Sicily & Southern Italy

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Fresh artichokes, tomatoes, sweet almonds, aubergine and cold pressed olive oil will never taste the same. The south of Italy has its own spin on everything, and food is only one example. Lose yourself in the Sicilian heartland and learn about the myriad of civilizations that each left their mark on the island. Discover Greek temples, Arab-inspired markets, Norman castles, and the shimmering beauty of the volcanic Aeolian Islands. A few kilometres north, Calabria and Puglia offer distinct culinary traditions and spectacular coastal towns. Celebrate the art of living, eating and travelling slowly, in the region that started it all.

Departure dates

2023 April 27 - May 12
4 double rooms left!
1 single room left!

2023 May 11 - May 26
Sold out! Waitlist only

2023 September 28 - October 13

2023 October 5 - October 20

16 days

All-inclusive

$7,895CAD

Per person in double occupancy

Single supplement: $1,000

Total PERKS value: $3,392

Our approach perks

Private car service to and from your home airport

International flights and transportation while abroad

Meals and excursions that are typically sold separately

Tips for all service providers

24/7 Group Guru (in addition to tour guide and local guides)

$5 million of emergency medical travel insurance coverage, as well as protection for lost, damaged or stolen luggage

This tour also includes

Tour essentials

International flights with Air Canada / Air Dolomiti (details)

14 nights in first class hotels

Dedicated English-speaking tour guide and local guides

Carefully selected visits, with entrance fees

Luxury coach bus transfers and luggage porterage throughout

Sanitation protocols certified by Safe Travels

Food & drink

All 41 meals, including: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners

Pugliese farewell lunch (included in meal count)

Welcome cocktail

2 local product tastings

Bottled water daily (2 x 500ml)

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This tour’s itinerary

Overview

Detailed View

DAYS 1 & 2 GOODBYE CANADA, CIAO SICILIA!

Enjoy a private car ride to the airport. Travellers departing from the Toronto airport are assisted with their check-in. Meet your dedicated Group Guru and fellow travellers and fly overnight to Palermo. Upon arrival, our luxury coach will bring you to your hotel. Settle in or walk around the beautiful, chaotic city before joining us for our welcome cocktail. Overnight in Palermo. (D)

DAY 3 PALERMO & MONREALE

Learn about the history of Monreale on a guided tour including Santa Maria Nuova cathedral and its cloister. Return to Palermo for a guided stroll through the colourful local markets. A Sicilian dining experience awaits after our visit in the quaint fishing village of Sferracavallo. Overnight in Palermo. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 ALMOND COOKIES & MARSALA WINE (325 KM)

Travel to the medieval town of Erice, home to the impressive 13th-century Castello di Venere, and enjoy lunch followed by a delicious almond cookie tasting. Relaxing tour of one of the region’s oldest vineyards for a tasting of distinctly deep Marsala wine. Overnight in Agrigento. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 TRACES OF ANCIENT GREECE (246 KM)

Discover Sicily’s most riveting archeological site, the Valley of the Temples, dominated by colossal Greek temples dating back to the 5^th century BC. Artistic stop in Piazza Armerina to visit Villa Romana del Casale and its well-preserved Roman mosaics. Overnight in Syracuse. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 NOTO’S BAROQUE WONDERS (75 KM)

Gorgeous Noto awaits! The picturesque Baroque town is home to the best gelato in the world. Our day trip showcases the Cattedrale di Noto and a stroll along the storied Vittorio Emanuele avenue. Free afternoon in Syracuse, or join us for an optional visit of the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi (at no additional cost). Overnight in Syracuse. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 SYRACUSE & ORTIGIA (111 KM)

At its peak, Syracuse was the largest city in the ancient world. The Neapolis archeological park, the Greek Theater and the tiny, eclectic island of Ortigia will leave you wanting more. Today, lunch is at a local manor overlooking fields of almond, lemon and olive trees. This is Sicily! Scenic drive to Taormina for dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight near Taormina. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 MOUNT ETNA & TAORMINA (110 KM)

Wake up to the towering presence of Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano, and enjoy a drive through lunar landscapes to appreciate its striking beauty. Perched on a cliff nearby, the resort town of Taormina hosts us for lunch and a guided tour of its epic Greek amphitheater. Overnight near Taormina. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 AEOLIAN ISLAND ADVENTURE (150 KM)

From Milazzo, set sail on the Tyrrhenian sea to the sunny landscapes of our first postcard-worthy Aeolian island, Lipari. Following lunch, enjoy free time on the island, or join us for an optional visit of the Museo Archeologico Regionale Eoliano (at no additional cost). Overnight in Lipari. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 PANAREA & STROMBOLI

Leisurely start before our boat ride to charming Panarea and striking Stromboli. Our slow pace will only be interrupted by the dramatic image of Stromboli’s volcano. Enjoy lunch with a view of the mountain’s smoking silhouette, before returning to Lipari for the night. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 CROSSING INTO CALABRIA (200 KM)

Return to Milazzo by boat and drive to Messina for a photo op with the world’s largest astronomical clock. Following lunch, cross the strait of Messina to rejoin terra firma on the Calabrian outpost of Villa San Giovanni. Enjoy the viewpoint of Capo Vaticano and its turquoise waters, before heading to Vibo Valentia for the night. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 PIZZO CALABRO & TROPEA

Discover the seaside town of Pizzo Calabro, where local must-sees include the Aragonese castle, the Baroque St. George Church as well as the intricate Piedigrotta Church. The beautiful town of Tropea will be a restful stop before we return to rustic Vibo Valentia for the night. (B,L,D)

DAY 13 FAMOUS SASSI DI MATERA (307 KM)

Drive along the Ionian coast to beautiful Matera and down into the district of “Sassi” (or stones), where 1,500 cave dwellings spectacularly dot the flanks of a steep ravine. Your day is capped off with a tasting of local products from the Basilicata region. Overnight in Matera. (B,L,D)

DAY 14 ALBEROBELLO’S TRULLI HOUSES

A true haven of the far niente and dolce vita, Puglia is a special place. Discover the awe-inspiring Castellana Caves before a serene walking tour of Alberobello and its unique trulli houses. Delight in a Pugliese lunch and enjoy free time to discover the city at your own pace, or join your Group Guru for an optional activity (at no additional cost). Overnight in Alberobello. (B,L,D)

DAY 15 RICH LECCE & WHITEWASHED OSTUNI (223 KM)

Enjoy a guided tour of stunning Lecce to expore its rich artistic heritage, before our farewell lunch. Stop in Ostuni, contrasting centennial olive trees and whitewashed buildings. Return to Alberobello for the night. (B,L,D)

DAY 16 HOME SWEET HOME

Travel to Bari airport and fly to Canada, arriving the same day. Your driver will meet you at the airport to help you with your luggage and drive you home. (B)

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Hotels we've previously visited in Southern Italy

Palermo Hotel Giardino Inglese

Agrigento Grand Hotel Mosè

Syracuse Hotel Parco delle Fontane

Taormina Sant Alphio Garden Hotel & Spa

Lipari Hotel Bougainville

Vibo Valentia Hotel Tirreno

Matera Hotel Nazionale

Alberobello D'Aragona Hotel & Spa

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