Tailormade tour Naples to the toe of Italy and Sicily fly-drive touring holiday Italy

12 nights/13 days

Sorrento • Maratea • Tropea • Ferry from San Giovanni to Messina • Taormina

Travel the length of southern Italy by car, from bustling Naples, passing Vesuvio and Pompeii to stay near Sorrento, then south along the coast to rocky seaside Maratea in the Basilicata region, and further on to the reef of Tropea in Calabria on Italy’s toe. You cross the straits of Messina by ferry and your final stop brings you to historic Taormina on the floral island of Sicily.
Holiday price guide

Available year-round subject to the opening period of the hotels, from £3,695 per person.

Naples to the toe of Italy and Sicily luxury fly-drive tailormade touring holiday

Highlights

Sorrento • Chance to visit Capri and Pompeii • Suggested visit of Paestum • Maratea • Tropea • Ferry from San Giovanni to Messina • Taormina • Suggested visit of Etna

Day by day

After arriving in Naples, spend your first day in the city. Embrace the vibrance and uproarious noise, as the rest of this tour will be focused on relaxation. Explore the Gothic Cattedrale di San Gennaro with its charming white façade, the Royal Palace built under Spanish rule still reflected in the intricacy of the interior decoration, the irregular Castel Nuovo, and the extensive Paleo-Christian Catacombs of San Gennaro. The Archaeological Museum is not only a vital insight into the city’s Greco-Roman past and the destruction left by Vesuvio, but is a remarkable pink-hued building in its own right. Your hotel, the Grand Hotel Cocumella, is in the small seaside settlement of Sant’Agnello, which merges with Sorrento to the west. Its coastline rises from the sea in the form of immense grey cliffs, lined with the remains of houses from years ago, with small harbours and marinas stretching out into the sea. For the active visitor, this landscape is ideal for bracing hikes and long walks. Sorrento offers more in the way of historical and tourist attractions. Its historic centre is comprised of a complex network of narrow alleyways, perfect for an afternoon of stimulating exploration, while its famous Piazza Tasso is lined with small cafes ideal for a light lunch. The Chiesa di San Francesco dates back to the 14th century and is adorned with a beautiful, peaceful cloister. Sorrento and Sant’Agnello mark the beginning of the Amalfi Coast, or the ‘Footpath of the Gods,’ with the town of Amalfi itself just an hour’s drive away. Positano, closer to Sant’Agnello than Amalfi, is a similar seaside village of white houses with terracotta roofs built into the tumbling hillside that overlooks the stunning azure sea. The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta is a hub of quirky architecture, with its majolica-tiled dome and 13th century Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary. The Sorrentine Peninsula and the villages of the Amalfi Coast are built on volcanic soil, which enables local producers to create distinctive local wines and olive oil. Stop off at one of the local oil mills or wineries to taste the produce. The Casavecchia wine, for example, dates back to the time of Pliny the Elder and features in his writings, though it was thought to be extinct for a number of years. While in Positano or Amalfi, try the Limoncello, made from the famous Amalfi lemons, or the regional Mozzarella di Bufala, and pick up some of the local speciality ceramics. Choose from the hotel’s three restaurants, and dine either in the fragrant garden, by the poolside, or on the terrace overlooking the sea.

From Sant’Agnello, drive back north to Pompei and take the inland road through Campania to the short coastline of Basilicata. La Locanda delle Donne Monache sits at the very top of the village, with a mountainous backdrop, and was once occupied by nuns. Its religious history can still be observed on the exterior as the building has been faithfully maintained. Explorers of the village will find crumbling buildings and overgrown lanes that hark back to an older Maratea. Follow the flow of these little lanes lined with fractured archways and grottoes, and eat lunch in one of the outdoor cafes on the Piazza Buraglia. Take time to visit most of the 44 churches, each endearingly individual. The most striking is the Chiesetta del Calvario. In the summer the streets come alive with everything from jazz concerts to food tastings, while down at the Maratea Porto, local art is displayed on the walls of the lanes and cafes around the marina. The Grotta delle Meraviglie are a series of atmospheric and mesmerising caves, dripping with stalagmites, and offer another viewpoint from which to see the varied Basilicata landscape. Travel along the shoreline dotted with ruined castles until you reach the small exclusive beaches around Castrocucco, or relax on the La Secca beach or Spaggia Macarro closer to the hotel. Nearby Santa Caterina offers scuba-diving opportunities with the Centro Sub Maratea. High on the peak of Mont San Biagio in the Cliento National Park is Maratea’s answer to the statue of the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. It is, however, deliberately more joyful and youthful than its Brazilian counterpart. Reaching 22 metres high, the statue is one of Maratea’s most popular attractions, and certainly worth hiking up to, especially due to the picturesque village nestled on the mountaintop beside it. The hotel’s restaurant, Il Sacello, draws on the traditional flavours of Lucania, and cooking lessons can be organised in advance.

Leave Maratea after breakfast, and drive south along the coast to Tropea. Situated on the Costa degli Dei, or Coast of the Gods, Tropea, and the Villa Paola where you will be staying for two nights, is characterised by its beautiful crystal-clear turquoise waters. Explore this intriguing Calabrian town, perched high up on the fledgling cliffs that line the shore, dining in the hidden squares that belong to the many restaurants, tasting the local seafood, and Tropea’s speciality sweet red onions. This region is also well-known for its hot and spicy food. The headland of this area forms the heart of the town, encased in the remains of the old fortifications. While here, partake in the local tradition of Passeggiata, walking down the Corso Vittorio Emanuele until you reach the metal railings that line the cliff edge as it looks over the sea, and then walking back up and stopping in one of the small cafes. This is an excellent way of getting a feel for Tropea, and the way of life of its residents. For a taste of Tropea’s history, be sure to look around the Norman cathedral, and the Palazzo Vescovile, or Bishop’s Palace, now used as a museum. Various religious festivals happen in Tropea at different times of the year, involving processions through the town carrying the icon of the Madonna of Romania, their patron saint. The crowning glory of Tropea, however, has to be the Santa Maria dell’Isola, a picturesque monastery on a large verdant rock that used to form its own island. Whether you admire this stately building and its position from the high edge of the town, or by climbing up the steps of the rock to capture the magnificent views, the monastery offers an unusual, and beautiful, new perspective on the town. On your second day, you may wish to take a boat trip out into the tranquil waters in the hope of seeing some marine life, or simply to enjoy the sunshine and magnificent surroundings. If you have time on the afternoon of your last day, drive to nearby Capo Vaticano for the watersports opportunities, moonlit cycle rides, and the views from the military lighthouse. Or drive east to the lovely town of Pizzo, rich in local history, with castles, a beautiful town centre, and the Piedigrotta Church, built half into the ground. In the evenings, return to the red façade of the Villa Paola and relax on one of the terraces or in the pool, which, even from its high position, seems to stretch into the sea.

Cross over the short stretch of water that are the Straits of Messina that separate mainland Italy and Sicily, and continue south to Taormina, overlooking the Bay of Naxos. The Hotel Villa Belvedere is situated in one of the greenest parts of Taormina, with a yellow-ochre façade that seems to help it blend in to its floral environment. The rooms are luxurious and chic, and outside are terraces and gardens for you to enjoy before heading out into Taormina to explore its historical delights. Locate the impressive Teatro Antico di Taormina, the second largest Greco-Roman theatre in Sicily, and the source of much local debate as its origins are currently undetermined. Taormina’s history as a Greek Polis does, however, indicate Grecian beginnings. The theatre hosts the Taormina Arte festival, which lasts all summer and features a vibrant abundance of cinema, ballet, theatre, and music. See the influence of Arabian and Norman art on the Gothic Badia Vecchia, formerly Taormina’s abbey, and the Palazzo Duca di San Stefano. Observe the extent of the Arabian influence in the architecture of the Palazzo Corvaja, built in the style of the first temple Abraham built in God’s name. Wander through the Corso Umberto and pick up some of the hand-made ceramics, fine leather, Sicilian wines, and wrought iron and wooden products so prevalent in the area. Stroll around the botanic gardens of Villa Comunale, just a short walk from the Villa Paola, or admire the white-stone medieval Palazzo Ciampoli and its quaint adjacent square. To break up your days of exploration, have a light lunch under the citrus trees that grow by the poolside and the restaurant. One afternoon, drive out to the Alcantara River Park and its gorges, riddled with lava coves and waterfalls. And make the most of the Italian waters on this final stop of your touring holiday, by partaking in the local sports of wind-surfing, sailing, fishing, scuba-diving, canoeing, or snorkelling. Consider also taking a boat trip or hydrofoil to one of the nearby Aeolian Islands, such as Lipari and Salina. One and a half hour’s drive from Taormina is Syracuse, the sight of the largest Greek-Roman theatre in Sicily. The Ortygia, or ‘old town,’ is the home of a beautiful Duomo, the Temple of Athena, extensive catacombs, the Ear of Dionysus, and breath-taking seaside bays, making Syracuse a must-see day-trip for history enthusiasts and those looking for a relaxing day alike. Finish your days by sampling the famous Marsala, Zibibbo, and Primitivo Sicilian wines, or the range of locally-produced liquers, in either the Hotel Villa Belvedere’s restaurant, or in a restaurant in Taormina.

You drive to the airport in Catania, just under an hour from Taormina, return your hire-car and take your flght back to London.

Special offers for this holiday>

Thank you. We had an amazing holiday. Really appreciate the work put in to give us the trip of a lifetime!
Mrs H, Jan 2023

Holiday price guide Prices from £3,695 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.

Holiday Code ITFD02

Naples to the toe of Italy and Sicily luxury fly-drive tailormade touring holiday

Special offers for this holiday>

Thank you. We had an amazing holiday. Really appreciate the work put in to give us the trip of a lifetime!
Mrs H, Jan 2023

Holiday price guide Prices from £3,695 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.

Holiday Code ITFD02

Our prices include ● British Airways flights in economy from Gatwick to Naples, and Catania to Gatwick
● Hire of a group B car for the duration of your holiday
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic double room at the Grand Hotel Cocumella, Sant’Agnello near Sorrento
● 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic double room at La Locanda delle Donne Monache, Maratea
● 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Superior double room at the Villa Paola, Tropea
● 5 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Double room with French balcony and sea view at the Hotel Villa Belvedere, Taormina
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints

Our prices do not include ● Early check-in or late check-out at any hotels (although we can arrange this on request at additional cost)
● Any other services not mentioned above, such as transfers and meals except breakfast at hotels
● Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
● Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
● Not included is the ferry ticket from Villa San Giovanni to Messina which you can buy at the port or ask us to buy it for you as soon as you know the registration number of the hire-car.

Additional information Driving times for this touring holiday
Naples to Sant’Agnello 1 hour
Sant’Agnello to Maratea 2 hours 45 minutes
Maratea to Tropea 3 hours 5 minutes
Tropea to Taormina 2 hours 55 minutes
Taormina to Catania 45 minutes

Naples to the toe of Italy and Sicily luxury fly-drive tailormade touring holiday

Expressions Holidays includes these hotels in this touring holiday as suggestions, but they can be substituted by others in the same region, if you have a preference to stay elsewhere.
Hotels included in this tour

Special offers

Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.

Thank you. We had an amazing holiday. Really appreciate the work put in to give us the trip of a lifetime!
Mrs H, Jan 2023

Holiday price guide Prices from £3,695 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.

Holiday Code ITFD02

Naples to the toe of Italy and Sicily luxury fly-drive tailormade touring holiday

Highlights of the Amalfi Coast

A drive along the Amalfi coast from Positano to Amalfi offers stunning and breath-taking scenery. Visit the Emerald Cave near Vettica Minore by boat. Enjoy the superb view of the coast from the 13th Century Gothic Villa Rufolo in Ravello (we offer garden tour holidays of the Amalfi Coast and Capri including a visit to Villa Rufolo). Spend a full day visiting the awe-inspiring site of Pompeii, visiting the remains of the villas containing both vibrant and delicate frescoes. Herculaneum is nearby and also worth visiting. The Greek site of Paestum has outstanding Doric temples. In the resort of Amalfi stroll along the Via Genova and the Via Capuano taking in the typical architecture of Campania with the flower-covered balconies, narrow alleyways leading to fountain-filled little squares. Take the chairlift on Capri to Monte Solaro or walk to the Migliara Belvedere for a view of the lighthouse. On Ischia visit the beaches of Citara and Maronti and enjoy a morning's walk to Monte Epomeo for panoramic views of the coast. Well worth visiting is the often-forgotten island of Procida between Naples and Ischia, with its vines and fishing, flat roofed white houses and atmosphere most characteristic of the region in bygone days. Visit Vietri for ceramics as well as stalls of lemons, garlic and peppers.

Cultural highlights of the Amalfi Coast

The House of the Vettii at Pompeii, the baroque Palazzo Reale at Caserta, Villa Jovis in Capri, the Doric temples of Paestum, Michelozzo`s tomb of Cardinal Rinaldo Brancaccio in the 14th Century church of Sant`Angelo, and in Naples: `Modesty` by Antonio Corradini in the Cappella Sansevero, the Gothic church of San Lorenzo Maggiore and the Majolica tiles in the cloisters of the 14th Century Santa Chiara.

Festivals on the Amalfi Coast

The Ravello music festival June to July, the festival of San Costanzo on 14 May on Capri, the festival of Sant`Antonio in Anacapri on 13 June, the festival of Madonna della Liberta in Marina Grande in September, Lo Sbarco dei Saraceni in Positano on the second Sunday in August.

Gastronomy of the Amalfi Coast

Neapolitan cuisine is now famous the world over for its use of tomatoes, pizza, mozzarella cheese, dried pasta and lemons. Local specialities include Mozzarella in Carrozza, Panzanella alla napoletana, Pasta alla sorrentina (with scamorza cheese and tomatoes), Sartu (an elaborate rice pie stuffed with meats, sausages, mushrooms etc), Timballo di Maccheroni (also elaborate with maccheroni baked in a pie and a sauce of chicken livers, mushrooms and black truffles), Carciofi ripieni alla napoletana (baked stuffed artichokes), Coviglie (a mousse-like dessert), Sproccolati (sun-dried figs on sticks) and Sfogliatelle (breakfast pastries). The region produces a number of excellent red and white wines. The most famous white is called Lacrimi Christi, from vines grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Taurasi from Avellino is a full-bodied red. Capri, Ischia and Sorrento all produce their own local wines.

Naples to the toe of Italy and Sicily luxury fly-drive tailormade touring holiday

Highlights of Basilicata

In Matera, the 13th century cathedral houses the 12th century Madonna della Bruna, while Santa Maria di Idris has 13th century frescoes; also in Matera, visitors can see the “Sassi”, the typical houses and churches dug into the “tufa” crag; the May “chopping festival”, played out in villages right across the region; Sunday markets selling the region's famous ceramics, as well as traditional foods such as spicy sausage and fresh game; the Antiquarium of Metaponto; breath-taking views from the summit of Monte Biagio above Maratea, crowned by a huge statue of Christ the Redeemer; Potenza has some beautiful Romanesque churches and a wonderful 12th cathedral, and is a fascinating regional capital, at 2,687ft above sea level, Italy's highest. A visit to the region is also an opportunity to try local cuisine, with Basilicata particularly known for strong, rustic flavours, such as roast kid with potatoes, peas and artichokes and provolone from Sila.

Naples to the toe of Italy and Sicily luxury fly-drive tailormade touring holiday

Highlights of Calabria

Cosenza, the largest town in Calabria, with a magnificent 12th century Norman hilltop castle and cathedral, and a beautiful, cobbled Old Town centred round picturesque Piazza XV Marzo; the serene cloisters of San Domenic chapel in Cosenza, and the 13th century San Francesco d'Assisi church; Camigliatello, a classic alpine village, and best base for exploring La Sila, especially the 130ft high, 500-year old pines in Bosco di Fallistro; the village of Taverna, where the church of San Domenico houses seven paintings by Calabria's most famous artist, Mattia Preti; the dramatic, superbly scenic narrow-gauge railway between Cosenza and San Giovanni in Fiore; the hill town of Caccuri, built around a restored castle; the museum at Reggio Calabria, housing a superb collection of Greek and Roman sculptures and artefacts; the seaside resort of Tropea, famous for its delicious red onions, and a 20-mile beach stretches all the way from Pizzo up to Capo Vaticano; the beaches of Scilla; the passeggiatta at Amantea, a lovely seaside town with lively nightlife; Pizzo, whose intimate central piazza, hemmed in by ancient houses, is a superb spot to sit and enjoy the local delicacy of black truffle ice cream.

Naples to the toe of Italy and Sicily luxury fly-drive tailormade touring holiday

Highlights of Sicily

An ascent of Mount Etna, partly by car and then further on foot (guides available) through the luxuriant vegetation which includes oranges and lemons, bougainvillaea and poinsettias and then higher up the groves of walnuts, cherries, almonds, pistachios and vines. Palermo is known for its street markets, especially Vucciria and Ballaro, where traders and hawkers, pickpockets and shoppers converge amongst narrow streets and stalls of wares. See the traditional costumes and dialect of Piana degli Albanesi, where Albanians settled in the 15th Century. Revel in the splendid site of Taormina above the sea with views to Etna. Local crafts include cork, ceramics, honey, embroidery, raffia. Enjoy the calm and remoteness of the Aeolian Islands with their clear waters, beautiful scenery and peaceful way of life. Enjoy the gardens of the Villa Giulia in Palermo and the Public Gardens in Taormina.

Cultural highlights of Sicily

Palermo contains some of the greatest Arab-Norman buildings in existence - San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Palazzo Reale with its striking Cappella Palatina and La Martorana. Monreale outside Palermo is the greatest work of Norman architecture in Sicily and contains beautiful 12th and 13th Century mosaics and cloisters. The Doric temples of the 5th Century BC in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Cefalu has the `Portrait of a Man` by Antonello da Messina, dating from 1465 in its Museo Mandralisca.

Festivals in Sicily

Many Sicilian local festivals are linked to Saints’ Days. A few of the most well-known festivals generally include Carnival celebrations in Taormina and Acireale. Easter is celebrated especially in Trapani, Marsala and Piana degli Albanesi. Messina celebrates Ferragosto on the 15th August with a firework display over the Straits. The Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore takes place in Agrigento in the first and second weeks of February to celebrate the almond blossom. Taormina Arte is a summer festival of music, cinema, ballet and theatre, held in the Greek theatre. The Palio dei Normanni takes place in Piazza Armeria in August.

Gastronomy in Sicily

The gastronomy of Sicily, like much of the culture of the island, has been heavily influenced by its history. Cuscus is a Sicilian version of couscous, and marzipan features heavily in sweets. Local produce includes citrus fruits, almonds, capers, olives, peppers and fish. Local specialities include Maccheroni con le sarde (pasta with sardines, fennel, raisins, pine nuts and saffron), Pesce spada (grilled sword fish), 'alla Siciliana' with capers, red peppers and herbs. Cassata is a popular dessert made with ricotta, candied fruit and pistachios and Cannoli are almond biscuits stuffed with ricotta. Sicily produces a variety of red and white wines including Corvo di Salaparuta and Etna, Marsala and Malvasia.

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