The Kingdom of the Sun - South of Italy - Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily - Private Individuals & Small group Tours

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.  

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.

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 .

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. 

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 .

Today we are ready to depart by 8 AM, it will be a long day but very excited to move further south of Calabria driving along the beautiful Cedri Riviera such as Diamante famous for the Peperoncino Festival taking a place in September and make a beautiful and interesting stop in Tropea famed for magical beaches and a particular type of sweet red onion.  You'll have free time 2 hours approximately here for lunch and walk at leisure. Then we will head to Villa San Giovanni, the seaport area to embark on the ferry and pass the strict of Messina that separates Calabria to Sicily. Once in Sicily we will get to Riposto in the area of Mountain Etna for dinner on your own at the Agriturismo that has delicious and fresh sicilian food with full body wine to serve. Overnight here.

Overnight at Agriturismo dell’Etna.

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.

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.

This morning after you checked out hotel by 8 AM you will be getting ready to head to the Northern part of Sicily stopping on the way in the Tindary Sanctuary to admire this wonderful Black Madonna Vergin Mary and learn about it as well as the town of Cefalù with an official guide.

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.

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.

Today at 9 AM after breakfast we will continue getting to visit this amazing island of Sicily on our schedule itinerary by heading to Segesta, the most beautiful representation of Greek Temples with its amphitheater and then head to Erice, a small mountain top medieval village in western Sicily that has changed little since Sixth Century BC. Stop at a bakery shop to taste the typical local and traditional almond pastry as well as enjoy the stunning overlooking view of the west coast of Sicily.  

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.

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.

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.

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 !!!