Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, boasting stunning natural beauty, a rich history and vibrant culture.
Some of the main attractions include the ancient ruins in the Valley of Temples in Agrigento, the volcanic island of Stromboli, and the ancient city of Taormina, with its stunning seaside cliffs.
There are also a variety of beaches to explore, from the white-sand beaches of Marzamemi to the pristine waters of the Egadi Islands. The island also has a vibrant street food culture, with plenty of local delicacies worth trying.
POSITANO
Driving down-hill directly through Positano descending the winding one-way road, bypassing many local restaurants, leads to the heart of the town – the busy central Piazza dei Mulini that is connected to a narrow downhill path and some occasional flights of steps that lead to the seafront.
At Piazza dei Mulini, you must leave the car as all streets leading to the waterfront are for pedestrians only.
These streets also lead to the cathedral, shops selling lemons, shoes and “Positano fashion” clothing.
While Positano’s ceramic and linen industries (Moda Positano) date from the 1950s, they boomed when tourists discovered the village in the 1970s.
Today you’ll find lots of these shops on this street, along with galleries featuring the work of local artists (a visit to a factory is at your own discretion).
There is a short walk back uphill in order to return to the car and this time, ascending the mountain, returning to the main coastal road to start the journey back to the hotel or ship.
Explore the narrow streets of this maritime village.
AMALFI
The coastal road begins after Sorrento, runs through Positano, the fishing villages of Praiano, Furore and Conca dei Marini, and continues until it reaches the busy square of Amalfi which is situated on the seafront – the port and a long stretch of pebbled beach.
In front of the port of Amalfi, there is the one and only bus station along the coast.
Behind this square lies the main shopping street of Amalfi that terminates at the furthest and highest point of the town.
Along the pedestrian street are various bars and cafés, not to mention the many shops selling limoncello, casual clothing, swimwear, gifts, basic groceries, and of course, ceramics.
However, if one would like to see more than just shops, Amalfi has some interesting sights to explore: the most spectacular cathedral along the coast, the paper factory and its museum.
RAVELLO
Ravello is a rural village un spoilt by tourism, perched on top of a mountain cliff situated above Amalfi and Minori. It is famous for its breath-taking views and ancient monuments best exemplified by the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo.
In high season, these gardens are rich in sweet secants of blooming flowers, shadows of flora and perfume of lemons.
There are also many classical concerts held in the gardens of Villa Rufolo, located just off the main square of Ravello.
Apart from the main cathedral, also situated in the square there is a history museum constructed in the basement of the cathedral.
Alng the narrow arches of Via Roma one will find a few small boutiques and souvenir shops.
POMPEII
Begin this exiting excursion directly at your hotel or from the pier, you will pass Mount Vesuvius as you begin your coastal drive south to the ancient city of Pompeii, one of the most famous excavations in the world.
You will see the shadows of life as it was lived in 79 AD.
Once a thriving empire 1,900 years ago, it was devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, when 30 feet of volcanic ash and pumice stone covered the city.
Archaeological excavations are open to the public between the hours of 08:30 and 18:00 every day of the week, on request a licensed guide can be arranged for Pompeii tour.
Please note that since Pompeii is a popular area for tourists, we strongly recommend being cautious of your belongings!
On your way from Pompeii to Sorrento, you will see typical villages and the dolomitic cliffs which have characterized this peninsula for many centuries.
HERCULANEUM
If you visit the city of Naples you have reserve a bit of time to see the two most famous places of the surroundings of Naples, namely the two cities buried by the eruption of Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The two sites have been scarred forever by the proximity of the volcano, which characterizes the landscape, but it is also the protagonist of their destruction.
The eruption that has engulfed the city is that of 79 AD, which blocked the two Roman centers in an almost surreal dimension, where the houses, streets, public buildings, objects of everyday life and even people appear peacefully asleep under volcanic dust.
Both Pompeii and those of Herculaneum are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the testimonies that reproduce the life of a society from another era, that is unparalleled in the world.
The Herculaneum site was discovered in the eighteenth century, quite by accident, by a prince who had a villa in Portici, that – performing the excavations – found the remains of an ancient temple.
The various excavations have brought to light various works of art, temples, the Basilica, several houses and the villa of the Papyri, still partly unexplored, where about 1700 papyrus, enclosed in boxes, have been found, which deal philosophical texts in greek and latin.
The Herculaneum visit allows travel with the imagination and wander through the old streets and enter homes discovering the customs and habits of the past.
VESUVIUS
Mount Vesuvius is a somma-stratovolcano located on the Gulf of Naples in Campania, Italy, about 9 km (5.6 mi) east of Naples and a short distance from the shore.
It is one of several volcanoes which form the Campanian volcanic arc.
Vesuvius consists of a large cone partially encircled by the steep rim of a summit caldera caused by the collapse of an earlier and originally much higher structure.
Mount Vesuvius is best known for its eruption in AD 79 that led to the burying and destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as several other settlements.
The eruption ejected a cloud of stones, ashes and volcanic gases to a height of 33 km, spewing molten rock and pulverized pumice at the rate of 6×105 cubic metres second, ultimately releasing a hundred thousand times the thermal energy released by the Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombings.
More than 1,000 people died in the eruption, but exact numbers are unknown.
The only surviving eyewitness account of the event consists of two letters by Pliny the Younger to the historian Tacitus.
Vesuvius has erupted many times since and is the only volcano on the European mainland to have erupted within the last hundred years.
Today, it is regarded as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world because of the population of 3,000,000 people living nearby and its tendency towards violent, explosive eruptions of the Plinian type, making it the most densely populated volcanic region in the world.
NAPLES
Naples is one of the most beautiful cities to visit during a trip to Italy, it offers an incredible variety of things to do, sights to see and magical stories that envelop it in an aura of mystery.
The city a more be visited even ten times a year, but each time will give something different and new places to explore that seem to never run out.
From the sea to the culture, nature, leisure and the delicious cuisine, which is not just pizza, tourists remains entranced by the heat and from the places that have made and continue to make history of our country.
The historic center of Naples is a never-ending succession of squares, churches, palaces and spiers of the most important.
Walking through its streets, such as the San Gregorio Armeno, which at Christmas time becomes the heart of Naples with its artisan market of statues and items for the crib, you can discover the true soul of the city.
The famous Palace of Capodimonte, Naples underground, the church dedicated to San Gennaro, where every year we celebrate the miracle of the blood dissolution, Posillipo with its belvedere and the Vomero with its villas are just a few things to see in its center that already fill the visit.
But Naples is also much more, and off the main core of the city the itinerary is enriched by historical sidelights, archaeological, and natural magic will not have comparisons in the world.
The routes that wind in the Naples area are many and varied, from the spell of Capri blue, the breath of the history of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the burning land of the Campi Flegrei.
SORRENTO
Close to the Amalfi coast there is the Sorrento coast, which stretches from Castellammare di Stabia to Punta Campanella.
The most representative city is Sorrento, a true haven of art and culture of the bell, perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, with important historical and artistic heritage.
The heart of the city is formed by a maze of narrow streets lined by small shops of craftsmen that produce the typical and folkloristic items products, in addition to the many taverns where you can taste all specialties.
There are opportunities for wellness tourism, with the renowned thermal spas of Vico Equense.
One recommendation, do not leave the Sorrento Coast without tasting the famous Limoncello liquor.
CASERTA
The Royal Palace of Caserta sits majestically on a hill overlooking the estate once belonging to the Bourbon kings of Naples.
Built in grand style and stature, it was one of the largest buildings constructed in Europe in the 18th century and remains one of the continent’s largest palaces.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and at nearly 47,000 square meters in size it is the largest royal residence in the world.
The palace was inspired in large part by the Palace of Versailles in nearby France, though maintains its own individuality and style.
Similarly surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens, fountains, and parks, it is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and impressive in its scale alone.
A few things not to miss: the Royal Staircase, atrium, and Palatine Chapel, which meet a central, particularly scenic part of the palace.