Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily

Your holiday begins at London Heathrow airport where you meet the Tour Manager and the rest of our group before boarding a flight to Naples.

On arrival, we transfer to the sun-kissed town of Sorrento, set on a peninsula of Italy's southwestern coast, overlooking the Bay of Naples and in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. After checking in and time to unwind, we enjoy dinner at our hotel this evening.

• Dinner

This morning brings a tour highlight - an awe-inspiring journey back in time to Pompeii, the city buried and preserved by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. After a short train journey to this fascinating archaeological site we are taken on a guided tour of the world's best-preserved Roman city.

Our guide takes us through the remarkable preserved streets of Pompeii, and we wander past the impressive villas, temples, baths and markets of this UNESCO World Heritage site. We also see the amphitheatre, and some of the ancient city's extraordinary frescoes. After retracing our route back to our hotel, the rest of your afternoon and evening is free in Sorrento. You could wander the cobbled streets among beautiful Renaissance buildings, enjoy people watching in Piazza Tasso or looking around the Centro Storico. This quarter is also known for its artisan craft shops of ceramics, lacework and wooden items. Sorrento's Old Town buzzes with atmosphere at night, while the sea facing Marina Grande has an enchanting ambience and a good choice of seafood eateries.

• Breakfast

Today we discover the captivating Amalfi Coast from the glistening Tyrrhenian Sea. This UNESCO-listed coastline stretches along the Gulf of Salerno, south of the Sorrentine Peninsula. First we transfer to Sorrento harbour to board our boat. From there we cruise to lovely Amalfi, the 'Jewel of the Amalfi Coast', where there's free time to visit the stunning cathedral, Duomo di Sant'Andrea, overlooking the town's main piazza. The narrow streets are lined with traditional homes, and around the square are al fresco cafés and a gelateria, the perfect setting for a refreshment. You could maybe try a glass of locally produced limoncello or a lemon spritz, the local twist on the Aperol spritz.

Our cruise continues to the cliffside gem of Positano, where pastel houses stud the hillsides and fishermen haul their wooden boats ashore at the colourful harbour, as they have for many decades. After our visit, we return to Sorrento where you are free to relax or explore at leisure for the rest of the day and evening.

• Breakfast

Following breakfast at the hotel, we head inland to Salerno station to board our train to Matera. This picturesque route takes us deep into the Basilicata region of Southern Italy where we transfer directly to our hotel on arrival.

We then travel into the town centre by coach where there is free time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site and the amazing 'Sassi' cave dwellings. Inhabited since the Palaeolithic era, these stunning natural cave homes were originally etched out from the surrounding limestone rocks. As you wander through this breathtaking setting among the maze of winding streets and ancient abodes, you will find many caves to discover, now transformed into boutiques, craft shops, bars and cafés.

There is time to get to know these fascinating new surroundings at leisure this afternoon. Later, we return by coach to the hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with a relaxed breakfast at our hotel, before we set out by coach to the whitewashed town of Alberobello.

This magical World Heritage town is packed with hundreds of cone-shaped, limestone houses known as 'trulli'. Dating back to the 14th century, the rooves of these houses were constructed from small stones, stacked up in a conical shape. There's a little time to look around before meeting our knowledgeable and friendly guide, Mimmo Palmisano - affectionately known as Mr Alberobello - who hosts us at a traditional lunch in his family's restaurant before a fascinating guided tour.

Our guide then takes us on a tour of this unique town, where we wander among the houses and learn more about their origins and significance. We return to Matera this evening in time for dinner at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we leave the 'boot' of Italy and head into Sicily, the Mediterranean island just off its 'toe'. Starting our journey by coach, we head south to the town of Paola on the west coast, then continue by train to Taormina-Giardini station on the island.

As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is known for its spectacular coastlines, scenic beauty and rich culture. The island's dramatic natural attractions include Mount Etna, and its diverse sites range from Greco-Roman to Norman and North African architecture. Our destination is Giardini Naxos, a relaxed resort town on Sicily's eastern coast, with an ancient Greek heritage and an attractive crescent-shaped bay. After checking in to our hotel we enjoy dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free to explore the local area as you wish. You might be tempted to simply relax and make the most of the facilities at our hotel. Another option is to take a boat tour from Giardini Naxos harbour to the picturesque marine park of Isola Bella where you can look around the elaborate palace and its surrounding Italian baroque garden. This tiny island is connected to the mainland by a thin ribbon of sand which appears to float on the turquoise Ionian Sea.

History buffs could visit the archaeological park near the hotel, to walk among the ruins of ancient Naxos. This site is believed to be one of the oldest Greek settlement in Sicily, being founded by settlers in the 7th century BC. There is also a museum with interesting artifacts recovered from the settlement.

Dinner is independent this evening, and Giardini Naxos has a good choice of restaurants. Local specialities include seafood such as swordfish, and the baked pasta dish 'ncasciata, a delicious combination of aubergine, maccheroni and ragù.

• Breakfast

Sicily's most famous landmark is one of the world's tallest active volcanoes, Mount Etna, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This remarkable volcano is on full display today as we explore the surrounding area on a full-day tour. First, we travel up to Rifugio di Sapienza, the highest point accessible by road in Sicily. From here, you can walk to the Silvestri Craters, two craters formed by Mount Etna's eruption in 1892. Since these craters are inactive, you can explore the volcanic landscape up close. We continue by coach to Adrano, where we join the Circumetnea Railway on its route along the base of the volcano. This spectacular stretch of track takes us to Randazzo, where we encounter the otherworldly sights of lava fields and landscapes carved by lava flow.

Following our excursion, we enjoy a stop at Gambino Winery where we tour its vineyards and taste wines produced in the rich volcanic soil before a two-course lunch on the premises. Following this unique experience, we are escorted back to our hotel with the evening to spend at leisure.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Travelling into the foothills of Mount Etna this morning, we head to the historic town of Taormina on the east coast of Sicily.

We enjoy a guided tour of this delightful town, familiar to some as the setting of the TV series 'The White Lotus', visiting sites including the Greek theatre, which dates back to the 3rd century BC. This vast venue once seated thousands who gathered to watch Greek tragedies or comedies and, during the Roman period, it formed a stage for gladiators. Impressive in its own right, the amphitheatre offers views of the glittering Ionian Sea and Mount Etna.

Our tour continues to a local café, Roberto's, where we are treated to an authentic cannolo, an indulgent Italian treat of sweet, crispy pastry filled with ricotta cream. There is free time in Taormino to continue exploring the city independently before leaving the city for Sicily's characterful capital, Palermo. After a transfer to Messina Centrale station, we travel to Palermo by rail, to our next and final hotel. The city is a treasure trove of rich history, art and culture, as well as fantastic food. This evening is free to relax and get to know our new surroundings.

• Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, we are introduced to Palermo and the nearby town of Monreale. Our tour begins at Palermo's most renowned attractions, the Palatine Chapel - glistening with golden Byzantine mosaics and marble floors - which is located in the 9th-century Norman Palace. Following our visit, we head to Palermo's Capo Market to experience a traditional Sicilian market. The lively fruit and vegetable stalls are ablaze with colour, while aromas of fragrant spices and sizzling grills entice the senses. Our guide leads us through the stalls to sample local flavours on a tasting of street-food.

This afternoon, our adventure continues to Monreale to visit its breathtaking 11th-century cathedral. Ornate and well-preserved, this beautiful structure has earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its unique mosaics, delicately carved columns, and detailed cloisters are an unusual mixture of traditional Norman architecture and North African styles. We return to Palermo this afternoon with the rest of the day to enjoy the city as you please.

• Breakfast

Today, we travel to the south of Sicily for a full-day excursion to discover the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site that holds the island's most impressive collection of Hellenic architecture. Set amid a landscape of wind-blown olive trees and flowering almond trees, we arrive at Sicily's most important site of ancient classical culture.

This spectacular valley comprises a total of eight temples of the Greek gods and numerous ruins. A local guide joins us on arrival and leads us through the archaeological site, pointing out various features. Once we have had our fill of history, our excursion ends at a nearby Agriturismo - a 'farm to table' experience, where we enjoy drinks and a four-course lunch made from local produce in a rural setting. Following lunch, we return to our hotel and the evening is yours to enjoy the last night of your Southern Italy holiday in Palermo.

• Breakfast, Lunch

From the breathtaking coast and architectural wonders of Southern Italy's mainland to the glorious island Sicily, we have experienced a glittering array of treasures. From the ancient streets of Pompeii to the Amalfi Coast, Alberobello's unique houses to Sicily's bustling Palermo market, the magnificent Valley of the Temples completed our adventure.

After breakfast at our hotel this morning we are transferred to Palermo's airport for our flight back home. On landing at London Heathrow, your holiday reaches its conclusion and you are free to make your way home.

• Breakfast