Explore ancient villages, towns & glorious Sicily!
Visit beautiful Ortigia Island, the historical heart of ancient Syracuse.
Embark on a captivating exploration of the time-honored villages and towns nestled in Puglia and Matera, before venturing towards the magnificent island of Sicily. Sleep in the ancient sassi of Matera and the delightful Trulli cottages of Alberobello. Stand on the highest active volcano in Europe, feast in mafia country and cruise along the Zingaro Marine Nature Reserve … ‘va bene’!
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Travel in a first-class air-conditioned touring coach
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A complimentary glass of wine, beer or soft drink with all included dinners 28 meals including breakfast daily (B), 2 typically ‘Italian style’ lunches in ‘Godfather Country’ and Vittorio’s at Porto Palo, light lunch & olive oil tasting at Mandranova Olive Oil farm (L), plus 9 evening meals (D) Welcome drink on Day 1
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Hotel porterage of 1 bag per person (where available) 16 nights specially selected hotel accommodation Free WiFi at most hotels (where available)
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Personal audio system whilst on tour (where available) ALL tips for your Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager Local guides as described in the itinerary
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Hand Selected Albatross Experiences including cable car and 4WD bus to Mount Etna, cruise along the Zingaro marine reserve and wine tastings in Alberobello and in a Sicilian Baglio ALL excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described
Tour itinerary
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Hand Selected Experiences
These are just a few of the very special hand selected experiences that will really make your touring experience exceptional and unique, and don’t forget, with Albatross they are always included.
Matera
Stay in an extraordinary Cave Hotel
A truly memorable experience - staying 2 nights in the Sassi caves in Matera - reputed to be the oldest inhabited settlement in Italy. During our stay, as well as the experience of dining alfresco on the terrace of our Cave hotel, we visit the Crypt of the Original Sin, located inside one of the many natural caves, on the outskirts of Matera, & adorned with thousand-year-old Biblical frescoes. We are joined by a local guide to explore this extraordinary baroque city with its ancient rock hewn churches. Our included visit to a typically furnished cave dwelling, allows us to discover how families lived in their ‘Sassi’ houses.Mount Etna
Adventure by Cable Car and 4WD Bus
We travel first by cable car to 2,500 metres. Then its time to meet our driver guides and board special off road 4x4 buses to continue up to the (usually snow covered) viewing crater area at 2,920 metres, to stand on the highest active volcano in Europe, surrounded by craters, caldera and petrified lava flow, with views across to the steaming caldera and the Sicilian coastline far below.Syracuse & Ortigia
Ancient Ruins & a Historical Centre
Accompanied by a local guide we visit the UNESCO Heritage Listed temples & massive amphitheatre in the 2500-year-old Greek and Roman ruins, and test the amazing acoustics in the famous ‘Ear of Dionysus’ cavern. We also cross onto Ortigia Island, the heart of ancient Syracuse, to wander through the delightful streets to the main square to visit Piazza del Duomo.Agrigento
Valley of the Temples
We explore the famous UNESCO Heritage Listed Valley of the Temples with a local guide.Mandranova Estate
Olive Oil Tasting & Light Lunch
Enjoy an olive oil tasting and a light lunch of typical cuisine prepared with the products of the farm.Vittorio's restaurant
Delicious Seafood Lunch
Enjoy a leisurely & delicious seafood lunch at the famous 'Ristorante da Vittorio', situated on the beach front at Porto Palo.Baglio Oneto
Wine Tasting
Enjoy a wine tasting at the historic Baglio Oneto, a charming vineyard resort where we stay 3 nights.Zingaro Nature Reserve
Coastal Boat Cruise
Azure blue waters await us on this delightful cruise on Sicily's north west coast, along the Zingaro Marine Nature Reserve, past Scopello and the Faraglioni’ rocks.Dates and Prices
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* Dates, prices, itineraries and hotels shown may be subject to change on specific departures. Please contact our European Tour Specialists for further details.
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Your Hotels
Tour Suitability
- In mid-summer, the heat may be energy sapping.
- In Alberobello and Matera or unique style of accommodation is incredible. In Alberobello we stay in Trulli which are scattered, self-contained ‘beehive’ houses. Whilst spread around a relatively small area of town, you will need to make your own way to and from the coach meeting points and breakfast centre.
- In Matera our Sassi or ‘Caves’ are the genuinely authentic. They are all quite easily accessible, in a small area close to the office, but accessed via stone steps and uneven ground.
- Matera is set on a hill and access to the upper levels is by foot up winding, stone streets.
- Mount Etna is exactly that - a mountain! The first part of this excursion is easy. Coach to the first level, close to smaller extinct craters. The next section is also relatively easy being small bubble cable cars up to the restaurant and museum. The altitude here is 2,500 metres so should not be a problem to anyone. The last section can be a little more difficult as you are travelling by 4WD up to 2,900 metres. From here we enjoy a walk around a (quiet!) volcanic crater which takes us up over a ridge. It is not that it is far, it is that you are suddenly at moderate altitude (which is why the views are amazing!) and your breath comes with more effort. The gravelly dust has less immediate grip but is not slippery. You can choose to stay and enjoy the views from the 4WD drop off point or join the 500 metre guided walk. The guide makes a number of stops, each about a hundred metres apart. There is plenty of time, and it is not a race. From experience, with patience and taking it easy, anyone with moderate fitness can do it if they pace themselves. The experience at the top is exhilarating but, above all, you will have the choice as to how far up you want to go.
- Please ensure you have the correct footwear - comfortable enclosed walking shoes are required for your visits in Matera and up Mount Etna.
Please refer to our Tour Suitability section for more information.
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