Naples, Sorrento, and Sicily

Upon arrival in Rome, collect your bag and proceed through customs where a representative will meet you. Then the group will board a deluxe motor coach for transfer to the hotel. You will check into your hotel in Naples before commencing on a tour of the city.

This morning after breakfast, you will continue your journey south to Sorrento. Along the way you will visit the ruins of Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Walk through the Roman Forum, Market Place and Home of the Vetti to see narrow streets and luxurious villas frozen in time.

Today after breakfast you will depart your hotel for a trip to the Enchanting Island of Capri. Weather permitting you will visit the Blue Grotto, a miracle of equilibrium among water, light and reflections of wonderful sea floors. Travel to Anacapri for lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy some free time for shopping. We will travel back to Sorrento in the afternoon.

Savor a drive along the spectacular Amalfi coast today, one of Europe's most beautiful shorelines. Brightly colored houses hug the cliffs amidst lush gardens and olive-green slopes, hovering over the clear sea below. Explore Amalfi, seeing historic buildings built between the 10th and 13th centuries.

This morning the group departs Sorrento by boat to travel to the island of Sicily. Upon arrival in Palermo you will board your coach along the coastal route to Taormina. Along the way the group will stop in the medieval town of Cefalu, renowned for its narrow streets and elaborate house decorations. Continue to a town founded in 395 BC, the Roman-Greek town of Tindari. Here you will visit the sanctuary of the Madonna of Tindari. The famous Black Madonna has been attributed for granting favors to those who pray. Continue on to the coastal city of Messina before arriving in the perched town of Taormina.

This morning after breakfast at the hotel, the group embarks on an adventure up Mount Etna, the highest (elevation of approx. 10,000 feet) and largest active volcano in Europe. Your coach ride will take you to the opening of the lava flow and you will hear about the eruptions that have occurred in the last years. The group will return to Taormina in the early afternoon where you will have time to browse the linens and pottery that is locally produced.

Today your journey takes you to Southern Sicily. The group will travel to Syracuse known for the cultural and artistic heritage of the Greeks. The city is 2700 years old. A few of the highlights you will visit include the Greek Theatre, the Latomies with the Ear of Dionysius quarry, and the Altar of Hieron II.

This morning you will have a tour of the charming city of Syracuse. On your tour you will see Archimede Square and several other interesting sights dating from the 14 century. You will also visit the fascinating Archeological Museum where you can view collection of findings dating from this Bronze Age to 5th century BC. The afternoon will be free for you to explore and shop.

Today you will travel westward towards the valley of the Temples. Your route will bring you through the town of Caltansetta, which dates from the 11th Century and is home to the Norman church of Badia di Santo Spirito. You will stop to see the workshops of great Sicilian potteries and ceramics. Look for some great bargains here! Then continue on to the medieval city of Agrigento.

This morning you will travel west to Selinunte, an abandoned ancient Greek city, with ruins of an acropolis and numerous temples. The city was founded in the seventh century BC, and effectively destroyed in 409 BC. Selinunte is set in a tranquil and scenic setting, with an ambience that permits a good impression of what an ancient Greek city and life in it were really like. You will return to Agrigento for the afternoon where the group will set out to see the awe inspiring Valley of the Temples. In the Valley of the Temples there are ruins of numerous temples as well as necropoli, houses, streets and everything else one would expect to find in an ancient city. There is a small amphitheater, as well as several auditoria, and a fine archeological museum.

Today the group will journey to Palermo where you will enjoy a tour of Sicily's capital. Highlights include the Duomo, Palace of the Normans, and Church of St John of the Hermits.

This morning after breakfast you will depart for the wine producing town of Marsala. Here you will take a tour of a local winery and sample some of the local vintage. Your journey will continue on to Trapani where you will have the chance to see windmills and salt marshes that are well known in this area.

This morning the group says goodbye to Sicily as you board your plane headed back to the US.