☼  Highlights for Southern Italy Spectacular

★ Enjoy guided tours of the ruins of Pompeii and the Aragonese Castle of Ischia with Local Experts
★ See the brilliant paintings of Michelangelo inside the Sistine Chapel during a special skip-the-line visit
★ Behold ancient cave dwellings in the UNESCO Heritage Site of Matera, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world
★ Take in-depth walking tours of the historical centers of Alberobello, Gallipoli, and Lecce
★ Take an optional tour of the Amalfi Coast
★ Test your taste buds at several included dinners where you’re allowed to order right off the menu

  What’s Included for Southern Italy Spectacular 

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   ACCOMMODATION       11 nights of accommodation at highly rated, centrally located hotels.  All hotel taxes, porterage fees, and housekeeping tips are included.

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   TRANSPORTATION       Private airport transfer upon arrival.  Ferry rides between islands.  Private coach or minibus journeys between land destinations.  A train ride from Lecce back to Rome at the end of the tour.

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   MEALS      14 meals:  11 breakfasts, 3 dinners.

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   EXCURSIONS AND ENTRANCE FEES       Extended visit to Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel with timed entry.  Guided tours of Pompeii Archaeological Site, the Aragonese Castle at Ischia, and the historical centers of Alberobello, Gallipoli, and Lecce, all fees included.  Semi-guided visit of the Sassi di Matera (the cave dwellings of Matera).  Optional excursions include a guided tour of the Roman Forum/Colosseum, a luncheon at a local vineyard in Ischia, a wine dinner in Gallipoli, and a day tour of the Amalfi Coast (with lunch).

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   TOUR LEADER       A Blue Onyx Tour Leader to handle all logistical aspects of the group, offer valuable information, and guide your group from start to finish.

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   Itinerary for Southern Italy Spectacular (12 days)

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DAY 1:  ARRIVAL IN ROME
Arrive at the Fiumicino Airport in Rome where a Blue Onyx Travel representative will meet you and direct you to your private transportation en route to your Rome hotel.  At 7 p.m., the whole group will meet in the lobby for a brief orientation and then proceed to a welcome dinner.

  MEAL:  Dinner           ACCOMMODATION:   DNB House Hotel and Hotel California (2 nights)

DAY 2:   FAST-TRACK ENTRY TO VATICAN MUSEUMS AND SISTINE CHAPEL, OPTIONAL GUIDED TOUR OF COLOSSEUM AND ROMAN FORUM
In the morning, you will head over to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel for your fast-track entry.   Stroll along salas and hallways filled with works of art by the masters; Botticelli, Perugnino, Rafael, and Michelangelo, just to name a few.   Later in the day, following some free time, you will have the option of joning a fully guided tour of the Flavian Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.  Be sure to ask your Tour Leader about the special vista of the Roman Forum!

  MEAL:  Breakfast       

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Afternoon tour of Colosseum and Roman Forum, timed entry included ($48)

DAY 3:   FREE TIME IN SORRENTO, GUIDED TOUR OF POMPEII
In the morning, you’ll journey to the wonderful cliffside city of Sorrento to check into your hotel and have some leisure time, following a brief orientation with your Tour Leader.  Later, you’ll board the Campania Express train to Pompeii to have your guided tour of the Roman town that was famously buried by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD.   

  MEALS:  Breakfast         ACCOMMODATION:  Hotel Nice (2 nights)

DAY 4:  FREE TIME OR AMALFI COAST EXCURSION
If you should opt for free time, perhaps a visit to one of Sorrento’s excellent art galleries is in order.  Maybe peruse the shops that line the narrow cobblestone streets.  Or people-watch at a local beach.

If you should choose the optional excursion, the day trip to the Amalfi Coast includes visits to the vibrant hillside communities of Positano and Ravello, culminating in a multi course lunch in lovely Amalfi, the town for which the region was named.

  MEAL:  Breakfast (and lunch, if one partakes in the Amalfi Coast day trip)

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Amalfi Coast day trip, with multi-course lunch ($85)

DAY 5:   FERRY TO ISCHIA, FREE TIME, ELEGANT DINNER
After breakfast and hotel checkout, you’ll make your way to the ferry port of Sorrento where you’ll enjoy a concise but lovely sea adventure en route to the jewel of the Gulf of Naples:  The isle of Ischia. The day is yours to become enveloped by Ischia’s laid back vibe and pastel colors. At 7 p.m. you’ll savor an elegant dinner at a celebrated local restaurant at a stunning Mystery Destination. 

  MEALS:  Breakfast, Dinner         ACCOMMODATION:  Hotel Paradise (2 nights)

DAY 6:   TOUR OF ARAGONESE CASTLE, OPTIONAL WINE TASTING LUNCH AT LOCAL VINEYARD
A local expert will guide you on a walking tour of one of Italy’s most enchanting sights:  the Aragonese Castle, which dates all the way back to the 5th century BC.  Later, you’ll have the option of enjoying a wine tasting lunch at a secluded local vineyard.

  MEAL:  Breakfast  (and lunch, if you partake in the wine tasting event)  

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Wine tasting lunch at a local vineyard, including private round-trip transportation ($47)

DAY 7:  FERRY TO NAPLES, VOYAGE TO MATERA
After taking a morning ferry ride to Naples, you’ll travel to the Basilicata region, via private coach or minibus, arriving at the Unesco World Heritage Site of Matera, which many historians tout as the third oldest continually inhabited city in the world.  Home to the famous Sassi (cave dwellings), Matera is an extraordinary place to get lost in.

  MEAL:  Breakfast            ACCOMMODATION:    Hotel Nazionale (2 nights)

DAY 8:   FREE TIME IN MATERA, WALKING TOUR OF ALBEROBELLO
After free time to continue your independent exploration of ancient Matera, you’ll voyage to rustic Puglia to enjoy a tour of the captivating cone-shaped trulli of Alberobello where a Local Expert will explain their fascinating history.  At the end of your tour, you’ll be privy to a special tasting of locally produced olive oils and other treats.

  MEALS:  Breakfast, Olive Oil tasting with snacks

DAY 9:   FREE DAY IN GALLIPOLI
Following hotel checkout, you’ll journey to the wonderful Adriatic village of Gallipoli, where rugged cliffs, turquoise waters, and white-washed dwellings abound.   In the evening, your group has the option of enjoying a tailor-made, three course wine dinner.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Special wine dinner ($30)

  MEAL:  Breakfast         ACCOMMODATION:    Joli Park Hotel (2 nights)

DAY 10:   GUIDED TOUR OF GALLIPOLI
In the morning, you’ll meet up with a Local Expert who will lead you through the serpentine pathways around this special town, culminating in an exploration of the Castello di Gallipoli, an imposing 13th century castle constructed by the Byzantines and brought to life by local artists and performers.  The rest of the day is yours to wander around the seaside idyll of Gallipoli.  

  MEALS:  Breakfast

DAY 11:   ARRIVAL  IN LECCE, GUIDED TOUR, FAREWELL DINNER
HHHArrive in Lecce, the famed “Florence of the South.”  Enjoy a fully guided tour of Lecce’s Baroque limestone buildings and ancient Roman attractions.   In the evening, take part in a splendid farewell dinner at one of our favorite restaurants!

  MEALS:  Breakfast, Dinner           ACCOMMODATION:   Hotel Delle Palme (1 night)

DAY 12:    TRAIN RIDE FROM LECCE TO ROME
There are many different possible time slots for your included high-speed train ride back to Rome.  Your Tour Leader will reach out to you about two months before the trip to go over your options with you.  In any case, we certainly hope to make this a trip to remember.

  MEAL:  Breakfast  

 
   Optional Excursions for Southern Italy Spectacular

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DAY 2: 

Optional Excursion #1:  Guided Tour of Colosseum and Roman Forum

Your group will have its own personal guide to walk with you in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors. (Price: $48 per person). 

DAY 4: 

Optional Excursion #2:  Day Tour of the Amalfi Coast

Starting in the morning, you’ll experience the sun-drenched hillside communities of the glittering Amalfi Coast, culminating in a lovely multi-course lunch in Scala, the oldest town of the region (Price: $85 per person).

DAY 6:  

Optional Excursion #3:  Wine Tasting Lunch in an authentic vineyard

For those so inclined, a lovely wine tasting luncheon awaits on the far side of Ischia at a sleepy local vineyard.  On the way back there will be a couple of sightseeing stops (Price $47 per person)

DAY 9:  

Optional Excursion #4:  Special Wine Dinner at Local Restaurant

We have hand-picked a wonderful local restaurant where you can test your taste buds on a variety of foods and wines. (Price: $30 per person)

*Please note that optional excursions are reserved and paid for on the first day of the tour.

 
   Dates & Prices for Southern Italy Spectacular

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Oct. 1 – 12, 2023 (Sun – Thu)                       $1,825                      Book Now

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   What to Expect for Southern Italy Spectacular

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  The Weather

Generally speaking, weather in southern Italy during the month of October is fairly mild.  Highs tend to reach the high 60’s and lower 70’s and there is an average of 6 hours of sunlight each day, with occasional rain showers.

We advise our guests to bring sunscreen with them on this tour.

  Bugs and Pests

Mosquitoes and other bugs usually aren’t a problem in the month of October.

  Physical Activity of Tour

On a scale of 1 to 10, the level of physical activity of this tour is 8, which is high.   If you plan to undertake all of the optional excursions, the level of physical activity is 9.

  Potential Issues

We urge our guests to use common sense on our tours.  Be wary of strangers offering you something or trying to sell you something.  Keep guard of your important belongings, such as purse, wallet, keys, and cell phone.

Pickpocketing is a problem in Europe and Rome and other places in Italy are no exception to this phenomenon.  A common scam that occurs is where one person will walk up to you, pretending to ask directions, while his or her partner in crime will slip past you from another direction entirely, casually taking your wallet or cell phone.  Be aware of your belongings at all times.

We also urge our guests to use extra caution while crossing the street.  Walk defensively and look in every direction before crossing. Don’t walk distracted.

  What to Bring

We urge our guests to pack light.  As previously stated under our Terms and Conditions, all of our guests are allowed one carry-on measuring 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9) and a personal item, such as a laptop bag or purse.  We strongly recommend bringing travel size toiletries.

  Journeys Between Destinations

Some of the journeys on this particular tour will be medium-distance.  About three hours is the most we will travel on any given day en route to the next stop.  We will have basic refreshments and snacks available on the bus for purchase. 

  Your Hotels

We always book hotels that are centrally located, highly rated, and close to major attractions.   The service level of this tour is Standard, which means that the hotels are upscale, in the 3 and 4 star range, and usually include a full breakfast.   

Having said that, there are a couple of things that one should understand about hotels in Europe, especially if one is from the United States.  More often than not, hotel rooms in Europe are smaller than hotel rooms in the United States. Additionally, hotel rooms in Europe may not have the exact same amenities that our American guests may be used to seeing.  For instance, many European hotels do not have elevators.

On the other hand, for our American guests who are traveling to Europe for the first time, the breakfasts that are offered at European hotels are a huge breath of fresh air.  There is usually an abundance of protein sources in the form of cold cuts, cheeses, eggs, milk, and yogurt, along with an assortment of fresh fruit, pastries, cereal, fruit juice, tea, and coffee.  Occasionally, some European hotels will serve a hot breakfast as well and this often consists of scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and pancakes or waffles.

  Your Restaurants

We strive to treat our guests to lunches and dinners at restaurants with interesting settings and this tour is no exception to that concept.  The Ischia dinner, in particular, will take place at a venue with a beautiful view.

  
  
  Currency Exchange and Credit Card Usage

The Tour Leader will be able to tell you where to exchange currency and there will usually be a place to do so within walking distance of your hotel.  Most major banks will be able to exchange any currency that you have brought with you, for a small fee.

In most European countries (Italy included), the best exchange rate can be obtained by simply withdrawing money from a standard bank ATM using your debit card (not to be confused with your credit card).  For instance, let’s say it’s your second day in Athens and you need withdraw some euros. Just go to a local bank which has an ATM machine (often in a small, enclosed lobby-style room) and withdraw the amount of money you want.  Nearly all standard ATM machines worldwide have the capacity to issue instructions in English, so English speakers should have no problem at all understanding how to use them.

When we tell you to seek out standard bank ATM machines, we mean it.  Avoid the omnipresent stand-alone ATMs which are not part of a bank. Euronet, Moneybox, Travelex, and Cashzone are examples of independent ATM machines which have very unfavorable exchange rates.  If you have any questions at all while on tour, just ask your Tour Leader to point you the direction of a standard bank ATM. Now it’s true that your home-based bank, such as Wells Fargo, will charge a small fee ($5) for this transaction, but the European bank will not. 

But wait, why don’t I just use my VISA credit card for all my shopping and for the fancy dinner, you may ask?  That’s fine, but there’s usually a 3% foreign transaction fee (or higher) for these types of transactions. And there might even be an additional transaction fee from the store or restaurant in which you’re using your VISA card.  Dollar for dollar, withdrawing cash from a standard bank ATM in the country you’re visiting is the most cost-effective way to exchange currency.

  The Tour Leader

All of our Tour Leaders must undergo a rigorous training course designed to help them handle not only the ups and downs of a tour group situation, but also the disparate personalities that they might encounter.  All of our Tour Leaders are thoroughly background checked and must adhere to a strict code of conduct at all times.  You can rest assured that we are placing you with a Tour Leader who has your best interests at heart.

★★★★★
“The southern Italy tour was fantastic.  Engaging, educational, and enriching.  Thanks for the sights, the places, the history, and the accommodations.  I will remember this always!”

-Tom, Maple Grove, MN

★★★★★
“Thinking about all the fabulous places we saw and went to, the incredible food and restaurants – it was mind-blowing.  It required a fairly large amount of walking for my 75-year old frame, but well worth it.  I think that was the best tour I’ve ever been on.”

-Lucy, Omaha, NE