Day 1 - Depart USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2 - The Eternal City of Rome
Welcome to Rome! On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and light meal. (Welcome Reception)

Day 3 to Day 4 - The Cones and Caves of Alberobello and Matera
Pass the hilltop monastery of Cassino and follow the scenic route across the Apennines to the Adriatic coast. Your destination is the region known for its strange white Trulli buildings. Sunday evenings are popular for the traditional ritual of passeggiata, a pre-dinner promenade. In the morning admire the Trulli of Alberobello - circular structures with conical roofs and domed within, built with local limestone and stacked without using mortar. Apulia’s most robust and structured reds are as rich and complex as anything you’ll find in Tuscany. Find out for yourself with a tasting of the regional wine. Later, venture along the country roads to the town of Matera where Mel Gibson utilized the extraordinary cave dwellings known as ‘Sassi’ as a location for his film ‘The Passion of the Christ’. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 5 to Day 7 - Taormina, the Grandstand of Mt. Etna and the Ionian Sea
This morning your route then follows the shores of the Gulf of Taranto to the mountainous Calabria region. Continue around the Purple Coast to the very toe of Italy. After the short ferry crossing to Sicily, drive to your hotel in Taormina for three glorious nights. Taormina’s old town clings to the side of Mount Tauro, forming a balcony overlooking the sea and Mt Etna. During your stay, walk with a local expert to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja and visit the Greek Theatre, graced with the most spectacular of backdrops. Then stroll along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile for more panoramic views. You now have a whole day at leisure in Sicily’s most idyllic town. Enjoy the amazing views, scented gardens and historic monuments of the old town. Don’t miss the chance of an optional drive through the vineyards to Mt Etna, Europe’s largest volcano plus a stop in Savoca, the picture perfect hill village, chosen for the filming of The Godfather. For your dining pleasure this evening, you are offered a selection of local restaurants. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)

Day 8 to Day 9 - The Valley of the Temples and the Sicilian Capital of Palermo
Drive to Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily where the Valley of the Temples once formed part of the ancient Greek colony of Akragas. Meet with a local expert and walk along the fortified ridge stopping at all the main temples. Especially impressive are the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno, overlooking the sea. In the afternoon continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo. After a restful night’s sleep, join a historian to see the highlights of the city. Pass the huge Teatro Massimo to the baroque Quattro Canti Square and glimpse the beauties of the ‘fountain of shame’. Palermo Cathedral has been altered over the years - go inside to appreciate the composite of architectural styles. Now to the amazing Palatine Chapel in the Palace of the Normans. Outside there are few clues to its astonishing interior - completely covered in glittering 12th-century mosaics. In the afternoon there is free time to explore or shop in Palermo or continue sightseeing. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 10 - Charming Cefalu and the Night Boat to Naples
Drive eastwards along the coast to the charming fishing town of Cefalu. Visit the cathedral which was erected to fulfil 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 harbour. Later, return to Palermo to board your overnight ferry to Naples. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 11 to Day 12 - Ill-fated Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri, the Isle of Dreams
Arrive in Naples in time for breakfast and an orientation tour of the city. Afterwards, continue to Pompeii, buried in 79 AD by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Walk through the cobbled streets with your guide and inspect some of the villas before continuing to your hotel in Sorrento. Maybe take an optional excursion to Positano or relax by the pool. Wake up full of anticipation for your excursion to Capri - the isle of dreams. Under the Mediterranean sun, take an open top taxi up to Capri Town, where you can explore the narrow alleyways, browse in exclusive boutiques and enjoy the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Perhaps join an optional tour to visit Axel Munthe’s Villa San Michele? Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento for some relaxation time. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 13 - The Imperial City of Rome
Return to Rome to visit the famous Colosseum where gladiators once fought and see the Forum – former religious, political and commercial heart of the Roman Empire. Continue to the Vatican City to tour St Peter’s Basilica, housing works of art by Bernini and Michelangelo. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a memorable Celebration Dinner of delicious Italian cuisine, wine, music and spine tingling operetta - a true Italian experience. (Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Day 14 - Return to USA
Arrivederci Roma! Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30. (Buffet Breakfast)

This tour explores the unique ‘trulli’ houses of Alberobello and Sassi di Matera, complemented by the rich Greek, Roman and Norman heritage of Sicily. Capri, the Isle of Dreams, caps it off.

• A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
• 12 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 1 Dine-Around (DA), 1 Celebration Dinner (CD) and 4 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Overnight ferry from Palermo to Naples
• Airport transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 14 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport or purchase a transfer)

• Alberobello: Explore the unique Trulli buildings. Join in the social ritual of ‘La Passeggiata’.
• Taormina: Visit the courtyard of Palazzo Corvaja, seat of the first Sicilian parliament, and stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile.
• Palermo: See Quattro Canti Square. Visit Palermo Cathedral.
• Cefalu: Visit the cathedral in this charming fishing town.
• Sorrento: Explore this delightful resort.
• Rome: Enjoy a private guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Scenic Drives: Apennines, Calabria mountains, Sorrento cliff top road, Capri corniche.

Rome: Kolbe
Alberobello: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri
Taormina: Ariston
Palermo: Best Western Al Cavalieri
Sorrento: Grand Hotel La Pace
Rome: Sheraton

Extra nights per person in Rome:
Genova: in twin room $201; in single room $316; in triple room $193
Hotel Anglo Americano: in twin room $193; in single room $297; in triple room $174
Kolbe: in twin room $199; in single room $$278; in triple room $182
La Griffe: in twin room $197; in single room $318; in triple room $184
Mediterraneo: in twin room $191; in single room $287; in triple room $168
NH Giustiniano: in twin room $195; in single room $279; in triple room $187
NH Vittorio Veneto: in twin room $195; in single room $279; in triple room $187
Regina Hotel Baglioni Rome: in twin room $317; in single room $567; in triple room $287
Romanico Palace: in twin room $189; in single room $301; in triple room: $160
Sheraton Roma: in twin room $159; in single room $228; in triple room $$145
Veneto Palace: in twin room $189; in single room $301; in triple room $160

• Open top taxis is dependent on favorable weather conditions.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

For Insight Vacations terms and conditions, please click here.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.