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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Based on 6084 reviews

Melanie E.
Italy Honeymoon Review: Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Pompeii, Vespa Tour, Food Tour, Wine Tasting, 12 Days

We had a wonderful honeymoon in Italy! It was easy to coordinate with Zicasso’s travel specialist; she heard what we were interested in doing and seeing, and she planned a seamless vacation. The travel from point to point was easy, we had knowledgeable drivers and guides as we visited new places, and the hotel and restaurant recommendations all led us to perfect spots we wouldn't have found on our own. We had a great time in Rome and Florence, and in the countryside in Tuscany, and would absolutely consider Zicasso again for future trips.

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Dirk S.
Italy Travel Review: 2 Weeks

The trip was excellent. Zicasso’s tour operator handled our special request and situation very well. They were very responsive and helpful.

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Laurie H.
Italy Trip Review: Naples, Lecce, Ischia, Mount Etna, Trulli Homes, 3 Weeks

Zicasso's was a great company to work with for our trip to Italy. Everyone replied promptly to questions or concerns. We liked the suggested tours. Most of the guides were very engaging and easy to understand.

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Joseph G.
Italy Travel Review: Florence, Cooking Class, 1 Week

The tour company did everything we agreed upon.

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Teresa V.
Italy Travel Review: Florence, Chianti, Private Guide, 5 Nights

Zicasso’s tour operator was superb! Their communication, understanding of our requests, and planning were excellent. They made our first trip to Italy unforgettable.

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Paula Z.
Italy Travel Review: Palermo, Agrigento, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Opera, Winery, Cooking Class, 10-Day Trip

Zicasso’s travel specialist did a wonderful job at listening to what we were looking for in our trip and the experiences we would like to incorporate. Her recommendations were spot-on! All of the tours, guides, cooking classes, and drivers were excellent. All details were taken care of and we had nothing to worry about but enjoying our vacation.

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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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