Original
Explorer
Highlights of Calabria & Sicily
16 days • 5
5
Excellent
2 reviews
16 days
Start
Naples, Italy
Finish
Palermo, Italy
Trip Code
ZMSKC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
14 breakfasts
Transport
Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (13 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)
From £4,044(16 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Get up close to the active volcanoes that are scattered across the Aeolian Islands and maybe even take a dip in one of the Sulphur springs.
See Mt. Etna – 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!
Take a half daytrip to the hilltop seaside town of Taormina and enjoy an aperatif on your private boat tour, exploring the groves and bays and maybe jumping into the water for a swim.
Encounter the crumbling facades of Syracuse and unearth hundreds of years of Greco-Roman history with a local leader by your side.
Treat yourself to super fresh cuisine, local delights and delicious desserts in one of the region's most known for its food – hello Italia!
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, especially in peak summer season. Please note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information.
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. Many hotel rooms in Europe are not equipped with air-conditioning, and the cooling system on local trains can be broken on a regular basis. Note also that during peak holiday season beaches can be quite busy. 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. Please also note that often hotels offer shared bathrooms rather than en-suite facilities.
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 15 kg (33 lb). 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 daypack/bag.
If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip and see more of Italy by starting your travels in Rome. Check out our trip 'Rome to Sicily' (trip code ZMSFC). Most departure dates are designed to create this perfect combination trip.
Itinerary
Discover the secrets of Italy’s vibrant south on a journey through Calabria and Sicily
See a lesser-known part of Italy on this 16-day adventure, all with a handy local leader by your side. From the fresh waters and fortifications of Tropea, all the way to the volcanoes of the Aeolian Islands, you’ll stray off Italy’s beaten path. Discover this less-visited part of the country before delving into the spectacular sights of bustling Sicily, the volcanic valleys of Mt. Etna, timeworn streets of Syracuse, the Baroque wonders of Ragusa 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 this European gem.
Inclusions
Meals
14 breakfasts
Transport
Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (13 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)
Included activities
Civita - Nature based hike
Tropea - Stromboli by Night
Reggio Calabria - Archaeological Museum
Taormina - private boat excursion
Taormina - leader led orientation walk
Catania - leader led orientation walk
Catania - local granita tasting
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
Optional activities
Reggio Calabria - Aragonese Castle - EUR5
Siracusa - Castello Maniace - EUR5
Siracusa - Cathedral - EUR2
Siracusa - Archaeological Museum - EUR14
Siracusa - Neapolis Archaeological Park - EUR17
Monreale - Cathedral & Cloister - EUR13
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, excluding Days 2,3 (Guesthouse). Availability is limited due to small properties we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Reviews (2)
5 stars
2
Mary
Sep 11, 2023
A wonderful trip exploring small towns like Civita and experiencing the trip on the Felucca. Veronica was an amazing leader who taught us so much and took us to fantastic restaurants to enjoy local food.
leslie
Jul 05, 2023
In short our 17 days with Intrepid in Calabria and Sicily were fun, full of varied activities. We learned so much about the history and culture of this part of Italy in a relatively short time. The pace of the trip felt brisk, but there were several periods of down-time, which gave all of us chances to pursue other places and activities; for example, we took one afternoon to tour the impressive regional museum in Catania, about the Allied Invasion of Sicily in 1943. Others in our party did other things that day, like shopping and swimming. These free periods helped as breathers, after being cooped up on a train or bus. Gabriele became aware of our personal interests and would often sidle up to us to explain a finer point. No question stumped out great guide Gabriele. The expert guides are one prime reason why we chose Intrepid for our foreign trips.
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