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

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.
Customizable Itinerary
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:
Sorrento – Capri and the Blue Grotto
Matera – Adventures in Castelmezzano
Matera – The Unique Homes of Alberobello
Cosenza – Immersive Nature Hike
Catania – The Gorgeous Island of Sicily
Catania – Explore Syracuse and Ortigia
Palermo – Stroll through Enna
Palermo – The History of the Catacombs
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.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 6095 reviews
It was a great experience! Every activity was fun and interesting. The guides and drivers were wonderful. You made our trip so easy.
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Everything went perfectly. We had such a good time. All our tour guides were expert historians. All the car pick-ups and trains went smoothly. We added a last-minute tour in another city and Zicasso's travel specialists were so accommodating. I highly recommend them.
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My wife and I recently returned from our first trip to Italy and want to highly recommend Zicasso's travel specialist and her company for creating the perfect vacation for us. It was a two-month process of back and forth, but no matter what we asked of her, she delivered several options.
We had a perfect mix of historical Florence and its museums, and wonderful restaurants, and the Tuscany and Umbria countryside experience. And on our first day, when our flight into Florence got diverted to Milan, we had the peace of mind that our travel specialist was there to help with her much appreciated support.
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Working with Zicasso’s travel specialist and the team was easy and wonderful. Our group enjoyed all of our excursions and tours. The drivers and guides were all wonderful, kind, and informative. Our arrangements for staying were clean, accessible, in great locations, and with incredibly friendly staff. The daily reminders were perfect and the few times we had questions, the response was timely and helpful.
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From start to finish, this was an amazing trip! All the accommodations were excellent, the tour guides were knowledgeable and engaging, our drivers were friendly and helpful, and the experiences (walking food tours, cooking class, wine tastings) were just what we wanted! We are extremely happy with the help we received from Zicasso's travel specialists, all the arrangements that were made, the communication throughout our stay—the entire trip!
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We loved our itinerary! We gave the locations we wanted to visit to Zicasso’s tour operator and they fit everything in. They were with us every step of the way and listened to feedback about any adjustments, and stayed within budget.
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