Ancient History of Southern Italy & Sicily

On arrival in Bari, you will make your own way to the hotel. Having had time to unpack and settle in, you will get the chance to meet the tour leader and the rest of the group during an introductory meeting, followed by dinner at the hotel.

In the morning we enjoy a guided tour of Bari. Bari is a port city on the Adriatic Sea, and the capital of southern Italy’s Puglia (Apulia) region. Its maze-like old town, Bari Vecchia, is on a headland next to the port. Urban Bari offers a lively atmosphere full of culture and tradition; Trattorias line the streets, and the Basilica di San Nicola is said to house the bones of St Nicholas. In the afternoon we travel southwards to Alberobello, which will be our base for the next five days. Located in the heel of Italy's boot, the strategic significance of the region over several millennia has left behind a rich and varied history. It was a major thoroughfare between the ancient Greek and Roman worlds and has been subjected to constant colonisation and invasion since, which has resulted in a remarkable range of architectural styles and ruins. The region has a distinct feel from the Northern Italian hot-spots that many tourists are accustomed to, and was only integrated into what we recognise as modern Italy towards the end of the 19th century. We will conclude our day with dinner at a local restaurant.

Our destination today is Matera, located approximately one and a half hours from Alberobello. Matera is a striking and atmospheric town located in the remote southern region of Basilicata (also called Lucania). It’s famous for its extensive cave-dwelling districts, the sassi. The old town is a UNESCO heritage site, and we will have a guided tour to really make the most of its fascinating past. We visit the Chiesa San Pietro Barisano, Matera’s largest rupestrian church dating back to the 12th century. We learn about the district and its history at the Casa Noha Museum, and visit the distinctive Aragonese-style Castello Tramontano. Later in the day we will explore the Palombaro Lungo, the underground cistern, and the Museo Nazionale a’Arte Medievale e Moderna della Basilicata. We will then drive back to the hotel, where we will have a group dinner.

Today we will meet our local guide for a full day tour of the area including a visit to the towns of Locorotondo and Martina Franca. Locorotondo is known as one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, with its whitewashed cone-roofed trulli houses as well as its wines, the historic centre is on a hill with lovely views over the Valle d’ Intria. Martina Franca is another picturesque town with winding alleys, whitewashed houses in its old quarter but also features lovely baroque and rococo buildings and airy piazzas. Here, we view the Basilica of San Martino and visit Acropoli di Puglia – a traditional olive store.

After breakfast we travel to Lecce, also known as “The Florence of the South” due to the rich baroque architecture of the city. We enjoy a guided tour of the main sights, including the Roman Ampitheatre and Basilica di Santa Croce, followed by some free time to explore before returning to Alberobello.

Ostuni, another small hilltop town is perhaps one of the most well-known in the region. The area has been inhabited since the Stone age, destroyed during the Punic Wars, and later rebuilt by the Greeks, who named it Ostuni, from the Greek Astu neon (“new town”). We have plenty of time to explore the town before returning to our hotel.

Today we depart Apulia region and travel southwest to the town of Metaponto, in the Basilicata region.  The town is located by the Ionioan Coast and is composed of the main village and Metaponto Lido, the beach area. Between them lie the ruins of Metapontum, an ancient Greek Achaen colony.  

En route to Briatico we pause at Cosenza, where we visit Sila National Park on a guided tour. Calabria, the “toe” of Italy, was occupied by the Greeks. Ever since those living in this part of Italy supported the cause against the Romans, the region has been dominated by foreign powers: Romans, Saracens, Normans, Swabians, Aragonese and Spanish. This has given rise to a proud and independent culture reflected in the magnificence of the environment. From this rugged and dramatic land of rural villages and mountainous terrain, many Italian emigrants brought to the Antipodes their traditional culture that has helped shape the persona of their new home.

In the morning we transfer to Stilo, a small town that has been named one of the most beautiful hamlets of Italy. The local economy is based on the agriculture, mainly the production of wine, cheese, olive oil and cereals. Here, we visit the main sights and then continue to Gerace, a town that stands on a hill formed of clusters of 60-million-year-old sea fossils. The main attractions of Gerace are the remains of the old Norman Castle and the perfectly preserved medieval town. Later, we return to Briatico.

After breakfast we depart Calabria and head to Sicily. On the way we stop at Tropea, a lovely seaside town. The most famous view of Tropea is the large rock outcrop jutting into the sea opposite the centre of town. We continue to Reggio Calabria where we visit the Museo Nazionale Della Magna Grecia. Later we make our way to the port to board our ferry to Messina, Sicily. The Mediterranean’s largest island suffered, like Calabria, from its strategic position near “the middle of the world”. Its history recounts stories of constant invasion and colonisation and its cultural heritage has been shaped by the many different peoples who have occupied it over centuries. Its natural features range from the lofty, smouldering Mount Etna to the tiny volcanic Aeolian Islands where we discover many examples of former civilizations: from Phoenician and Carthaginian cities to Greek temples, Roman relics, Byzantine mosaics, Saracen domes and Norman castles and churches. We stay in Milazzo tonight.

We start our day by travelling by ferry to the Aeolian Islands: seven small inhabited islands off the northern shore of Sicily. The archipelago was formed by volcanic activity and two of the islands still have active volcanoes. We visit the Vulcano Porto, as well as the city of Lipari, before transferring to Acireale.

Today we explore Siracusa, located approximately one-hour drive south of Acireale. Siracusa is a large town including island and mainland districts. Many of its attractions are archaeological and historical. It was home to Archimedes and its Greek theatre still stands, with classic dramas performed there each year.  We visit the main sights with our local guide and also explore the island of Ortygia, the historical heart of Siracusa.

Our local guide will spend the day with us visiting the Etna area and Taormina, with its famous Greek theatre high above the sea and facing Etna.

After breakfast we enjoy a city tour of Catania, the birthplace of composer Vincenzo Bellini. The town is situated between the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. Here we visit the ruins from the ancient city and see the wealth of fine baroque architecture. There will be some free time to discover the city at your leisure before we return to our hotel in Acireale.

Today we depart for Agrigento via Caltagirone, where we visit the town’s main sights including the Roman Villa of Piazza Amerina. We also visit the Museo Regionale della Ceramica, before continuing on our way.

In the morning we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples), one of the greatest legacies of ancient Greece. The ruins are what remains of the ancient Greek city of Akragas. The town’s archaeological museum is also on our list of places to explore today; it holds a wide range of exhibits from the area. The afternoon is free for your leisure.

Today we depart for Palermo. En route, we stop for a guided tour of Selinunte, home of one of Sicily’s great Greek archaeological sites. The archaeological park encompasses temples, ancient town walls, ruins of residential and commercial buildings as well as zones not yet excavated. As it’s set next to the sea in the south-western corner of Sicily, it also offers stunning views. We continue on to Erice for a short visit before arriving at Palermo: our base for the next four nights.

Our travels take us to Cefalu today; a charming historic seaside town where we take a guided tour. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure here, and then back in Palermo.

Today we travel west to the town of Segesta, originally founded by the Elyman people – one of the three indigenous peoples of Sicily – and later integrated with the Greeks. The archaeological complex is set up high in the mountains, where we visit the Doric Temples and Hellenic Theatre. Later we drive back via Alcamo where we have the opportunity to visit a local wine producer and sample their drop.

On our last day in Sicily we explore Palermo on a full day tour of Sicily’s cultural, economic and touristic capital. We also take a short trip to Monreale, a town just outside Palermo and famous for its mosaic-adorned Norman cathedral. Later, we transfer to the port for our overnight ferry to Naples.

On arrival, we are picked up at the port and taken out for breakfast in a local café. This is followed by a half-day tour of Naples. The afternoon is free to relax and, in the evening, we gather for the last time as a group for our farewell dinner.

Our tour concludes today after breakfast at the hotel.