Luxury Italy: Syracuse & Sorrento - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive Catania, Private Transfer to Syracuse

Welcome to Sicily! Upon arrival at the Catania airport, you'll be welcomed by your local personal concierge and privately transferred to your hotel in Syracuse.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Syracuse sits on the Gulf of Syracuse, and is renowned for its rich Greek influence and architecture, particularly the many amphitheaters which decorate the city squares. With over 2,700 years of history and culture, Syracuse was long regarded as one of the major powers in the Mediterranean. 

Get settled into your hotel and then set out to explore Ortygia, the historical heart of the city. Sometimes called Città Vecchia (Old City), Ortygia is an easily walkable area full of treasures waiting to be discovered. Perhaps begin with a walk around the island before ducking into the network of narrow and winding alleyways, passing churches and baroque palaces as you go. You can't go wrong here, as everything is a visual treat.

There are plenty of dinner options to choose from, including these local favorites:

• Don Camillo is a family-run establishment set in the ruins of a medieval church, with a wine cellar that houses 800 varieties, from regional to international.
• Taverna Sveva is a casual, small tavern near Castello Maniace which offers both traditional seafood and land-based Sicilian dishes outside the tourist trap.
• Gelati Bianca offers local gelato flavors like pistachio and almond at the end of Piazza del Duomo.
• Trattoria La Foglia serves traditional vegetarian and seafood dishes in a rustic atmosphere close to Fonte Aretusa.

Day 2: Free Day in Syracuse

Today is a free day to discover everything the city has to offer. Spend the morning exploring the ancient ruins of the Neapolis Archaeological Park. Or lose yourself in Ortygia's winding streets, visiting tucked-away gems like the 19th-century Palazzo Impellizzeri, the Temple of Apollo in Piazza Pancali, or go underground to the San Giovanni Crypt and Catacombs, which date to the 6th century. Alternatively, for some relaxation, you can sunbathe next to turquoise waters at Arenella Beach, just 20 minutes south of Syracuse.

Day 3: Explore Syracuse

Spend today exploring Syracuse and its surroundings at your own pace, making the most of your final day in Sicily.

• Experience rich history at the Castello Maniace, a 13th-century citadel and castle situated on the far point of the Ortygia island promontory.
• Haggle for your lunch at the bustling Ortygia Street Market.
• Take a leisurely passeggiata along Passeggio Aretusa to the shrouded-in-Greek-myth Fonte Aretusa (Fountain of Arethusa), a natural spring surrounded by stone walls, planted papyrus, and quacking white ducks.
• Uncover the layers of the past, from ancient Greek and Roman times to the present day at the 13th-century Castello Maniace (open in the mornings until early afternoon).
• Discover Sicilian art at the Palazzo Bellomo Regional Gallery for paintings, sculptures, and artifacts ranging from Byzantine to the 18th century.
• Relax at an outdoor café at Piazza Duomo taking in the stunning architecture, including the celebrated Duomo (Cathedral of Syracuse), home to an eclectic mix of Ancient Greek, Norman, and Baroque architecture.
• Take a short day trip to the beautiful beach of Fontane Bianche or the neighboring Baroque city of Noto.

Day 4: Private Transfer to Catania Airport, Transfer to Sorrento via Naples

After one last breakfast overlooking the Gulf of Syracuse, you'll check out of your hotel today and transfer to Catania airport for a quick flight north to Naples. Upon arrival, your private transfer whisks you to your next destination: Sorrento.

Beloved by Italian and international vacationers for its stunning views, tranquil atmosphere, and terraced lemon groves, Sorrento will serve as your gateway to the magical Amalfi Coast. After settling in, take a stroll along the waterfront as you head to the Sorrento's central Piazza Tasso for dinner and drinks.

Day 5: Group Tour of Amalfi Coast Villages

Today you'll join a small group tour to explore the Amalfi Coast, visiting the villages of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. This stretch of coastline south of Naples is renowned for its exceptional beauty and iconic cliffside fishing villages. Lemon groves and sprawling summer villas cling to the rocky hillsides overlooking sparkling blue waters. 

Your first stop is dashing Positano, where colorful houses tumble down to the sea in a cascade of sunbleached peach, pink, and terracotta. No less photo-worthy are its steep streets and steps, flanked by wisteria-draped hotels, smart restaurants, and fashionable retailers. Visitors have flocked to Positano since the days of the Roman Empire, but today the village is popular for its lush scenery and cobbled streets flanked by bougainvillea flowers. Stop in Piazza dei Mulini and walk through the narrow alleys leading to the waterfront. These streets also lead to the cathedral and are characterized by charming shops selling lemon, shoes, and clothing. 

Continuing along the coast, you'll pass through the villages of Praiano, Furore, and Conca dei Marini before reaching the ancient maritime republic of Amalfi, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it's famous for its white-washed buildings, historic churches, and traditional paper-making industry. Stroll through the town to see the sights and soak up the atmosphere, stopping by La Piazzetta di Sant'Andrea—the town square—to see the Duomo and the Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea.

Further east sits the tranquil oasis of Ravello, perched high above the sea and a perennial favorite of artists, poets, and musicians. Visit the ornate Villa Rufolo for its fascinating cultural history and panoramic views, before returning to Sorrento for the evening—just in time for a leisurely aperitivo before dinner.

Day 6: Group Tour of Capri

This morning you'll join a group tour to spend the whole day enjoying the sunshine and clear blue waters of the island of Capri. Known locally as the "Pearl of the Mediterranean," Capri sits on the south side of the Gulf of Naples and has been a popular vacation destination for millennia. The ancient Romans, in fact, built summer villas here for the Empire's VIPs.

You'll be picked up after breakfast and transferred to the port of Sorrento, where you'll board a fast, comfortable boat for the scenic journey, enjoying breathtaking views of the Sorrento Peninsula. Visit the Marina Grande and Marina Piccola harbors, walk along the Belvedere of Tragara (a villa-lined promenade with panoramic views), and explore the ruins of ancient Roman villas.

Then head up the hill to Anacapri to see the Piazzetta and Augustus' Garden, and enjoy the best views of the Faraglioni Rocks. Should you choose, you can later return to the water and explore the Grotta Azzurra, the famous "Blue Grotto," which is located inside a hollowed sea cave. Afterward, we recommend spending the remainder of the afternoon soaking in the sunshine on the beach, before sailing back to Sorrento for the evening.

Day 7: Depart Naples

Time to say goodbye to Italy—for now! Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Arrividerci!