DAY 1: DEPART USA. (FRI.) Overnight flight to Rome.

DAY 2: ROME AT LEISURE. (SAT.) Welcome to Rome! On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. Settle in, relax or start exploring this glorious city; spend some time wandering through the vast parklands of the Villa Borghese or just relax at a café in the Piazza Navona. Later, join your Tour Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peter's

DAY 3: ROME - ALBEROBELLO (SUN.) Head southwards passing by the brooding hilltop monastery of Cassino to Caserta, and take the scenic route across the Apennines to the Adriatic coast. Your destination is the small town of Alberobello, in the heart of the unique Trulli region. The region of Puglia is a food and wine lovers' paradise, so set some time aside in the evening to dine out. (BB)

Hotel: Astoria

Day 4: ALBEROBELLO AT LEISURE. (MON.) Take time to explore Alberobello, with its strange white Trulli buildings spread out over the hillside. Trulli are circular structures with conical roofs and domed within, built with local limestone and stacked without using mortar. Relax in the afternoon or visit the 'underground architecture' of Matera. (BB,D)

Day 5: ALBEROBELLO - CROTONE. (TUE.) The local roads lead south and follow the shores of the Gulf of Taranto to the gorgeous and mountainous region of Calabria - favourite holiday destination for the Italians. Spend the night in the seaside resort of Crotone. (BB, D)

Hotel: Costa Tiziana Resort

Day 6: CROTONE - GIARDINI NAXOS. (WED.) The country roads continue around the Gulf of Squillace before turning inland through the town of Catanzaro, perched on its hilltop. On the western side, continue along the Purple Coast, which takes its name from the colour of its rocky mountain slopes. At the very toe of Italy make the short ferry crossing over to Sicily. Spend the night in the beautiful seaside resort of Giardini Naxos. (BB)

Hotel: Sant Alphio

Day 7: TAORMINA EXCURSION. (THU.) Visit Taormina, founded in 400 BC, and beautifully located overlooking the sea and the peak of Mount Etna. Visit the Greek Theatre (3rd century BC) and the glorious sub-tropical terraced gardens before strolling along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for splendid panoramic views across the bay to the Ionian Sea. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at your own pace. (BB,D)

DAY 8: GIARDINI NAXOS - PALERMO. (FRI.) Drive to the attractive hillside town of Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily. Explore the Valley of the Temples, the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. Especially impressive is the massive Temple of Concord and the clifftop Temple of Juno which overlooks the sea. In the afternoon, continue to the historic capital of Sicily, Palermo. (BB, D)

Hotel: Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

Day 9: PALERMO. (SAT.) Sightseeing with a local guide includes Quattro Canti Square, the Cathedral and the mosaics in the Palatine Chapel of the Palace of the Normans. Also visit Monreale with its finely decorated cathedral. In the afternoon there is free time to explore or shop in Palermo or to take one of the local excursions offered by your Tour Director. (BB)

Day 10: PALERMO - OVERNIGHT FERRY. (SUN.) Drive eastwards along the coast to the charming fishing town of Cefalu. Visit the cathedral, erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II and spend some time at leisure. Later, return to Palermo, taking time to relax before meeting the overnight ferry to Naples in the early evening. (BB)

Day 11: FERRY - BAY OF NAPLES. (MON.) Arrive in Naples in time for breakfast and an orientation tour of the city. Afterwards, continue to Pompeii, buried in 79 AD by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Walk with a local guide through the cobbled streets to the Forum and inspect some of the shops and villas before continuing to your hotel. (BB,D)

Hotel: La Medusa

Day 12: CAPRI EXCURSION. (TUE.) Take the cliff-top road to Sorrento to witness a demonstration of inlaid 'intarsio' woodwork before continuing across the Bay of Naples to the delightful Isle of Capri. Take a funicular train up to Capri Town to spend some time wandering the narrow alleyways and exploring the exclusive boutiques before returning to your hotel. (BB,D)

Day 13: BAY OF NAPLES - ROME. (WED.) Travel north to return to Rome. On arrival, visit the Colosseum and see the Forum - once the religious, political and commercial heart of the Roman Empire. Tour St Peter's Basilica, Mother Church of the Catholic faith and housing works of art by Michelangelo and Bernini. Tonight stroll to the Spanish Steps before enjoying a farewell Highlight Dinner with pasta and music. (BB,HD)

Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peter's

Day 14: RETURN TO USA. (THU.) The tour ends with transfers to the airport. (BB)