DAY 1 – FRI – DEPART USA

Overnight flight to Rome.

DAY 2 – SAT – ROME AT LEISURE

On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. Settle in this afternoon, relax, or start exploring this glorious city? Maybe relax at a café in the Piazza Navona? Later, join your Tour Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peters.

DAY 3 – SUN – ROME – ALBEROBELLO

This morning we head southwards passing by the brooding hilltop monastery of Cassino to Caserta. Here we take the scenic route across the Apennines to the Adriatic coast. Our destination is the small town of Alberobello, in the heart of the unique Trulli region. The region of Puglia is a food and wine lovers' paradise, so perhaps dine out tonight? Hotel: Astoria. (Buffet Breakfast)

DAY 4 – MON – ALBEROBELLO

This morning we have time to explore Alberobello, with its strange white Trulli buildings spread out over the hillside. Trulli are circular structures with conical roofs and domed within, built with local limestone, stacked without using mortar. Relax this afternoon or why not visit the 'underground architecture' of Matera? (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)

DAY 5 – TUE – LECCE EXCURSION

We travel down the 'heel of the boot', across fertile plains, to the town of Lecce, known locally as 'the baroque Florence'. Here our local guide reveals a wealth of baroque and rococo buildings, all decorated with great fantasy. We see the Basilica of the Holy Cross and explore the Piazza del Duomo before some time at leisure. Later this afternoon we return to the beehive shaped Trulli houses, and our hotel in Alberobello. (Buffet Breakfast)

DAY 6 – WED – ALBEROBELLO – GIARDINI NAXOS

The local roads take us south this morning to follow the shores of the Gulf of Taranto to the mountainous Calabria region. Continuing along the Purple Coast, we reach the very toe of Italy, to make the short ferry crossing to Sicily. Now to our hotel in the seaside resort of Giardini Naxos. Hotel: Sant Alphio Garden. (Buffet Breakfast)

DAY 7 – THU – TAORMINA EXCURSION

This morning we visit Taormina, founded in 400BC, and beautifully located overlooking the sea towards the snowy peak of Mount Etna. We visit the Greek Theatre (3rd Century B.C.), the glorious sub-tropical terraced gardens, then stroll along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for splendid panoramic views across the bay to the Ionian Sea. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy our seaside location. (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)

DAY 8 – FRI – GIARDINI NAXOS – PALERMO

This morning our drive takes us to the attractive hillside town of Agrigento on the south coast of Sicily. Here we explore the Valley of the Temples, the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. Especailly impressive is the massive Temple of Concord and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Later in the afternoon we continue to the historic capital of Sicily, Palermo, and our hotel. Hotel: Grand Hotel Et Des Palmes. (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)

DAY 9 – SAT – PALERMO

This morning our sightseeing with the local guide includes Quattro Canti Square, the Cathedral and the mosaics in the Palatine Chapel of the Palace of the Normans. We also visit Monreale with its finely decorated cathedral. This afternoon there is free time to explore or shop in Palermo or to take one of the local excursions offered by your Tour Director. (Buffet Breakfast)

DAY 10 – SUN – PALERMO – OVERNIGHT FERRY

This morning we drive eastwards along the coast to the charming fishing town of Cefalu. We visit the cathedral, erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II and have some time at leisure. Later we return to Palermo with time to relax before taking the overnight ferry to Naples in the early evening. (Buffet Breakfast)

DAY 11 – MON – FERRY – BAY OF NAPLES

We arrive early in Naples for breakfast, then, after an orientation tour of the city, we continue to Pompeii, buried in 79 AD by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. We walk with our local guide through the cobbled streets to the Forum and inspect some of the shops and villas, before continuing to our hotel. Hotel: La Medusa. (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)

DAY 12 – TUE – CAPRI EXCURSION

This morning we take the cliff top road to Sorrento where we witness a demonstration of inlaid 'intarsio' woodwork. We continue across the Bay of Naples to the delightful Isle of Capri. We take a funicular train up to Capri Town where we have time to wander the narrow alleyways and explore the exclusive boutiques. Later this afternoon, we return to our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)

DAY 13 – WED – BAY OF NAPLES – ROME

We travel north to return to Rome. On arrival we visit the Colosseum and see the Forum - once the religious, political and commercial heart of the Roman Empire. We also tour St Peter's Basilica, mother church of the Catholic faith. Tonight, we stroll to the illuminated Trevi Fountain, before enjoying a farewell highlight dinner with pasta and music. Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peters. (Full Breakfast, Highlight Dinner)

DAY 14 – THU – RETURN TO USA

Our tour ends with a transfer to the airport. (Buffet Breakfast)