Italy, the Deep South & Sicily

Your tour commences this evening in the eternal city of Rome. Join us tonight for a welcome drink before dinner at a local restaurant. This is an ideal chance to meet, and get to know, your Tour Manager and fellow travellers. (D) Stay: Best Western Premier Hotel Royal Santina, Rome

Driving across the spine of Italy – the Apennine Mountains – we continue deep into the Puglia region to the remarkable city of Alberobello where we stay three nights. This is one of the most unusual towns you will ever see. The whole city centre is a mass of whitewashed ‘bee hive' type houses called ‘Trulli' which date back hundreds of years. Puglia is known as Italy's bread basket and is also justifiably famous for its olive oils, wine and local produce. Dinner tonight is included in a local restaurant. (B/D) Stay: Trulli Cottages, Alberobello

This morning we are joined by a local guide who will take us on a walking tour of this remarkable ‘bee hive' town. In the afternoon we will enjoy a relaxing tasting of local wines. The rest of your afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B) Stay: Trulli Cottages, Alberobello

Driving down into the Salentine Peninsula – the ‘heel of Italy' – we spend the morning exploring the city of Lecce on a walking tour with our local guide. Dating back to the early Greek empire, the city boasts numerous baroque monuments and also has a Roman amphitheatre on the central square.

Later we visit ‘La Città Bianca' (the ‘white city') of Ostuni. Perched on a hill, with views down over the coast, we enjoy time at leisure amongst the winding streets and white washed alleys. (B) Stay: Trulli Cottages, Alberobello

Passing hamlets and typical Pugliese ‘masserie' (fortified large estate-farms), we reach the port of Monopoli. Later we continue to the nearby coastal town of Polignano a Mare. Built directly on the cliffs over the sea, Polignano is famous for its gelato and ice cream parlours and makes a perfect lunch stop.

Crossing to the ‘ankle' of Italy we reach the extraordinary city of Matera - reputed to be the oldest inhabited settlement in Italy, the town encompasses rock churches and numerous Sassi (including the cave complex hotel we will be staying in) with the more ‘modern' baroque town on top of the hill.

We also visit the Crypt of the Original Sin, located inside one of the many natural caves, adorned with thousand-year-old Biblical frescoes and nicknamed ‘ The Sistine Chapel of Rupestrian Art'. Your next two nights will be memorable! This evening we dine al fresco style on the terrace of our cave hotel. (B/D) Stay: Le Grotte della Civita, Matera

This morning we are joined by a local guide who will show us around this extraordinary town from the ancient rock hewn churches to the baroque city above. We have included entrance to La Casa Grotta – a typically furnished cave dwelling, to gain an insight in to how families lived in their ‘Sassi' houses. Your afternoon and evening are free to relax and explore. (B) Stay: Le Grotte della Civita, Matera

Driving across Calabria and down the toe of Italy we reach the Mediterranean, where we catch the ferry across the Straits of Messina to Sicily. Following the coast we arrive at the stunning town of Taormina where we stay the next four wonderful nights. (B/D) Stay: Excelsior Palace Hotel, Taormina

A totally free day to relax and explore the boutiques, handicraft shops and restaurants which make Taormina so famous. Make sure you visit the Greek Amphitheatre with its striking views and also wander through Villa Comunale, one of the most beautiful little gardens in all of Sicily. (B) Stay: Excelsior Palace Hotel, Taormina

Driving past Catania we reach the city of Syracuse, where we are joined by a local guide. First stop will be at the temples and massive amphitheatre in the 2500 year old Greek and Roman ruins. We will also visit the overgrown quarries and test the amazing acoustics in the famous ‘Ear of Dionysus' cavern.

Later we cross onto Ortigia Island, the heart of ancient Syracuse, to wander through the delightful backstreets to the breathtaking architecture of the main square, Piazza del Duomo. Enjoy time to find a quiet café or trattoria for a leisurely lunch. (B) Stay: Excelsior Palace Hotel, Taormina

What an adventure today! First we drive up the slopes of Mount Etna to Sapienza Refuge, lying at the south of the crater at an elevation of 1910 metres. Here we board a cable car up to a restaurant and museum at 2500 metres where we meet our local guide who will drive us in a large 4WD bus up to the (usually snow covered) viewing crater area at 2920 metres. You will now be standing on the highest active volcano in Europe with views across to the steaming caldera on one side and the Sicilian coastline far below. All around you will see craters, caldera and petrified lava flow.

Following this magnificent experience we descend to the village of Forza d'Agro, just north of Taormina. This area was the setting for some scenes from the film ‘The Godfather', and is the perfect location for another leisurely, typically ‘Italian style' lunch. The rest of the day and evening is free back in beautiful Taormina. (B/L) Stay: Excelsior Palace Hotel, Taormina

Cutting through the heart of Sicily we reach Piazza Armerina where a local guide will take us through the opulent Villa Romana del Casale. UNESCO Heritage Listed and one of the great sites of Sicily, this massive 1700 year old Villa was covered by a mud slide in the 12th century which beautifully preserved its breathtaking mosaics.

Later we arrive in Agrigento on the south coast, where we stay two nights. (B/D) Stay: The Colleverde Park Hotel, Agrigento

This morning we are joined by a local guide who will take us through the famous UNESCO Heritage Listed Valley of the Temples. Originally the ancient city of Akragas, and built out of sandstone tufa, the golden amber hue of the giant complex of ruins and temples blend perfectly with the natural surroundings.

This afternoon we will drive east to the farm of Mandranova, to enjoy an olive oil tasting and light lunch. (B/L) Stay: The Colleverde Park Hotel, Agrigento

First stop this morning will be in the fishing port of Sciacca. Encircled by 16th century walls, the fascinating old town is where Arab, Norman and Greek cultures co-existed. We then follow the coast to the beach at Porto Palo where we enjoy a delicious seafood lunch at Vittorio's restaurant (specially mentioned in the acclaimed BBC2 series ‘Sicily Unpacked').

Later we continue to our hotel inland from Marsala where we stay the next three nights. (B/L/D) Stay: Baglio Oneto Wine Resort, Marsala

This morning we visit the Temple ruins at Segesta. Later we visit the city of Erice. Standing on top of Mount Erice, 750 metres above sea level and overlooking the port of Trapani, the views out to San Vito Lo Capo and the Aegadian Islands are fantastic. Here you will still find the remains of the ancient Phoenician fortifications and in the old city there are still two castles. Pepoli Castle which dates from Saracen times and the Venus Castle built by the Normans.

Time to relax and wander through the quaint old alleys and cobblestoned streets of the old town, and find a trattoria in a peaceful courtyard to enjoy lunch. This evening before dinner we will enjoy a wine tasting. (B/D) Stay: Baglio Oneto Wine Resort, Marsala

After enjoying free time for your morning coffee at the authentic fishing port of Castellammare del Golfo, we board a boat to enjoy a scenic cruise along the Zingaro Marine Nature Reserve, past Scopello and the Faraglioni' rocks. Returning to Castellamarre del Golfo you will have ‘My Time' for lunch. Arriving back at Baglio Oneto your afternoon is at leisure. (B/D) Stay: Baglio Oneto Wine Resort, Marsala

On arrival in Palermo we are joined by a local guide for a panoramic tour to explore the palaces and squares of this most Sicilian of cities! Entrance is included to visit the Palatine Chapel, in the Palace of the Normans, which is adorned in extraordinary 12th century mosaics. You will also have time to shop, or sit and enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Tonight we will enjoy our ‘Farewell to Sicily' dinner in a local trattoria, a short stroll from our hotel. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Principe di Villafranca, Palermo

Your tour ends today after breakfast. (B)