Italy, the Deep South & Sicily Tour
17 Superb Days
- Leisurely 2, 3 and 4 night stays
- Small group size from 10 to 28
- Genuinely inclusive, no additional on tour costs
- Character hotels in superb locations
- Designed for Australians & New Zealanders
- 'My Time' guaranteed
Tour Overview
Explore the ancient villages and towns of Puglia and Matera before crossing to the glorious island of Sicily. Sleep in the ancient sassi of Matera and the delightful Trulli cottages of Alberobello. Stand on the highest active volcano in Europe, feast in mafia country and cruise to San Vito Lo Capo… ‘va bene’!
Highlights
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Stay 3 nights in the ‘Bee Hive’ Trulli cottages of Alberobello
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Explore the baroque city of Lecce and relax in the ‘white city’ of Ostuni
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Stay 2 nights in the beautifully restored ‘Sassi’ caves of ancient Matera – a truly remarkable experience
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Visit the coastal towns of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare, famous for its gelato
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Stay 4 nights in the stunning town of Taormina
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Explore the ancient Greek and Roman ruins of Syracuse
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Visit beautiful Ortigia Island, the historical heart of ancient Syracuse
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Take a dramatic cable car and 4WD bus to stand at the top of Mount Etna
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Enjoy a sumptuous lunch in ‘The Godfather Country’
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Stay 2 nights in Agrigento, with spectacular views over the Valley of the Temples
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See the extraordinary mosaics in Villa Romana del Casale, Piazza Armerina
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Enjoy an olive oil tasting and light lunch at Mandranova Estate
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Stay 3 nights near Marsala in a converted Baglio farmhouse
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Explore the fishing port of Sciacca
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Enjoy a lunchtime seafood feast at Vittorio’s famous beachside restaurant
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Visit the ancient city of Erice and Segesta’s romantic temples
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Cruise through the Zingaro marine reserve to San Vito Lo Capo
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Enjoy a Baglio wine tasting
The Italy, the Deep South & Sicily Tour is just one of many you can enjoy in Italy or Sicily. Visit each destination page for more information for our other amazing tours!
Hear about this tour first hand from an Albatross traveller - read about Paul and Helen's experience on this tour.

Italy intensifies as you plunge deeper
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Rome welcome
Day 2: To Alberobello in the Puglia region
Day 3: Alberobello sightseeing, ‘My Time’ and wine tasting
Day 4: Ancient Lecce and the white city of Ostuni
Day 5: Polignano a Mare and ancient Matera
*Closed Mondays
Day 6: Matera sightseeing and 'My Time'
Day 7: Cross the Straits of Messina to Sicily
Day 8: 'My Time' in Taormina
Day 9: Ancient ruins of Syracuse and Ortigia Island
Day 10: Mt Etna adventure followed by a leisurely lunch

Hand Selected Experience
Stand on Europe's highest active volcano
Day 11: Piazza Armerina and Agrigento
Day 12: Valley of the Temples and lunch at Mandranova
Day 13: Sciacca and lunch at the famous Vittorio's restaurant

Hand Selected Experiences
Vittorio's, so memorable!
Today we visit the fishing port of Sciacca, on Sicily’s south coast. Earlier that day restaurant owner Vittorio (known locally as the ‘wild boar’) will have been down at the fish market selecting seafood and fish for his beachside restaurant down the road in Porto Palo. And that’s where we go for a leisurely lunch. Featured in the acclaimed BBC2 series ‘Sicily Unpacked’, Michelin master chef Giorgio Locatelli enthuses over Vittorio’s simple cooking style – nothing fancy, but so memorable!
Day 14: Temple ruins at Segesta and Erice
Day 15: Zingaro marine nature reserve cruise
Day 16: Palermo sightseeing and 'Farewell to Sicily' dinner
Day 17: Palermo
Your tour ends today after breakfast.
Incredible Value Inclusions
- ALL excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described
- Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
- Travel in a first class air-conditioned touring coach
- 16 nights specially selected hotel accommodation
- Hotel porterage (1 bag per person)
- 29 Meals – including breakfast daily (B), 2 typically ‘Italian style’ lunches in ‘Godfather Country’ and Vittorio’s at Porto Palo, light lunch & olive oil tasting at Mandranova Olive Oil farm (L), plus 10 dinners (D)
- Tea, coffee and a complimentary beverage with all included dinners
- Welcome drink in Rome, wine tastings in Alberobello and in a Sicilian Baglio
- Hand Selected Albatross Experiences - cable car and 4WD bus Mount Etna, Zingaro cruise
- Local guides as described in the itinerary
- ALL tips to your Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides
- Personal audio system whilst on tour
- Free WiFi at hotels
No additional 'on tour' costs!
Your Hotels
Trulli Cottages, Alberobello – 3 Nights
Shunning conventional hotel accommodation we have leapt at the chance of offering an amazing touring experience. We have selected to stay in a number of beautifully renovated Trulli set amongst the winding backstreets of this UNESCO Heritage Listed old town. Bursting with character each one offers all the amenities you would expect of a high quality, self-contained studio or town house. Each Trulli is unique and varies in size, shape and layout. No two Trulli has the same furnishings or décor. Porterage is naturally all taken care of and breakfasts are all taken together in a centrally located restaurant.

Le Grotte della Civita, Matera – 2 Nights
Le Grotte della Civita A hotel experience you will never forget. Translated, ‘Albergo Diffuso’ means a ‘Hotel Diffused’. Meaning diffused with history. Your rooms are a series of ‘Sassi’ or caves, dating back into pre-history, beautifully renovated and with exceptional appeal. Each are large in size and reminiscent of the ‘Flintstones’, but with luxury and all modern conveniences. Your breakfast is served in a converted rock church featuring classical music. It is impossible to paint the full picture of this truly unique experience. You'll just have to experience it for yourself.

The Hotel Excelsior Palace , Taormina – 4 Nights
Perched on a headland and built with a Moorish style, the sweeping views along the Taormina coast from this first class hotel and gardens are spectacular. To one side is the coastline of the Ionian Sea, and on the other you are greeted with panoramic views of Mount Etna and the hillside village of Castelmola.

The Colleverde Park Hotel , Agrigento – 2 Nights
The Colleverde Park Hotel Offering spectacular views directly over the Valley of the Temples and the Mediterranean Sea, the Colleverde Park Hotel is located near the city centre of Agrigento. This elegant hotel is set amongst beautiful gardens and offers classic style hotel rooms.

Baglio Oneto, Near Marsala – 3 Nights
Set on a hill amongst vineyards, with views across to the Egadi Islands, this was originally a feudal dwelling and later a notable farmhouse estate built in the late 18th century. The hotel section has been designed to maintain the architectural integrity of the ancient Baglio. The ‘La Calandra Restaurant’ serves excellent local food accompanied by local wines.

Hotel Plaza Opera, Palermo - 1 Night
This 4 star hotel is located in the heart of Palermo, within walking distance of major landmarks. The hotel features a fusion of antique and contemporary design elements, and boasts a magnificent panoramic roof terrace.
*6 May departure stays 1 night at Grand Hotel Wagner
Tour Reviews
We had an amazing time and would thoroughly recommend the tour to those of you contemplating going on the 17 day journey. We had an extraordinary tour manager and a fantastic coach driver. Our Tour Manager had a wonderful and caring personality. She displayed an excellent knowledge of the deep south and Sicily, possessed good humour and subtlety depending on the given situation and, like our previous tour manager she was ‘a real gem’.
Our coach driver greeted our group everyday with a wonderful smile. He was ‘simply the best’ at handling the coach on Italian roads and in unpredictable traffic. You are in very safe hands with him at the ‘wheel’.
Highlights of the trip were many and varied. They included the people and the trulli cottages of Alberobello, the sassi caves of Matera, the Greek amphitheatre and ‘retail therapy’ of Taormina, climbing part of Mt Etna, the Greek and Roman ruins of Syracuse, Piazza del Duomo in Ortigia, the ‘bikini girls’ at the Villa Romana del Casale, the Valley of Temples, Sciacca, Erice, a scenic cruise to San Vito and Monreale in Palermo. The food was delicious and overwhelming as you will find out for yourself.
We were very fortunate that we had a mostly good natured, humorous and an easy going group that blended well. There would be some things that we would change but we suggest that you give Italy, the Deep South and Sicily a go and see what you think... you will be pleasantly surprised and also discover the Albatross difference.
Jo & Rob

We had 27 on our tour and never felt crowded on the bus. The quality of the accommodation was excellent overall. I loved the experience of staying in the cave in Matera and had the added thrill of waking up to see "Roman soldiers" donkeys ,camels and a bullock drawn cart just outside .There was a film crew shooting a movie about the life of Christ. The pace of the tour was just right and the Sicilian countryside is stunning and rugged. The food was of a very high standard and there was so much of it.The wine flowed freely too!
I have previously done 5 Trafalgar tours and Albatross Tours is far superior
Lona

I am gluten free and the food which was provided for me was excellent. The tour was absolutely brilliant and I will definitely travel with Albatross Tours again.
Pauline
Judy & Andy

Patricia

Russell

Jean

Kevin

I have just returned from Italy doing "The Deep South and Sicily” and would like you to know how much I enjoyed it. This is my second tour with Albatross Tours and I was not disappointed, again having a wonderful time, especially the longer stays, small group sizes and a very knowledgeable tour manager and a lovely driver. I have met really lovely people who I feel will become life long friends,
Staying in the Trulli’s in Alberobello was very unique, and one of the highlights for me was staying in the caves in Matera. They were just amazing, we all met on one of the terraces to have drinks looking out to the magnificent views across from us. It was a great night.
Another highlight was walking around one of the craters of Mt Etna…magnificent.
The south is so different to the north, and I am so glad I’ve experienced both. The food and the wines were delicious and I especially loved all the seafood we were treated to, and a special mention to Vittorio at his fabulous ristorante on the beach…Belissimo!! The countryside is so very scenic and I never tired of looking out the window.
I would like to say that our Tour Manager was tested on this tour with three people falling and two being taken to hospital…this was handled wonderfully, even organising a wheelchair for one of our fellow travellers.
I am now looking forward to going through the brochures again to decide what my next tour will be and you can be guaranteed that it will most certainly be with Albatross.
Helen

We loved the multi night stays, we were fortunate to travel with Gilberto as our Tour Manager for a second time, he has such a passion for his country and truely cares about all of his guests. There are so many memories I will cherish, such a divine experience to stay in the Sassi caves, the fact that it was raining only added to the experience, or was it staying in a Trulli in Alberobello, or meeting the "Wild Boar" himself, Vittorio. Perhaps it was the fact that my wife caught her first fish in the Mediterranean with the help of our Captain, or to stand on Mt Etna amongst the ash and snow, rugged up against the 3 degree's temperature and to bend down and fell the warmth beneath our feet.
Thank you Albatross.
- Paul, travelled May 2016

The tour was very relaxed not rushed in any way, I had been to many of the places before but this tour was outstanding, the Albatross guides were much better and had more information.
Our guide was very understanding, as a few people were ill he made sure that they were looked after by Doctor or chemist.
I will most certainly travel with Albatross again.
Mary

Tour was well paced and extremley well organised. Accomodation was varied and unique. Gilberto our Tour Manager made the difference from a well organised tour to a great and memorable experience. I enjoyed the tour and will travel with Albatross again without hesistation.
Heather

This was my first overseas organised tour and it exceeded my expectations. It was well organised, very informative and enjoyable. I had a wonderful time.
Thank you to everyone involved.
Cheryl

I have finally arrived home after another incredibly amazing Albatross Tour! We are totally sold on Albatross and so thrilled we found you in 2014.I recall you telling the afternoon tea crowd at Moore Park, Sydney, earlier this year how different and special the South of Italy and Sicily are.You hit the nail right on the head! Mind blowing actually.
We loved the magnificence of the landscapes of the northern tour we did in 2014 and could not see how that could be surpassed. However this tour has touched us, more emotionally I think, in ways we never imagined and it is hard to express how. But the south is simply special, raw perhaps and less sophisticated possibly but so very genuine.
Gilberto, our wonderful tour director, ensured the party of 20 travellers simply had the best time, the best opportunities for absolutely everything one could wish for!
As you already know he is a true gentleman, and one who can balance professionalism with just the right amount of personal interaction. We totally understand why you value his personal friendship so much too. Gilberto is an absolute treasure and he certainly made us feel special. Hopefully we will be fortunate enough to meet him on our travels in the future.
Just couldn’t resist snapping these pics in Erice but no doubt many Albatross devotees have done the same thing many times over and sent them to you too!
Thank you Euan, and your amazing team for creating these amazing tours and exciting us with your great passion of travel.
The tours allow those who take up your opportunities, to share the history and often uniqueness of so many places many of us would either miss or never dare to visit.
Keep creating please.
Jill

The way Albatross arranging the tour, from the sights, scenes and hotels, was memorable. What stood out for me the most were:
- The sequence of the places we visited were like a well scripted movie. A spectacular opening (Alberobello and Matera), followed by journey through sometimes start and other time beautiful country sides to places incredible and different, finishing with a spectacular dinner (evening) in a luxurious hotel (as we watch the sun setting on our journey) over a picturesque marina and bay.
- Each place we visited had its own special charm and beauty.
- The Tour Manager made everything easy for all the group and managed to fulfil every persons individual request without any seeming effort.
- The Tour Driver negotiated street and hills not made for big busses with impossible and ensured the bus was always parked in the best possible position for us passengers.
- The tastes of the places visited were enjoyed immensely.
- The quality of the fellow travellers was outstanding. Every person was friendly, cooperative and very interesting.
Norman
Dates and Prices
Start Date | End Date | Price Per Person | Availability | ||
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16 Jun 2021 | 2 Jul 2021 | Not Yet Open For Sale | |||
27 Aug 2021 | 12 Sep 2021 | Not Yet Open For Sale | |||
22 Sep 2021 | 8 Oct 2021 | Not Yet Open For Sale | |||
4 May 2022 | 20 May 2022 | Not Yet Open For Sale | |||
18 May 2022 | 3 Jun 2022 | Not Yet Open For Sale | |||
22 Jun 2022 | 8 Jul 2022 | Not Yet Open For Sale | |||
20 Jul 2022 | 5 Aug 2022 | Not Yet Open For Sale | |||
31 Aug 2022 | 16 Sep 2022 | Not Yet Open For Sale | |||
14 Sep 2022 | 30 Sep 2022 | Not Yet Open For Sale | |||
21 Sep 2022 | 7 Oct 2022 | Not Yet Open For Sale | |||
4 Oct 2022 | 21 Oct 2022 | Not Yet Open For Sale |