13 DAYS IMPRESSIVE SOUTHERN ITALY-MAGNA GRECIA
Sicily—Naples—Pompei
This tour combines some amazing sites from the southern part of Italy such as Pompeii, Sorrento and Paestum, with the unforgettable sites of Sicily. There is a great diversity among sites in a short period of time, of less than two weeks.
It is a very unique study tour for student, alumni, artists and friends of the Greek and Roman culture!
Itinerary
Day 1: PALERMO (SICILY) Transfer on your own to hotel in Palermo. Meet your private guide/escort for short orientation. Meet your local tour guide/lecturer in the hotel and introductions. Group welcome dinner at hotel. Overnight in Palermo at Hotel Ibis or similar. (D,B)
Day2: PALERMO-MONREALE 9.00am Walking tour with your private guide/lecturer of Palermo, visiting the Quattro Canti square with the beautiful fountains, the opera house Massimo Theatre, the Catacombs of the Cappuccini monks, the byzantine mosaics of the Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio. Afternoon guided visit of Monreale Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the most beautiful churches in Sicily, with unique golden mosaics, located in a beautiful hilltop location. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Palermo (B)
Day 3: PALERMO 9.00am Morning guided visit of the Cathedral of Palermo, with different architectural styles and impressive demeanour, and the Norman Palace, the oldest royal residence in Europe with Cappella Palatina, having impressive golden mosaics in Byzantine style. Overnight in Palermo (B)
Day 4: PALERMO-AGRIGENTO 8.30am Departure after breakfast to visit to the Valley of Temples and the interesting arch .museums with fine vases from the Classical period with your private guide. The Valley of Temples provide the most impressive sites of ancient, classical culture in Sicily, with temples of gods, goddesses, necropolis and sanctuaries. One should not miss visiting the Temple of Hercules, Temple of Concordia and Temple of Juno. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Agrigento at Grand Hotel Mose or similar. (B)
Day 5: PIAZZA ARMERINA-SYRACUSE 9.00am Morning travel to Piazza Armerina, a beautiful hillside town with interesting medieval architecture. Stop for guided visit of Villa Romana Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the largest and most diverse collections of Roman mosaics were discovered and are currently on display, dated from 4 century AD. Afternoon special event, visiting a traditional family winery for touring the facilities, wine tasting and Sicilian lunch. Continue to Syracuse. Overnight in Syracuse, at hotel Grand Ortygia or similar. (B,L)
Day 6: SYRACUSE 9.00am Guided visit of the city of Syracuse, the historical city famous for its Roman and Greek history and culture, the birthplace of the mathematician and engineer Archimedes. Theis powerful city state in ancient times, after Athens, Corinth and Sparta was the most important city of Magna Grecia. Morning guided visit of the Greek sites: Ancient Greek theatre, Fountain of Aretusa, the Ear of Dionysos, the archaeological museum of Pauli Orsi. Lunch on your own. Overnight in Syracuse. (B)
Day 7: SYRACUSE – TAORMINA-GIARDINI NAXOS 9.00am Our private bus will take you to Giardini Naxos for a beach day. Afternoon visit of Taormina, a beautiful scenic town overlooking the Ionian sea, with the ancient Greek theatre and quaint pedestrian streets. Oscar Wilde, Nietzsche, and Tennessee Williams were regular visitors of this beautiful town. Group dinner in restaurant on the waterfront, with local seafood . Overnight in Taormina or the beach area (B,D)
Day 8: MT ETNA 8.30am Morning drive to ETNA for a visit of the famous volcano, another UNESCO World Heritage site not to be missed. It is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, with fertile nature, orchards and vineyards on its slope. Overnight in Taormina (B)
Day 9: TAORMINA-SORRENTO 8.30am Morning departure to board ferry boat from Messina (50min drive) along with your private bus and escort to reach Reggio di Calabria to visit the arch. museum, with the unique bronze statues and then continue drive on to Sorrento. You reach one of the most picturesque seaside towns of Southern Italy, overlooking the Bay of Naples, the birthplace of “limoncello” the famous local liquor made out of citrus fruit. Overnight in Sorrento.(B)
Day 10: SORRENTO-POMPEI- HERCULANEUM 8.30am Depart with your private bus and your escort to reach Pompeii arch. site , the UNESCO World Heritage site, a buried city yet preserved under the ashes of Mt. Vesuvius eruption in AD 79. It offers an impressive detailed view of Roman life with public buildings and luxurious houses among others. After lunch, continue to another ancient city buried under the volcano ashes, that is Herculaneum, named after the Greek hero Hercules. Return in Sorrento. Overnight with breakfast in Sorrento (B)
Day 11: SORRENTO-PAESTUM 8.30am Depart with your private bus and your escort to reach the important ancient Greek city of Paestum with the three important Doric Greek temples, the most well preserved Greek temples in the world such as Hera’s Temple . In the early afternoon depart for Sorrento and reach the Limoncello Factory , to have a local experience of the "limoncello", learn how is it made and have a taste of this local unique product. Overnight in Sorrento. (B)
Day 12: SORRENTO-NAPLES-ROME 8.00am Depart with your private bus and your escort to drive to Naples area for a guided visit the Arch. Museum of Naples with Greek and Roman antiquities, mostly the unique findings and mosaics of Pompeii site. Short sightseeing tour in Naples and then continue your drive back to Rome. Check in at hotel Massimo D'Azelgio. Short stroll around the neighbourhood. Special farewell dinner in selected restaurant. Overnight in Rome at hotel Massimo D'Azeglio or similar. (B,D)
Day 13: ROME-USA
After breakfast, transfer from hotel to Rome airport to connect to return flights to USA or extend your stay on your own in Rome (B)
We provide:
Accommodation for twelve (12) overnights in three (3***) and four star (4****) hotels in Sicily and Italy in mostly twin rooms, with private facilities, A/C and all modern comforts (single accommodation for faculty included)
Daily buffet breakfast
Welcome and farewell dinner in selected restaurants, including one extra dinner in Taormina, a total of three (3)
One special lunch in local Sicilian winery with wine tasting, wine and local specialties
Private group bus transfer from Sorrento to Rome
A/C Luxury Motor coaches for land tours in Sicily and Italy with professional driver as per itinerary
Licensed local guide/lecturer in Sicily for all days (incl. all his/her expenses)
Ferry boat tickets including bus ticket from Messina to Reggio di Calabria
Licensed local escort in Sorrento area from Day 9 until Day 13
Local guides in Sorrento as per itinerary for visits of Reggio Di Calabria, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum and Naples Museum
Special cultural visits such as visit of mozzarella factory or limoncello factory
24-Hours Assistance from local reps in Sicily, Sorrento and Rome