This is the Italy of ruin and prestige, artistry and strongholds, an Italy steeped in culture deriving from ancient life. Your 9-day custom-tailored Southern Italy tour immerses you in majesty from Naples to Palermo, connecting the heritage of the past with the traditions of the present. Greek temples tower over rocky promontories. Roman villas provide insight into the wealth and opulence of emperors. Lush citrus groves grow on terraces stretching beneath limestone cliffs, and the Mediterranean...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Positano – Reaching Southern Italy
Naples is a city rich in history both inside the city center and bordering the harbor. Lavish churches overlook cobblestone streets, and the Castel dell’Ovo stands proudly at the edge of a rocky promontory with roots dating back to the 6th century BC. Your flight lands and Naples International Airport where you meet your private transfer. On the outskirts of the bustling city, you find the aroma of citrus emanating from lemon groves thriving in the Mediterranean climate. The turquoise sea laps at the coastline of the Bay of Naples.
The scent of rich espresso drifts out of small corner cafes. You stop at the entrance to Pompeii Archeological Park as your introduction to the marvelous history of Southern Italy. Your guide meets you at the entrance eager to show you the highlights of the Roman port city once covered in ash and pumice from the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Excavations have revealed that the layers of ash have kept the city intact, complete with sailor hotels, bars, public baths, and taverns. The fragrance of rich soil rises from the Roman Forum.
Portions of pillars frame the piazza leading to the Basilica, which once housed the city’s courts. As you stroll along the cobbled streets, your guide points out homes in which frescoes continue to decorate the walls. Pillars crowned with Corinthian capitals flank the House of Meander. The interior contains frescoes depicting scenes from Homer’s Iliad. A wooden roof hovers over the small temple in the corner of the atrium. You are not only seeing ancient history but walking in the footsteps of a citizen of Pompeii, with the image of Mount Vesuvius’s conical peak ornamenting the sky on the horizon.
What's Included:
Day 2
Positano – Traversing the Gulf of Salerno
Day 3
Positano – Island in the Sun
Day 4
Palermo – Beyond the Toe of Italy’s Boot
Day 5
Agrigento – A Rich History of Tradition
Day 6
Taormina – The Baroque in Sicily
Day 7
Taormina – A Day on the Cliff
Day 8
Catania – Holding to Tradition
Day 9
Catania – Out of Time In Antiquity
Trip Highlights
- Discover the stunning preservation of ancient streets, frescoes, and architecture in famous Pompeii
- Wander along the gorgeous shoreline of the Amalfi Coast for an unforgettable mixture of landscape and sea before witnessing the glowing Emerald Cave
- Explore one of the best-preserved collection of Greek temples in all of Italy in the Valley of the Temples outside Agrigento
- Experience a town frozen in time at Forza d’Agro, where Sicilian tradition in both culture, architecture, daily life remains strong
- Stroll through the combination of ancient foundations and contemporary culture in Syracuse
- Tour the medieval cobblestone streets of the triangular shaped town of Erice, located at the top of a Sicilian mountain
- Trek the trails of Capri for remarkable views of the undulating mountains and steep coastal cliffs
- Linger amongst the beautiful baroque architecture in the towns of Noto and Taormina for insight into the history and culture of the past and present
Detailed Description
Southern Italy blends the cultures of the past, which has effortlessly shaped the contemporary traditions associated with the Campania region and Sicily. Your 9-day historical exploration is meant for amateur archeologists and enthusiastic anthropologists; whether a fan of Italian heritage or a lover of coastal landscape, you will discover charm in a daily life enriched by the stunning scenery and adorned with unforgettable history. Your discovery begins with your arrival at Naples International Airport. Your private transfer meets you at baggage claim and escorts you to the entrance of ancient Pompeii. Meet your guide and follow the streets of the preserved city to find villas, restaurants, mosaics, and frescoes captured in time before continuing to the town of Positano.
The following day, you have a private driver available to take you along the scenic road traversing the Amalfi Coast. Visit the famous towns of Ravello and Amalfi, along with the lesser-known seaside towns of Vietri sul Mare and Conca dei Marini, for an encompassing image of the seaside culture and historical lanes around the coastline. Then, you board a ferry to the island of Capri. Discover the respective villas of emperor Tiberius and Augustus or trek the trails crisscrossing the island for views of the Faraglioni Stacks before returning to Positano. The following day, you have a private transfer to the Naples airport for your brief flight to Palermo.
Meet your guide and transfer at baggage claim to tour the historic city blending Norman, Arab, Spanish, and Italian cultures through architecture and tradition. Next, you travel to the medieval town of Erice, located on a mountaintop overlooking the shoreline. Wander the cobblestone streets, arches, and ramparts before visiting the Valley of the Temples outside Agrigento. The archeological site contains one of the largest collections of Greek temple ruins outside of Greece. You discover the splendor of the Baroque period in Sicily by strolling the streets of Noto. Step back in history with the preserved ancient sites at the heart of Syracuse before settling in the seaside town of Taormina.
The day is at your leisure in Taormina to enjoy the surrounding possibilities. Venture to Mount Etna to hike the trails on the active volcano or visit the nearby beaches to relax in the Mediterranean sun. You could also linger around Taormina to bask in the café lifestyle of the vibrant streets. Then, your private transfer leads you to Forza d’Agro to experience the true, unspoiled culture of Sicily. Continue to the contemporary city of Catania to tour the baroque architecture. On the final day, your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby and escorts you to the Catania airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,100 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
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5894 reviews.
The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.
Reviewed By Nisha V.
Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.
When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.
She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.
The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.
Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.
If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!
Stephanie
Reviewed By Stephanie S.
This was possibly the best vacation we have ever taken. A fitting trip to mark our 25th anniversary, we will remember our days in Positano and Sorrento forever. Everything was perfect and the service and support were extraordinary.
Zicasso's travel specialist and the other people were always super-helpful and friendly. The hotels they chose for us in particular were exactly what we wanted. I can’t think of a single issue. Transport, transfers, etc., were perfect. The only bad part was that we had to return to normal life afterwards! We highly recommend our travel company to anyone! Grazie mille!
Reviewed By Mauro A.
We had a fantastic time and Zicasso's tour operator did an excellent job organizing every detail of our trip. Drivers and guides were always punctual, and the itinerary was perfectly balanced—full days, without ever feeling rushed.
Some real highlights for us were Herculaneum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, and our unforgettable Capri boat tour. Our guide brought Pompeii's history to life in a way that made it feel like stepping back in time and the Naples street food tour was delicious and nostalgic—her pizza fritta instantly took me back to the calzones I grew up with in Niles, Ohio. Our driver was with us for several days and made every transfer feel effortless.
There was a small hiccup at the very end with a trip planner, but it was minor compared to the overall quality of the trip. The organization, communication, and attention to detail throughout made this a truly memorable experience and we wouldn’t hesitate to book with this tour agency again. We had a fantastic time and the tour company did an excellent job organizing every detail of our trip.
Reviewed By James T.
I want to give a huge shoutout to Zicasso's trip coordinator. She was our coordinator through WhatsApp. She was always available, provided quick solutions and documents whenever we needed them. Given a few airline delays, we needed to adapt our itinerary rapidly and she always came in clutch.The itinerary was put together very fast, as we approached this travel company six weeks before our desired travel dates. We had an amazing time and all the activities were tailored to our interests. We would highly recommend them for any Italy travel.
Reviewed By Brad B.
It was very good and lived up to our expectations.
Reviewed By Sarpreet B.