Cultural & Gastronomy Tour of Southern Italy in 14-Days

What to expect on this itinerary
This luxurious 14-day Southern Italy tour has you traveling through revered regions and back-country villages to uncover tales of ancient cultures and modern delicacies. Luxuriate on the beaches in Sicily after sipping homemade wines, marvel at spectacular views from a Norman Castle, admire art and architecture in magnificent cathedrals, witness active volcanoes, and learn how to make cannoli during your majestic experience of Southern Italy.
Customizable Itinerary
Taormina – Attend a Performance at the Greek Theater
The transparent waters of the Ionian Sea will welcome you as your plane touches down at Catania Fontanarossa Airport. Your private driver will be waiting for you and will promptly usher you to your luxurious accommodation, which will be located in the heart of Taormina. You will meet your guide at your hotel after you check-in to explore the fascinating town by foot. In the evening, you will travel back in time by visiting Teatro Greco, which is the Greek Theater. Here, you can walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks and learn about the history of their settlement in Sicily.
What's Included:
Taormina – Indulge in a Food and Wine Tour
Taormina – Hike along Dried Lava Beds
Cefalu – Admire Byzantine Mosaics and Castle Ruins
Cefalu – Delight in a Wine and Cheese Tasting
Cefalu – Watch a Volcanic Eruption on Stromboli
Ostuni – Soar through the Skies on a Private Jet
Ostuni – Partake in the Art of Crafting Olive Oil
Ostuni – Wander through a Maze of Trulli
Positano – Tour the Ancient Civilizations in Matera
Positano – Sip Homemade Limoncello
Positano – Splash in the Blue Grotto
Naples – Venture through the Ruins of Pompeii
Naples – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Stroll through town and learn about the history of Taormina, which will be followed by an open-air performance at a Greek Theater that was built in the 3rd Century BC
- Explore phenomenal scenery from the remote village of Castelmola while enjoying a uniquely flavorful almond wine
- Indulge in a thrilling hike to the summit of Mt. Etna for a Sicilian picnic that will be complete with spectacular views
- Admire Byzantine mosaics and ancient Norman architecture as you immerse yourself in the dynamic history of Cefalu
- Learn the art of producing traditional Madonie Provola cheese, which will be followed with a local Sommelier who pairs these cheeses with Sicilian wines
- Island-hop through the remote Aeolian Islands to enjoy a wine tasting in Salina and to watch Stromboli’s volcano erupt against the dark night sky
- Craft your own cannoli in Palermo before jetting off to the sun-soaked Puglia Region in a private jet
- Wander through the whimsical town of Alberobello as you curiously admire the unique design of a trullo
- Uncover centuries worth of history and culture as you venture through the pre-historic streets of Matera
- Appreciate the fine art of production of homemade Limoncello as you sip the sweet and tangy delicacy in the shade of a family-owned lemon grove
- Cruise to the luxurious island of Capri in a privately chartered boat and explore the hilltop village of Anacapri
- Meander through the wide streets of Pompeii to learn about ancient culture and life in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius
Starting Price
$5,100 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 6960 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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