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 featuring traditional Sicilian cuisine.

Day 3: Palermo - Monreale - Palermo
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. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure to visit some of the city’s great museums and shops.

Day 4: Palermo - Agrigento
After a short lesson on the local language, travel through the beautiful countryside with rolling hills and working farms towards the town of Agrigento. Upon arrival, visit 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.

Day 5: Agrigento - Catania - Mt. Etna - Giardini Naxos
Depart Agrigento and travel across 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 - Basilicata
Travel to Messina where you will take a short ferry ride to Villa San Giovanni on Italy’s mainland. Travel through the beautiful and unspoiled region of Calabria and into the Basilicata region, arriving this afternoon in the seaside town of Scanzano Jonico. Late afternoon you’ll visit one of the area’s local wineries for a wine tasting and informative visit through the cellars and vineyards. Linger over a delicious regional dinner in the winery’s own “agriturismo” restaurant.

Day 8: Basilicata - Taranto - Alberobello - Basilicata
Today, venture into the region of Apulia. Begin your day with a drive towards Taranto, one of Italy’s most important port cities. Your visit to this southern town will include a special tour of the Aragonese Castle, dating back to the 15th century and belonging today to the Italian Marines. Then it’s off to the mystical town of Alberobello where you will see some of the most unusually built homes, known as “trulli,” with cone-shaped roofs and no mortar to hold the stones together. Return to Basilicata for a special Italian evening! Tonight’s dinner will include a pasta-making demonstration and an extensive dinner with all the local favorites and an entertaining performance of traditional music.

Day 9: Basilicata - Matera - Amalfi Coast
Travel to the Amalfi Coast, one of the most breathtaking areas of Italy. Visit a local cheese producer to learn the secrets of making mozzarella and ricotta cheeses. Then stop at the “Sassi di Matera,” an ancient town known for its cave dwellings, both modern and ancient. A local guide will help you learn the history of this site and why it has recently caught the eye of many film producers. Arrive at the Amalfi Coast in the late afternoon and take in the views of this magical place.

Day 10: Amalfi Coast - Sorrento - Amalfi Coast
Begin your day exploring the popular seaside resort town of Sorrento. Visit local artisans and watch them demonstrate the art of inlaid wood making. This afternoon take time to explore this lovely town on your own. You may choose to sign up for an optional tour exploring the Amalfi Coast by boat.

Day 11: Amalfi Coast - 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 where you will spend your last evening. Tonight, celebrate the end of your journey with a farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant.

Day 12: Rome
Your tour ends today, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful vacation.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
3/15/2012 - 3/26/2012	$1,999
4/12/2012 - 4/23/2012	$2,099
4/19/2012 - 4/30/2012	$2,099
4/26/2012 - 5/7/2012	$2,199
5/24/2012 - 6/4/2012	$2,399
6/21/2012 - 7/2/2012	$2,399
8/16/2012 - 8/27/2012	$2,399
9/13/2012 - 9/24/2012	$2,399
9/20/2012 - 10/1/2012	$2,399
9/27/2012 - 10/8/2012	$2,399
10/11/2012 - 10/22/2012	$2,399
10/18/2012 - 10/29/2012	$2,399
10/26/2012 - 11/6/2012	$2,299
11/8/2012 - 11/19/2012	$2,199
11/29/2012 - 12/10/2012	$2,199
3/7/2013 - 3/18/2013	$2,199
3/14/2013 - 3/25/2013	$2,199
4/4/2013 - 4/15/2013	$2,299
4/18/2013 - 4/29/2013	$2,399
4/25/2013 - 5/6/2013	$2,399
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
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.

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