Southern Italy and Sicily

br />Discover Sicily, the crossroads of civilizations, where Moorish and Norman influences intertwine in the architecture and Greek and Roman ruins stand guard on the hillsides and valleys. Travel off the beaten path through the beautiful and unspoiled region of Calabria in southern Italy. Explore the stunning Amalfi coast and Sorrento. In evocative Pompeii, walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans who perished in the foothills of Mount Vesuvius.

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Join Collette Vacations in exploring the hidden treasures of southern Italy and Sicily. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, historic cities, centuries old hilltop villages, and wonderful cuisine.

Day 2: Palermo, Sicily - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant featuring traditional Sicilian cuisine.

Day 3: Palermo - Monreale - Agrigento
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Your Tour Manager helps you discover the origin and history of the Italian language along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. A Palermo cultural tour features the lovely squares of Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria and Piazza Bellini. Note the exotic mixture of Moorish, Norman and Spanish Baroque styles that make this city special. Also see the Palace of the Normans, La Martorana Church, and the Cathedral, which houses the Imperial Crown of Constance of Aragon. In the nearby town of Monreale, visit the 12th century Cathedral with its dazzling interior of multicolored marbles, paintings, mosaics and cloisters Depart Palermo for Agrigento later this afternoon.

Day 4: Agrigento
Start your day at the stunning Valley of the Temples, one of the most important archeological sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. From ancient times to the present day, the Valley of the Temples’ ruins, landscape and colors have inspired poets, writers and painters. Here you get an up-close view of the temples of Juno, Concordia, Hercules and Jupiter. Learn about ancient Greek cultures when you visit the Archeological Museum, known for its extensive collection of Greek vases and statues.

Day 5: Agrigento - Mt. Etna - Catania - Giardini-Naxos
Depart Agrigento and travel Sicily, with its spectacular landscapes and picturesque towns. Arrive in vibrant Catania, where a local guide will share its history. Visit the cathedral and view the main sites of this historic and baroque city. Witness the daily spectacle of bartering for fresh fish and produce when you visit the local market. Later, visit Mt. Etna Volcano National Park to see the spectacular landscapes sculpted by nature. Arrive in Giardini Naxos, the “garden of Sicily."

Day 6: Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos
This morning you visit beautiful Taormina, known for its charming atmosphere, significant monuments and flowering gardens. Enjoy viewing the Greek Amphitheater, Corso Umberto and the bountiful Public Gardens. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to further explore this delightful town.

Day 7: Giardini Naxos - Salerno
Travel to Messina where you will take a short ferry to Villa San Giovanni on Italy’s mainland. Travel through the beautiful and unspoiled region of Calabria and into Campania, arriving later this afternoon in the seaside town of Salerno, famous for its Allied landings during WWII.

Day 8: Salerno - Sorrento - Amalfi Coast - Salerno
Begin your day exploring the popular seaside resort town of Sorrento. Visit local artisans and watch them demonstrate the art of inlaid wood making. Next, travel the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, where the Mediterranean Sea and mountains meet. Upon arriving in Amalfi, you will have free time to explore the town square, ceramic shops and cafes. Enjoy a visit to one of the coast’s family-owned Limoncello factories to learn how this lemon-flavored liqueur is made and sample the delicious results. Also visit the family’s very own “pasticceria” and taste one of the area’s famed pastries.

Day 9: Salerno - Pompeii - Rome
Travel towards the Bay of Naples and experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius. Soak in the history of the preserved original buildings of a typical Roman town 2,000 years ago. A local guide will provide an in-depth view of this remarkable archeological sight. Later, travel to Rome, the magnificent capital of Italy.

Day 10: Rome
Begin your day with an optional tour to the “Magnificent Treasures of the Vatican Museums.” Later, enjoy a tour of Classical Rome featuring the Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, and the Arch of Constantine. Contemporary Rome is also highlighted through the famous Trevi Fountain. Tonight, celebrate the end of your journey with a farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant.

Day 11: Rome - Depart for Home
Your tour ends today, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful vacation.

Don't miss our current specials: Free or Reduced Companion Air to Europe Check out these last minute SAVINGS provided by our airline partners who have offered special pricing for specific tours and dates only. As a result, we're delighted to offer you FREE or reduced companion air on select tours. See list of tours for details on our last minute offer applied to that specific tour when you make your air-inclusive booking. Some restrictions may apply, please call 800-942-3301 for details. Italian Vistas This 13 day trip has everything you've always wanted in a trip to Italy. Enjoy multiple night stays in Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi coast and Stresa in the Lakes District. Discover the treasures of Classical and Christian Rome. Walk in the footsteps on the ancients in Pompeii. See the gems of the Renaissance in Florence's Academy Gallery, including Michelangelo's David. Visit Lugano, Switzerland, and cruise to Isola Bella, one of the scenic Borromean Islands. Reflections of Italy Revel in the magic of Italy on this 10-day tour that explores the cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, Assisi and Perugia. Travel the Tuscan and Umbrian countryside, exploring medieval hill towns and visiting the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi. Discover the masterpieces of the Renaissance in Florence and see hot glass transformed into exquisite art on Murano Island. Linger in Venice for two nights before ending your journey in the lovely Italian Lake region. Cross the border and explore the Swiss resort town of Lugano. Spain's Classics Spain is a colorful pageant of art, history and culture, set against a backdrop that spans sunny Mediterranean shores and grand mountain ranges, dotted with groves of oranges and olives. Explore the priceless treasures in Madrid’s Prado Museum. Visit the exotic and expansive Alhambra palace, resplendent with Moorish regal flair. See Columbus’ tomb. Feel the passion of the Flamenco with reserved seating at a performance in Seville. Explore Valencia, Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba and Toledo. Travel the Sierra Nevada Canada's Winter Wonderland Immerse yourself in the ultimate winter wonderland — the Canadian Rockies. Hop aboard VIA Rail Canada's Snow Train Express and head for Jasper with spectacular views. Travel across the Icefields Parkway with breathtaking scenery. Relax at three Fairmont properties: Jasper Park Lodge, Château Lake Louise, and the Banff Springs Resort, each magically decorated for the holiday. Enjoy a cooking demonstration, kitchen tour and learn how to make your own holiday pastries FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/9/2010 - 9/19/2010	$1,999
9/16/2010 - 9/26/2010	$1,999
9/23/2010 - 10/3/2010	$1,999
10/7/2010 - 10/17/2010	$1,999
10/14/2010 - 10/24/2010	$1,999
10/21/2010 - 10/31/2010	$1,999
11/4/2010 - 11/14/2010	$1,899
3/24/2011 - 4/3/2011	$1,899
4/1/2011 - 4/11/2011	$1,949
4/28/2011 - 5/8/2011	$1,999
5/26/2011 - 6/6/2011	$2,199
7/7/2011 - 7/18/2011	$2,099
7/21/2011 - 8/1/2011	$2,099
8/18/2011 - 8/29/2011	$2,099
9/8/2011 - 9/19/2011	$2,199
9/15/2011 - 9/26/2011	$2,199
9/22/2011 - 10/3/2011	$2,199
10/6/2011 - 10/17/2011	$2,199
10/13/2011 - 10/24/2011	$2,199
10/20/2011 - 10/31/2011	$2,199
10/27/2011 - 11/7/2011	$2,199
11/10/2011 - 11/21/2011	$1,999
3/15/2012 - 3/26/2012	$1,999
4/12/2012 - 4/23/2012	$2,099
4/26/2012 - 5/7/2012	$2,199
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Free or Reduced Companion Air to Europe

FREE Door to Door Service

Ratings & Reviews:

This tour has no reviews yet. Have you experienced this tour? Write a review.

Related Travel Articles

• See Europe :: Travel Safely and In Style, Escorted Tours
• Europe Language Tips