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SOUTHERN ITALY &
SICILY - 2010
17 days incl. air,
or 16 days from Rome to Rome (CO-6315)
Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours  Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours Vacation
Overview
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.
Itinerary
Day
1 Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 Fri. ARRIVAL IN ROME, ITALY
Check
into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring
this great city.
Days
3-4 Sat. & Sun. 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 Mon. 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 Tue. 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 Wed. 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)
Days
8-9 Thu. & Fri. 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 cafés. Day 8 (B), Day 9 (B,D)
Day
10 Sat. 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 Sun. 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 Mon. 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 Tue. 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 Wed. 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 Thu. 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 Fri. 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 Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM ROME ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
|
Return
Date
|
Land/Cruise
Price Only
|
Status
|
|
3/11/2010
|
3/12/2010
|
3/27/2010
|
$2,065.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
3/18/2010
|
3/19/2010
|
4/3/2010
|
$2,065.00
|
Available
|
|
3/25/2010
|
3/26/2010
|
4/10/2010
|
$2,065.00
|
Available
|
|
4/1/2010
|
4/2/2010
|
4/17/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/8/2010
|
4/9/2010
|
4/24/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
4/15/2010
|
4/16/2010
|
5/1/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
4/22/2010
|
4/23/2010
|
5/8/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/29/2010
|
4/30/2010
|
5/15/2010
|
$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
5/6/2010
|
5/7/2010
|
5/22/2010
|
$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/13/2010
|
5/14/2010
|
5/29/2010
|
$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
5/20/2010
|
5/21/2010
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6/5/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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5/27/2010
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5/28/2010
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6/12/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
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6/3/2010
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6/4/2010
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6/19/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
6/10/2010
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6/11/2010
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6/26/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/17/2010
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6/18/2010
|
7/3/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
6/24/2010
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6/25/2010
|
7/10/2010
|
$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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7/1/2010
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7/2/2010
|
7/17/2010
|
$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
7/8/2010
|
7/9/2010
|
7/24/2010
|
$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
7/15/2010
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7/16/2010
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7/31/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
7/22/2010
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7/23/2010
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8/7/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
7/29/2010
|
7/30/2010
|
8/14/2010
|
$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
8/5/2010
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8/6/2010
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8/21/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
8/19/2010
|
8/20/2010
|
9/4/2010
|
$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
8/26/2010
|
8/27/2010
|
9/11/2010
|
$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
9/2/2010
|
9/3/2010
|
9/18/2010
|
$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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9/9/2010
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9/10/2010
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9/25/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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9/16/2010
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9/17/2010
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10/2/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
|
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9/23/2010
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9/24/2010
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10/9/2010
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$2,159.00
|
Available
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9/30/2010
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10/1/2010
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10/16/2010
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$2,129.00
|
Available
|
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10/7/2010
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10/8/2010
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10/23/2010
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$2,129.00
|
Available
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Popular Departure - due
to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out
quickly. Early booking is encouraged.
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