Rome to Sicily

23 Days | Discover the secrets of Italy’s vibrant south on a journey through the Amalfi region, Calabria and Sicily.

4.2 out of 5 based on 6 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
USD $7,630
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Acquaint yourself with Italy's 'Eternal City' of Rome and learn about the catastrophic fate of Pompeii. Soak up the sunshine in the coastal town of Sorrento and explore the beautiful Amalfi Coast, before heading south to Calabria, a hidden gem for those who stray off Italy’s beaten path. Continue to bustling Sicily, with the volcanic valleys of Mt. Etna, the timeworn streets of Syracuse, the Baroque wonders of Ragusa, the ruins of the Valley of Temples and the rich anti-mafia history of Palermo. Starring dramatic cliffside villages, clear waters and delicious seafood, this is a chance to experience the highlights of southern Italy.

Trip overview

Map of Rome To Sicily including Italy
Start
Rome, Italy
Finish
Palermo, Italy
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Italy
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ZMSFC
This trip generates 21 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Wander around Rome's famous landmarks including the Colosseum, Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and much more. This is a city that bucket lists were made for
  • Feel La Dolce Vita while sipping espresso alongside sharp-dressed locals on the glamorous Sorrentine Peninsula
  • Explore the vast, frozen in time ruins of ancient Pompeii, which emerged from the ashes after thousands of years, and take a peak inside the steaming crater of Mt Vesuvius, the volcano that destroyed it
  • Hike among the olive groves on the Path of the Gods along the spectacular Amalfi Coast
  • Get up close and personal with the active volcanoes scattered across the Aeolian Islands and perhaps take a dip in one of the sulphur springs
  • Surrounded by dramatic valleys and craters set in a lunar-like landscape, towering Mt. Etna is one of the greatest natural beauties of the Mediterranean, and Europe’s largest active volcano
  • Search crumbling Greek and Roman ruins in the charming seaside town of Taormina

Is this trip right for you?
  • Due to the terrain the means of transportation on this trip is a mix of local trains, private vehicles and public buses. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. Trains are comfortable and all have toilets, however can often be quite busy.
  • Please note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the trains, and up and down stairs at train stations and at hotels, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'What to Take' section of the trip notes. You may want to consider taking a backpack rather than a wheelie bag, however this is up to your personal preference and what you feel more comfortable with.
  • Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Additionally, please be aware that July, August and the first half of September is high season along the Southern Italian coast, which means that the local infrastructure is under a lot of pressure with a lot of people in the towns we visit. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
  • Hotel rooms in Europe can seem rather small by American or Australian standards and often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
  • On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Rome To Sicily including Italy

Inclusions

Meals

22 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Ferry, Metro, Cable car

Accommodation

Hotel (20 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)

Activities
  • Naples - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Naples - café sospeso
  • Pompeii - Archaeological Site
  • Pompeii - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Mt Vesuvius - Crater Rim Walk & Summit Climb
  • Sorrento - Limoncello Tasting
  • Sorrento - Gelato Making Demonstration
  • Amalfi - Walk of the Gods Hike (Sentiero degli Dei)
  • Amalfi - Coastal Ferry Cruise Positano to Amalfi
  • Civita - Nature based hike
  • Tropea - Stromboli by Night
  • Reggio Calabria - Archaeological Museum
  • Messina - traditional boat sailing
  • Taormina - Day Trip
  • Mt Etna - Day Trip
  • Siracusa - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Noto & Ragusa - Day Trip
  • Agrigento - Guided visit Valley of the Temples
  • Erice - local sweets tasting
  • Palermo - Anti-Mafia Movement Tour
Add on activities
  • Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo - EUR14
  • Rome - Christian Catacombs - EUR10
  • Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill - EUR19
  • Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House - EUR6
  • Rome - Galleria Borghese - EUR16
  • Rome - Pantheon - EUR5
  • Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator - EUR10
  • Rome - Venezia Palace - EUR17
  • Naples - Archaeological Museum - EUR15
  • Naples - Duomo - Free
  • Naples - St Claire's Church and Cloister - EUR6
  • Pompeii - Herculaneum Ruins - EUR14
  • Pompeii - Sanctuary of St Mary of the Rosary - Free
  • Capri - Hydrofoil Sorrento to Capri - EUR44
  • Amalfi - Chiostro del Paradiso - EUR3
  • Amalfi - Valley of the Mills Hike - Free
  • Amalfi - Ravello & Valley of the Dragons - Free
  • Amalfi - Cattedrale S.Andrea - Free
  • Reggio Calabria - Aragonese Castle - EUR5
  • Taormina - Greek Theatre - EUR10
  • Siracusa - Castello Maniace - EUR4
  • Siracusa - Cathedral - EUR2
  • Siracusa - Archaeological Museum - EUR14
  • Siracusa - Neapolis Archaeological Park - EUR13
  • Monreale - Cathedral & Cloister - EUR13

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, excluding Day 9 to 10. Availability is limited due to small properties we use. please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. As this is a combination of 3 trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in Amalfi and Catania.
3. You don't have a lot of time in Rome at the start of the trip, so if you're keen to explore this spectacular city in depth we recommend you arrive a day or two before the start of the trip, especially if you would like to see the Vatican Museum as it is closed most Sundays. Please check opening times here: vatican.va.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 based on 6 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Deborah · Traveled October 2023
Rome to Palermo was great, beautiful varied countryside and the Mediterranean is fab. Certainly recommend the full trip and lots of walking if keen
Review submitted 28 Oct 2023

Vivian · Traveled September 2022
Rome to Sicily was a dream vacation. Each location had something new to offer for activities and attractions. Both our guides were competent, organized and fun people to be around. I enjoyed all the opportunities to have free time at the beach in addition to visiting historical sites. There were so many highlights for me such as, the day on the boat in Capri, hiking the Path of the Gods, visiting volcanos.
Review submitted 08 Oct 2022

Lisa · Traveled August 2022
Terrible food and accomodations.
Review submitted 22 Nov 2022

David · Traveled July 2022
The complete Rome to Sicily trip was amazing. The first week, from Rome to Amalfi was a whirlwind of fun activities from seeing the ruins of Pompeii to visiting an authentic lemon farm. The second and third weeks were a little more relaxed, but still extremely fun.
Review submitted 25 Jul 2022

Naomi · Traveled July 2022
Every single day of this tour was exciting, exhilarating and eye-opening, especially climbing up Mt Etna, swimming in the clearest of blue seas in Tropea, and visiting each of the beautiful towns on the Amalfi Coast. I enjoyed travelling with like-minded people of all ages and made friends to last a lifetime. This trip was truly unforgettable.
Review submitted 09 Aug 2022
Rome to Sicily
From
USD $7,630