Compare Highlights of Sicily & Southern Italy by Globus vs Grand Tour of Sicily by Viandando Luxury Travel

Day 1: ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY

Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner)

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Day 2: ROME–CASTEL GANDOLFO–SORRENTO AREA

Holy Grounds CASTEL GANDOLFO Take a [LF] guided visit of the Papal Palace and the Barberini Gardens followed by lunch en route to the Sorrento Area. (Breakfast,Lunch)
193 mi / 310 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Enjoy an extraordinary, guided visit to explore the Papal Palace and beautiful Barberini Gardens. Stroll the spectacular grounds of the grand papal retreat of Castel Gandolfo, where Holy Fathers and world dignitaries walked and talked about faith and the world at large.

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Day 3: SORRENTO AREA. EXCURSION TO CAPRI

Coves, Cliffs & The Clear Blue Sea SORRENTO AREA Jetfoil ride to Capri.
CAPRI Take a funicular ride from the harbor to the village for guided sightseeing, including the Augustus Gardens. Free time for lunch.
SORRENTO AREA Free time. (Breakfast,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Nestled high above the sea on the island of Capri lie the exquisite Gardens of Augustus. This natural paradise promises 180-degree panoramic views and a kaleidoscope of botanical beauty on the cliffs overlooking island and the sapphire sea below.

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Day 4: SORRENTO AREA. EXCURSION TO POMPEII AND NAPLES

A Slice of Life in Naples POMPEII Take a guided walking tour of the excavations. Free time to browse.
NAPLES Guided sightseeing includes an orientation drive on the panoramic road to Posillipo, a stop in Piazza Plebiscito, and [LF] a slice of Neapolitan pizza. (Breakfast)
68 mi / 110 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Pizza was first delivered to the world after Neapolitans put tomatoes on flatbread. Baker Raffaele Esposito baked a pie with the hues of the Italian flag for Queen Margherita's visit to Naples with mozzarella cheese, red tomatoes, and basil, giving to the world the Neapolitan pizza we love today.

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Day 5: SORRENTO AREA–BARI

Spectacular Apulia SORRENTO COAST Scenic drive to Bari. (Breakfast)
186 mi / 300 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Puglia region forms the heel of Italy’s “boot,” with whitewashed towns, centuries-old pastoral landscapes, and the magnificent Mediterranean coastline. The vibrant port of Bari and its lovely Baroque architecture is a feast for the eyes and palate in the quintessential Italian style.

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Day 6: BARI–LECCE–ALBEROBELLO AREA

Sweet Strolls in Apulia BARI Guided sightseeing includes a walking tour of Bari Vecchia, the city’s oldest district, and San Nicola’s Church.
LECCE Walking tour with a Local Guide includes the Duomo and Santa Croce Basilica. [LF] Taste traditional pasticciotto (filled pastry) with almond-infused iced coffee. (Breakfast,Dinner)
186 mi / 300 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITIONS Traditional pasticciotto is the beloved cream-filled pastry of Lecce, which graces the shelves of Apulia’s bakeries and restaurants. Legend has it that this ubiquitous confection was invented by happy accident when chef Andrea Ascalone made too much cake batter, using the excess ingredients to mix up the original pasticcio (meaning mishap or mess in Italian) - a smaller cake with a creamy filling. Sink your teeth into this heavenly pastry with an almond iced coffee to complete the experience.

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Day 7: ALBEROBELLO AREA

Stone Houses ALBEROBELLO Guided walking tour includes a visit to a Trullo (traditional conical-roof house). Free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The iconic round houses (Trulli) date back hundreds of years. These Trulli, constructed of dry stone and cone-shaped roofs include the oldest structures built in the 16th century and were used as grain storage or residences. Made without cement in the masonry techniques of the day, these whitewashed homes were easily disassembled to avoid property taxes when the collectors came calling! Today, you can stroll the streets lined with Trulli houses to see their conical rooftops decorated with symbols such as a cross, heart, astronomical symbol, or the evil eye.

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Day 8: ALBEROBELLO AREA–MATERA–PIZZO CALABRO–REGGIO CALABRIA

Creamy Desserts & Cave Dwellings MATERA Orientation walk with panoramic view of the picturesque sassi house (cave houses). Take a scenic drive along the Gulf of Taranto.
PIZZO CALABRO Enjoy a [LF] traditional tartufo (ice cream dessert) tasting.
REGGIO CALABRIA Join a guided visit of the museum that houses the Bronzi di Riace (famous bronze warrior sculptures). (Breakfast,Dinner)
280 mi / 450 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES The only thing better than a taste of gelato is having a few different tastes inside a chocolate-shelled truffle! Indulge in a tartufo dessert that will melt in your mouth during a visit to Pizzo Calabro.

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Day 9: REGGIO CALABRIA–TAORMINA RIVIERA

Grand Greek Drama STRAIT OF MESSINA Ferry crossing to Sicily.
TAORMINA Visit the ancient Greek theatre. Free time to explore. (Breakfast)
81 mi / 130 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The Greek Theatre of Taormina is considered one of the most impressive examples of auditorium engineering and architecture for its superb natural setting and acoustical design. This ancient marvel was dug into the hard rock slopes of Mount Tauro in the 3rd-century BC, with seating to accommodate thousands of spectators. The Teatro Antico di Taormina was built in the Greek tradition of incorporating the natural surroundings to become part of the performance, with light and air permeating the columns to become part of the story.

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Day 10: TAORMINA RIVIERA

The Pearl of the Mediterranean TAORMINA RIVIERA Enjoy a free day in Taormina, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION With a backdrop of the Volcanic Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea providing the cinematic setting for the resort town of Taormina, this Pearl of the Mediterranean is a picturesque coastal gem that will spoil you with its stunning beaches, village beauty, and sumptuous culinary specialties.

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Day 11: TAORMINA RIVIERA

Sicilian Summits TAORMINA RIVIERA Enjoy a free day. (Breakfast)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE What better way to spend this free day than with an excursion to Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano and one of the most active in the world. Learn how in 1669, an eruption that lasted 112 days developed a record long stream of lava that destroyed the city of Catania.

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Day 12: TAORMINA RIVIERA–AGRIGENTO–PALERMO

Timeless Temples AGRIGENTO Take a guided walking tour of the Valley of Temples en route to Palermo. (Breakfast)
211 mi / 340 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY The ruins of Akragas remain Sicily's most amazing archaeological site. The impressively well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in spectacular setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the remarkable Valley of the Temples.

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Day 13: PALERMO

Cathedrals & Human Heroes PALERMO Guided sightseeing includes a visit to the cathedral. Scenic drive to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and a visit to the Norman Cathedral. [LF] Hear about the important role that the organization "La Casa di Paolo" plays to help local children and their families followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant which employs young people with a difficult past. (Breakfast,Dinner)

LOCAL FAVORITE
FOREVER REMEMBERED "La Casa di Paolo" is a special place. Once the pharmacy of judge Paolo Borsellino's parents and now an invaluable point of reference where children can do their homework in a safe environment with the help of volunteers. Paolo Borsellino and his convoy were killed when a bomb went off just in front of his mother's house on July 19th 1992. His brother and niece decided to commemorate the memory of a human judge who put the lives of others before his own, helping those who would be easy preys of the organised crime if left on their own.

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Day 14: PALERMO

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

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Day 1: Arrival at Palermo Airport and Private Transfer to your Accommodation

Arrival at Palermo International airport and private transfer to your accommodation. Rest of the day at your leisure for resting and relaxing.

Day 2: Guided tour of Palermo

This morning enjoy a private guided tour of the amazing historical city center of Palermo and discover some of its great beauties as the Palace of the Normans which houses the superb Capella Palatina, a gorgeous, gleaming example of some of the world’s most beautiful Byzantine mosaics, the Cathedral with its Norman tombs and the jewel-encrusted crown of Catherine of Aragon, the red-domed San Giovanni degli Eremiti building and the Teatro Massimo. Lunch and afternoon at your leisure.

Day 3: Food Tour of Palermo

Enjoy our Palermo street food tour. A relaxing 4hr walk with a young licensed guide to enjoy the markets of Palermo city center and taste the best local street food. This tour has been designed with the specific purpose of giving travelers the chance to live a 100% Sicilian Experience…a tasty one! The uniqueness of Palermitan street food doesn’t simply lie in its variety and rich flavours, but also in the ability that every dish has to tell a historical chapter of the Sicilian capital. Vendors have been carefully selected based on the quality of food and the authenticity of the location. The summer tour goes through that tricky part of the city center where travelers need the help of a local expert to enjoy and understand better the Palermitan culture. Capo market gets a different dress if you see it with the eyes of a local. Vucciria market might simply look the ruin of an old elegant city center…unless you experience it with us!

Guided Tour of Monreale Cathedral

In the afternoon your driver will be taking you to Monreale where you will enjoy a guided visit of its world-renowned cathedral, a dazzling mixture of arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles framed by traditional Romanesque architecture. Return to Palermo and overnight stay.

Day 4: Leisure Time in Erice and Visit of the Saltpans

Following breakfast and check out, your private driver will take you to Erice, a wonderfully preserved medieval town offering the most breath-taking views. Lunch at your leisure. Next discover the scenic wonders of the Nature Reserve of Saline di Trapani e Paceco, across the picturesque coastal road with views on the windmills and the salt pans and piles. Stop at the dock with boats sailing to Motya, and enjoy a visit to the Ettore Infersa Salt Museum, where the traditional method of extraction and processing of the salt (still used today) is on show, or walk arround salt pans. Next continue to your accommodation, the Verdura Resort in Sciacca. Overnight stay.

Day 5: Guided Visit of Selinunte and Wine Tasting and Lunch at Ulmo Winery

This morning your private driver will take you to Selinunte and enjoy a private guided tour of one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Then continue to Sambuca di Sicilia to visit the Ulmo Estate, one of the most prestigious wineries of the entire Sicily. The visit will be followed by wine tasting and a light lunch. After lunch continue return to your accommodation and rest of the day for resting and relaxing.

Day 6: Transfer to Agrigento and Guided Tour of The Valle Dei Templi

Following breakfast and check out your private driver will take you to Agrigento where you will take a private guided tour of the famous Valle dei Templi which consists of eight temples built between about 510 BC and 430 BC. Overnight in Agrigento.

Day 7: Transfer to Ragusa Ibla with a Stop in Piazza Armerina

Following breakfast and check out your private driver will meet you at your hotel and take you to Piazza Armerina, most famous for the truly astonishing classical mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale, a Unesco World Heritage Site due to its containing the most complex and large collection of Roman mosaics in the world – there are 3535 square metres of them. Enjoy a guided tour of this splendid site and then continue to Ragusa. Check into your accommodation and overnight stay.

Day 8: Guided Tour of Ragusa and Visit of The Aromi Farm

This morning your driver will take you to Ragusa Ibla and enjoy a guided visit of its amazing historic center and discover some of its treasures such as the Hyblean Gardens, the Basilica di San Giorgio and the Church of Santa Maria delle Scale, just to mention a few. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon visit “Gli Aromi Farm” where the owner Enri­co will meet you. This farm cultivates autochthon plants and aromatic herbs. It also holds an impor­tant leadership position in sales and marketing, focusing on local species of the Sicilian coast and in particular of the Iblean area. The farm produces more than 120 different varieties of plants and herbs using old traditional methods of manual cultivation. You will sample the different varieties of herbs and see how they are used alongside other local products in Sicilian cooking for lunch. Overnight in Ragusa.

Day 9: Private Transfer to Siracusa with a Stop In Noto

Following breakfast and check out private chauffeured transfer to Siracusa. On your way there you will stop Noto and spend some time at your leisure in this amazing city considered to be the apotheosis of Baroque architecture. Continue to Siracusa and check into your accommodation. Lunch at your leisure.

Private Guided Tour Of Siracusa

After lunch enjoy a private guided visit of Siracusa’s archaeological park and then continue with a walk through its historical center for admiring the Fountain Arethusa, the Cathedral, the Archimede Square and the ruins of the Apollo’s temple.

Day 10: Private Guided Tour of Siracusa

After lunch enjoy a private guided visit of Siracusa’s archaeological park and then continue with a walk through its historical center for admiring the Fountain Arethusa, the Cathedral, the Archimede Square and the ruins of the Apollo’s temple.

Day 11: Full Day Tour of Mount Etna

Today visit the spectacular Mount Etna on a 4X4 vehicle. A Land Rover will get you far enough off the beaten track to see some fascinating aspects of this great volcano that the ordinary tourist won’t see, and the knowledgeable guide who will accompany you will give you some great insights. The tour also includes a visit to a winery of the area followed by wine tasting and a light lunch. Return to Siracusa and overnight stay.

Day 12: Private Transfer to Taormina

Following breakfast and check out your private driver will take you to Taormina, a chic resort town with gorgeous medieval churches, a stunning Greek theatre and amazing views over the Gulf of Naxos and Mount Etna. Check into your accommodation and rest of the day at your leisure for resting and relaxing.

Day 13: Godfather Tour

Today enjoy an introduction to the real Sicily, exploring the towns of Savoca and Forza D’Agrò with your English speaking driver. Depart for Fiumefreddo and visit the Castello degli Schiavi, the location where the movie “The Godfather” was filmed, with the owner Barone Platania. Then drive to Savoca, enjoy a walking tour of the town, admiring “The Godfather” set with the typical streets and the famous Bar Vitelli. You will take a walk on the panoramic promenade to the famous church of Sant’Nicolò or better called Santa Lucia which was used in “The Godfather” movie for the marriage of Michael Corleone and Apollonia Vitelli. A taste of lemon granita is a must! You then drive to the next charming medieval village of Forza D’Agrò, which is without a doubt one of the best examples of a typical village of the Province of Messina. It still conserves its medieval street layout and on all sides of the town you can behold the most incredible views. Finally, your journey finishes at the medieval village of Castelmola (just above Taormina) to take a pleasant walk in the town before returning to your hotel.

Day 14: Day at Your Leisure in Taormina

Day at your leisure in Taormina for resting and relaxing.

Day 15: Fly Back Home

Following breakfast check out and private transfer to Catania Airport to take your domestic flight back home.