The Kingdom of the Sun - South of Italy - Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily - Private Individuals & Small group Tours
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Tour Code: TUR-01207
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Type: Private
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Duration: 14 days
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Departs from: Bari
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Meeting Place: Bari Airport
Overview
Each year we bring people in the travel industry to experience incredible interesting places in Italy and the Mediterranean.
This year one of our most thrilling adventures is going to offer a rich and rewarding learning experience through Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily and Malta. Throughout our journey each day you will experience the incredible wonders of these unique regions and visit a variety of properties that we use during our custom travel experiences and escorted tours.
You will learn about the complexities of organizing travel arrangements that are unique to some of these areas in Italy and enjoy meeting a variety of local operators who provide wonderful excursions, interesting dining experiences and of course the fines foods and wines of southern Italy.
For the complete description of this tour, see the daily itinerary below and note that we will be visiting various businesses and properties most days on this trip.
Itinerary

Where we Visit : Bari, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli | Meeting Location : Bari Airport
We are truly happy to welcome you today. You arrived to Bari Pope Karol Wojtyla airport where you will be driven to check in to our marvelous hotel/villa we have chosen for you. During our drive we will take the coastal road and immediately get to experience the beautiful towns of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli.
Welcome dinner at the hotel Covo Dei Saraceni.

Where we Visit : Grotte di Castellana, Alberobello, Ostuni
This morning after a buffet delicious breakfast by 9 AM you will begin starting your tour to visit the underground in the stunning and ancient Castellana Caves, followed by the charming UNESCO Heritage Site of Alberobello.
You will have time for lunch on your own and then do a tour of the town and its fascinating trulli, before we head to the 'White Town' of Ostuni. You will be having some free time to explore the town that is so loved by foreign visitors to the region and then time to return back to the villa and enjoy evening at leisure. Overnight at the villa.

Where we Visit : Lecce, Otranto,
A full day awaits you after breakfast by 8 AM getting ready to explore the Salento area in the heel of Italy's boot.
Your first stop will be in the town of Lecce, known as the 'Florence of the South' for its own distinctive Baroque architecture carving from the local limestone. A local guide will show you some of the most beautiful monuments and walk you through the history to the early Greek settlers.
In the afternoon, you will arrive in Otranto, a popular port town and discover the story of the 800 'Martyrs of Otranto' towns cathedral with so much more to see here. Return to the Villa in Fasano and evening at leisure with overnight here .

Where we Visit : Puglia, Matera, Tortora
Today we are ready to drive through Puglia and step into Calabria which is another part of an important southern area of Italy. Leaving at 8:30 AM on the way to Calabria we will stop in the region of Basilicata which is well known for the towns of Matera and Maratea where the owner of the tour operator Jesse Andrews has written a book about the mermaid of Maratea.
Matera as been recognized as the most Cultural Italian Town in the 2018 with its beautiful surroundings that look like a nativity. We will experience the sassi of Matera tour and after that we will get to the region of Calabria and the coast Basilicata
Overnight Hotel Santa Venere.

Where we Visit : Tortora, Praia a Mare,
This morning at 9 AM we will depart exploring Maratea and see its Cristo Redentore which is a huge statue of Gesù so outstanding to look from the sea. We will drive along the beautiful coast of Basilicata which is very close to the border to the region of Calabria and may have an opportunity to meet with the Mayer of Maratea in the town recently recognised as the most Coltural Italian Town in the 2019.
We will eat Calabrian pizza for lunch in Maratea and then go to the town of Praia a Mare to visit Italy's largest church inside a cave known as Madonna Della Grotta.
In the afternoon, we will drive along the coast to admire Dino’s island and its Blue Grotto “L’arco Magno”. This island is so famous throughout Italy for many national events that were recently organized here.
As we are driving more south, our next destination will be San Nicola Arcella which is a pretty town of Riviera dei Cedri so populated in the summertime.
You can eat dinner on your own here in San Nicola Arcella or go back to the hotel as you wish.
Evening at leisure and overnight at Italy Education & Retreat Center .

Where we Visit : Tropea, Mt. Etna,
Overnight at Agriturismo dell’Etna.

Where we Visit : Savoca, Forza D'Agro,
Today we will depart from the hotel at 11 AM, we are taking a little bit easier and go for lunch on your own in Forza D' Agrò where the god father movie was filmed. As well then we will go to the village of Savoca where much of The Godfather films were shot. After visiting some of the films' most iconic locations, including the church where Michael and Apollonia married, you will head down to Castel Mola to taste their own special local wine which we are keeping as a surprise. Afternoon you will return to the Agriturismo and enjoy a cooking class with dinner and overnight here.

Where we Visit : Mt. Etna, Taormina,
This morning we will depart at 9 AM driving north towards to the shadow of Europe's highest volcano, Mount Etna to visit this incredible Volcano with an official guide Mosè and then stop to taste some of the local wines at the welcoming Gambino Winery. where you will dine a light lunch as well a specific and interesting tour of the area.
After that we will go admiring the famous theater in the town of Taormina and discover the City as well.
Return to the Agriturismo Etna in the late afternoon for leisure and overnight here.

Where we Visit : Cefalu, Tindari, Mondello
Then you will be driven to Mondello to check in to the luxury B&B Mondello design a property which we work with in the northwest of the island and know Roberta the owner very well. Leisure in the afternoon and pizza dinner with overnight in Mondello. Overnight in Mondello, seaside of the City of Palermo.

Where we Visit : Palermo, Monreale,
After breakfast by 8:30 AM we will depart for an half day private guided tour of Palermo. We will start the visit from the old part of the city with the Martorana Cathedral and other major sites. Afterwards you will visit Monreale, an ancient royal town with spectacular views over the countryside towards the sea, where there will be time to admire the beautiful Cathedral here and some of the City's main attractions.
In the early afternoon we will go all the way up to Monte Pellegrino in Palermo (The Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia, the Saint and patron of Palermo and have some spare time to enjoy the religious area. Return to Mondello and evening at leisure with overnight at Mondello Design.

Where we Visit : Segesta, Erice, Marsala
Proceed on to Marsala famous for its liquor and historical buildings where you will visit its pretty downtown.
Afterwards we will head back to Mondello for leisure and overnight there.

Where we Visit : Piazza Armerina, Modica,
This morning we will leave Mondello by 8:30 AM for Piazza Armerina private tour with our official guide Serena and then lunch at a local restaurant nearby the area. Reaching the south of Sicily, this is another wonderful World Heritage Sites such as the mosaics at Villa Armerina which are among the finest, and most extensive, in the world, depicting aspects of the Roman world, from daily life, to fantastic animals and the famous 'bikini girls'.
Arrival to the City of Modica in the afternoon to check in to hotel Palazzo Failla and evening at leisure to enjoy the beautiful town atmosphere and overnight here.
Where we Visit : Siracusa, Ragusa Ibla,
This morning you will be departing at 8 AM for Siracusa, one of the most interesting archeological sites of the Sicilian island. Here you will enjoy a private guided tour of the Archeological park with our official guide Mosè to visit the Roman Amphitheater, the Greek Theater, The Ear of Dionysus, the cave of Cordari and the Island of Ortigia,
the most ancient nucleus of the city with its stunning Cathedral. Then in afternoon you will be moving to Ragusa Ibla for a pleasant walk and return to Modica for the last night in the island, to join and celebrate our farewell dinner. Overnight here in Modica.

Where we Visit : Italy,
This morning we will say ARRIVEDERCI Sicily and ITALIA; Those who are going to extend the trip to Malta we are more than welcome to help arranging your private transfer to Catania airport in order to reach the island as well as for those who are ending the tour in Sicily making sure to have them reaching the airport in order to fly back home. Private transfers are not included and can be paid directly to our drivers in cash.
Thanks to All,wishing a safe journey back home !!!
Inclusions/Exclusions
Tour Highlights and What's Included
4 star hotels in great locations
Accommodation in superior four star hotels throughout
All entrance fees to sites and museums
All hotel taxes and service charges
Daily Buffet Breakfast
Detailed explanation of sites
Dinners where indicated with wine included
English speaking guide and driver
English speaking tour escort for the duration of the tour
Road Tolls
What's Not Included
Food and beverages not mentioned in the program
Gratuities of any type
International fights
Personal Expenses or Extras at hotels
Travel Insurance
Two optional additional nights in Malta
Pricing & Availability
Please contact us today by either phone or email for assistance with this booking.
Email : team@italyvacationspecialists.com
Toll Free : 1-866-779-2565
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Starting From : EUR 4200.00
(Pricing is per person based on 2 pax traveling)
Note : Price also Depends on Point of Departure & Number of Participants. Get in touch with us today to get an accurate quote!
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I have traveled to Italy 2x with the IVS for my own pleasure trips and 2x for business with IVS. These guys really pay attention and make your trip go like clockwork. Italy is nuts, just saying! There are so many rules and restrictions now, so we did not want to drive ourselves. Having traveled with them many times and done business on several occasions, most definitely USE this company. They k ... [Read More]
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As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they can best see the country and not fall into tourist traps. I have been on 4 trips with the IVS team, firstly when they did my first 2 tri ... [Read More]
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I went to high school with the owner of the company who organized my honeymoon for myself and my now wife from Tokyo. We spent three short weeks seeing Piedmont and experiencing wine paradise there, then heading to Nice in France with our private driver and flying to Rome where honestly 4 days is NOT enough. They keep saying to spend more time and we could not agree more! You need to spend more ti ... [Read More]
- Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan -
Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we wer ... [Read More]
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I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and work ethic which I feel is second-to-none in the travel industry. All of the staff, the guides, the coaches and even the meals we enjoyed we ... [Read More]
- Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent -
The trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country. ... [Read More]
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In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS team took a huge burden off of me! I would like to start of by saying "THANK YOU" both for the amazing job you did on our trip. There was n ... [Read More]
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