Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 1/11
Itinerary for Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily • Expat Explore
Start Point: End Point:
BV Oly Hotel, Palermo,
Via del Santuario Regina degli Apostoli, 36, Hotel in Palermo
00145 Roma RM, Italy 10:00 hrs Naples,
10:00 hrs Naples port
10:00 hrs (traffic dependent) Rome,
BV Oly Hotel Via del Santuario Regina degli
Apostoli, 36, 00145 Roma RM, Italy
13:00 hrs (traffic dependent)
DAY 1: Arrive in Rome
Welcome to Rome! Enjoy free time this morning to explore Rome or relax at the hotel, then, meet up
with your tour leader this afternoon and prepare for a great evening. Your tour leader will show you
‘Rome by night’ - explore some of the iconic sights of the Eternal City including the Trevi Fountain,
Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Later this evening we'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Experiences Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 2/11
Rome: Your tour begins! Tonight you will enjoy an evening orientation tour of Rome - see the capital
in all it's glory, including views of the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and Pantheon.
Welcome dinner: Try some classic Roman cuisine and get to know your Expat Explore tour leader
and fellow travellers at the welcome dinner this evening.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: BV Oly Hotel
DAY 2: Rome - Sorrento
Leaving Rome, we’ll head to the Sorrento peninsula, stopping off along the way to see Mount
Vesuvius and to explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii, destroyed in 79AD in a catastrophic volcanic
eruption. Upon arrival on the Sorrento peninsula, we have a two-night stay. This area is famous for
limoncello (a sweet lemon liqueur), the perfect way to finish off your included dinner this evening!
Experiences
See Mount Vesuvius and explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii: Preserved since ancient times
under meters of ash and pumice, it offers superb insights into life (and death) in the ancient Roman
Empire. An expert local guide will accompany you and introduce you to the history of this UNESCO Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 3/11
World Heritage Site.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Delle Palme Sisters Hotel
Hotel Aequa
Optional Excursions
Amalfi Coast: € 50
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.
DAY 3: Sorrento: Free Day
A gorgeous old town hugging the coastline, the Sorrento peninsula is our base for the day. Explore
the towns in your own time, or alternatively choose our optional excursion to the famous Isle of
Capri, where you can spend some free time exploring the rugged coastline, ancient Roman ruins
and stylish piazzas.
Included Meals Accommodation Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 4/11
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Delle Palme Sisters Hotel
Hotel Aequa
Optional Excursions
Isle of Capri: € 75
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.
DAY 4: Sorrento - Matera - Alberobello
Today we’ll head east and explore the southern Italian region of Apulia, taking a comfort stop along
the way in the ancient cave city of Matera. Known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City),
it is famous for its extensive cave-dwelling districts, the ‘sassi’. Later we'll arrive in Alberobello,
and enjoy an orientation tour of the region's famous ‘trullo’ houses. These beautiful 14th century
whitewashed stone huts have iconic conical roofs, and are specific to the Itria Valley. This afternoon
you’ll have free time to further explore Alberobello; check out the trullo church of St Antony and the
Trulli museum.
Experiences Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 5/11
Comfort stop in the ancient cave city Matera: Human remains from 7,000 BC have been found
here, and the historical center and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
Alberobello: Explore the 14th century trulli stone houses, the Parrocchia Sant'Antonio di Padova
church, and the Trullo Sovrano museum. Originally constructed as temporary shelters and
storehouses by farm labourers, the trulli are now permanent features of Alberobello.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Colle del Sole
DAY 5: Alberobello - Taormina
Today we take a coastal drive beside the Ionian Sea, before we leave the mainland behind and take
a short ferry ride over to the island of Sicily, home of Mount Etna. Prepare for stunning views as we
make our way to Taormina. Upon arrival, your tour leader will take you on an orientation walk of this
hilltop town, showing you some of the highlights you can explore further on your free day tomorrow.
This evening we’ll top off our Sicilian experience with an included dinner at our beachside hotel.
Experiences Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 6/11
Orientation walk of Taormina: One of the most popular holiday resorts in Sicily, Taormina was
founded by the Greeks who built an amphitheater in a stunning hilltop location overlooked by Mount
Etna. During your exploration with your tour leader, you will be taught about the art of passeggiata,
an Italian social custom. As you roam through the streets and alleyways, the presence of the active
volcano Mount Etna adds to the excitement of visiting this Greco-Roman town.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Kennedy
DAY 6: Taormina: Free Day
Enjoy a free day to relax on Sicily's beautiful beaches, or explore the island's quaint towns. The town
of Taormina itself is one of Italy’s most popular summer destinations, perched on the side of a
mountain and offering medieval churches, a castle and Greek amphitheatre. For those looking to
explore further afield on their Italian tour, speak to your tour leader for their recommendations,
including boat tours of the beautiful coastline, paragliding and 'Godfather' tours.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Kennedy Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 7/11
Optional Excursions
Taormina Sunset Cruise: € 65
Mount Etna Day Trip: € 125
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.
DAY 7: Taormina - Syracuse - Agrigento
Take an easy drive through the heart of Sicily today and be charmed by the sweet Sicilian scenery
en route. Along the way, take a comfort stop in Syracuse, an ancient town on the southeast coast of
Sicily that was built in ancient Greek times. Then drive the final stretch for the day to ‘Valle dei
Templi’ (Valley of the Temples), one of the most outstanding examples of Magna Grecia art and
architecture. Spend the night in the hilltop city of Agrigento.
Experiences
Syracuse: Visit the historically significant Sicilian city of Syracusa (as the locals call it). Located on
the southeast coast of Sicily, Syracuse was originally a Greek colony. Today it’s home to a number of
Greek remains like a Greek theatre that dates back to the 5th century BC. You will be transported Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 8/11
back in time as you meander cobbled lanes, pavement cafes and baroque architecture. While here
shop locally-grown pistachios, almonds and sun-dried pachino.
Explore the Valley of the Temples: A national monument of Italy and archaeological site in
Agrigento. The Valley includes the remains of seven temples built in the Doric style
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Dioscuri
DAY 8: Agrigento - Cefalù - Palermo
Leaving Agrigento this morning, take a scenic drive through central Sicily as you set out to the town
of Cefalù for lunch. Cefalù is a historic town that boasts some of Italy’s finest beaches. Arriving in
Palermo in the early afternoon, enjoy a walking tour that will introduce you to the city’s highlights.
Founded more than 2,700 years ago by the Phoenicians, Palermo is noted for its history, culture,
architecture and food. Sights you'll see on your walking tour include the Piazza Indipendenza, Porta
Nuova (The New Gate) and the Cathedral of Palermo.
Experiences Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 9/11
Visit Cefalù: Cefalu is an attractive seaside town on Sicily’s northern coast. Cefalù's origin dates
back to the ancient Greek times when it was built by the Norman King, Roger ll. Iconic sights include
the Duomo, Cefalù’s two-towered Norman cathedral on the main square in the city centre; the
picturesque port and promenade; as well as fine beaches like Kalura and Sant’Ambrogio. A local
delight to order is pasta in a pan - ‘pasta taianu’.
Enjoy a walking tour of Palermo: See the highlights of this historic city, a melting pot of cultures
over the centuries. Make a note of all the places you want to explore further on your free day
tomorrow.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Athenaeum
DAY 9: Palermo: Free Day
Enjoy the day to further explore Sicily’s capital, Palermo. Over the centuries Palermo has been
colonized by many different rulers, including the Greeks, Romans and Normans. This melting pot
has resulted in a variety of architectural styles for you to explore in the historic old town. The option
of an excursion to Monreale is also on the table. Travel there by coach and visit the spectacular
Monreale Cathedral, a UNESCO-listed attraction. Then visit an Italian farmhouse for a delicious Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 10/11
lunch. This evening, we’ll take an overnight ferry back to the Italian mainland. For travellers who
wish to stay on in Palermo, tonight’s hotel accommodation will be included in the tour price, and the
tour will end in Palermo on Day 10 after breakfast.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Athenaeum
Optional Excursions
Monreale Cathedral and Lunch at Local Farmhouse: € 50
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.
DAY 10: End of tour - Palermo, Naples or Rome
This morning we’ll arrive in Naples where travellers can choose to end their tour (with a drop off at
the port), or continue on the coach with the tour leader and make our way back to Rome, where the
coach will drop off at the hotel.
Included Meals Expat Explore - Version: Tue Sep 28 2021 16:25:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 11/11
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: