Skip to main content
Proudly Australian owned & operated Speak to one of our experienced consultants 1300 414 198 · 7 days a week
Tour · Collette · 11 nights

Southern Italy & Sicily featuring Taormina, Matera and the Amalfi Coast

  • Expert local guides on walking tours of Taormina and Matera
  • Winery tasting and agriturismo dinner included in the Sicily leg
  • Hotels arranged in Giardini Naxos, Matera, Sorrento and Rome
From
$7,699 pp twin share
$9,499 pp solo share
11 nights
When & how much

Choose your departure

Departs Sun 7 Nov 2027 Returns Thu 18 Nov 2027
Duration11 nights
OperatorCollette
StyleTour
HighlightA journey from Sicily's Taormina up through Southern Italy, covering Matera, Puglia and the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Rome
Ancient Greek Theatre in Taormina with views towards Mount Etna. Cave dwellings of Sassi di Matera and whimsical trulli of Alberobello. Explore Sorrento and Positano, the pearl of the Amalfi Coast

Journey through a crossroads of civilizations in Sicily and on to the spectacular coastlines of Southern Italy. Travel to the historic hilltop town of Taormina and take in sweeping views from its ancient Greek Theatre, with Mount Etna rising in the distance. Visit a local winery for a wine tasting and agriturismo dinner. Venture to the ancient cave dwellings of Sassi di Matera and wander through the distinctive trulli houses of Alberobello in the heart of Puglia. Explore Sorrento and stunning Positano, the pearl of the Amalfi Coast. Walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans in the excavated ruins of Pompeii. Allow the unique culture to capture your heart and get a glimpse into an age-old heritage composed of ancient monuments and cultivated lands.

Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Giardini Naxos, Sicily

    Sun 7 Nov
    Your Italian journey begins in Giardini Naxos, a seaside resort on Sicily’s eastern shores. Settle in and enjoy the relaxed coastal atmosphere, with Mount Etna rising in the distance. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day at leisure, exploring independently or relaxing by the waterfront. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for an orientation briefing, followed by an evening at leisure.
  2. 2

    Giardini Naxos

    Mon 8 Nov
    This morning, explore beautiful Taormina, home to ancient relics, rocky hills, and charming gardens. With an expert local guide, you’ll stroll the lively pedestrian main street and climb to the city’s well-preserved Greek theatre. The afternoon is yours to explore more of Taormina or relax in Giardini Naxos – the “garden of Sicily.” This evening, gather for a welcome dinner where traditional Sicilian melodies fill the air.
    BreakfastDinner
  3. 3

    Giardini Naxos

    Tue 9 Nov
    Today is yours to spend as you wish. Perhaps you’ll opt to experience Sicily’s wilder side on an off-road adventure up Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Take in awe-inspiring views from a 4x4 vehicle and hop out to walk amid lava formations and basalt rocks. After a wine-paired lunch at a winery on the slopes of Mount Etna, return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
    Breakfast
  4. 4

    Giardini Naxos

    Wed 10 Nov
    This morning, it’s your choice! Linger in Giardini Naxos, enjoying a leisurely morning of dolce far niente (sweet do nothing): stroll along the beach, dip your toes in the Mediterranean Sea, perhaps treat yourself to some gelato -OR- take a walk in old-world Sicily as you visit the hilltop village of Savoca. Known to film lovers as a setting for The Godfather, Savoca captures a sense of quiet nostalgia and cinematic history. The afternoon is at leisure: remain in Giardini Naxos or head to nearby Taormina to wander its streets and browse local shops.
    Breakfast
  5. 5

    Giardini Naxos - Matera

    Thu 11 Nov
    Take a short and scenic ferry ride across the narrow Strait of Messina, separating Sicily from Italy’s mainland. During your full day bus transfer, pass through the unspoiled region of Calabria and onto the Basilicata region. Wander through the twisting vines of a local winery before touring the cellar for a tasting. Linger over regional cuisine at dinner in the winery’s agriturismo restaurant.
    BreakfastDinner
  6. 6

    Matera

    Fri 12 Nov
    Explore the Sassi di Matera, an ancient settlement of carved cave dwellings that has been continuously inhabited for millennia. A local guide shares the history and explains why film producers are seeking out this unique landscape. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps you’ll visit the Palombaro Lungo, an underground cistern once essential to the city’s water storage system, or explore independently, discovering the surrounding countryside and rock churches that reflect Matera’s prehistoric and medieval past.
    Breakfast
  7. 7

    Matera

    Sat 13 Nov
    This morning, explore Alberobello, in the nearby region of Puglia. During a walking tour, marvel at the town’s whimsical trulli homes, known for their distinctive cone-shaped roofs. Then, explore another side of Puglia during a guided visit to the Castellana Caves, a vast underground system featuring dramatic chambers, towering stalactites, and striking rock formations shaped over millennia. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
    BreakfastDinner
  8. 8

    Matera - Sorrento

    Sun 14 Nov
    After a full morning’s drive, stop at a sustainable buffalo dairy farm for a taste of freshly made mozzarella and a peek into the history of this iconic cheese. After lunch at the dairy, continue to the Sorrentine Peninsula and settle in for a three-night stay. This evening, discover the allure of Sorrento during a walk around its charming old town.
    BreakfastLunch
  9. 9

    Sorrento

    Mon 15 Nov
    This morning, take in the sights and colors of the Mediterranean Sea as you drive along the initial stretch of the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. Gaze out over the deep blue hues of the sea paired with the bright citrus fruits lining the hillsides. Pause in Positano with its pastel-colored houses and pebbly beaches. Then, learn a few tips and tricks behind authentic Neapolitan-style pizza making before a pizza lunch, capped with homemade limoncello. Back in Sorrento, enjoy an evening at leisure.
    BreakfastLunch
  10. 10

    Sorrento

    Tue 16 Nov
    Enjoy a day at leisure to take in the laid-back charm of Sorrento. Perhaps you will embark on an optional ferryboat trip to the Mediterranean isle of Capri. Upon arrival, admire the island’s iconic scenery on a panoramic cruise, passing by steep cliffs, endless small caves, and the famous Faraglioni rocks, jutting out of the water. Spend time in Capri town with its world-famous piazzetta and explore this island paradise of chic boutiques, lush vegetation, and outdoor cafés. Return to Sorrento in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.
    Breakfast
  11. 11

    Sorrento - Pompeii - Rome

    Wed 17 Nov
    Journey north to Rome. En route, experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii. Here, it’s your choice! Soak in the history of this 2000-year-old Roman town at your own pace by picking between a leisurely-paced walking tour of Pompeii’s essential sights -OR- a faster-paced walk combining the highlights with Pompeii's further-out gems. Step into another time as you explore the preserved buildings and imagine life in the 1st-century. An afternoon-long transfer leads to Rome, where you arrive in the early evening. Celebrate the end of your journey with a delightful farewell dinner.
    BreakfastDinner
  12. 12

    Rome - Tour Ends

    Thu 18 Nov
    Your tour comes to a close today.
    Breakfast
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Wander through the maze-like streets of Alberobello, lined with whitewashed trulli adorned with traditional symbols.
  • Journey to Positano village, the pearl of the Amalfi Coast.
  • Learn about the traditions and techniques behind Neapolitan-style pizza making.
  • Stand in awe before the ancient Greek theatre in Taormina.
  • Journey to the Sassi di Matera, known for its cave dwellings.
  • Experience the excavated ruins of Pompeii at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

  • Una Hotel Naxos Beach Sicilia, Giardini Naxos
  • UNAHOTELS MH Matera Hotel, Matera
  • Hotel Michelangelo, Sorrento
  • Massimo D'Azeglio Hotel, Rome
From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 12 days and 11 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 24 Oct 2027 and 30 Mar 2028, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
Can I travel solo?
Solo pricing may be available on selected departures, and final options can be confirmed at enquiry.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
Ready to lock in?

Book this tour

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

Enquire about this tour
Travel at 60 Social Getaways

Travel further when you're not travelling alone

Our Social Getaways are small-group holidays designed especially for over-60s Australians who want the freedom of a great trip without the work of planning every detail. A Travel at 60 host travels with the group, the operator handles the logistics, and you get to focus on the bit that matters — the people, the places, and the stories you'll bring home.

Open to solo travellers too. Many of our travellers book on their own and find their feet quickly in a friendly group of like-minded Australians. Reduced single-supplement options are available on most departures — ask one of our consultants and we'll talk you through what's offered on this trip.

  • A friendly Travel at 60 host — an Australian face on the ground, looking out for the group from day one.
  • Curated local guides & boutique suppliers — the same operators we'd book for our own families.
  • Real itineraries, not whirlwind tours — comfortable transfers, breathing room, and the “off the beaten track” stops the big bus tours skip.

Want to talk it through? Call 1300 414 198 7 days a week, Queensland time, and one of our consultants will walk you through it.

— The team at Travel at 60

A Travel at 60 host with travellers on a Social Getaway
From (twin) $7,699 pp
From (solo) $9,499 pp
Enquire