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Great Sicily DMC
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Campania & Sicily: 12-Day Cultural Journey

Discover Campania and Sicily on a 12-day journey from Naples to Catania, visiting Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Lipari, Palermo, Agrigento, Mount Etna and Taormina.

Combined Tours: Sicily, Malta & Southern ItalyArt & Culture Tours in Sicily

Highlights

  • Naples and Pompeii
  • Aeolian Island Stay
  • Sicily's Cultural Landmarks

Overview

Explore Campania and Sicily over twelve days, travelling from Naples to Catania through archaeology, coastal landscapes and volcanic islands. Begin in Naples and visit Pompeii, then enjoy the scenery of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast before travelling south towards the Aeolian Islands.

Spend two nights on Lipari, with time to explore its island heritage rather than rushing between several islands in a single day. Continue by boat to Milazzo and overland to Palermo, where Arab-Norman monuments and the mosaics of Monreale introduce Sicily's layered history.

Travel to Agrigento's Valley of the Temples, then cross the island towards Catania, with a possible visit to the Roman mosaics at Piazza Armerina. The journey concludes with Mount Etna's volcanic landscapes and the historic streets of Taormina.

This itinerary prioritises achievable touring days, but the long transfer towards Milazzo and the maritime connections must be confirmed against actual seasonal schedules. Hotels, meals, guides, site admissions and airport transfers will be specified in the final travel proposal.

Day by day

  1. 1

    Day 1

    Arrival in Naples

    Arrive at Naples Airport and make your way to the hotel using the arrival transfer arrangement specified in the final proposal. Settle in and enjoy free time in Naples. The first evening's dinner is subject to the confirmed meal plan and arrival time.

    NaplesDinnerNaples
  2. 2

    Day 2

    Historic Naples

    Explore Naples on a guided city visit, taking in the historic streets around Spaccanapoli, Naples Cathedral and the monumental waterfront. Admire the city's distinctive architecture and food traditions, with free time to choose a local restaurant for lunch. Return to the hotel in Naples.

    NaplesBreakfastNaples
  3. 3

    Day 3

    Pompeii Archaeological Park

    Travel to Pompeii for a substantial visit to the archaeological city buried by the eruption of AD 79. Explore its streets, houses and public buildings according to the planned guided route. Return to Naples after the visit, with free time in the afternoon. Capri is not combined with Pompeii because the original schedule was not realistic.

    Pompeii; NaplesBreakfastNaples
  4. 4

    Day 4

    Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

    Travel towards Sorrento, with time to explore its historic lanes and coastal viewpoints. Continue towards the Amalfi Coast for selected panoramic stops and a visit to an accessible coastal town, subject to seasonal traffic and coach restrictions. Return to Naples in the evening; the exact route must be confirmed for the group vehicle.

    Sorrento; Amalfi Coast; NaplesBreakfastNaples
  5. 5

    Day 5

    Transfer from Naples to Lipari

    After breakfast, depart Naples for a full travel day towards the port of Milazzo, using the ground transport agreed in the final group proposal. Take a scheduled ferry or hydrofoil to Lipari, subject to confirmed operating timetables and sea conditions. Check in for two nights on the island. No direct Naples–Stromboli service is promised.

    Naples; Milazzo; LipariBreakfastLipari
  6. 6

    Day 6

    Lipari and the Aeolian Islands

    Explore Lipari's historic centre, Marina Corta and the area around its castle. Subject to season, sailing conditions and confirmed services, an optional boat excursion to another Aeolian island may be proposed. Panarea and Stromboli are not promised as guaranteed visits. Return to your accommodation in Lipari.

    LipariBreakfastLipari
  7. 7

    Day 7

    Lipari to Palermo

    Travel by scheduled boat from Lipari to Milazzo and continue by road across northern Sicily towards Palermo. Allow most of the day for the transfer and seasonal maritime schedules. Check in to the hotel in Palermo for two nights; enjoy free time in the evening.

    Lipari; Milazzo; PalermoBreakfastPalermo
  8. 8

    Day 8

    Palermo and Monreale

    Discover Palermo's historic centre and its Arab-Norman heritage, including the areas around the Cathedral and Norman Palace. Continue to Monreale to admire the cathedral's mosaics, subject to visiting arrangements and admission rules. Return to Palermo for the second night.

    Palermo; MonrealeBreakfastPalermo
  9. 9

    Day 9

    Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples

    Leave Palermo for Agrigento. Allow time for an in-depth visit to the Valley of the Temples, where the remains of ancient Akragas stand among Mediterranean landscapes. Continue to the hotel in the Agrigento area for the night.

    Palermo; AgrigentoBreakfastAgrigento area
  10. 10

    Day 10

    Across Sicily to Catania

    After breakfast travel towards eastern Sicily, with a stop in Piazza Armerina for the Villa Romana del Casale if tickets and opening times are confirmed. Continue to Catania and check in for two nights. The day focuses on one major cultural visit rather than combining Syracuse and Noto with additional long drives.

    Agrigento; Piazza Armerina; CataniaBreakfastCatania
  11. 11

    Day 11

    Mount Etna and Taormina

    Travel to the southern slopes of Mount Etna, reaching the visitor area around Rifugio Sapienza if weather and local safety conditions permit. Optional high-altitude services require separate arrangements. Continue to Taormina, exploring Corso Umberto and the area of the Ancient Theatre, with admission subject to the confirmed proposal. Return to Catania.

    Mount Etna; Taormina; CataniaBreakfastCatania
  12. 12

    Day 12

    Departure from Catania

    Breakfast and hotel check-out. The programme ends in Catania; any transfer to Catania Airport follows the services explicitly confirmed in the final travel proposal.

    CataniaBreakfast

Accommodation

  • Naples

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Nights 1–4 · Breakfast; other meals to be confirmed

    Four nights in Naples; final hotel and category to be confirmed.

  • Lipari

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Nights 5–6 · Breakfast; other meals to be confirmed

    Two nights on Lipari; property and maritime arrival logistics to be confirmed.

  • Palermo

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Nights 7–8 · Breakfast; other meals to be confirmed

    Two nights in Palermo for the city and Monreale visits.

  • Agrigento area

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Night 9 · Breakfast; other meals to be confirmed

    One night near Agrigento following the Valley of the Temples.

  • Catania

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Nights 10–11 · Breakfast; other meals to be confirmed

    Two nights in Catania for Etna, Taormina and departure.

Included

  • 11 nights' accommodation in selected locations along the route; hotel names, categories and room arrangements subject to the confirmed proposal.
  • Daily breakfasts, subject to the contracted accommodation arrangements.
  • Scheduled ground transportation and transfers as specified in the final quotation.
  • Milazzo–Lipari and Lipari–Milazzo scheduled boat passages envisaged by the itinerary, subject to operator timetable and explicit inclusion in the confirmed price.
  • Guided visits and admission tickets only where itemised in the confirmed proposal.
  • Airport arrival/departure transfers indicated in the historic package, subject to written reconfirmation.

Not included

  • Flights to Naples and from Catania unless expressly quoted.
  • Lunches, dinners and drinks not specifically confirmed in the final proposal.
  • Optional excursions to Panarea, Stromboli or other Aeolian islands.
  • Optional high-altitude Mount Etna activities.
  • Personal expenses, tips, insurance and tourist taxes unless expressly included.
  • Any service not specified in the final confirmed quotation.

Entrance fees & tickets

  • The historic product states that all site and museum admissions are included; this must be reconciled with the final supplier quotation before sale.
  • Sites requiring ticket verification include Pompeii Archaeological Park, ticketed monuments in Palermo and Monreale, the Valley of the Temples, Villa Romana del Casale if visited, and Taormina Ancient Theatre.
  • Optional experiences and island excursions are not automatically included. The final offer must list exact tickets and conditions.

Good to know

Insider tip
Allow time to explore Lipari's Marina Corta and enjoy the island's local food. On the mainland, compare Neapolitan pizza traditions with Palermo's street food.
Accessibility
The itinerary includes steps, cobblestones, uneven archaeological surfaces and boarding boats. Mobility needs must be checked before booking, especially for the Aeolian Islands.
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a light waterproof jacket, a reusable water bottle and warm layers for Mount Etna. Bring a small day bag for maritime transfers and suitable clothing for churches.
Important information
This proposed route replaces the previous unrealistic Naples–Stromboli crossing and the multi-island itinerary. Sea crossings between Milazzo and Lipari depend on seasonal schedules, weather and sea conditions; the final transport plan requires written confirmation. The day 5 overland transfer from Naples to Milazzo is long and should be assessed for rest stops, driving hours and group comfort. Hotel names and exact meal arrangements require confirmation. Airport transfers, guided visits, admissions and maritime tickets must be explicitly itemised in the final proposal. Optional Aeolian boat excursions and high-altitude Etna activities are not guaranteed.