Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily
Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily
Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily
11 Days Starting in Metropolitan City of Bari, Italy and ending in Catania, Metropolitan city of Catania, Italy
Visiting: Metropolitan City of Bari, Alberobello, Martina Franca, Ostuni, Lecce, Province of Matera, Altomonte, Naxos, Savoca, Forza d'Agrò, Rifugio Sapienza, Taormina, Catania
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TTSSI
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Physical rating:
Moderate
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$2521 (USD) including Flights from the UKTour Overview
This 11-day trip is southern Italy and Sicily in shades of sepia. Travelling through Puglia and Calabria with a ferry crossing over to Sicily, we explore the sun-warmed piazzas and palazzi of cobbled hilltop towns, wander ancient amphitheatres, and unearth architectural treasures - such as the 10,000-year-old ‘sassi’ cave dwellings of Matera and the kiln-shaped stone ‘trulli’ of Alberobello. We’ll top off our trip with ‘The Godfather’ Sicilian villages and a walk beneath the summit of restless Mount Etna - the highest active volcano in Europe.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Uk - Bari - Alberobello
Location: Metropolitan City of Bari, Alberobello
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel la Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello (4-star)
Meals Included: Dinner
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Bari. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in Alberobello, Puglia. The hotel sits amongst olive and almond trees in part of the original farm, or ‘chiusa’ from which the hotel takes its name.
Day 2 : Alberobello - Martina Franca - Ostuni
Location: Martina Franca, Ostuni, Alberobello
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel la Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello (4-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s full-day trip starts with a tour of the remarkable zona dei trulli in the old town of Alberobello. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of 1,500 ‘trulli’ - white painted houses with dry-stone conical roofs that date back to the 14th century, only found in southern Puglia. The sea of kiln shaped rooftops appears straight out of a fairy tale. Next, we visit the historic town of Martina Franca in the Apulian hills. With Italian cinematic good looks, we wander through the sun-dappled piazzas, baroque churches and palazzos of the old town. Rising above a patchwork of olive groves, cypress trees and the glittering waters of the Adriatic, we continue up to the whitewashed town of Ostuni - an image synonymous with Puglia and stereotypical Italy at its finest. Topped with a sand-coloured 15th-century Gothic cathedral, the ‘Citta Bianca’ (White City) sweeps down the hillside in a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and staircases, with pretty gardens, painted doorways and tiny Fiats and scooters parked on the cobbles. Our exploration will involve some uphill walking.
Excursions & visits:
Excursion to Alberobello, Martina Franca and Ostuni (all day)
Day 3 : Lecce
Location: Lecce, Alberobello
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel la Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello (4-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we continue exploring this beautiful corner of southern Italy with a trip to Lecce. The old town is a masterpiece of creamy-coloured stone and intricate baroque façades. Dating back to the Trojan Wars, it was given a facelift in the 17th century and is adorned with crouching gargoyles, ornate stained glass and carved balustrades - the elaborate decorative style of which birthed its own architectural name, ‘barocco leccese’. We'll visit the cathedral and then an aristocratic mansion - where we'll enjoy aperitivo.
Excursions & visits:
Excursion to Lecce with local guide, including entrance to cathedral and afternoon aperitivo at an aristocratic mansion (all day)
Day 4 : Matera - Altomonte
Location: Province of Matera, Altomonte
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Barbieri, Altomonte (4-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our journey south to the Calabria region will be lengthy yet fascinating, stopping in the ancient troglodyte city of Matera. Thought to be the oldest city in the world after Aleppo and Jericho, the cave houses or ‘Sassi’ were inhabited for close to 10,000 years. Once described as the ‘the shame of Italy’ for the poor living standards, the residents were relocated in the 1950s. Finally recognising the historical significance of these dwellings, Matera was given UNESCO status in 1993 and was awarded the European Capital of Culture in 2018. Today, the caves are museums, boutique hotels and filming locations for Hollywood blockbusters. Arriving in Altomonte, we’ll stay for three nights. Our hotel is popular for local weddings and on these occasions we’ll have the use of a private restaurant and terrace.
Excursions & visits:
Guided visit to the caves at Matera (morning)
Day 5 : Altomonte
Location: Altomonte
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Barbieri, Altomonte (4-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we take an orientation walk around Altomonte, a town known for its gorgeous churches, romantic stone squares and fabulous views over Pollino National Park and the Pellegrino mountains. The perfect wedding picture backdrop, Altomonte is known as the ‘Wedding City’ for the sheer number of couples that choose to marry here. The afternoon is free to explore.
Excursions & visits:
Orientation walk in Altomonte (morning)
Day 6 : Altomonte
Location: Altomonte
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Barbieri, Altomonte (4-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend the day at leisure or join a full day optional excursion to Rossano and Sibari. With a local guide you’ll explore Rossano, an ancient town known for its liquorice production and where clusters of stone houses, churches and monasteries pepper the hillside. You’ll visit the 11th-century Santa Maria del Patire monastery to see the Codex Purpureo, the oldest illustrated Gospel book. At the ancient archaeological site of Sibari are the ruins of the Roman town of Sybaris.
Day 7 : Giardini Naxos
Location: Naxos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Caesar Palace, Giardini Naxos (4*)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we drive south to the coastal city of Reggio Calabria or the ‘toe’ of Italy, separated from Sicily by the narrow Strait of Messina. Before we board the ferry for the short crossing, we visit the National Archaeological Museum - home to two full-size Greek bronzes of bearded warriors from around 450 BC. Known as the Riace Warriors, they were found at sea off Calabria in 1972. Our first taste of Sicily is the scenic drive to the town of Giardini Naxos at the foot of Mount Etna.
Excursions & visits:
Visit to the Archaeology Museum in Reggio Calabria (morning)
Day 8 : Giardini Naxos
Location: Naxos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Caesar Palace, Giardini Naxos (4*)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend the day at leisure or there’s an optional excursion to visit the enchanting honey-coloured city of Syracuse, once the largest city in the ancient world. The old town of Ortigia Island, attached to the mainland by bridges, is overflowing with riches - with baroque churches, sun-faded squares and elegant palazzi wrapped in the azure waters of the Ionian Sea. The ruins of the original city founded almost 3,000 years ago, including the huge 16,000-person amphitheatre, are protected in the outdoor archaeological park in the centre of the city.
Day 9 : Savoca And Forza D’Agro
Location: Savoca, Forza d'Agrò, Naxos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Caesar Palace, Giardini Naxos (4*)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Even if you’re not a film fan, you can’t fail to be wowed by today’s guided tour of Savoca and Forza d’Agro. These two small medieval villages shot to big screen fame when they featured in the 1972 film, ‘The Godfather’. After a guided tour of some of the iconic filming locations, including Bar Vitelli, there’s free time to explore and soak up the rustic charms and cinematic scenery.
Excursions & visits:
Guided ‘The Godfather’ tour to Savoca and Forza d’Agro (morning)
Day 10 : Mount Etna And Taormina
Location: Rifugio Sapienza, Taormina, Naxos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Caesar Palace, Giardini Naxos (4*)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
At 3,326m, Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and is in a constant state of activity - with plumes of smoke regularly seen above the peak. On today’s included tour we head for the safety of the Rifugio Sapienza at the lower level of the volcano, where it’s an easy walk to the inactive crater of Silvestri Crateri, a Mars-like landscape sculptured by solid lava flows. Afterwards we visit the town of Taormina, the timeless jewel in Sicily's crown. Perched on a rocky hilltop with endless blue views across the ocean, the crumbling Corinthian columns, arches, and amphitheatre of the ancient Greek theatre are staggering. The one-time home of DH Lawrence and a stop on Europe’s famed Grand Tour during the 17th-19th centuries, the old town is a treasure trove of painted villas and tiled squares lined with chic pavement cafés.
Excursions & visits:
Guided excursion to Mount Etna and Taormina, including entrance to the Greek theatre (all day)
Day 11 : Giardini Naxos - Catania - Uk
Location: Naxos, Catania
Meals Included: Breakfast
We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
What's Included
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International flights. Prices are based on return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow or Gatwick.
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10 nights in hotels
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Titan tour manager
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20 meals: 10 breakfasts (days 2-11) 10 dinners (days 1-10)undefined excursions and visits
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Excursion to Alberobello, Martina Franca and Ostuni
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Guided visit to the caves at Matera
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Excursion to Lecce with local guide (including cathedral and aristocratic mansion for aperitivo)
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Orientation walk in Altomonte
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Guided ‘The Godfather’ tour to Savoca and Forza d’Agro
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Visit to the Archaeology Museum in Reggio Calabria
What's Not Included
Check out our Q&As
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Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?
In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.
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Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 20, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Titan Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Titan Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform titan travel, 75 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Titan Travel requires a minimum deposit of 395 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of titan travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.