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Food & Wine: Southern Italy & Sicily

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purple grapes hanging from wines in vineyard in southern italy

Overview Itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Food & Wine: Southern Italy & Sicily

with Naples extension

Duration: 13 or 15 days
Group size: 14-28
Reviews: 48

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Eating in this region is truly a Mediterranean experience.

Fresh and bright, Southern Italian cuisine is a direct offshoot of the region’s pleasant weather, Mediterranean influences, and laid-back lifestyle. Long summers bring bountiful tomato harvests—and the red sauces, pizzas, and salads that most diners associate with Italian cooking. Explore the region’s best tastes in the undiscovered coastal towns and tucked-away villages where staples like olive oil and wine are lovingly produced.

Your tour package includes

11 nights in handpicked hotels
11 breakfasts
2 lunches
6 dinners with beer or wine
3 wine tastings

Included highlights

Baroque Noto
Avola wine region
Italian contessa dinner
Sassi di Matera cave dwellings
Campanian cooking lesson

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Catania today.

Catania3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Catania

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Italy! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Noto & the Avola wine region

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Pay a visit to the Baroque city of Noto and the Avola wine region today.

Stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, visiting Noto Cathedral and sampling Sicilian pastries along the way
Head to the Avola wine region for a light snack and Nero d’Avola wine tasting
Transfer to Azienda Casabianca, home to an Italian contessa, for an included countryside dinner at a Sicilian villa

Day 4: Sightseeing tour of Catania

Included meal: Breakfast

Meet your local guide and set out to discover Catania, which sits at the base of Mount Etna.

Discover Catania’s historic city center
Explore the world-famous fish market held near the Baroque Catania Cathedral
Tour the Museo Storico dello Sbarco, a WWII museum focused on the allied invasion of Sicily

Enjoy a free afternoon in Catania or add an excursion.

Mount Etna Wine Region Tasting & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Tropea Region2 nights

Day 5: Tropea Region via Messina & Calabria

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Messina this morning. Then, take a ferry across the Strait of Messina to Calabria. Here, you'll view the iconic Riace Bronzes inside the National Museum of Magna Graecia before continuing on to the Tropea Region and sitting down for an included dinner.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Tropea & Pizzo

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Get to know the region on a sightseeing tour led by your Tour Director.

View the spectacular Santa Maria dell’Isola monastery perched high above the sea in Tropea
Stop for a tasting of local pecorino sheep’s cheese, salami and cipolla rossa, the sweet red onions for which Tropea is famous
Continue on to the coastal town of Pizzo to sample handmade gelato

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Matera2 nights

Day 7: Transfer to Matera

Included meal: Breakfast

This morning, pass through the Calabrian countryside to Matera.

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Matera

Included meal: Breakfast

Explore Matera, known as “the Subterranean City,” with a local guide. (Depending on the season, this may take place on the afternoon of day 7.)

Visit the 9,000-year-old Sassi di Matera cave dwellings, including the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario and the chiese rupestri, or “rock churches”
Taste regional cheese, bread, and pepperoni cruschi

Enjoy a free evening in Matera or add an excursion.

Puglia Wine Tasting & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Benevento Region2 nights

Day 9: Transfer to Benevento Region & sightseeing tour

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Cooking class

Transfer to the Benevento region this morning and take a guided sightseeing tour of the area.

View the Arch of Trajan and Benevento Cathedral
Enter the UNESCO-recognized Church of Santa Sofia

Later this evening, learn to craft traditional Campanian recipes in a cooking class followed by dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Please note: The order of today's activities is subject to change.

Day 10: San Marco dei Cavoti, Sannio wine tasting & Samnium villages

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Wine tasting

Today, discover more of the Benevento region’s flavors on a tour with a local guide.

Visit the town of San Marco dei Cavoti to learn about making artisanal chocolates including Croccantino, then enjoy a tasting
Head to Sannio and explore a vineyard on foot
Sample Janare wines with an included lunch
Stroll the medieval streets of Guardia Sanframondi

Please note: The order of today's activities is subject to change.

Salerno2 nights

Day 11: Salerno via Taurasi wine region

Included meals: Breakfast, Wine tasting, Farewell dinner

Visit the Taurasi wine region, where you’ll visit a local vineyard to learn about wine production and taste local varietals.

Then continue on to Salerno, a lively port town steeped in cultural tradition, and celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner.

Day 12: Mozzarella farm & Paestum

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, explore the Cilento region, home to the Mediterranean diet, stopping to visit a mozzarella farm and archaeological museum.

Tour a local organic dairy farm and savor farm-fresh mozzarella during a light lunch and tasting
Travel to nearby Paestum for a guided tour of the Greek and Roman ruins
Visit the Archaeological Museum of Paestum to see the famous frescos of the Tomb of the Diver

Raise a toast to your trip as you enjoy a farewell drink this evening.

Flight Home

Day 13: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Naples airport for your flight home or extend your stay to visit Naples.

Extension to Naples

What’s that line that Dean Martin sang? Ah yes... “That’s amore!” He was singing about Naples, of course, and for good reason: There’s so much to love about this second-to-none destination. Discover that feeling while exploring with a local guide and seeking out your interests with the help of your Tour Director.

Naples2 nights

Day 13: Transfer to Naples & sightseeing tour

Included meal: Breakfast

After a short ride to Naples, set off on an afternoon tasting tour in the city with a local guide.

Walk through Piazza del Gesù to view the Church of Gesù Nuovo
Enter the Basilica of Santa Chiara to see the unique and ornate cloister
Taste Neapolitan arancini and fried eggplant along the Decumano
Sample sfogliatella, a flaky pastry, near the Church of San Domenico Maggiore
Enter Cappella Sansevero, the Baroque chapel full of notable Italian artwork

Day 14: Free day in Naples

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Naples or add excursions.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

A Naples Tradition: Neapolitan Pizza

Excursion (additional cost)

The Lost City of Herculaneum

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 15: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.7 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Yet another amazing trip!

11/18/2019 by 15th time traveler Betty P.

What a joy touring Southern Italy! Small towns and villages, countryside, food, wine and all led by our Directo,r Paz. My third trip with this marvelous, knowledgeable lady. Our bus driver Salvo contributed to the pleasure and ease of the trip. Italy is not just about the pasta (I had linguine wit...

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So much fun!

10/28/2019 by 3rd time traveler Anonymous

Enjoyed this tour so much. Great wineries and food. Wonderful travel group and tour director. This is a chance to visit some small towns and places you would not normally find. Really enjoyed walking and seeing sights in the small towns located near our accommodations. Great wine at the wineries a...

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Outstanding tour, excellent food and wine, well balanced itinerary from historial to local experiences

10/28/2019 by 12th time traveler Anonymous

Optional wineries were excellent value in terms of food and wines. Locations were diverse from old wineries to new organic wineries. Strongly recommend optionals.

A wonderful Trip

10/28/2019 by 5th time traveler Rosina M.

It was an excellent tour of southern Italy - wonderful food, wonderful wine, wonderful sights, great side trips, the best tour guide - Dina, bet bus driver - Fabbio. Overall, full of the charms of southern Italy.

Splendor in Southern Italy

10/28/2019 by 4th time traveler Joan A.

This tour was a wonderful experience; from the great accommodations, beautiful sights, quaint towns to the city of Naples, all with delicious food and wine! Each location had something of interest for every traveler. The local guides were interesting and knowledgeable, but the thing that made the...

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Villa Traiano Hotel

This sleek hotel is located in the historic center. Guests enjoy a covered garden, a bar, and WiFi. Nearby, you’ll find the Roman Theatre, the Arco di...

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Grand Hotel Oriente

This modern hotel is located in the historical center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, a lounge bar, and meeting space. Nearby you’ll find Castel Nuovo, th...

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Palace Hotel

This comfortable hotel is located in Matera’s city center. Guests enjoy a terrace, restaurant, and bar. Nearby you’ll find the UNESCO-listed Sassi di ...

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UNA Hotel Palace

This modern hotel is located in the Metropolitan neighborhood. Guests enjoy a fitness center, a rooftop bar, and a rooftop restaurant. Nearby, you’ll ...

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Lloyd's Baia Hotel

This seaside hotel is located in the town of Vietri sul Mare. Guests enjoy a private beach, nightclub, and pool table. Nearby, you’ll find the Path of...

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Popilia Country Resort

This elegant hotel is located in Maierato municipality of Calabria. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a restaurant. Nearby, you'll find C...

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Hotel Mercure Napoli Centro Angioino

This contemporary hotel is located in downtown Naples. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find Castel Nuovo, the Nationa...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

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Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and paved roads, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Catania and depart from Naples. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
A ferry between Messina and Reggio Calabria is included in the price of your tour.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Italy.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Southern Italy is often what diners think of when imagining Italian flavors—pasta with tomato sauces, olives and olive oil, zucchini, veal, and fish are all featured prominently on menus throughout the region.
Sicilian cuisine in particular is heavily influenced by Spanish, Greek, and Arab traditions. The Spanish brought New World influences to the region in the form of tomatoes, chocolate, and maize, while the Arab influence can be tasted in recipes that include rice, spinach, saffron, and citrus fruits. Regional specialties include arancini, cannoli, and granita.
The incredible wine regions of Southern Italy and Sicily grow prized grapes thanks to volcanic soils. Try varietals or blends made with grapes such as nero d’Avola and anglianico.
For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.

Electricity & air conditioning

Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotel may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on this tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

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202020212022

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2020

Food & Wine: Southern Italy & Sicily

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