Experience11 days of Italy's most fascinating cities, its capital and the symbol of renaissance on this comprehensive tour. |
Pax: Min: 10 - Max: 40 Tour Length: 11 Days - 10 Nights Contries: Italy Cities: Sorrento - Reggio Calabria - Sicily - Rome |
Sorrento - Nicknamed "La Gentile" because of the gentleness of its climate and the cheery friendliness of its inhabitants, Sorrento is a charming resort in a spectacular setting. It can trace its ancestry back to the Etruscans. You can stroll the old streets where the shop windows display "intarsia", fine pictures done with inlaid woods.
Reggio Calabria - You will be delighted, if you are in the centre about the immense marvellous view of Sicily mountains from the sea, that you wouldn't think it was so close (some people swim or windsurf to it, but don't do it!!). You might just sit down on Lungomare on a bench and watch the colours of the day change, and stay there ...forever!!
Sicily - It's more than an island! Discover Sicily and discover the world. The world's first multicultural society, Sicily is Italy's (and Europe's) most historically cosmopolitan region, having been ruled by Asians, Africans and Europeans. Sicily is black and white and a million shades of gray. There's no other place on Earth like Sicily. Our island is a unique place full of art, archeology, history, folklore and breathtaking scenery.
Rome - Rome (Roma), the eternal city, is't literally eternal—it has endured for over 2,700 years, with an ambiance like no other. Embedded in centuries of history and culture, it is Ital's capital and largest city, offering far too much to see in one visit. In this city a phenomenal concentration of history, legend, and monuments coexists with an equally phenomenal concentration of people busily going about their everyday life.
Cultural and historic sites, city exploration, museums, castles, cathedrals, ruins. Italy Europe Tours arranges on request according to the groups's needs and specifications Sport or Music Performances, religious meetings and masses. Explore the rich and diverse history and culture of Sorrento, Reggio Calabria, Sicily and the "Eternal City".
Sorrento and Amalfi Coast Correale di Terranova Museum, Basilica di Sant'Antonino, Palazzo Correale, Chiesa di San Francesco, Duomo dei San Filippo e Giacomo, Punta del Capo, Piazza Tasso, Villa Rufolo, Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Duomo, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Costiera Amalfitana, Emerald Grotto and the Cloister of Paradise.
Reggio Calabria Archaeological Museum, Basilica di San Domenico, Basilica di San Petronio, National Picture Gallery, Palazzo Comunale, San Giacomo Maggiore, Santo Stefano, Tower of the Asinelli.
Sicily Villa Romana del Casale, Aeolian Islands, Valley of the Temples, Temple of Segesta , Teatro Massimo, Castello Eurialo, Greek Amphitheater , Cattedrale di Palermo, Monreale Duomo, Mount Etna, Palace of the Normans, Archaeological Zone, Church of San Domenico, Temple of Hercules, Temple of Concord, Greek Theater and the Duomo.
Rome Roman Forum, Sistine Chapel, Capitoline Museum, Borghese Gallery, Piazza Navona, Basilica di San Pietro, Pantheon, Campo de' Fiori, Piazza del Popolo, Colosseum, Ostia Antica, Ponte Sant' Angelo, Via Condotti, the Arch of Constantine, and Trajan's Column, P.zza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, Via Appia, the Catacombs of San Sebastiano and San Callisto, and the Chapel of Domine.
Day 1 - Departure from Home/Arrival in Rome/Sorrento Private coach transfer to the Sorrento Hotel. Continuing south, up and over the Lazio Region stop enroute to admire Montecassino, Check-in and time at leisure to explore the city.
Day 2 - Pompeii/Sorrento Today we make our way to Pompeii, best known for its burial! The town was buried on August 24 in the Year 70 AD, when Mount Vesuvius erupted. The town of Pompeii was damaged mostly by the layers of ash after the eruption, whereas the nearby Herculaneum (which appears to have been a wealthy resort area at the time), was buried in mud. We will visit the ruins.
Day 3 - Amalfi/Salerno/Paestum/Cosenza/Reggio Calabria This morning we enjoy a scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most striking drives in all of Europe. In Amalfi we visit the Cathedral and celebrate Mass at the tomb of St. Andrew. After Mass, we continue on to Salerno, site of the Allied invasion in September 1943. Next we visit the ruins of the "Lost City" of Paestum, site of the best preserved Greek temples north of Sicily. Our final stop of the day is Cosenza, where we visit the Sanctuary of San Francesco di Paola. The Sanctuary's primitive 16th century decorations were enriched in the following ages when the Sanctuary became more and more important. We continue on to Reggio Calabria to the hotel.
Day 4 - Giardini Naxos After breakfast we depart to Sicily and Giardini Naxos. This afternoon we enjoy a visit to the famous Alcantara Gorge. Lost in the sands of time, a small volcano north of Mount Etna woke and poured enormous quantities of lava down to the sea and beyond, to form Capo Schiso. The route taken by the river of lava was followed by a torrent of water exposing two sheer cliffs of very hard basalt that had cooled and hardened into fascinating prism-like shapes. Al Qantarah, dates back to the period of Arab occupation and refers to the arched bridge built by the Romans that was capable of withstanding the forces of the river and is an impressive sight even today.
Day 5 - Siracusa/Taormina/ Giardini Naxos After breakfast we depart on our excursion to Siracusa. It lies on the eastern coast of Sicily, in a charming setting with a picturesque harbor bounded by the Maddalena Peninsula and the Island of Ortygia. Syracuse was one of the most important colonies of Magna Graecia and was founded by Corinthian settlers in 734 B.C. We'll visit the Cathedral, and the archaeological area including the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheatre with the famous Ear of Dionysius. We go to the Island of Ortygia, the heart of Syracuse and site of the first Sicel settlements.
Day 6 - Piazza Armerina/Agrigento This morning we depart to Agrigento. On the way to Agrigento we stop in Piazza Armerina. This small inland village is known for the famous Roman Villa del Casale. The Villa is one of the finest examples of Roman country dwellings on the island. We continue to Agrigento, one of the most popular tourist resorts in Sicily, and an internationally celebrated archaeological, architectural and artistic centre. We'll visit the famous Valley of the Temples, including the largest Doric temple in the world, the Temple of Jupiter.
Day 7 - Cefalù/Palermo After breakfast we depart for Palermo via Cefalu, a resort town on the north coast of Sicily. Here we visit the splendid Norman Cathedral. Having completed their conquest of Sicily by about 1091, the Normans began to build churches, importing the Norman style and incorporating elements of the Byzantine and Islamic style, already present in Sicily. We continue our journey to Palermo, Sicily's main port, nestled in the middle of a wide bay.
Day 8 - Monreale/Rome We'll visit the Cathedral and the Royal Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni) with the Palatine Chapel, considered one of the best monuments of Norman art in the Sicilian capital. We continue our tour with a visit to Mount Pellegrino (Pilgrims' Mountain) and Saint Rosalie's Shrine. Mount Pellegrino offers a panoramic view of Palermo and the Sea but it is most famous for the Sanctuary of Saint Rosalie. Early this afternoon, we travel the short distance to Monreale, slightly south of Palermo on a panoramic upland overlooking the Conca d'Oro and the Oreto River valley. We visit the Cathedral (Santa Maria la Nuovo) begun in 1174. This cathedral was built at the order of William II. The interior walls of the Cathedral are completely decorated with mosaics. After spending some time in Monreale, we transfer to Palermo airport to board our flight to Rome.
Day 9 - Rome Coach and Sightseeing tour of Piazza Venezia you can admire the impressive monument dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II and the unknown soldier. Continue on foot to the famous Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo, from where you will have a fantastic view of the Roman Forum. Your coach will then continue to view the Circus Maximus and the Pyramid of Caius Cestius. Your guide will take you inside the Basilicia which was built over the burial place of the Apostle of the Gentiles and is one of five churches considered to be one of the great ancient basilicas of Rome. Your last stop on the tour is the Colosseum where you can conclude the tour, or return to your hotel. This tour does not go inside the Colosseum, however your guide has plenty of artistic and historical information about it to share with you.
Day 10 - Rome Coach and Sightseeing tour of St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. Explore the world's smallest country, its largest church and an impressive collection of fine art. The Vatican is one of the most interesting and breathtakingly beautiful sites in the world. In 1508, Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II della Rovere to repaint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This is where you can see on of his most well known frescoes, the Last Judgement. This fresco covers the entire end wall of the chapel, and is one of the highlights for visitors to the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican Museums can be overwhelming to the first time visitor so allow your experienced guide show you some of the major attractions, as well as some of the lesser known spots, and share with you the history, architecture, and politics of the Vatican. However, the Vatican is not just gold, pomp and stateliness! It has a history full of dark tales of deceit and even lust! A world of discovery awaits you.
Day 11 - Departure Today we transfer to the Rome airport to board our return flight home
Sorrento: Guided tour to include Pompeii (AD), Herculaneum (AD), Amalfi Coast, Mount Vesuvius and Paestum.
Reggio Calabria: Guided tour to include Castello Aragonese and the Cathedral of Reggio Gambarie.
Taormina: City tour to include Mount Etna, Mount Fontane, the Thieves Cave, Roman Villa del Casale and Piazza Armerina,
Agrigento: City tour to include Greek temple (AD), Mount Barbaro, Erice and Marsala.
Palermo: City tour to include : the Palatine Chapel, church of St. John of the Hermit, il mercato della Vucciria, the Cathedral of Palermo, Quattro Canti square, Monreale and its cathedral.
Rome: City tour to include the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Roman Forum and Colosseum (AD), Vatican Museums (AD), St. Peter's Basilica AD= Admissions
Breakfast (11) at hotel each morning Meals based on 3 courses, drinks not included.
Sorrento:Link Excursions & Extra Services
Reggio Calabria:Link Excursions & Extra Services
Taormina:Link Excursions & Extra Services
Agrigento: Link Excursions & Extra Services
Palermo:Link Excursions & Extra Services
Rome: Link Excursions & Extra Services
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