Day 01: Rome, Termoli, Bari

• Departure from Rome to the Adriatic Coast

• Visit to Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere

• Free time in Termoli with optional swim stop

• Arrival in Bari with time to explore the historic center

• Transfer to hotel and overnight stay

• Scenic drive crossing the Apennines

• Optional: Visit ancient walls and Norman castle of Bari

• Take in panoramic views from the abbey’s hillside terrace overlooking the sea

Day 02: Bari, Lecce, Gallipoli, Brindisi

• Coastal drive to Brindisi with free time in port city

• Explore Lecce, the “Florence of the South”

• Visit baroque churches and ornate buildings

• Travel through olive groves to Gallipoli

• Discover historic old town and Ionian coast views

• Return to Brindisi for overnight stay

• Optional: Sample Apulian cuisine during free time

• Sample local delicacies like rustico and pasticciotto in Lecce’s historic cafés

Day 03: Brindisi, Alberobello, Matera, Naples

• Morning visit to UNESCO-listed Alberobello trulli houses

• Guided walking tour of Matera and the Sassi cave dwellings

• Lunch included in Matera

• Afternoon drive through Basilicata and Campania

• Evening arrival in Naples

• Optional: Evening stroll in Naples old town

• View iconic architecture of southern Italy

• Matera has been used as a filming location for several major movies

Day 04: Naples, Capri, Sorrento, Salerno

• Ferry to the island of Capri with leisure time

• Suggested funicular ride and scenic walk in Capri

• Ferry to Sorrento and free time in the port area

• Drive to Salerno for dinner and overnight

• Optional: Explore narrow streets of Sorrento

• Note: Route may change due to weather conditions

• Enjoy cliffside views along the Sorrento coast

Day 05: Salerno, Paola, Messina, Taormina

• Scenic coastal drive to Calabria

• Stop at the Sanctuary of San Francesco di Paola

• Ferry crossing from Villa San Giovanni to Sicily

• Arrival in Messina with free time

• Continue to Taormina for dinner and hotel stay

• Optional: Visit the historic core of Messina

• Board a ship for a short 20-minute crossing of the Strait of Messina into Sicily.

• Don’t miss the unique opportunity to cross from mainland Italy to Sicily by ferry

Day 06: Taormina

• Full day at leisure in coastal town of Taormina

• Suggested visit to Greek Theatre or Mount Etna

• Optional: Relax on nearby beaches

• Dinner included at hotel

• Explore charming medieval streets

• Enjoy views of Ionian Sea and Mount Etna

• Winston Churchill once called it “the most beautiful place on earth”

Day 07: Taormina, Catania, Caltagirone, Villa Romana del Casale, Agrigento

• Morning tour of Catania’s historic center

• Guided train ride in Baroque Caltagirone

• Visit to ceramic shops and tiled staircases

• Explore Villa Romana del Casale with local guide (admission included).

• Admire Roman mosaics in UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed estate

• Scenic drive to Agrigento

• Dinner and overnight in Agrigento

• Caltagirone’s ceramics are still hand-painted using traditional Sicilian techniques

Day 08: Agrigento, Marsala, Erice, Palermo

• Guided tour of Valley of the Temples (admission included)

• Free time and lunch in Marsala

• Scenic drive along Marsala salt flats

• Visit the hilltop village of Erice

• Evening arrival in Palermo with dinner

• Optional: Wine tasting in Marsala

• View panoramic countryside along the way

Day 09: Palermo, Monreale, Night Ferry

• Guided city tour of Palermo and Monreale

• Visit to Norman Palace, Cathedral, and Arab-Norman mosaics (tickets included)

• Free time in city center for lunch and shopping

• Evening transfer to port for night ferry

• Ferry departure to Naples in private cabins

• Optional: Visit Capuchin Catacombs

• Experience Palermo’s bustling local markets

Day 10: Naples, Pompeii, Rome

• Morning disembarkation in Naples

• Guided tour of Pompeii archaeological site (admission included)

• Free time for lunch and stroll in Naples historic district

• Return drive to Rome

• Optional: Visit Naples underground ruins

• Enjoy Neapolitan pizza during lunch

• Scenic views of Mount Vesuvius from Pompeii

• End the day with optional evening strolls or dinner in lively Roman neighborhoods

Day 11: Rome

• Breakfast and end of services

• Luggage storage available at hotel

• Optional extra night recommended

• Free time to explore Rome before departure

• Check-out by morning

• Transfer to airport or extension available on request