ITALY: fantasia Mediterranea TOUR 11 DAYS
Rome - Naples - Pompeii - Sorrento - Capri - Palermo - Monreale - Erice - Saline della Laguna - Agrigento - Piazza Armerina - Ragusa Ibla - Noto - Siracusa - Taormina

Italy has been, since antiquity, the center of history, culture and art.  Artistic wonders can be found everywhere, and every corner of the country holds countless and wonderful surprises.  Italy offers an exciting journey through time, from the Ancient Greeks and Romans to the present day, which is also filled by a wealth of art and culture. 

itinerary & prices

Day 1 Arrive Rome
Benvenuti a Roma! After your arrival at the airport, make your own way to your hotel and then enjoy your first day in the city at your own leisure. At 8:30 pm reach the meeting point (on the corner of Via del Traforo (near street no. 148) and Largo del Tritone, on the ide sidewalk opposite the wedding-dress shop) to be ready for the departure of the Rome by night tour. Our local expert guide will lead you to discover the wonders of the Eternal City, charming by day - absolutely romantic by night. You enjoy the whole center of this magic city in the moonlight during this panoramic mix of bus and walking tour. The tour ends in Colosseum area. Enjoy on your own the rest of the night. Return to the hotel on your own and overnight stay at ST. MARTIN HOTEL or HOTEL DIANA ROOF GARDEN or similar.

Day 2 Rome - Naples - Pompeii - Sorrento (BLD)
After breakfast, pick up at your hotel at 7:00 am approximately. Departure by coach heading south crossing the regions of Lazio and Campania. Arrival in Naples and short panoramic tour climbing up to Vomero hill to enjoy beautiful views over the Gulf of Naples with the Vesuvius, Capri, Ischia and Procida and the city below; time to take some nice pictures. Descending towards the port of Mergellina, you will leave the city and travel south towards Mount Vesuvius and, once you reach the town of Pompeii, you will have lunch with the real Neapolitan pizza! After lunch, you will enter into one of the most important archaeological sites in the world: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Pompeii, with Skip the Line entrance and a guided tour. Visit the haunting ruins of Pompeii, traveling back in time to the tragic days in 79 AD when the silent Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted, covering the prosperous Roman city in deadly volcanic ashes and poisonous gases, leaving this prosperous city crystallized until our days. You'll learn how people lived at that time, visiting houses and “bars” of the time, admiring frescoes and mosaics to imagine how rich and prosperous was the city before the dreadful day. After the visit, you will drive along the Sorrentine Coast, arriving in Sorrento for dinner (dress code: jacket for men) and an overnight in your new hotel at MICHELANGELO HOTEL or GH VESUVIO HOTEL or similar.

Day 3 Sorrento - Capri - Sorrento (BLD)
After breakfast, get ready for an exciting excursion to the island of Capri: one of the most exclusive summer destinations of the Mediterranean! Depending on weather and sea conditions, you will admire the dreamy Blue Grotto on a small rowboat. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then roam the island at your own pace. Once back on the mainland, return to the hotel for dinner and your last overnight in Sorrento.

Day 4 Sorrento - Palermo (Overnight on ferry boat) (B)
Breakfast at your hotel, then spend a leisurely morning exploring Sorrento. In the afternoon, you will reach the port of Naples, where you will board on the Tirrenia/Snav ferry to Palermo. Let the waves rock you to sleep. Dinner and breakfast are not included on the ferry.

Day 5 Palermo (D)
Arrive in Palermo and transfer to your hotel. That night, have dinner in the hotel and rest up for the adventure that lies ahead. MERCURE HOTEL or similar.

Day 6 Palermo (BD)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and then head out on a morning excursion to Monreale, recently included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, an ancient royal town famous for its almonds, olive oil and citrus fruits, as well as for its fine Norman architecture. Visit the elaborate Cathedral of Monreale and then enjoy some shopping of local delicatessen and souvenirs. Back to Palermo and continue with a walking tour of the city. Wander the streets of the Old Town, hearing tales of Palermo’s 3,000-year history and discovering attractions like Palermo Cathedral. Walk inside the impressive-looking place of worship and marvel at its arches, cupolas and mosaics - with an incredible mix of influences coming from several dominations on the island. Enjoy free time in the late afternoon and return to your hotel for dinner. Overnight.

Day 7 Palermo - Erice - Saline della Laguna - Agrigento (BLD)
Early breakfast and departure to Erice, a medieval village stacked into the side of Monte San Giuliano. Many say that little has changed in the village since the sixth century, and its labyrinth-like twist of lanes is perfect for a cool and pleasant morning amble. Continue to visit the Saline, an extraordinary lagoon, where history, nature, archeology finds a perfect synthesis and allow the visitor to try different, unique and charming experiences. Have a nice boat trip to the islands, located nearby. The tour of the natural reserve of the "Stagnone di Marsala" is a one of a kind archaeological and naturalistic experience. Board on these special boats, designed ad hoc to be able to navigate in the lagoon bottoms that at low tide reach only 25 cm. With a helpful audioguide, you will admire all the islands of the lagoon of the Stagnone up close, remaining comfortably seated in the boat, sailing at a speed of 4 knots. You will pass from the Island of Mozia, Isola Lunga, Isola di Schola, from the Ancient Via Punica Sommersa. After this wonderful experience enjoy your lunch in a restaurant by the lagoon. Return to your coach and travel to Agrigento, your final destination of the day. Visit Ancient Greek monuments and ruins at the Valley of Temples (entrance included) - a UNESCO World Heritage site - and learn about archaeological relics like the Classical Temple of Concord the Temple of Hercules; the Temple of Jupiter, one of the largest Doric-style buildings. Check in to your hotel in the evening. Dinner and overnight at DELLA VALLE HOTEL or similar.

DAY 8 Agrigento - Piazza Armerina - Ragusa Ibla - Ragusa (BD)
Breakfast at the hotel and travel to Piazza Armerina a pretty and historic town nestled into the heart of Sicily. Entrance in Villa Romana del Casale to admire the largest, richest and most complex Roman mosaics in the world. It is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy since 1997. The mosaics spread over 3,500 sq m show mythological scenes and portrayals of daily life. Depart to Ragusa and visit of the enchanting historical center “Ibla”, with its stunning baroque palaces and churches; together with other seven cities in the Val di Noto, Ragusa is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit the old gate of San Giorgio, the Giardini Iblei and then walk to Piazza Pola where we will visit the church of San Giuseppe: a little gem. Be enchanted by the elegant Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Church of the Souls in Purgatory and the magnificent Cosentini palace, one of the most interesting Late Baroque palaces in Sicily! Arrive in hotel, dinner and overnight at POGGIO DEL SOLE HOTEL or similar.

Day 9 Ragusa - Noto - Siracusa - Taormina (BD)
Breakfast at the hotel and travel to Noto, a picturesque fishing town popular for its stately Baroque architecture. Visit Cathedral of San Nicolò, recently restored after an earthquake, and then have a nice walk in the town’s center. Continue along the south coast to Syracuse, on Sicily’s southeastern tip. Visit “Parco Archeologic della Neapolis”, Syracuse’s famous archaeological area, home to a vast collection of Greek and Roman ruins from all over Sicily. Head inside to see impressive landmarks such as the Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater and the Ear of Dionysius - an artificial limestone cave. After the visit, cross one of the city’s bridges for a visit to the island of Ortygia - the most ancient part of Syracuse - home to a wealth of Baroque churches and medieval palaces. In the late afternoon arrive in Taormina, check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner at HOTEL SPLENDID or similar.

Day 10 Taormina (BD)
Breakfast at your hotel and then head off to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe and the highest mountain in Italy. Learn about volcanic activity and marvel at the old lava fields and black magma rock that comprises Etna’s landscape. If weather permits, you have a chance to climb to the summit (1800 m). After, return to Taormina, the beautiful and romantic town located on Mount Tauro. Return to Taormina in the afternoon and spend the rest of your day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11 Taormina (B)
Enjoy one final breakfast before the tour comes to an end.

INCLUSIONS

• Transportation by deluxe motorcoach

• Monolingual Tour-escort in English

• Accommodation in 4 stars hotels

• Meals as per itinerary (please inform us at the moment of the booking, in case of any food allergy or alimentary restriction)

• Visits with expert local guide as per itinerary (Pompeii, Capri, Palermo, Agrigento and Siracusa)

• Discovering Rome by Night (our regular sightseeing tour)

• Entrance tickets to the archaeological site in Pompeii with “Skip the Line” (when included in the itinerary)

• Visit of the Blue Grotto in Capri (when included in the itinerary)

• Entrance tickets to the archaeological sites in Sicily

• Porterage service (only in Sicily)

Note- The pick-up / drop-of times will be subject to confirmation by the local assistant

EXCLUSIONS
• Airport transfers
• Entrance fees to monuments or museums when not mentioned
• City tax for overnight stays (according to each city council rules)
• Personal expenses, international airfare, Visa fees
• Customary gratitude to your guide and driver

City Tax - Please note that rates do not includes city taxes when needed. City tax will be paid directly at the reception hotel desk upon arrival or at the check-out according to the local city board procedure. The city tax will change according to hotel category.