A blend of cultural depth, natural beauty, historic wonder –
all without the rush.
This is Italy Adagio – Italy at a relaxed pace.
SICILY & PUGLIA
HIGHLIGHTS
April 12-25, 2026
(from $9,845 per person, 14 days/13 nights – includes all in-Italy group transportation,
all hotels, all group tours, dedicated tour escort, and much more)
LIMITED TO 10 GUESTS
to ensure you the ultimate in comfort and attention.
(from $9,845 per person, 14 days/13 nights – includes all in-Italy group transportation,
all hotels, all group tours, dedicated tour escort, and much more)
LIMITED TO 10 GUESTS
to ensure you the ultimate in comfort and attention.
N.B. – UNESCO World Heritage sites are abundant on this tour and are indicated by a red asterisk: *.
SICILY
Taormina & Mt. Etna
Taormina is situated on Sicily's north-eastern coast at an elevation of about 700 feet. The views from there are fabulous – including the beautiful Mediterranean coastline and Mt. Etna! Our tour of Taormina includes the magnificent ancient Greek Odeon (theater) and the 12th-14th century Palazzo Corvaja. We'll also get into the heart of Taormina with an exclusive cooking class with a local chef.
We'll also visit nearby Mt. Etna*, one of the most active volcanoes in the world and Europe’s largest. Its fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain. After our tour, we'll have a group lunch with wine tasting right there.
We'll also visit nearby Mt. Etna*, one of the most active volcanoes in the world and Europe’s largest. Its fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain. After our tour, we'll have a group lunch with wine tasting right there.
Piazza Armerina & Agrigento
Transferring from Taormina to Agrigento, we'll pause at Piazza Armerina for a private guided tour of the 4th-century C.E. Villa Romana del Casale*. This villa is famous for the richness and quality of the mosaics that decorate almost every room.
Then, on to Agrigento, founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C.E. We'll be here to visit the Valley of the Temples*. With the remains of seven Doric temples, it's one of the most outstanding examples of ancient Greek art and architecture of Magna Graecia.
Then, on to Agrigento, founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C.E. We'll be here to visit the Valley of the Temples*. With the remains of seven Doric temples, it's one of the most outstanding examples of ancient Greek art and architecture of Magna Graecia.
Palermo
Palermo was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century B.C.E. and subsequently ruled by Carthage, ancient Greek colonists, ancient Rome, the medieval Arab Emirate, French Normans and Angevins, Spaniards, and so on, and so on . . . And these cultures have all left their imprint on Sicily's capital city.
Highlights of our time in Palermo will include a walking tour of the historic city center, including the Port of Palermo, the outdoor Mercato di Ballarò, and street food. We'll also visit dazzling aristocratic palaces and the 12th-century Palatine Chapel* – a mixture of Byzantine, Norman, and Fatimid Arabic architectural styles and including magnificent mosaics and Arabic-style decorations that are among the most beautiful in the world. And you will not want to miss our tour of the Antonio Pasqualino International Puppet Museum, including a traditional Sicilian marionette show.
Highlights of our time in Palermo will include a walking tour of the historic city center, including the Port of Palermo, the outdoor Mercato di Ballarò, and street food. We'll also visit dazzling aristocratic palaces and the 12th-century Palatine Chapel* – a mixture of Byzantine, Norman, and Fatimid Arabic architectural styles and including magnificent mosaics and Arabic-style decorations that are among the most beautiful in the world. And you will not want to miss our tour of the Antonio Pasqualino International Puppet Museum, including a traditional Sicilian marionette show.
PUGLIA
Alberobello & Polignano a Mare
Alberobello is known today for its trulli* (small dwellings built with unique conical roofs) dating back to the 15th century. We'll be staying here right in the heart of town in a beautiful "dispersed hotel" (a hotel built into various neighboring trulli). We'll have a guided tour of the area, including a visit inside a traditional trullo offering insight into the life of past inhabitants.
While in Alberobello, we'll take a short ride for a tour of Polignano a Mare. This is a strikingly beautiful coastal town, where we’ll admire the town and explore its famous coastal caves by private boat.
While in Alberobello, we'll take a short ride for a tour of Polignano a Mare. This is a strikingly beautiful coastal town, where we’ll admire the town and explore its famous coastal caves by private boat.
Matera & Bari
Matera is actually in the Basilicata region, but it virtually touches the border of Puglia. It is thought to be one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in the world. Although the “modern” town itself dates back “only” two and a half millennia, it evolved from a troglodyte settlement that originated over 9,000 years ago in the Paleolithic Age. The rock-cut urban core of Matera is known as the "Sassi di Matera"*. (The “sassi” are the habitations dug into the calcareous rock originating in the troglodyte settlement.).
While in Matera, tours will include the Sassi di Matera; a cave dwelling, preserved as it was used until WWII when it was the home of a peasant family; the surrounding mountainous countryside, with hidden troglodyte habitations; and a local vineyard to taste its wine, cheese, bread and focaccia.
Bari, the capital city of the Puglia region, will be our final stop. Founded by ancient Greeks, the town was subsequently ruled by ancient Rome and continued to thrive during the Middle Ages. We'll visit the Basilica di San Nicola (Yes, that St. Nick. Ho-ho-ho! And his bones are enshrined here.) and the historic Castello Normanno-Svevo. We'll conclude our adventure with an Arrivederci group dinner before heading home the next morning.
While in Matera, tours will include the Sassi di Matera; a cave dwelling, preserved as it was used until WWII when it was the home of a peasant family; the surrounding mountainous countryside, with hidden troglodyte habitations; and a local vineyard to taste its wine, cheese, bread and focaccia.
Bari, the capital city of the Puglia region, will be our final stop. Founded by ancient Greeks, the town was subsequently ruled by ancient Rome and continued to thrive during the Middle Ages. We'll visit the Basilica di San Nicola (Yes, that St. Nick. Ho-ho-ho! And his bones are enshrined here.) and the historic Castello Normanno-Svevo. We'll conclude our adventure with an Arrivederci group dinner before heading home the next morning.
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Dan Lesnick is as good as it gets for small, expert led tours in Italy. We travelled with Dan twice and each time experienced tours that were above our expectations in choice of accommodations, selection of sites to see, and expert guidance on history, language, art, culture and cuisine.
Nashville, TN |
N.B. All guided tours, events, and transportation
on Italy Adagio tours are private unless stated otherwise.
on Italy Adagio tours are private unless stated otherwise.
