Your tour opens in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring authentic Sicilian cuisine. (D)

Acquaint yourself with Palermo on a tour of its lovely squares - the Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria and Piazza Bellini - and discover an exotic mix of Moorish, Norman and Spanish Baroque architecture along the way. See the Palace of the Normans, La Martorana church, and the cathedral that houses the Imperial Crown of Constance of Aragon. In the nearby town of Monreale, visit a 12th-century cathedral with its dazzling interior of multicolored marbles, paintings, mosaics and cloisters. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure to peruse the city's shops and museums, or simply take some time to relax. (B)

Travel over the countryside's rolling hills, past peaceful farmland toward the town of Agrigento. Explore one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, the stunning Valley of the Temples (UNESCO), where you'll 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. (B/D)

Set out for beautiful Taormina with its charming atmosphere, historic monuments and flowering gardens. Alongside an expert local guide, see Corso Umberto, view the bountiful public gardens and marvel at the city's well-preserved Greek Theatre. Enjoy free time to relax or independently explore. (B)

Journey to vibrant Catania where it's your choice! Join a local guide to visit the cathedral and view other iconic sights of this historic Baroque city (UNESCO); then witness the daily spectacle of bartering for fresh fish and produce at the local market -OR- explore the Museo dello Sbarco (Allied Landing Museum), an emotionally moving museum dedicated to the Allied troops who landed on the southern coast in 1943. Later, gather to discover the impressive Mt. Etna Volcano National Park where a local expert introduces you to the park's spectacular landscapes sculpted by nature. Return to Giardini Naxos for the evening. (B)

Venture to Messina for a short ferry ride to Villa San Giovanni on Italy's mainland. Pass through the unspoiled, beautiful region of Calabria into the Basilicata region. Make a stop at one of the area's local wineries where you'll join an expert on a walk through the cellars and vineyards before sampling wines during a special tasting. Linger over regional cuisine at dinner in the winery's own agriturismo restaurant. (B/D)

Explore the “Sassi di Matera,” an ancient settlement of carved cave dwellings. A local guide shares the history of the site and reasons why it has recently caught the eye of many film producers. Continue to a local shop for a chance to sample some regional produce. Enjoy free time in Matera to browse the boutiques or taste the local cuisine before heading to the mystical town of Alberobello. Marvel at some of the town's most uniquely built homes (UNESCO) known as trulli, and their distinct, cone-shaped roofs. (B/D)

Travel towards one of the most breathtaking areas of Italy: Campania and the Bay of Naples. Stop in Salerno, where you'll have the chance to explore the historic city center independently. Remember to take a moment to gaze at Salerno's impressive cathedral, considered to be the most beautiful medieval church in all of Italy. Arrive at the Sorrento Peninsula in the late afternoon, then sit back and take in the views of this magical place. (B/D)

Savor time this morning in the lovely seaside resort town of Sorrento. Then begin your adventure traversing the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. Stop in the charming town of Amalfi and spend time exploring its striking provincial beauty before heading to Minori. Use this opportunity to sample regional specialties at a family-owned limoncello factory. Later, sit down for a traditional Italian afternoon break at a local café and pastry shop. Enjoy an evening at leisure. (B)

Drive along the Bay of Naples to the excavated ruins of Pompeii, nestled at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius. A local guide gives you an in-depth view of this remarkable archaeologic site, where you'll become immersed in history as you explore the preserved buildings of this 2,000 year-old Roman town. Later, travel to Rome to celebrate the end of your journey with a delightful farewell dinner. (B/D)

Your tour comes to a close today. (B)

Your Italian sojourn opens in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Discover the city's vibrant culture as you take in its picturesque harbors, cobblestone piazzas, and captivating energy. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring authentic Sicilian cuisine. (D) Stay: Hotel Federico II Central Palace (3 Nights)

Get to know “Palermo in a Nutshell” and discover the city's Moorish, Norman, and Spanish architecture on a walking tour. Explore the Kalsa district - home to Mafia legends and lush gardens - before tasting local snacks at a 19th-century eatery. Decide how you spend your afternoon because it's your choice! Embark on a walking tour of the historic city center and visit La Martorana church, Fontana Pretoria, and more -OR- tour the Teatro Massimo Opera House, the third largest in Europe and seen in The Godfather Part III. (B/L)

The entire day is yours! Maybe you'll peruse the open-air markets, shop in cozy boutiques, or relax in an outdoor café. Or perhaps you will join an optional excursion to medieval Cefalù (UNESCO) with a local guide before visiting a nearby farm for a ricotta cheese demonstration* and farm-to-table meal, made with family recipes. (B)

Visit the nearby town of Monreale (UNESCO) and wander along the paintings, mosaics, and cloisters of its 12th-century cathedral. Travel over rolling hills and peaceful farmland to the town of Agrigento. As the sun begins to set, explore the stunning Valley of the Temples (UNESCO), one of the world's most esteemed archaeological sites, and get an up-close view of the temples of Juno, Concordia, and Hercules. (B/D) Stay: Baia di Ulisse Hotel

Journey east to Sicily's Ionian Coast. En route, discover the impressive Mt. Etna (UNESCO) Volcano National Park where a local expert introduces you to the park's spectacular landscapes sculpted by nature. Later this afternoon, continue on to Giardini Naxos – the “Garden of Sicily” – for your 2-night stay. (B/D) Stay: Hellenia Yachting Hotel (2 Nights)

Set out for beautiful Taormina, home to ancient relics, rocky hills, and charming gardens. With an expert local guide, you'll see Corso Umberto, the verdant public gardens, and the city's well-preserved Greek theatre. Enjoy free time to relax or independently explore on your own. Return to Giardini Naxos for the evening. (B)

Take a short ferry ride to Villa San Giovanni, located on Italy's mainland. Pass through the unspoiled region of Calabria to the Basilicata region. Wander through the twisting vines of a local winery before joining an expert for a tour of the cellar with a tasting. Linger over regional cuisine at dinner in the winery's restaurant. (B/D) Stay: MH Matera Hotel (2 Nights)

Explore the Sassi di Matera (UNESCO), an ancient settlement of carved cave dwellings. A local guide shares the history and explains why film producers are seeking out this unique landscape. Visit a local shop and get a taste of regional specialties. This afternoon decide how you explore because it's your choice! Discover more of Matera with a guided tour of an underground cistern followed by free time to browse the city's stores and cave churches -OR- head to Alberobello (UNESCO) and marvel at the town's whimsical trulli homes, known for their distinct, cone-shaped roofs. (B/D)

After a stop in Vietri Sul Mare, famous for its precious majolica pottery, experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii (UNESCO). A local guide gives you an in-depth look into this 2,000-year-old Roman town, nestled in the foothills of Mount Vesuvius. Step into another time as you explore its preserved buildings and imagine life in the 1st century. End your day along the Sorrento Peninsula, where you'll settle in for a 2-night stay. (B) Stay: Towers Hotel (2 Nights)

Discover the seaside resort town of Sorrento and learn about the local tradition of wood marquetry. Sample regional specialties at a family-owned limoncello factory before winding your way along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast (UNESCO). Gaze out over the deep blue hues of the sea paired with the bright citrus fruits lining the hillsides. Celebrate the end of your journey with a delightful farewell dinner. (B/D)

Say arriverderci to Italy as your tour comes to a close today. (B)