Few countries ooze as much of a romantic appeal as Italy does. From the language to the architecture, Italy is often dreamed of as the postcard perfect place to take sunset strolls in historic towns or seaside villages. Our Southern Italy tours are the chance to explore an island of great beauty, where shorelines give way to tranquil blue waters and rolling hills are awash with fragrant orange and lemon groves.
On our Southern Italy tours you'll discover a region with a timeless history and a busy modern capital, but still retains every bit of its awe inspiring charms.
Every introduction to our Southern Italy tours, whether it is the first visit to the country or one of many, starts off with a deep dive into ancient history and its connection with modern culture.
Cities like Palermo date back 2,700 years and with a wander through the market, one can appreciate how life has been lived over the centuries. Fishmongers go about their day selling octopus and squid in markets located by 16th century plazas, complete with sculpted fountains, 15th century town halls and 12th century churches encrusted with Byzantine mosaics.
Being so close to ancient Greece, it is not uncommon to find Greek temples such as those in Agrigento or Siracusa at home in the landscape. A fusion of other empires have also impacted the architectural makeup of the area, from Normans to Arabs, and even to the Catalan elements best discovered in Sicily's Taormina.
Cities like Taormina offer the chance to explore the natural wonders of Italy, with Mt Etna looming in its shadow as one of the world's most active volcanoes. Of course Pompeii is naturally a better known volcano in Italy's history, and none of our Southern Italy tours are complete without a visit to the city covered in volcanic ash and pumice stone by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
Moving on to the mainland of Italy, our journey continues to the Amalfi coast, one of the world's most stunning coastlines. A winding road, carved out of the rock in the mid-19th century, leads to a resort town on the Italian coast that truly exemplifies the meaning of la dolce vita.
Delicious wines and perfect pastas beckon travellers to pause on their walking tours of the city with its 13th century cathedral. On our Southern Italy tours we dine each night in a local establishment to ensure the quality of food is nothing less than a well fed local would indulge in.
Indeed the cultural riches found across the country will be as impressive as the culinary adventures in each region.
From the laid back lifestyles found on the island of Sicily or the postcard perfect Amalfi sunsets we reach the finale of our Southern Italy tour in Rome, realizing as we go this is a country as grand as it is memorable.
We know nearly everyone will throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain in Rome, as it is said that this action confirms you will return to Rome again safely in the future. From our years of experience in touring Italy, we know this is one destination that is hard to get enough of.
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.
Select a date below to reserve your spot:
Optional Single Supplement: $940 USD (number of singles limited).
This tour may require a mandatory single supplement charge of $470 if you join our share program and we are unable to pair you.
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Day 1 Arrive in Palermo
Today we arrive in Palermo and transfer to our hotel.
Palermo is the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old. To gain an initial understanding of the city's unique culture, start by wandering the streets of the old city. The mix of architectural styles points to the wave upon wave of invaders who have claimed the city as their own, as does the look of the locals.
Overnight in Palermo.
Included Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2 Palermo: City Tour
We begin our day with a walk through the narrow streets of the Il Capo outdoor market. Here we feel the very pulse of the city's daily life, passing stalls where fishmongers display whole sword fish and tuna, and several varieties of squid and octopus. Sicily is agriculturally rich and here some of the island's excellent produce is displayed: apples from the slopes of Mount Etna; oranges and lemons, introduced to Sicily by the Arabs; cactus pears, fresh figs and grapes, fat olives, fresh capers, zucchini blossoms, fresh ricotta and pungent pecorino cheese.
A short walk brings us to the Piazza Praetoria with its voluptuous 16th century Florentine fountain, decked with renaissance nudes and animal heads. At its unveiling, centuries ago, locales named it "the fountain of shame". Nearby is the baroque Quattro Canti, the 17th century crossroads that divides the old city into four, and the Municipio, a 15th century palazzo that is Palermo's city hall.
On the Piazza Bellini, we step inside the Martorana Church; a 12th century building that is a jewel of Arab-Norman architecture, and its interior encrusted with byzantine mosaics. And no visit to Sicily would be complete without a stop at Monreale, the Royal Mountain. It was here, at the end of the 12th century, that the Norman king, William II had a great cathedral built to reflect the sophistication and wealth of his kingdom.
We finish our day at the superlative Church and Monastery of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, built as a hospice in the early 14th century and transformed into a Dominican convent the following century. This monastic complex wows with its magnificent maiolica cloister, surrounded by unique balconied cells and punctuated by an 18th-century fountain by Sicilian sculptor Ignazio Marabitti. The convent's rooftop terraces offer spectacular views of the surrounding piazzas and city, while the church's baroque interior harbours works by prolific artists. While the last nuns moved out in 2014, their tradition of baking lives on at the convent's onsite bakery I Segreti del Chiostro, which specialises in the traditional sweets made for centuries in Sicilian convents. As this is a large site, we end today's formal tour here so you can choose to linger and explore on your own before gathering for dinner this evening.
Overnight in Palermo.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 Palermo - Segesta - Selinunte - Agrigento
Today our route to Agrigento takes us first to Segesta to see the picturesque Doric temple. Sicily was part of ancient Magna Graecia. In the 8th century BC, with population rising dramatically in mainland Greece, land became expensive and resources scarce. This led to an exodus of Greeks in search of new lands. Sicily and southern Italy were to Ancient Greece what the Americas were to 16th century European explorers: the great unknown; a land of possibilities, riches and great dangers. Segesta was a successful colony, which fought with its rival Selinunte to the south, our next stop.
After a break for lunch, we visit the the ruins of Selinunte, some of the most impressive of the ancient Greek world and one of the most captivating sites in Sicily. Selinos (as it was known to the Greeks) was once one of the richest and most powerful cities in the world, with over 100,000 inhabitants and an unrivalled temple-building program. The city was forgotten until the middle of the 16th century, when a Dominican monk identified its location. Excavations began in 1823, courtesy of two English archaeologists.
We continue to Agrigento for dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Agrigento.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 Agrigento: Site Tour - Piazza Armerina - Enna
This morning we tour the magnificent series of temples of Agrigento. The five elevated temples are a picture-perfect tribute to the indomitably of paganism. Time, earthquakes, vicious Punic Wars, and the rise of Christianity have taken their toll, and the temples have been named official World Heritage landmarks.
Then, leaving behind the ancient Greek world behind, we drive inland across the island where, near the town of Piazza Armerina, we explore the remarkable ruins of a Roman villa. Built at the end of the 4th century AD, this vast complex which includes extensive baths, reception rooms, and private apartments may have been an imperial villa of Diocletian's co-emperor, Maximianus. The villa contains some of the most beautiful and extensive Roman mosaics to be found anywhere, including detailed and colourful hunting scenes, images from mythology, and a charming sequence of bikini-clad ladies doing aerobics!
We continue to Enna where you will have some free time to explore the town. See the Castello di Lombardia or Torre di Federico II for stunning views; your Tour Leader will point you in the right direction.
Overnight in Enna.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 Enna - Siracusa: Archaeological Park
Today we drive toward the eastern side of the island, coming within sight of the slopes of Mount Etna. At 3313 m (10,866 feet), Etna is one of the earth's most active volcanoes -- both a blessing and a curse for the local people. The surrounding lands are extremely fertile, but there looms the constant possibility of an eruption. The nearby city of Catania was almost completely buried by lava flows in 1669.
We arrive at Siracusa (Syracuse) and tour of the Archaeological Park, including the Greek theatre, Monumental Altar of Hieron II, and the Latomia del Paradiso (quarry with the Ear of Dionysius). After a break for lunch we have a walking tour of Ortygia (old Siracusa), wandering the narrow streets of the old city where we see the Temple of Apollo, Fountain of Aretusa, the main piazza, and the Duomo, a former Temple of Athena.
Overnight in Siracusa.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 Siracusa - Mount Etna - Taormina
We depart Siracusa and drive up the east coast to Taoromina, with stunning views of Mount Etna. We'll make a detour and drive up the side of Etna -- have a sweater handy as we'll be approaching 1800m / 6,000 ft! (depending on weather, we may explore Mount Etna tomorrow instead). This is the highest volcano in Europe and one of most active of the world; its spectacular eruptions and its fiery lava flows have always aroused the interest of scientists, along with the curiosity of visitors from all over the world.
We continue to Taormina, arguably the most beautiful town in Sicily, an old hilltop town full of history and culture and by the sea. Taormina is also famous for incredible heritage in history, archaeology and architecture, as well as for its reputation in welcoming travellers.
Overnight in Taormina.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 Taormina: City Touring
Today we'll have a leisurely walking tour of the town, starting with the almost perfectly-preserved Greco-Roman amphitheatre, Taormina's greatest treasure. In ancient days, the 3rd-century cliff-side arena seated 5,000 spectators, with Mount Etna framed perfectly as a backdrop to the 1,800 year old stage.
We see also the Palazzo Corvaia with its blend of Arab, Norman, and Catalan elements where, in 1410, Sicily's first parliament was convened. The Corso Umberto I is a charming pedestrian street that runs the length of town. There are many shops and boutiques along the way and at the Piazza IX Aprile, there are lovely views of Naxos harbour and the Italian mainland across the straits. Perched on a peak above the town is the medieval fortress. In the Piazza del Duomo where Taormina's 15th century basilica/cathedral stands, there is a fountain topped by the symbol of the town: the statue of a female centaur.
The afternoon is yours for independent exploration.
Overnight in Taormina.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 Taormina, Sicily - Paestum, Italian Mainland
This morning we take a short ferry ride from Sicily to the Italian mainland and then proceed by motor coach to Paestum.
The three Doric Greek temples of Paestum are among the best preserved in the world, even rivaling those of Sicily and Athens. Originally built without any mortar or cement (they were simply covered by roofs of terra-cotta tiles supported by wooden beams) the temples remained standing even after the great earthquake of AD 69 reduced Pompeii's streets to a pile of rubble. After a period of native Italian control in the 5th and 4th centuries BC, it fell to the Romans in 273 BC and was renamed Paestum, remaining a Roman town until the deforestation of nearby hills turned the town into a swampy mush. Plagued by malaria and syphilitic pirates, Paestum's ruins lay relatively untouched until they were rediscovered in the 18th century.
Overnight in Paestum.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 Paestum - National Archaeological Museum - Pompeii
Today we travel to Naples where we see the colourful harbour front and the Castel dell'Ovo, a 12th-century fortress built on the ruins of an ancient villa, before our visit to the National Archaeological Museum. This impressive facility houses one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Greek and Roman antiquities. The museum stands on top of Santa Teresa Hill and was originally built as a military barrack later transformed into a university campus. It was remodeled in 1790 to receive the treasures of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Our next stop is the ancient site of Pompeii. Dug out from the inundation of volcanic ash and pumice stone that covered it by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the entire area is a fantastic record of how ordinary Romans lived their lives. We will see the House of Vetti, the most elegant of the Pompeii villas and we also look at the House of Mysteries. The nearby House of Faun takes up a city block and has four different dining parlours and two spacious gardens.
Overnight in Pompeii.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10 Pompeii: Herculaneum & the Amalfi Coast
This morning we visit Herculaneum, a small town that was buried under Vesuvius's lava. Our tour here will include the baths, which were built during the reign of Agustus. An outstanding example of how the aristocracy lived is provided at the Casa dei Cervi.
We then drive along the famous Amalfi Coast on a winding road carved out of the rock in the mid-19th century. This scenic and unforgettable drive takes us to Amalfi, a resort town on the peninsula of the same name where we take a walking tour of the city. We will see the beautiful Duomo cathedral with its 13th century bell tower, the main square of the town, and the Cloister of Paradise.
After a break for lunch and some free time in Amalfi, we take the ferry to the port of Salerno where our bus will be waiting. This is a great way to truly experience the spectacular coastline with this relaxing journey (calm weather-permitting!).
On arrival in Salerno we'll rejoin our bus and return to our Pompeii hotel.
Overnight in Pompeii.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11 Pompeii - Monte Cassino - Rome
Today's journey takes us to north to Rome via Monte Cassino. During the Roman Empire, the abbey located here was one of the great European centres of Christendom and one of the largest repositories of ancient learning. In 1944, Monte Cassino was destroyed by the Allied forces who suspected that it was occupied by German troops. The military cemetery on the nearby hill contains the graves of 1,100 Polish soldiers who lost their lives in the final assault.
Later we continue to Rome.
Overnight in Rome.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12 Rome: City Tour
We begin our guided tour* of Rome at the 2,000 year old colosseum. Built to seat 55,000 spectators, this arena staged Rome's most brutal gladitorial combats. Next we walk through the Roman Forum where we will see the Curia, the Rostra, the Temple of Vesta, the Basilica of Constantine, and the Arch of Titus. Continuing onwards and upwards we reach the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill), seat of the Roman Senate since the 12th century and the original citadel of the city. This beautiful square was redesigned by Michelangelo in the 16th century.
We arrive at Piazza Navona where we can break for lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafes on or near the square. In the square itself we can admire the impressive Fountain of the Four Rivers, with detailed figures representing the Nile, Ganges, Danube and Palata rivers.
We continue to the famous Trevi Fountain, designed by Nicholas Salvi in 1732. Its water was supplied by one of Rome's earliest aqueducts. Throwing a coin into the fountain is said to ensure your safe return to Rome. We also visit the temple-turned church called the Pantheon, and have the opportunity to admire its perfect proportions on our way to the Spanish steps, where we finish our day's tour.
* NOTE: Due to traffic problems and the fact that today's sites are reasonably close to each other, much of today's tour will occur on foot and with Rome's efficient public transit system (cost of tickets included). Any sightseeing / touring not accomplished today will be moved to tomorrow afternoon.
Overnight in Rome.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13 Rome: the Vatican Museums & St. Peter's
Today we travel by metro to the west side of the Tiber River and begin our visit to Vatican City with a guided tour through the immense Vatican Museums.* This amazing collection houses some of the most important Greek and Roman sculptures, Renaissance paintings, Flemish tapestries and mosaics in the world. Understandably this collection is visited by more than 3 million people a year. We also visit Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel to take in its breathtaking frescoes.
Heading into the cavernous interior of St. Peter's Basilica, we can appreciate it's many treasures, including Michelangelo's Pieta. At the end of the Vatican tour we visit the elegantly symmetrical Piazza St. Pietro.
After a break for lunch we will continue with any sightseeing carried over from yesterday.
* NOTE: The timing/order of today's sightseeing can vary depending on seasonality. Early spring and late fall tours can often begin in the morning due to lighter crowds at these times of year. Busier times often dictate an afternoon/evening visit in order to avoid morning crowds; indeed, we may include lunch instead of dinner today in order to expedite the flow of our activities. Your Tour Leader will advise of any adjustments upon your arrival in Rome.
Overnight in Rome.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 14 Departure
Departure from Rome.
VIAGGIO BUONO!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Inclusions
Breakfast and dinner (mostly local restaurants) daily.
All sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary. Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters.
Airport transfers for land & air customers and for early arriving / late departing land & air customers who book their extra hotel nights through us.
Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour.
Tour Leader gratuities, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), air taxes (if applicable), and excursions referenced as 'optional'.
Airport transfers for Land Only customers.
Seasonality and Weather
This tour is offered in spring and late summer when temperatures are a bit milder, mild, crowds thinner, and air fares lower. Spring is popular with visitors who enjoy green landscapes and wildflowers. The region has a mild Mediterranean climate with early springs, long hot and dry summers, and autumns that are bright and warm into late October. Showers are possible in spring, rare in summer, and possible in fall.
Transport and Travel Conditions
Transport throughout by private air-conditioned motor coach, 24-36 seats depending on ultimate group size (see 'group size'). Though we will have some full bus days, road travel is not particularly arduous as there are plenty of stops of interest and beautiful scenery along the way. Roads are in good condition, though a little winding on some stretches. Short daytime ferry crossing.
This trip is typical of most of our European tours, which are ambitious and involve full days of travel and sightseeing. While we don't have any actual strenuous activity (ie hiking) built into the program, you will do a lot of walking on this trip. These walks will mostly be in the form of walking tours of towns and cities and short walks to dinner. Being Europe, and a hilly/mountainous area, cobbles, uneven surfaces, and slopes/stairs are common. If you are accustomed to typical "bus tours," which rely heavily on vehicular transport for all sightseeing activities, you should be aware that this tour is considerably more active.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.
Accommodation
Well-located, air- conditioned, mid-range hotels and inns (3 star) used throughout. Some hotels are smaller properties (3-4 story) that may not have elevators. All hotels have en suite bath, though some may have shower only. Porter service is sometimes available (see 'inclusions') though you should be independent with your luggage. Single rooms are limited and likely smaller than twins.
Staff and Support
Tour Leader throughout, driver (s), local step-on guides in various locales.
Group Size
Maximum 18 plus Tour Leader
Tour Extensions
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip. For more options, please refer to tour code/s:
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 2 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
Combining gold-sand beaches that would rival those of any Mediterranean destination in beauty, a compelling and rich history as long as that of any civilization on the continent, and friendly people with a wholly unique culture, Malta sets itself a part as a tour destination with something for everyone.
Sailing the routes of the Knights of St. John off Valletta, investigating the megalithic Tarxian Temple complex and Neolithic temples dating from 300BC, and visiting the archaeological museum has us casting our imaginations deep into Malta's past and learning about the events that helped shaped its present.
On Gozo, the archipelago's second-largest island, we enjoy breathtaking vistas of green hillsides and blue sea, ancient Roman and colonial sites, and the Copper Age temple and then it's on to the fabled Blue Grotto for a short boat trip to end the Malta leg of our adventure.
Hopping over to Sicily, we get a taste for everyday life on the island by touring its outdoor markets and of its past by taking trips to its churches, cathedrals, Greek temples, Roman villas and Greco-Roman amphitheatres.
Pompeii never ceases to fascinate and finishing our Malta & Southern Italy tour by touring Rome and the Vatican sends you home on a high.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 1 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 1 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
What do you get if you mix the incredible cultural riches of Italy's north with the laid back beauty of Southern Italy? You get one of the best guided tours of Italy encompassing the elegant beauty of the Roman Empire's most iconic buildings, a curated look into one of the world's largest collections at the Vatican, postcard perfect settings on the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, a cruise along the canals of Venice, and so much more. Our guided tours of Italy are the chance to understand first hand why this destination captures the heart of all those who enter its borders.
In Southern Italy, it is easy to get lost in the island lifestyle of Sicily. Markets are filled with fresh fish and the countryside is lined with orange and lemon trees. Fresh ingredients make mealtime a treat, while the days are complete with wanderings across ancient Greek temples and medieval cities, with a backdrop of active volcanoes and a rugged landscape.
Our guided tours of Italy vary from walking tours in old city squares to discovering the buried city of Pompeii, a city frozen in time beneath volcanic ash and pumice stone that covered the city nearly 2,000 years ago.
Take a step back into the days of the Roman Empire with a guided tour of the colosseum, an arena which held nearly 55,000 spectators, before venturing into the Roman Forum and onto the Spanish Steps. Rome is a city so vibrant it practically hums, replete with squares designed by Michelangelo and fountains by Salvi. Rome contains the walled state of the Vatican, itself home to the amazing collections at the Vatican Museums.
For art enthusiasts, our guided tours of Italy take us to the heart and birthplace of Renaissance, where we stand in awe of the world's most famous sculpture: Michelangelo's David. Nearby, we complete an art pilgrimage with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, home to Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio, as well as one of the most famous paintings in the world: Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus.'
It is easy to understand how Italy inspired the great minds and artistic legends of history particularly as we tour the Tuscan countryside. We are surrounded by endless grape vines clinging to rolling hills, stretching towards timeless cities such as Siena, or medieval fortresses such as that found at San Gimignano.
More inspirational sights are revealed on a cruise along the windy road cut into the rock on the Amalfi Coast, or strolling from village to village in the brightly coloured Cinque Terre. Indeed, much of Italy feels like a step back in time.
Life moves at a slower pace in the fertile plains, where wine and balsamic vinegar are created. Step back in time to see the Byzantine monuments erected after the 5th century in Ravenna. Some might conclude that the rose coloured buildings of Verona make it among Italy's finest towns, while others may conclude that it is Venice's canals or Agrigento's Greek Temples or Palermo's markets that stole their heart.
Wherever you go on our guided tours of Italy, it is a sure bet that it will be one that is both memorable and inspiring.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 3 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
This Tunisia, Malta & Italy Tour gives us a good perspective of the considerable expanse of the Roman Empire.
From the Byrsa Hill acropolis along the Tunisian shores of Carthage, to the massive ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, the wealth and influence of this empire shows us why it had such great influence over the history of the Mediterranean.
The many museums throughout the tour give us valuable insight into the lives of ancient civilizations and a pleasant stroll through the preserved village of Pompeii offers a personal approach to the past.
Impressive temples, once dedicated to Greek gods, leave lasting impressions no matter what locale serves as their backdrop, be it Malta, Italy or Tunisia.
See how the imperfections of cobblestone streets throughout Sicilian villages are endearing attributes, or how the steep slopes of Malta give a unique quality to the structures built on them.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 2 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
On our Malta & Italy tour, for the better part of a month, we immerse ourselves in the cultures, partake in the beauty of the landscapes and seek to discover the hearts and souls of Malta and Italy, two highly rewarding destinations in Mediterranean Europe.
In Malta, we cast off for a short sailing expedition along the routes once travelled by the Knights of St. John, see the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta, as well as innumerable other historic sites dating from prehistoric and Neolithic eras, to Phoenician, Roman and colonial times.
Experience the colour of picturesque fishing villages and embrace mythical worlds on a trip to the Blue Grotto, fabled home of the beautiful but deadly Sirens.
Our adventure in Italy begins on Sicily, where we soak up the ambiance in outdoor markets, admire Byzantine mosaics and Arab-Norman architecture, and wander the ruins of massive World Heritage temples and Greco-Roman amphitheatres.
Via Pompeii and Naples, we head to Rome, a metropolis that numbers as one of the world's greatest capital cities and a destination that never fails to deliver an eternity of memories.
We tour the Colosseum, the plazas and squares, the seat of the Roman senate, the magnificent fountains, the temples and citadel, and, of course, the cafes, before we make headway for the Vatican.
An incredible, star-studded line-up of destinations brings our tour to a close: Siena, Pisa, Florence, Verona and Venice; each draws thousands of travellers each year and each would alone warrant a trip to Italy.
Attractions by the dozen and magical experience by the hundred; this Malta and Italy tour truly is a blockbuster.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 4 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
On our Algeria, Tunisia, Malta & Italy tour, the entire country of Algeria makes for a fascinating historical journey and we make full use of our days in its locale, taking in the innumerable remnants of the once-great Roman Empire, ancient Phoenician trading posts, splendid mosques, museums and some of the best-preserved relics and sites of antiquity in all of North Africa.
In Tunisia we spend time in Carthage, a region founded in 814BC by Phoenicians from the eastern Mediterranean and one that the Romans entirely destroyed in the 2nd century BC before incorporating it into the Roman Empire.
In Malta, we sail the routes of the Knights of St. John and the great Ottoman fleet and bear witness to monuments that can only be fully appreciated from the sea, saunter through beautiful towns and gardens, learn about Maltese prehistory in the southern regions of the island and visit its most important historical sites. Malta's abundance of attraction means we'll be busy for our last couple of days on our tour, but it'll be well worth the rewards.
Sicily and Southern Italy are a highlight-packed exploration of this often overlooked yet fascinating and beautiful part of the country.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 3 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
Staring up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is one of the many experiences that are expected along this Tunisia, Malta & Italy Tour, but we will be involving ourselves in many other excursions that are less renowned yet just as profound.
While in Malta, examining all the multi-coloured flowers of the Barracca Gardens in the capital city of Valletta might be comparable to the inspiration found in gazing upon the patchwork of assorted, colourful boats that slowly cruise the harbour of Marsaxlokk.
Realizing the historical significance of Tunisia involves visiting the holy city of Kairouan, where the first mosque in Africa stands, or meet someone from one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world while in Djerba.
Malta is not the only island experience in the Mediterranean; Sicily offers a whole new paradise to soak in.
The endearing qualities of narrow, market streets that wind through the city of Vucceria and the magnificence of the slopes of Royal Mountain make it easy for anyone to fall in love with this island.
The antiquity of Northern Italy seems endless as we step into Florence's Accademia and stand in front of Michelangelo's David.
Regions visited: Western Europe
Countries visited: Italy
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
Ideal for breathing in ... liveliness of the Sicilian capital and immersed in the nerve center of the city, it represents the ideal solution for individuals and companies for a top quality stay.
The common thread running through every room of the Gioberti Art Hotel is painting and sculpture in particular, which accompany the guest in an immersive artistic experience: for a new concept of hospitality, capable of bringing those traveling to Rome for work and tourism closer to the art and architecture of the most contemporary made in Italy.
