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

Mountain side village of Castelmezzano in the Potenza Province of Southern Italy

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.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Naples, Sorrento, Palermo (City), Matera, Cosenza, Catania

Suggested Duration

10 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

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:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Day 2

Sorrento – Capri and the Blue Grotto

Day 3

Matera – Adventures in Castelmezzano

Day 4

Matera – The Unique Homes of Alberobello

Day 5

Cosenza – Immersive Nature Hike

Day 6

Catania – The Gorgeous Island of Sicily

Day 7

Catania – Explore Syracuse and Ortigia

Day 8

Palermo – Stroll through Enna

Day 9

Palermo – The History of the Catacombs

Day 10

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.

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Sydney B.
Italy Honeymoon Review: Florence, Follonica, Bike Ride, Local Cuisine, Wine Tasting, 8 Nights

Thank you, Zicasso's travel designer, for planning our honeymoon. We just had the best and most romantic time. The hotels were beautiful and our tour guides were lovely. We also greatly appreciated your dinner recommendations.

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Midhat Q.
Italy Vacation Review: 13-Day Trip

Zicasso's tour operator elevated this trip far beyond what we could have managed ourselves. It was a five-star, worry-free experience, and every single day felt tailored to us. If you’re looking for true white-glove service for a European getaway, look no further than the tour operator. They’re not just travel planners, they’re travel artists.

We’re already looking forward to booking our next adventure with them!

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Zach S.
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This was a fantastic travel company and I cannot recommend them highly enough! The events/tours they planned were a great fit, and they were very responsive and helpful during the trip. Definitely go with this Zicasso company!

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Dympna F.
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We enjoyed our trip to Italy. All the small details were handled very well by Zicasso's travel company, from limo pick-ups to our train tickets being texted to us!

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Terrence G.
Italy Trip Review: Local Cuisine, Scenery, Guides, 10 Nights

We did a lot of research on tour groups and travel companies, and are so pleased we chose Zicasso and their specialized Italy team. They organized every detail of transportation, first-class hotels, and cut-the-line attraction visits with extremely knowledgeable local guides.

We ran into some minor interruptions due to protests and our team quickly navigated around them with their in-country specialists. We felt we saw the best of each location, with additional free time to explore other local things like food, shopping, etc. These folks know their stuff and we will look to use them in the future.

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Catherine C.
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I want to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to Zicasso's travel company and each and every tour guide they provided. I had the most amazing time of my life. My group received the best care and attention to detail; we never had to worry or wonder what to do or how we would get there. I cannot express my gratitude to all. There is no other way to travel. This tour was worth every penny I spent. Thanks to our guides and drivers for their knowledge and enthusiasm, and to all those who made this a remarkable journey. I'll never forget this trip as long as I live.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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