Ragusa.Accommodation: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 14
Ancient Syracuse and CataniaSightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry with its unusual Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with an unusual echo. See the superb Greek theater, carved out of solid rock, one of the largest of the ancient world. There is time to explore the atmospheric Old City, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces, sprawling over the island of Ortygia. It was here that the famous geometrician Archimedes ran naked through the streets, crying ‘Eureka!' Continue to Catania to celebrate your time in Sicily over Dinner with your fellow travelers.Accommodation: NH Catania Centro.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 15
Depart CataniaAppreciate views of Mount Etna on your way. Departure transfers arrive at Catania Airport at 06:30 and 08:30.
Meals: Breakfast
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Dining Summary
- 6 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 14 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
- 1 Dinner (D)
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Capri: Discover the luxuriant Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire views of the Faraglioni rocks.
- Capri: Enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri's traditional lemon liqueur.
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Palermo: Visit the spectacular 12th Century Palatine Chapel. Its sombre exterior gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world.
- Palermo: Learn about the civil anti-mafia movement and discover the lesser known history of Palermo.
Additional Included Highlights
- : Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- : Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- : We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- : From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- : Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- : If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Authentic Dining
- Rome: Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers at a uniquely Roman local restaurant.
- Capri: Enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri's traditional lemon liqueur.
- Palermo: Sample a variety of cuisine on your Dine-Around evening.
Insight Experiences
- Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
Make Travel Matter
- Alberobello: Dine at Trattoria Terra Madre, where owner Alessandro and his nonna have built a restaurant that focuses on sustainability and creating jobs for locals. Everything is grown organically and harvested on site, and excess produce is donated to their community. The restaurant sources their produce locally, implements a strategy to reduce their food waste and promotes sustainable agricultural practices. Trattoria Terra Madre, advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production.
- Grottole: Participate in the fascinating Wonder Grottole project. This regeneration initiative works to rehabilitate the abandoned historic center and preserves traditional village life.
- Palermo: Learn about the civil anti-mafia movement and discover the lesser known history of Palermo.
Top Rated Highlights
- Rome: Sightsee the local way, with a leisurely passeggiata through the backstreets, where a friend in Rome will explain how modern life takes place, around ancient treasures like the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
- Capri: Discover the luxuriant Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire views of the Faraglioni rocks.
- Capri: Cruise by jetfoil to this famous isle through beautiful blue Mediterranean waters to meet your Local Expert.
- Alberobello: Led by a Local Expert, explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing the Trulli of Alberobello. Circular structures with conical roofs that are domed within, built from local limestone and stacked without using mortar.
- Matera: With your Local Expert, visit the famous Sassi or cave dwellings, which were home to approximately 20,000 people until 1950 and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Palermo: Visit the spectacular 12th Century Palatine Chapel. Its sombre exterior gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world.
- Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
- Messina: Cross the Straights of Messina to Sicily by ferry.
- Taormina: Should you awake early, you may see why this is known as 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.'
- Taormina: Visit the ancient Greek Ampitheatre with your Local Expert. Set on a cliff, open to the sky, take your seats and enjoy the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna.
- Taormina: During your orientation with your Travel Director, visit the courtyard of Palazzo Corvaja, seat of the first Sicilian parliament, and stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile.
- Cefalu: Your Travel Director will show you the cathedral, built to fulfil a vow. Walk to the medieval stone fountain in the old fishermen's quarter, find the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina and see the harbor.
- Agrigento: A Local Expert will lead you through the magnificent remains of the Greek colony in the Valley in the Temples. See the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno.
- Syracuse: Walk through the gardens of Paradise Quarry, listen to the acoustics in the mysterious Ear of Dionysius and visit the Greek theater.
- Catania: During an exploration with your Travel Director see the Duomo, Piazza and the noble buildings of Palazzo Senatorio.
Well-being
- : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
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This is my 5th Insight Tour in 5 years...they are great at what they do; their staff, the tour bus and the great optional excursions. I am ready to book my tour for next year.
Insight is a wonderful company and offered an amazing experience traveling throughout Europe. We would highly recommend it!
Toured with Insight before and have never been disappointed! Understand, you are on the go and walk a lot. But, that is what we wanted and paid for!
This was a perfect vacation!! We loved being on a boat and having one room to return to each night no packing and unpacking or hauling belongings from place to place. We were surprised how roomy and very comfortable our room on board was. Even the bathroom gave us plenty of room to move around in. And the boat itself was spacious, clean, and laid out with lots of thought put into the needs of guests. The staff onboard was phenomenal. They went above and beyond, always smiling, helpful, and spoiling us. Everything was clean, the food excellent and plentiful, and planned stops included keeping passengers safe at all times. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to relax and enjoy the Adriatic! Thank you Affordable Tours.
I have been on 4 trips with Insight and will continue to use them. They are a wonderful company
This was our 2nd tour with Insight Vacations and it was a wonderful experience. Michael, our tour director, was excellent!
The Tour Director and Driver were excellent! Very enjoyable.
Insight took care of everything! Great hotels and excursions!
Insight not only provides an educational and cultural experience, but they also lessen the stress that can come with traveling as they provide airport pick ups and drop offs, and just tell us when to have our luggage outside our hotel door. We would definitely travel with Insight again.
Got my money's worth! This was a fabulous trip! American the Beautiful has a deeper meaning after seeing unimaginable beauty every mile of the way. The Tour Guide and Wellness Coordinator were fabulous, and you just can't find a better bus driver. The extra legroom available on Insight Tours makes all the difference when you are on a bus for 10 glorious days.
This trip was one of my best. The itinerary was just right. Everything went to perfection
This was my third trip with Insight Tours. It was a very good tour. I chose Insight because of their itinerary for this particular tour.
The best of the trip, definitely the staff! Thanks!
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