2009: SOUTHERN ITALY & SICILY (6315)
17 days incl. air, or 16 days from Rome to Rome
Your Italy vacation begins with three overnights in Rome, the "Eternal City," and a guided sightseeing tour that includes the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Then, view the Gulf of Naples from the top of Mount Vesuvius, one of Europe's greatest live volcanoes. View its crater before heading to Pompeii, the town destroyed in 79 AD when Vesuvius erupted. On your tour of the Pompeii archaeological site, see the remains of the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Take a ferry to the Isle of Capri and spend two nights enjoying its special flair. Capri, the charming and breathtaking vacation island for the jet-set, offers a maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, smart restaurants, and its pretty piazza. Cross the waters to the charming seaside resort of Sorrento for three nights. Admire the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, then set off toward Sicily, Italy's biggest island. Spend two nights in the Taormina area and take a ride up Mount Etna, Europe's biggest volcano. Visit Syracuse, once the greatest city of Magna Grecia, and see the ancient roman "bikini girls" mosaic in Casale. Marvel at Agrigento's Valley of the Temples with the well-preserved ancient Greek temples and Selinute's acropolis remains. Travel to colorful Palermo, Sicily's capital and a city bearing the signs of the many invasions during its 3000-year history. Palermo is full of interesting squares and marketplaces, churches, and palazzos in every style-from Moorish to baroque. Return to Naples by overnight ferry and motor back to Rome for the conclusion of your incredible Southern Italy and Sicily vacation.
HOTELS
Rome Caravel (ST), Capri Villa San Michele (ST) at Anacapri or Residenza (F), Sorrento Tirrenia (ST), Taormina Area Assinos (ST) at Naxos or Albatros (ST) at Letoyanni, Syracuse Park (ST) at Syracuse, Agrigento Akrabello (ST), Palermo Ponte (ST)
HOTELS
Rome Caravel (ST), Capri Villa San Michele (ST) at Anacapri or Residenza (F), Sorrento Tirrenia (ST), Taormina Area Assinos (ST) at Naxos or Albatros (ST) at Letoyanni, Syracuse Park (ST) at Syracuse, Agrigento Akrabello (ST), Palermo Ponte (ST)
Call 1 (800) 999-2599 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7467609
- Tour Operator
- Cosmos
- Duration
- 17 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Board your overnight transatlantic flight | |
| Day 2 | ARRIVAL IN ROME, ITALY | Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring this great city. |
| Day 3-4 | Rome | Two days in which to get well acquainted with Rome. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. Optional excursions are available to discover more of the "Eternal City." (B daily) |
| Day 5 | ROME-VESUVIUS-POMPEII-CAPRI | South all the way today. First a stop to enjoy the awe-inspiring sights of one of Europe's greatest live volcanoes-Vesuvius! Leave the coach and walk to the top to view its crater. Then, to Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD, when the Vesuvius eruption totally destroyed it. On the included visit you can see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Just a few more miles to the Neapolitan Riviera for embarkation on the ferry to Capri to enjoy two overnights on this charmed island. (B,D) |
| Day 6 | Capri | This legendary island is surrounded by a rocky coastline-the crashing sea has formed remarkable caves. The town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set, and optional excursions take you to see more of the island. Join Tiberius, Emma Hamilton, and Axel Munthe, historical figures who all fell in love with this exquisite spot. A full day to do exactly what you please. Maybe explore some of the island's lovely walks or join an optional excursion to see Mount Solaro and the house of Axel Munthe (San Michele). (B,D) |
| Day 7 | CAPRI-SORRENTO EXCURSION TO AMALFITAN COAST | Take the ferry to Sorrento this morning. Few places in the world match the very special charm of Sorrento. This picturesque resort overlooking the Bay of Naples boasts a marvelous climate, beautiful views, trendy shops and boutiques, interesting museums, and a vibrant nightlife. Don't miss out on the included excursion along the breathtakingly beautiful Amalfitan Coast. (B,D) |
| Day 8-9 | Sorrento | Two full days to enjoy this town set on a plateau high above the waters of the Bay of Naples and with truly spectacular views as far as towering Vesuvius. Sorrento's terraces, hung with flowers, jut from winding streets and alleys above a small harbor. Streets are filled with shops, cheerful bars, and cafes. Day 8 (B), Day 9 (B,D) |
| Day 10 | SORRENTO-VILLA S GIOVANNI-FERRY CROSSING-TAORMINA AREA | Today, by way of the autostrada, travel through the wild and mountainous scenery of Italy's most southern regions before boarding the ferry for the 45-minute crossing to Sicily. Only a few more miles to the Taormina area, where you overnight. (B,D) |
| Day 11 | Taormina | Magnificently situated on a 700-foot plateau, Taormina has wonderful views along the coast. The heart of the town is Piazza Nove Aprile, a paved square with unrivaled views to the sea and the Mount Etna volcano. (B,D) |
| Day 12 | TAORMINA AREA-MOUNT ETNA-SYRACUSE | This morning, take advantage of the visit to the heights of Mount Etna and the option of a Jeep or cable car ride for a better view of Europe's largest active volcano. Drive even further south to Syracuse, where you have the option of visiting the ancient Grecian archaeological sites or doing just as you please. (B,D) |
| Day 13 | SYRACUSE-PIAZZA ARMERINA-AGRIGENTO | Today you drive westward towards Piazza Armerina to visit the Casale Roman Villa, once a palatial hunting lodge famous for its mosaics including the "Bikini Girls," 10 athletic maidens dressed for all the world as modern tourists! Then, past Caltanissetta, surrounded by sulphur mines, to Agrigento's Valley of the Temples, one of Italy's archaeological jewels-especially in spring when the slopes are frosted with almond blossoms. Visit the Doric Temple of Concord, one of the best preserved outside Athens, and the hilltop Temple of Juno Lacinia is the valley's most impressive. (B,D) |
| Day 14 | AGRIGENTO-SELINUNTE-PALERMO | Leave Agrigento for Selinunte, one of the most striking and interesting sites in Sicily. See the remains of the Acropolis. Then, northeast to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. This evening, enjoy an optional farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. (B) |
| Day 15 | AT LEISURE IN PALERMO (EMBARKATION) | A full day to enjoy this busy and colorful city full of interesting squares and marketplaces, churches, and palazzos in every style-from Moorish to baroque. Join the optional sightseeing tour to learn more about this city. Evening embarkation for the overnight ferry from Palermo to Naples. (B) |
| Day 16 | NAPLES (Disembarkation)-ROME | North this morning back to the "Eternal City" with plenty of time to enjoy one of the optional excursions, to do last-minute shopping, or maybe sip a drink in Piazza Navona and watch the world go by. |
| Day 17 | YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM ROME ARRIVES THE SAME DAY | (B) |
- Disclaimer
- US$ Price Details
Single room supplement: $700No triple room reduction.Single accommodation not available on overnight ferry Palermo-Naples. Singles will be asked to share.
Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.
Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-2008, 2009 & 2010 vacation itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed Air-Inclusive Price:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Please see the Applicable Airfare Taxes and Fee link above for more information.
Air booked in conjunction with a land vacation is considered an air-inclusive vacation. Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a land package and is only available for passengers traveling from the United States. For vacation departures in 2008, your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your air schedule had been confirmed and your entire vacation package has been paid in full. For vacation departures in 2009, an additional $250 non-refundable deposit (total $500 non-refundable) is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation and your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your flight information is confirmed and Globus has received your full land and air deposit.
Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature.