Highlights Of Southern Italy & Sicily
Highlights Of Southern Italy & Sicily
$2395
Highlights Of Southern Italy & Sicily
10 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Rome
Visiting: Rome, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Matera, Alberobello, Taormina, Syracuse, Agrigento, Cefalù, Palermo
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ITS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Experience the allure of Southern Italy's rich culture, stunning landscapes, and historic marvels on this unforgettable tour. Dive into ancient Rome's wonders, behold the grandeur of Mount Vesuvius, and wander through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii. Enjoy free days exploring the Amalfi Coast, Taormina, and Palermo at your own pace. Witness the unique Trulli houses in Alberobello and the ancient cave city of Matera. Immerse yourself in the local flavours and make lasting memories with new friends!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Rome
Location: Rome, Rome
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival, check into the hotel, meet your tour leader, and get acquainted with your fellow travellers. Your tour leader will provide an overview of the upcoming itinerary before you embark on an orientation tour of the city. Visit landmarks such as the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona before enjoying some free time in the city. End the day off with an included welcome dinner at a charming local restaurant.
Orientation tour of Rome
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Rome
Day 2: Rome - Pompeii - Amalfi Coast
Location: Rome, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, depart Rome for the Amalfi Coast. En route, spot Mount Vesuvius and explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii, which was devastated by a volcanic eruption in 79AD. Enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site followed by an included lunch. Afterward, continue to the hotel on the Amalfi Coast. Arrive in Salerno for a two-night stay. Choose to visit the enchanting town of Amalfi on tonight’s optional excursion. See the top attractions and indulge in a delicious dinner. Be sure to indulge in the local specialty, limoncello — a sweet lemon liqueur; the perfect way to conclude the evening!
See Mount Vesuvius; an ancient volcano
Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii
Day 3: Amalfi Coast: Free Day
Location: Amalfi Coast
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, the charming old towns along the Amalfi Coast await exploration. Wander at your own pace through these picturesque towns and their stunning beaches. Alternatively, choose the optional excursion to the renowned Isle of Capri. Here, set off on an orientation tour before spending free time discovering its rugged coastline, ancient Roman ruins, and elegant piazzas. Conclude the day with a boat excursion around the islands, marvelling at its breathtaking grottos. It promises to be an unforgettable day in southern Italy!
Day 4: Amalfi Coast - Matera - Alberobello
Location: Amalfi Coast, Matera, Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey east today to explore Apulia, stopping at the ancient cave city of Matera, known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City). It’s famous for its vast cave-dwelling districts — the "Sassi." Continue to Alberobello for an orientation tour of the region's unique "trulli" houses — charming 14th-century whitewashed stone huts with iconic conical roofs. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to delve deeper into Alberobello. The Trullo Church of St. Antony and the Trulli museum are both great places to see. This evening, find a delightful spot for dinner before heading to your hotel for the night.
Visit Matera; an ancient cave city
Explore Alberobello; famous for its conical houses
Day 5: Alberobello - Taormina
Location: Alberobello, Taormina
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Embark on a scenic coastal drive along the Ionian Sea this morning as you journey back to the mainland. Then, hop on a short ferry ride to Sicily, home to Mount Etna. Prepare for breathtaking views en route to Taormina. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation walking tour of this charming hilltop town, taking note of highlights to explore on tomorrow's free day. End the day with an included dinner at the beachside hotel, immersing yourself fully in the Sicilian experience.
Catch a ferry from mainland Italy to Sicily
Discover Taormina; a hilltop town in Sicily
Dinner at a beachside hotel in Taormina
Day 6: Taormina: Free Day
Location: Taormina
Meals Included: Breakfast
The day is yours to choose how it unfolds! Unwind on Taormina's beaches or explore this charming hilltop town, one of Italy's most popular summer destinations. Alternatively, conquer Mount Etna on an optional trip and bring home the memories of an unforgettable adventure! Take a cable car and 4x4 to the top and step out onto volcanic ash as you explore the landscape while learning more about this iconic volcano from the local guides. Afterward, indulge in a feast of local produce at a quaint enoteca. This is truly the best way to spend your free day in Taormina!
Day 7: Taormina - Syracuse - Agrigento
Location: Taormina, Syracuse, Agrigento
Meals Included: Breakfast
Set off on a picturesque drive through the heart of Sicily today, revelling in its stunning landscapes. Pause in Syracuse, an ancient Greek-built town with a vibrant food market — the perfect spot to grab lunch. Continue to Agrigento, home to the 'Valle dei Templi' (Valley of the Temples), which showcases magnificent Magna Graecia art and architecture. Here, enjoy an unforgettable guided sunset tour led by an expert local guide. Finally, find a spot near the beach for dinner or settle into the hotel for the night.
Visit Syracuse; a historic Sicilian city
Explore the Valley of the Temples
Day 8: Agrigento - Cefalù - Palermo
Location: Agrigento, Cefalù, Palermo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Departing Agrigento, journey through central Sicily's scenic landscapes to Cefalù — a historic town famed for its beaches. Enjoy free time or join a guided tour with lunch at a local restaurant included. Continue to Palermo, arriving in the afternoon for a walking tour showcasing the city's highlights. Discover the Piazza Indipendenza, Porta Nuova, and the Palermo Cathedral, and get lost in the town's rich history, culture, architecture, and cuisine. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner with the group.
Day 9: Palermo: Free Day
Location: Palermo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day to delve deeper into Palermo, Sicily's capital, shaped by a diverse history of Greek, Roman, and Norman influences. Explore its historic old town, showcasing a blend of architectural styles. Don't miss Italy's largest opera theatre, a city gem that is considered the city's most beautiful building. Experience Palermo’s hidden sights and architectural delights on today’s optional excursion. Don’t forget to indulge in Palermo's renowned cuisine, savouring delights like arancini and cannoli.. Conclude the day with an overnight ferry journey back to the Italian mainland.
Day 10: End Of Tour In Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
After your overnight ferry, arrive in Naples and board the coach for the return journey to Rome, where the tour concludes this afternoon. Please note that the ferry times may differ throughout the year and take this into account when booking your outbound flight. Bid farewell to Italy, your newfound friends, and Expat Explore, who wish you safe travels and future adventures!
What's Included
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Accommodation
8 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
1 night's accommodation in twin share ferry cabin with private bathrooms -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Overnight ferry from Palermo to Naples
Any public transport used as part of the tour days (excludes free days) -
Meals
9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners
*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request -
Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Mode of Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Overnight ferry from Palermo to Naples
Any public transport used as part of the tour days (excludes free days)
Accommodation
8 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
1 night's accommodation in twin share ferry cabin with private bathrooms
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Experiences
Orientation tour of Rome
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Rome
See Mount Vesuvius; an ancient volcano
Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii
Visit Matera; an ancient cave city
Explore Alberobello; famous for its conical houses
Catch a ferry from mainland Italy to Sicily
Discover Taormina; a hilltop town in Sicily
Dinner at a beachside hotel in Taormina
Visit Syracuse; a historic Sicilian city
Explore the Valley of the Temples
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, As detailed in the itinerary
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.