10 Days Off the Beaten Path Tour of Southern Italy and Sicily

What to expect on this itinerary
Experience scenic hikes, exhilarating ziplines, intriguing caves with this immersive 10-day vacation to southern Italy and Sicily. Unique experiences and private day trips are included in this amazing and unforgettable vacation. Zipline in Castelmezzano, climb Mt. Vesuvius to enjoy incredible views of Naples, and venture to the Blue Grotto.
Customizable Itinerary
Naples – Explore Mt. Vesuvius
Your 10-day journey will begin when you land at Naples International Airport, where a private driver will greet and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation. Upon your arrival, you will have some time to settle in and relax before your guide leads you on an excursion to Mt. Vesuvius. Your guide will lead you up the side of the famous volcano, and once you are at the top, you will have an incredible view of Naples and the surrounding area.
What's Included:
Sorrento – Capri and the Blue Grotto
Matera – Adventures in Castelmezzano
Matera – The Unique Homes of Alberobello
Cosenza – Immersive Nature Hike
Catania – The Gorgeous Island of Sicily
Catania – Explore Syracuse and Ortigia
Palermo – Stroll through Enna
Palermo – The History of the Catacombs
Palermo – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Climb Mount Vesuvius to enjoy incredible views of the Bay of Naples
- Venture into the narrow opening of the legendary Blue Grotto and witness the amazing blue aura all around you
- Experience an exhilarating zipline ride in Castelmezzano with the Lucanian Dolomites in the background
- View the traditional homes of Alberobello that are known for their stone construction and cone-shaped roofs
- Discover the fresh air and natural beauty of Sila National Park during a hike through the area
- Traverse the bridge that connects Syracuse to the island of Ortigia, which is full of historic ruins and stunning views
- Enjoy the views in Enna as you explore the Enna Cathedral and Lombardy Castle
- Explore the winding twists and turns in the Capuchin Catacombs, home to the world’s largest collection of skeletons
Detailed Description
This journey through southern Italy and Sicily leads you to some of the most magnificent towns and villages in the area. Your exciting 10-day tour will begin when you land at Naples International Airport. In the afternoon, you will head out for a private tour of the impressive Mt. Vesuvius. The next morning, you will transfer to Sorrento. Here, you will enjoy an excursion to the stunning island of Capri, which will feature a memorable visit to the Blue Grotto.
The following day, you will continue to Matera. Along the way, you will stop in Castelmezzano for a zipline experience. The following morning, you will enjoy a day trip to the nearby town of Alberobello. During your private tour, you will get an up-close look at the unique trulli homes for which the town is known. After one more night in Matera, you will head to the age-old city of Cosenza. After having some time to get acquainted with your new hotel, you will indulge in a scenic hike through Sila National Park.
A relaxing private transfer and a scenic ferry ride will be in store for you the following day as you make your way to the island of Sicily. By the end of the day, you will reach your hotel in the delightful city of Catania. The next morning, you will journey to Syracuse and the island of Ortigia. Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and during your private tour, you will get to see and explore ancient ruins. On the next day of your trip, you will transfer to your final destination of Palermo. During your drive through the countryside, you will stop for a tour in the city of Enna, which is located over 3,000 feet above sea level. After your first night in Palermo, you will explore the history of the city with a private visit to the Capuchin Catacombs.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 6833 reviews
Our trip was absolutely amazing and the planning done by Zicasso's travel company surpassed my expectations. The attention to detail was amazing: from excellent and punctual drivers to assistants who helped us with the water taxis in Venice to the lounge access for trains. It was truly white-glove service that made my trip seamless and allowed me to enjoy every moment because every detail was handled.
The excursions were fantastic. I especially enjoyed the cooking class at a farm in Tuscany and the Vespa tours in Rome. There was a nice mix of private excursions for the walking tours and boat rides, to a few shared excursions, such as the cooking class.
The hotels the travel company booked were chic, boutiquey Italian hotels and each had its own charm (from the former palace in Venice to the castle in Chianti), and we loved them. We would absolutely recommend to anyone booking a trip to Italy!
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Zicasso's team was excellent with planning and execution of the itinerary to meet our specific needs.
I was able to add an additional city on short notice!
We had knowledgeable local city guides and all drivers were professional.
We had a wonderful family trip!
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We had an excellent experience with Zicasso's travel company. We are a family of four and spent 18 nights going through Italy and France. We worked with the company to make arrangements to see the cities and sites we wanted to visit. They offered great options for hotels and activities. They stayed in close contact with us during the trip and made additional arrangements upon request. The company provided outstanding service making arrangements and during the trip. We were very satisified and have already recommended them to our friends.
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I can confidently say that Zicasso's travel specialist is truly dedicated to providing her clients a luxury experience. From the outset, we had a 20-minute call where she wanted to learn about our dream vacation and get to know us. She was attentive to every request we made and organized our itinerary accordingly. During the trip, she texted us daily to inform us about our drivers and guides for the next day. Additionally, she checked to ensure our trip was progressing smoothly.
Here are some highlights:
Rome: We were greeted at the airport by our agent, who expedited our passage through passport control. The following day, we started our exploration at the Vatican. Our agent had purchased our tickets in advance, allowing us to skip the line. She also planned the remainder of our self-guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and other ancient sights. We accomplished so much in just two days!
Florence: We took part in a pasta-making class with a chef who was fantastic! Her husband was also quite charming. Our experience there was truly wonderful. Special thanks to our driver, who was incredibly helpful and informative.
Sorrento (Amalfi Coast): We began with a visit to Pompeii, where our guide, also arranged by our agent, was spectacular! His passion and extensive knowledge made the experience enjoyable. Next, we had a fun blind wine tasting. When we arrived at our amazing hotel, we were greeted with a surprise.
While in Rome, we encountered a minor issue, which our agent resolved quickly. She even went above and beyond by ordering us a bottle of prosecco to celebrate. We also took a car tour of Positano and Ravello, guided by a local from Ravello who was informative, knowledgeable, and delightful. We loved her! Our day ended with a lovely sunset cruise off the coast! Both days had excellent drivers.
This trip was a dream come true for my husband and me. Without a doubt, our agent made it the luxurious experience we desired. I highly recommend her and her team!
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The trip went very well! Our Zicasso travel specialist did a thorough job planning our vacation to Italy. We would definitely use her again.
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Our trip was a 10 out of 10! There is no way it could have been any better. Zicasso's travel expert and the tour company's team were incredibly responsive (not that we had any issues) and the itinerary was so impeccably curated.
Every greeter, driver, and tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and professional, and hotels were immaculate. It was such a relief to know that every last detail was taken care of and we didn't have to worry about anything.
We highly recommend our travel company and would definitely use them again.
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