Sun-swept valleys and glistening azure waters warmly greet you on your luxurious, 14-day adventure through Southern Italy. Journey through the soul-stirring Amalfi Coast, delight in the tantalizing natural beauty of the luxurious coastline, and explore candy-colored villages that cling to rugged cliffs and drop dramatically into the Adriatic Sea. Your dynamic two weeks in Italy will lead you to the heartbeat of the Roman civilization while simultaneously dazzling you with awe-inspiring landscapes.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Sorrento – Stroll through Sorrento’s Iconic Streets
The southern sun will warm your back as you step out of Naples International Airport and into the chauffeured car that waits for you at the curb. Your private driver will whisk you away from the bustling airport and head to your luxurious accommodation in Sorrento. Sorrento sits proudly on steep cliffs that overlook the calm Tyrrhenian Sea. Olive vineyards and lemon groves blanket the rolling hillsides while cobblestone streets braid through the Centro Storico, which is the center of town. Moreover, markets tend to display fresh produce on tables while dried red and orange chili peppers hang above on hooks. You will slip effortlessly into la dolce vita, which is the sweet life, as you stroll through the streets, sampling many of Southern Italy’s finest delicacies.
What's Included:
Day 2
Sorrento – Witness the Blue Grotto on the Island of Capri
Day 3
Sorrento – Soar above Mt. Vesuvius on a Helicopter Ride
Day 4
Sorrento – Luxuriate in Villages along the Amalfi Coast
Day 5
Ostuni – Discover the Secrets of Cultivating Olive Oil
Day 6
Ostuni – Explore Trulli Neighborhoods in Alberobello
Day 7
Ostuni – Sail along the Coastline of Polignano a Mare
Day 8
Matera – Tour Matera’s Iconic Sites on a Tuk-Tuk
Day 9
Tropea – Wander along the Beaches of the Tyrrhenian Sea
Day 10
Cefalu – Admire Byzantine Mosaics and Sicilian Sunsets
Day 11
Cefalu – Cruise to the Remote Aeolian Islands
Day 12
Taormina – Attend an Opera in an Ancient Greek Theater
Day 13
Taormina – Hike Past Dried Lava Beds and Dense Forest
Day 14
Taormina – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Stroll through the heart of Sorrento, sample homemade limoncello, and indulge in freshly baked pizza
- Cruise to the glamorous island of Capri, where you will walk in the ancient Phoenicians’ footsteps as you explore hilltop villas
- Venture along the Amalfi Coast in a private car ride, soaking up the stunning views and ambling through picturesque towns
- Take to the skies on a thrilling helicopter ride that will have you viewing Mt. Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples from high above
- Meander through the pearly white streets of Ostuni, where you will visit an olive grove and learn how to cultivate traditional olive oil
- Sail through the pristine waters of the Adriatic Sea and admire the glorious coastline from a unique perspective
- Immerse yourself in an outdoor opera at a Greek amphitheater in the exclusive resort town of Taormina
- Trek through magnificent landscapes as you conquer Europe’s largest volcano, Mt. Etna
Detailed Description
The Southern Italian sun sparkles like a million tiny diamonds, merrily reflecting off of the calm blue waters. During your lavish, 14-day excursion, you will travel by air, sea, and land to encounter the most renowned sites in Southern Italy. Your trip will begin when your private driver collects you at Naples International Airport to spend four nights in Sorrento. You will be led by your tour guide and can stroll through Sorrento’s iconic cobblestone streets, where you can pause at local markets to sample the many varieties of flavorful limoncello that are sold by local vendors. You will then set off on a cruise to the famed island of Capri, where you can visit opulent villas and experience the renowned Blue Grotto. The following day, you will step into the ancient ruins of Pompeii, where you will board a private helicopter to fly over Naples Bay and Mt. Vesuvius. Your personal driver will escort you through charming towns that line the Amalfi Coast, and here, you can visit sherbet-hued villages, which cling tightly to steep cliffs that rise from the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Your adventure will continue to Ostuni, which is the pearly-white town that is perched prominently on tall mountains that overlook the Adriatic Sea. You can meander through the white-washed lanes that lead you to grand cathedrals or emulate la dolce vita in quiet piazzas that invite you to enjoy an afternoon aperitif. You will then venture through the emerald Valle d’Itria to explore the various towns that pepper the rolling countryside. You will come across the ancient cone-shaped stone huts that are known as trullis in the town of Alberobello, which has recently become a cherished Unesco World Heritage Site. The following day, you will visit the beautiful seaside town of Polignano a Mare, where a private guide will lead you on an intriguing tour through the city center. Afterward, you can dip your toes into the blue waters as you sail along the coast and soak up the coastal splendor from a new perspective.
As you journey toward Sicily, you will visit a couple of enchanting towns along the way. Matera, which is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, sits in the rugged region of Basilicata. You will be provided with the opportunity to tour the mystifying sites by tuk-tuk, riding through the winding streets and marveling at ancient cave dwellings. Afterward, you will luxuriate in Tropea, which is a picturesque resort town that boasts sandy beaches. Next, you will continue to Sicily, where worlds merge and you may find yourself fortunate enough to be immersed this unique culture. Here, Arab domes intertwine effortlessly with Byzantine art and Norman palace walls. In Cefalu, you will hike up large cliffs that buffer the sea, which is where you will discover the ruins of one of these Norman castles. The following day, you indulge in a relaxing cruise to the alluring Aeolian Islands, where you can splash in the warm waters and taste delicious local wines. You will then venture to the Ionian Sea on the opposite side of Sicily. In Taormina, you can attend an opera in an ancient Greek theater, which can be followed by an exhilarating trek up the boisterous Mt. Etna. On your final day, your private driver will escort you to Catania Fontanarossa Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$9,100 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
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.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5974 reviews.
Zicasso's was an excellent travel company. The attention to all trip details by our tour operator was amazing. We enjoyed all the tours, the guides, the accommodations, the drivers, the Italian train system, and restaurant recommendations, and his itinerary information that we downloaded on our iPhones was extremely valuable throughout our entire trip. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone. I would definitely consider using him for future travel.
Reviewed By Kathy D.
Hi! Zicasso's travel planner organized everything perfectly. He was very helpful and patient as we planned the itinerary with him. He had great suggestions and the trip could not have gone better. Zicasso checked in with us daily and sent reminders, etc. We felt very taken care of. Any questions during the trip were answered very promptly.
All of the excursions were wonderful. Our guide and the boat around Capri was our favorite. He was a wonderful guide. The cooking class in Sorrento was the best, with wonderful hosts. We had a blast. The guides for Pompeii, the Vatican, and the Colosseum were super.
All of the hotels were perfect regarding location, amenities, staff, food, and rooms. We were upgraded twice.
We would highly recommend Zicasso to our friends (already have). We couldn‘t have asked for a more professional group.
Thanks for making my dreams come true.
Reviewed By Julie M.
Zicasso's travel agent helped to make our trip to Italy truly memorable. He listened to our interests and formulated a vacation that was unforgettable.
Reviewed By Barbara M.
We booked an amazing trip with Zicasso's travel partner and his travel team, which, pleasantly, far exceeded our expectations. Every detail was perfectly planned out, from the moment we were greeted at the airport in Naples by our driver to the private tours, boat excursions, and Amalfi drive. Our accommodations were top-notch.
He made planning this trip stress-free, and we enjoyed every moment. It was first-class treatment all the way, without the hassle of trying to coordinate all of the logistics ourselves. Thanks to our agent for providing us with an amazing, personalized, trip of a lifetime!
Reviewed By Jeanine P.
Zicasso's tour partner helped put together the trip of a lifetime. She provided many great suggestions of things to do and places to visit in Italy. I was very pleased with her ability to coordinate the details of the trip, from hotel reservations to private transportation and excursions/tours. We were so busy that by the end of the day, we were worn out. When we plan our next trip, I am going to personally ask to work with her again, she became part of our family with her personalized service.
Reviewed By Robert C.
The trip Zicasso's travel specialist arranged for us exceeded all our expectations. It was absolutely wonderful; not a single detail was overlooked. The hotels were excellent, the tours were great, and the drivers were always on time. I totally recommend Zicasso and the agency, and will undoubtedly use them for future travel plans.
Reviewed By Philip S.
