10 Days Off the Beaten Path Tour of Southern Italy and Sicily

What to expect on this itinerary
Experience scenic hikes, exhilarating ziplines, intriguing caves with this immersive 10-day vacation to southern Italy and Sicily. Unique experiences and private day trips are included in this amazing and unforgettable vacation. Zipline in Castelmezzano, climb Mt. Vesuvius to enjoy incredible views of Naples, and venture to the Blue Grotto.
Customizable Itinerary
Naples – Explore Mt. Vesuvius
Your 10-day journey will begin when you land at Naples International Airport, where a private driver will greet and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation. Upon your arrival, you will have some time to settle in and relax before your guide leads you on an excursion to Mt. Vesuvius. Your guide will lead you up the side of the famous volcano, and once you are at the top, you will have an incredible view of Naples and the surrounding area.
What's Included:
Sorrento – Capri and the Blue Grotto
Matera – Adventures in Castelmezzano
Matera – The Unique Homes of Alberobello
Cosenza – Immersive Nature Hike
Catania – The Gorgeous Island of Sicily
Catania – Explore Syracuse and Ortigia
Palermo – Stroll through Enna
Palermo – The History of the Catacombs
Palermo – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Climb Mount Vesuvius to enjoy incredible views of the Bay of Naples
- Venture into the narrow opening of the legendary Blue Grotto and witness the amazing blue aura all around you
- Experience an exhilarating zipline ride in Castelmezzano with the Lucanian Dolomites in the background
- View the traditional homes of Alberobello that are known for their stone construction and cone-shaped roofs
- Discover the fresh air and natural beauty of Sila National Park during a hike through the area
- Traverse the bridge that connects Syracuse to the island of Ortigia, which is full of historic ruins and stunning views
- Enjoy the views in Enna as you explore the Enna Cathedral and Lombardy Castle
- Explore the winding twists and turns in the Capuchin Catacombs, home to the world’s largest collection of skeletons
Detailed Description
This journey through southern Italy and Sicily leads you to some of the most magnificent towns and villages in the area. Your exciting 10-day tour will begin when you land at Naples International Airport. In the afternoon, you will head out for a private tour of the impressive Mt. Vesuvius. The next morning, you will transfer to Sorrento. Here, you will enjoy an excursion to the stunning island of Capri, which will feature a memorable visit to the Blue Grotto.
The following day, you will continue to Matera. Along the way, you will stop in Castelmezzano for a zipline experience. The following morning, you will enjoy a day trip to the nearby town of Alberobello. During your private tour, you will get an up-close look at the unique trulli homes for which the town is known. After one more night in Matera, you will head to the age-old city of Cosenza. After having some time to get acquainted with your new hotel, you will indulge in a scenic hike through Sila National Park.
A relaxing private transfer and a scenic ferry ride will be in store for you the following day as you make your way to the island of Sicily. By the end of the day, you will reach your hotel in the delightful city of Catania. The next morning, you will journey to Syracuse and the island of Ortigia. Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and during your private tour, you will get to see and explore ancient ruins. On the next day of your trip, you will transfer to your final destination of Palermo. During your drive through the countryside, you will stop for a tour in the city of Enna, which is located over 3,000 feet above sea level. After your first night in Palermo, you will explore the history of the city with a private visit to the Capuchin Catacombs.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 4153 reviews
First time to the Olympics and an add-on to Switzerland! Zicasso’s travel specialist was great at listening to our needs and putting together an itinerary.
Our trip to Livigno was fantastic! The location to the two Olympic venues was ideal.
All of the details were covered and when we had a change in one of our day tours due to potential avalanches, the team at the travel company was extremely responsive and was able to adjust.
All of our transportation was well organized and on time. We also had to pivot when our flights home to the US were changed due to weather and the team quickly helped with adjustments to our schedule.
We loved the train from Italy to Switzerland.
We highly recommend this travel specialist and the travel company!
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We had a fabulous trip to Italy, including to Sorrento, Taormina, and Rome. Zicasso’s travel specialist made sure every detail was taken care of, including stays in beautiful, well-located hotels and excursions that were interesting and fun for our family.
For example, she arranged for an airport host to assist us with our arrival to and departure from the Rome airport, and she was simply amazing, whisking us through the airport and eliminating stress for our family.
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Aside from the delay because of the time change, working with Zicasso’s travel specialist was great. She took care of all arrangements in Sicily once our decisions were made. She confirmed with every hotel, driver, and guide, making sure our travel was effortless.
The guides were great, adding so much historical information to our attractions. Our drivers were friendly, providing us with clean, comfortable vehicles, safe driving, and interesting conversation about modern life in Italy. Our hotels were high-end, in city centers, with amazing breakfast buffets and professional, kind staff.
We used a reputable tour group for our first week of mainland Italy travel, but our experience with this travel specialist far surpassed the tour group experience and our expectations. I would not hesitate to use her again for any travel plans in Italy. She checked in with us pre-, mid-, and post-travel. There wasn’t one hiccup with the plans she made for us.
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Zicasso’s travel company helped us plan a trip that exceeded our expectations. From the hotels to the guides to the scheduling of events, things could not have gone smoother. We visited all the sites and did all the things we wanted to do, and still had free time to roam on our own. This team is top-notch and we highly recommend them.
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Our recent trip to Rome, Florence, and Venice, planned by Zicasso’s travel specialist and her team, was nothing short of exceptional. Every detail was handled with care, precision, and an obvious commitment to excellence. The hotels were truly top rate, perfectly located, and impeccably chosen to enhance the experience of each city. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate, adding depth and context that made each destination come alive.
What truly set this trip apart was the level of service. From seamless transfers to on-the-ground assistance, everything felt effortless. The recommendations and tips provided along the way were incredibly useful and allowed us to experience each city with confidence and ease. The assistants who helped guide us through logistics and navigation were attentive, professional, and reassuring, making the entire journey feel like true white-glove service from start to finish.
The travel specialist and her team exceeded every expectation. Their planning, responsiveness, and attention to detail transformed an already incredible itinerary into an unforgettable experience. I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone looking for a flawlessly executed, high-end travel experience.
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Zicasso’s travel company was amazing to work with! They really took care of every detail for a worry-free experience! They were very responsive during planning and the trip. All of the locations and accommodations were exactly what I wanted. I cannot recommend them enough!
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