Italian Escape & Sicily | Classic | 2026
Italian Escape & Sicily | Classic | 2026
$3789
Italian Escape & Sicily | Classic | 2026
13 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in Palermo, Italy
Visiting: Rome, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Catania, Taormina, Syracuse, Valley of the Temples, Cefalù, Palermo
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BBIEMA26
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Beach Tours, Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Italy and Sicily with the "Italian Escape & Sicily | Classic | 2026" tour. This cultural adventure begins in the historic city of Rome and takes you through the vibrant streets of Naples, the stunning Amalfi Coast, and the luxurious island of Capri. Experience the ancient wonders of Pompeii and the Valley of the Temples, and explore the picturesque towns of Positano and Taormina. In Sicily, discover the rich history of Catania, Syracuse, and Noto, and enjoy the breathtaking views of Mount Etna. With comfortable accommodations, guided tours, and a mix of coach transfers and a flight from Rome to Catania, this tour offers a seamless and enriching travel experience. Enjoy included meals and the option to partake in various activities, from cooking classes to coastal cruises, as you immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of Italy and Sicily.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Hotel Genova (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Rome! Once known as the 'capital of the world' this richly historic, passionate and elegant city will steal our hearts as soon as we arrive. We'll meet and greet our Contiki crew at 4pm and enjoy an included dinner this evening.
Day 2: Rome To Naples
Location: Naples
Accommodation Name: Hotel Vergilius Billia (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we're headed to another richly historical and cultural city, known for its naturally beautiful sights and excellent cuisine. Here in the ancient city of Pompeii you will have the option to partake in a guided walking tour of the fascinating Roman town that was destroyed by Vesuvius and then perfectly preserved in volcanic ash. Welcome to Naples, the rough and ready but oh so charming city which encapsulates everything we love about Italy. The home of pizza, a hub of culture, and a bundle of passionate Italian energy. Today we have the option to take a tour, learning about the city, its history and its food culture.
Day 3: Naples To Amalfi Coast Via Capri
Location: Amalfi Coast
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We're headed to the coast today to check out some of the most glamorous seascapes in Europe. Next up is Capri, with its gorgeous cragged coastline and opulent cafes. Its easy to see why this is such a playground for the rich and famous. An optional Capri cruise will let us check out plenty of swim stops to beat the heat. We'll settle on the Amalfi Coast after a day of postcard pretty sun bleached buildings and sparkling sea.
Day 4: Amalfi Coast (Including Positano)
Location: Amalfi Coast
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Salerno (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We've got a free day on the Amalfi coast! Lucky us. There are plenty of optionals today to keep us entertained, including a visit to a lemon farm, run by a local family whose ancestors introduced the crop and have been care takers of an age old tradition ever since. Here we learn how these huge, sunshine coloured fruits are harvested and turned into limoncello. We'll visit one of Amalfi's spectacular jewels today. Dramatic cliffs and idyllic buildings await us in picturesque Positano. You've got the entire evening for yourself. Roam the streets, taste some wine, live the Italian life we've all dreamed of.
Day 5: Amalfi Coast To Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Hotel Archimede (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We're headed back to Rome today. Back in Rome for more historic spots, foodie shops and photo ops. This evening, you'll have the chance to head out to a local restaurant and make (and eat) your very own pasta.
Day 6: Rome To Catania
Location: Catania
Accommodation Name: Hotel Villa Del Bosco (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we're hopping on a speedy flight to the incomparable isle of Sicily. This colourful cacophony of baroque piazzas and ancient ruins is the perfect place to get acquainted with Sicily. We'll have a chance to check out Catania's UNESCO listed historic core before an included dinner in a local restaurant. Can you taste the difference in Sicilian cuisine? It has to be up there...
Day 7: Catania To Taormina
Location: Taormina
Accommodation Name: Main Palace Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We've got more spectacular Sicilian towns to explore today, as we head from Catania to Taormina. Uniquely perched on the side of a mountain, this elegant resort town is the perfect place to live the good life in Italy. We'll waste no time admiring the gorgeous panoramas, as we take the cable car that connects the town's historic centre with its awesome beaches. After sunning ourselves for a bit, why not opt for a cooking class with some local masterchefs, learning how to whip up local delicacies like Arancini & Cannoli? It's the perfect way to impress everyone when you get back home.
Day 8: Taormina
Location: Taormina
Accommodation Name: Main Palace Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we've got an unmissable optional for you. Sicily’s stupendous stratovolcano Mt Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. And what better way to experience this majestic monster than on an adrenaline filled ride, as you pass vineyards and orchards spread across the fertile slopes? You won’t find views quite like this anywhere in Europe. Whether or not you opt for the tour, you'll have a free afternoon to explore Taormina - lazing on the beach, checking out the Roman theatre or sitting and drinking a spritz as life lazily moves by. It's a hard life.
Day 9: Taormina To Syracuse Via Noto
Location: Syracuse
Accommodation Name: Hotel Panorama (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
See ya, Taormina – it's time to visit some historical hotspots. Next stop, Syracuse. We’ll have some free time to check out the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Syracuse. Famed for its rich Roman and Greek history, with ancient amphitheatres and architecture everywhere you look, this place was even mentioned in the Bible (how's that for history creds?). Our next outing is to Noto, home to some of Sicily’s most impressive historic architecture. We’ll check out the Corso Vittoria Emanuele and other legendary landmarks, and then it’s off to an organic farm for a Tastes of Sicily experience – the freshest Sicilian ingredients, brought to us direct from farm to table. Just what the doctor ordered! And after a long day, it’s time to hit the hay. ’Til tomorrow, friends.
Day 10: Syracuse To Cefalù Via Valley Of The Temples
Location: Valley of the Temples
Accommodation Name: Hotel La Giara (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Heading from Syracuse we'll arrive in the Valley of the Temples, the perfect base to explore another ancient wonder... We won't be leaving Italy without a tour of the Valley of the Temples. This mystical valley is a treasure trove of historical and archaeological heritage. We'll discover ancient temples, sanctuaries and a necropolis. It’s a spectacular testament to Sicily’s ancient history (and natural beauty). Arriving in Cefalù we'll enjoy another included dinner of Sicilian delicacies. What a day - and we're not done yet.
Day 11: Cefalù
Location: Cefalù
Accommodation Name: Hotel La Giara (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cefalu is a real gem, home to Sicily's best beaches and most impressive Arabic architecture. This truly is the island that keeps on giving. Today's all about coastal vibes, soaking up that sun, sea and sand - with plenty of water sports to get involved with. If you're feeling a little more zen, why not opt for the coastal cruise and soak up some scenery instead? Later on we'll stroll the winding cobbled streets and watch fishermen taking stock of the day's bounties, before exploring the town's foodie and nightlife scene. Ah, Sicily - sigh.
Day 12: Cefalù To Palermo
Location: Palermo
Accommodation Name: Hotel Federico II Central Palace (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
It's time to end on a high, as we make our way towards Sicily's sizzling capital. Palermo is vivacious, colourful and boasts a thriving culinary scene, but it’s also been plagued by organised crime for decades. Today on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® experience, you can join a walking tour through the historic centre, learning about the history of the Mafia in Palermo and how the civil antiMafia movement was formed. We'll round things off with a farewell dinner at Al Fresco, AKA the 'bistro of second chances'.
Day 13: End Palermo
Location: Palermo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Time to head home after one final breakfast together. Hug it out, swap social details - and don't be sad, we'll see each other on the road again soon.
What's Included
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Meals
4 dinners and 12 breakfasts are included.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at various hotels including Hotel Genova, Hotel Vergilius Billia, Grand Hotel Salerno, Hotel Archimede, Hotel Villa Del Bosco, Main Palace Hotel, Hotel Panorama, Hotel La Giara, and Hotel Federico II Central Palace or similar.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours are available in various locations including Pompeii, Rome, and the Valley of the Temples.
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Internal Flight
A flight from Rome to Catania is included.
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Transportation
Transportation between cities and to various attractions is included.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as a guided walking tour of Pompeii, a Capri cruise, a visit to a lemon farm, a cooking class in Taormina, and a tour of Mt Etna are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Entry Fees
Entry fees to museums and other attractions are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Dining Summary
4 Dinner (D)12 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
Rome: Can arrangements be made for travellers with accessibility needs? If you require arrangements to be made for your accessibility needs, please inform your Trip Manager as soon as possible. We try our best to contact all accommodations and secure ground floor rooms for easy wheelchair access.Please remember that Italy can be physically challenging to get around. Coaches can’t access historical centers, and there will be lots of walking (on roads that are often uneven and cobbled). Travellers with accessibility needs will find this trip challenging.Madrid: Do the included meals have a set menu? Yep. Usually, we arrange a buffet for all your included meals. If you’d like a vegetarian option, please inform your Trip Manager beforehand, and they’ll sort it out for you.Rome: When would be the best time to book tickets for museums and other attractions? This would depend on the museums & attractions you’re planning to visit. If you’d like to know the exact timings, please contact our 24x7 Helpline to access your day-to-day itineraries to check when you’ll have free time in each city.Madrid: I need to refrigerate my medication. Can I do that on the coach? Of course! Just inform your Trip Manager if you need refrigeration on the coach. Please remember that the fridge is turned off overnight, so you’ll have to take your medication with you into your accommodation. We recommend that you bring a cooler bag with you as a backup. It’s your responsibility to store your medication with care.
Included Experience
Amalfi Coast: Definitely one for the bucket list. Your chance to view one of Europe’s active volcanoes from a distance.Capri: Chill on the beaches of this Mediterranean jewel. Explore the famous boutiques then stop off for a Spritz in the sun.Amalfi Coast: Live your best life like a local (on a ferry!) as you glide through azure seas, past cliffs filled with rainbow-coloured buildings.Positano: Ramble through the wisteria-lined streets and past sun-bleached houses as you live La Dolce Vita. Don’t forget an iconic selfie with the village backdrop.Catania: Stroll around the ancient Sicilian port at the foot of Mount Etna. See the Piazza Stesicoro and the Baroque and Renaissance buildings of Via dei Crociferi.Catania: Time to take to the sky. Catania, here we come!Taormina: Greek and Roman ruins. Sun-drenched beaches. Epic Italian food. There’s so much to do in this seaside town, you’ll never want to leave.Noto: Float around this opulent Sicilian city, taking in the Baroque architecture and panoramic views as you go.Agrigento: Explore the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, a UNESCO-listed site featuring some of the world's most treasured Greek art and architecture.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes a mix of coach transfers and a flight from Rome to Catania, ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey between destinations.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 4 dinners and 12 breakfasts.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
Accommodation is provided at a variety of hotels including Hotel Genova in Rome, Hotel Vergilius Billia in Naples, Grand Hotel Salerno on the Amalfi Coast, Hotel Villa Del Bosco in Catania, Main Palace Hotel in Taormina, Hotel Panorama in Syracuse, Hotel La Giara in Cefalù, and Hotel Federico II Central Palace in Palermo.
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Are guided tours included in the itinerary?
Yes, guided tours are available in various locations including Pompeii, Rome, and the Valley of the Temples.
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Is the internal flight from Rome to Catania included in the tour?
Yes, the flight from Rome to Catania is included in the tour package.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, optional activities such as a guided walking tour of Pompeii, a Capri cruise, a visit to a lemon farm, a cooking class in Taormina, and a tour of Mt Etna are available but not included in the tour package.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Contiki allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform contiki, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Contiki requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of contiki charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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