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 5947 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.
Reviewed By Branson S.
The accommodations and private tours were worth the extra money. Our drivers were professional and helpful.
Reviewed By Claudia R.
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.
