The Italy No One Knows Amalfi Coast, Calabria & Sicily
FIRST CLASS HOTELS
4 overnights in Sorrento at Hotel Plaza – or similar
3 overnights in Tropea at Hotel Rocca della Sena – or similar
3 overnights in Taormina at Hotel Piccolo Giardino – or similar
1 overnight in Agrigento at Hotel Colleverde Park – or similar
3 overnights in Palermo at Hotel Mercure Excelsior – or similar
The quote does include:
First-class or boutique hotels for 14 nights
Hotel and service charge
Hotel porterage service
Included Meals:
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
2 Wine tasting
Limoncello tasting
Honey tasting
Mozzarella cheese tasting
Salt session and tasting
2 Cooking classes with professional Chef
Touring by luxury Mercedes Benz minivan or minibus as per program
Private arrival transfer from Naples airport to Hotel
Private departure transfer from Hotel in Palermo to the Palermo Airport
Parking fees, Motorway tools, City permits fees, Fuel vat
Boat tour to Capri
Boat tour to Positano
Ferry boat on the strait of Messina
Local Guide where mentioned
Entrance fees
Professional Tour Director/Assistant during your stay
Sightseeing as indicated
“The Italy No One Knows Itineraries 2018”
AMALFI COAST, CALABRIA & SICILY
Day 1 > Naples – Sorrento [B, D]
Welcome to Naples airport. Meet your Tour director and private minivan for transfer to your hotel in Sorrento. Drive along the spectacular coast road of the Bay of Naples to Sorrento. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Tonight experience a special welcome dinner at a local Neapolitan restaurant.
Day 2 > Sorrento – Capri Island [B]
The island of Capri is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world, rich of natural beauty and breathtaking panoramic views. You will sail across the Tyrrhenian sea by hydrofoil and approaching the pier of Capri you will surround and admire the massive cliffs from the bottom and appreciate the crystalline water of the island. You will dock at Marina Grande, than take the funicular to the famous Piazzetta, center of town. Walking along the narrow streets you will reach the Caesar Augustus Gardens. Get your Kodak moment of “i Faraglioni”. Free time for lunch and shopping before returning to the pier by funicular to board the hydrofoil back to Sorrento.
Day 3 > Sorrento – Positano, Ravello, Amalfi – cooking class [B]
Full day on the Amalfi coast, a natural Unesco Site, known worldwide for its breathtaking road on high cliffs overlooking the sea. Stop in Amalfi, visit St Andrew’s Church and the maritime Museum of Ancient Republic of Amalfi. Do not miss the chance to get the famous Amalfi paper as souvenir. Taste some “Limoncello” at one of local small factory.
Continue to the village of Ravello, famous for the music festival. Suggested visit to the wonderful gardens of Villa Cimbrone and its amazing view of the coastline. Lunch suggested in Ravello at Ristorante “Da Salvatore”. Suggested dinner at hotel restaurant.
- **Cooking class Program:During the welcome meeting you will receive a book with the description of the recipes, customized apron and hat. Starts a 3 hours cooking course, followed by lunch.
Day 4 > Sorrento – Pompeii & Naples [B]
Reach Pompeii to visit and explore with our local guide the archeological park.
Pompeii was partially destroyed and totally buried with ash and pomice stone from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It was rediscovered in 1749. Continue to Naples. Walk to the Santa Lucia district and reach the famous Aragon’s Castle, a stunning monument located on the water. Time for lunch, here you want to try the local famous Neapolitan Pizza. Visit the city center with its highlights as Teatro San Carlo, Galleria Umberto I, Piazza Plebiscito and the Church of St Francis of Paola, the Royal Palace of the Borboni’s spanish Crown, the Maschio Angioino Castle. Take a memorable picture of the Bay and of Naples promenade.
Day 5 > Paestum – Tropea/Calabria [B, D]
Morning departure is to Calabria. En route experience a unique “fresh mozzarella cheese farm” where we follow the entire production line. Here you will taste a premier buffalo mozzarella label DOP (Italian best quality food certificate). Journey south along the rest of the Italian Peninsula, enjoy the scenic drive and landscape through the regions of Southern Italy. In the afternoon we arrive in Tropea for check-in at your hotel. A Welcome cocktail will be served followed by dinner.
Day 6 > Tropea – Pizzo Calabro [B]
Today’s excursion starts with visit along the beautiful coast of Capo Vaticano considered one of the most beautiful resort area of Italy. Guided tour of the medieval hill town of Tropea, which is known as one of the most picturesque & historical centers in the region. Continue to Pizzo Calabro for a visit at Murat Castle, Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother in law. Than experience walking to the narrow streets where you can purchase very local products and finally reach the Belvedere. Now it’s time for the exquisite gelato Tartufo, very famous in Italy and of course a must while you are visiting Calabria. Rest of the day at leisure. Relax at the beautiful seashore.
Day 7 > Tropea [B]
Day at leisure in Tropea.
** Optional Enjoy a boat tour along the Cost of Gods
Day 8: Scilla – Reggio Calabria – Taormina [B, L]
In the morning, our journey continues to explore the very southern point of the Italian peninsula, the fisherman’s village of Scilla in Calabria. Enjoy walking through the Chianalea, Scilla fishermen’s neighbored, today part of the 100 most beautiful. Lunch at a local traditional restaurant. In Reggio Calabria visit the archeological Museum, and the famous Greek statues of “Bronzi di Riace”. They are considered the most beautiful and well preserved bronze statues in the World dated V century B.C.
Afternoon arrival in Taormina. Your tour escort will assist you to find a very good local traditional restaurant. Evening free.
Day 9 > Taormina [B, L]
Morning walking tour of Taormina including the Greek/Roman theater, with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna, the giant of fire (volcano).
Than meet our Chef and follow him to the local market, where you will understand how to recognize best quality of veggies and fish, and you will learn more about sicilian local products. Walk to the restaurant where you will attend a lovely cooking class** of the authentic mediterranean cuisine of the island of Sicily. Enjoy lunch you have prepared. Rest of the day at leisure for shopping and free activities.
- **Cooking class Program:
- During the welcome meeting you will receive a book with the description of the recipes, customized apron and hat. Starts a 3 hours cooking course, followed by lunch.
Day 10 > Taormina – Mountain Etna [B, L]
Explore the slopes of Mt. Etna with its ancient volcanic eruptions and stop for an interesting honey-tasting session in Zafferana. On the way back to Taormina, stop at famous winery for a wine tasting followed by lunch on the terrace of this incredible location, facing the Ionian sea and the region of Calabria, immersed into the chestnuts forest and surrounded by vineyards of Nerello Mascalese and Nero d’Avola grapes.
Tonight you may experience dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants of Taormina.
- ** Wine Tasting include winery visit in english, wine tasting of 4 wines, local appetizer with mixed cheeses, grilled meet or sausage, dessert and coffe.
Day 11 > Taormina – Agrigento – Palermo [B, D]
Departure to Palermo. Stop on route for a guided visit of the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO Site. Sicily is considered the most concentrated area of Greek temples outside Greece. After visiting the Valley of the Temples, travel to Palermo the capital of Sicily. Arrival late afternoon at your hotel in time for an enjoyable and relaxing dinner.
Day 12 > Palermo [B]
This day will be dedicated to a guided tour of the capital of Sicily, Palermo. Visit of Monreale and the famous Benedictine Abbey, with its spectacular golden mosaics dated twelfth century and rap presenting the Old and New Testament.
Than we will continue to the center of Palermo with a visit to the Cathedral, the Quattro Canti, the churches of San Cataldo and La Martonara, the famous local flee-market “Mercato del Capo” ending at the Massimo Opera House, considered the 3rd largest Theatre in Europe. Afternoon at leisure for shopping and free activities.
Day 13 > Marsala and Trapani salt marshes [B, L]
Marsala is situated at the western most point of the island. Famous worldwide for its famous wine, a wine of meditation, or as is best classified it is a dessert wine, as Porto wine. We will visit a historic wine cellar, housed in a typical local structure called Baglio followed by a wine tasting included.
Lunch based on local products such as the prized bluefin tuna of Favignana, cous-cous and many other local veggie. We continue than along the famous salt marshes of Trapani. Visit an ancient wind mill and the Salt Museum. Tasting of local sea salt included. In the afternoon we will return to Palermo.
Day 14 > Palermo – Cefalù [B, L]
Today we will visit the untouched and chromatic fisherman’s village of Cefalù.
An enjoyable and relaxing lunch wait you by the corniche of this beautiful medieval town. Return to Palermo.
Day 15 > Palermo [B]
Morning transfer to Palermo Airport for your return flight home. (B)
Island of Capri
Colors of the mediterranean sea
Funicolar from the port to the famous Piazzetta
Faraglioni and Augustus Gardens
Famous Krupp Street
Boat tour
Limoncello Tasting
Sorrento
limoncello tasting
inlaid wood handcrafts
Positano
exclusive pottery
linen cloths
Ravello / Amalfi coast
breathtaking road
St Andrew Church
Villa Cimbrione
Villa Rufolo
Paestum
the greek temples
buffalo mozzarella demonstration
Capo Vaticano
turquoise sea water
boat tour
Tropea
sweet red onion
noble palaces
Santa Maria of the island
Pizzo Calabro, try the famous gelato Tartufo
Visit the J. Murat Castle
Gerace
byzantine art and greek heritage
Norman Cathedral
Reggio Calabria
archeological museum with the “bronzes of Riace”
Taormina
greek and roman theatre food
fashion & shopping
Castelmola, the guardian medieval village above
Godfather II, visit of Savoca and Forza d’Agro’
Volcano of Etna
natural volcanic landscape
honey tasting
wine tasting
Agrigento
visit of the valley of the greek temples, a UNESCO site
Trapani
Marsal winery and tasting
Salt marshes
Palermo
Cosmopolitan city
noble palaces
squares and gardens
Opera Theatre Massimo
suggestive churches of San Cataldo
Cefalù
San Giovanni Eremiti
fisherman’s village
WHY A TRIP TO CALABRIA?
From an insider ( Tour Director – Marco Campagna)
“Calabria is the most southern region of the italian peninsula, right in front of the island of Sicily, better known as the toe of the italian boot… and in particularly… it is my birth place, the land I always keep in my thoughts and in my heart while traveling all over the World!
A trip to Calabria is a journey to untouched places where you can be inspired by the tradition and customs of centuries ago.
The natural landscape is the first impressive emotional reaction of all visitors. The genuine local food and the warm hospitality of the locals will make you feel the real Italian life style.
Traveling to Calabria, you need to leave behind, all that you saw in the rest of Italy. As you travel in the Calabria region, tourists are not consumers, they are not clients. They are special guests. The Region has so much to offer, that having the caring eyes and the knowledge of a local expert, will allow you to see an Italy you’ve dreamed about and will leave you wishing for more.
Be prepared to experience something you didn’t see in other parts of Italy or something you never expected to find in Italy. Calabria is the heart and soul of being Italian.
If you travel in Italy from May to September, don’t miss a chance to spend 5 days to enjoy this great and unique part of Italy.
Feel free to contact me for further information and for any request if you want to combine your trip to Italy with a geneology vacation in Calabria.
Vi aspetto…
