Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Naples, the gateway to Campania, where ancient history meets modern life. Visit the iconic Pompeii, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. As you journey south to Sicily, witness the diverse beauty of the island. Marvel at the ancient Greek ruins in Agrigento's Valley of the Temples. Explore the charming streets of Taormina and take in the breathtaking views of Mount Etna, Europe's highest and most active volcano. This tour promises an enchanting blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, offering an unforgettable journey through two of Italy's most captivating regions
As one of our Independent Tours, Sicily's Vino & Volcanoes encompasses the must-see sights and tastes of this spectacular Italian island. Explore at your own pace, taking time to savour the local delicacies and pausing to create those moments that last a lifetime. As the name suggests, this exclusive tour includes a tasting of local wine, a boat tour from Ortigia island, and a guided group walk on the flanks of mighty Mount Etna, the most active stratovolcano in the world.
Your island journey begins in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ragusa Ibla, an important city of the arts in Italy. The historic centre is brimming with architectural treasures dating back to the 17th century, with stunning churches and baroque style mansions perched on their own hilltop. Your next stop is Noto, another baroque beauty that's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you'll enjoy wine tasting at a local enoteca and have two nights to discover Noto's famous buildings, some of the finest examples of Sicilian baroque style, not to mention the city's famous frozen granita - perfectly refreshing on a summer's day!
Continue onwards to Syracuse, an exquisite coastal city where you'll stay for two nights on its small island of Ortigia. Wander the labyrinth of charming medieval streets, packed with history and an incredible local market bursting with colour, scents, and authentic Sicilian flavours; the ideal opportunity to sample homegrown produce.
Your Italian adventure concludes on the northern tip of Eastern Sicily in the unmissable hilltop town of Taormina. Overlooking the beautiful bay below with Mount Etna commanding attention in the distance, Taormina is home to a remarkably well-preserved Greek Theatre from the 3rd century which we highly recommend visiting. Don't miss the small village of Castelmola, famous for its medieval castle, local almond wine, and panoramic views across Etna. From the coast, you can enjoy hidden coves and sandy beaches, rent kayaks, snorkels, or embark on a boat tour across the glistening Mediterranean.
No trip to Sicily would be complete without visiting Mount Etna; we have included a guided group tour to this iconic volcano (includes return transfers) where you'll benefit from insider knowledge as you explore Etna's craters and lava flows - the highlight of your Sicilian Tour.
This itinerary was perfect for me and my husband. It would be great if three nights would have been allotted to Lisbon by adding a day and making the tour 10 days instead of 9. Our tour director Sabrina was great!
This tour was a perfect balance of amazing food, historical sites, and sightseeing, and time to do things on your own. We had such a dynamic and charismatic group leader that made the whole experience that much better. Wide range of activities, which made interesting aspects to the food tour theme… it was a magnificent trip!
This was an excellent trip. I felt safe in all the areas where we stayed. The hotels were consistently well located so it was easy to go out and explore on your own. The guide gave us plenty of time at the sites we visited and was flexible and supportive in accommodating people’s needs and preferences. The guide was very knowledgeable and was able to explain Turkish history and culture. The guide was much more than a tour manager. An added bonus was the private bus. There was no time wasted waiting for public transport and it just made travelling long distances so much easier and more comfortable.
This was great tour and our guide Ibrahim went the extra mile and made it very special. His overall knowledge is amazing. The drivers also were very good. I loved the variety of places we visited and the Riads were beautiful. I can’t wait to go back to this fabulous country. Sue April 2025
What a wonderful trip! After a bit of challenge finding our taxi transfer at Casablanca airport the holiday went very smoothly. The itinerary was excellent, well curated with just enough flexibility to suit the group's needs. We thoroughly enjoyed the variety of experiences and the expertise and humour of all the local guides that we met on our travels
The accommodation was very good and mostly met expectations as described, however the final riad in Marrakech was only a 3 star hotel and a 25 minute walk from the centre of town, which surprised me on an 'Upgraded' tour. It was perfectly adequate and certainly met our needs, just not what I expected at the end of the trip.
We were lucky to find ourselves with a terrific group of fellow travellers who all got on very well, however my highest praise goes to our group tour leader, Ibrahim who was exceptional.
Ibrahim is very knowledgeable and passionate about his country. He paced the trip well and was particularly adept at 'reading' the group and tweaking the plans where it would add to our comfort and enjoyment. His energy and enthusiastic personality together with his understanding and caring nature ensured that all group members had the very best holiday possible.
A very pleasant and enjoyable holiday with great accommodation, views ,walks and guides.
Enrico our rep was fantastic. Friendly, funny and engaging. A brilliant ambassador for EXPLORE.
Would have no hesitation in going with them again. Thank you.
An amazing tour loaded with variety. From sleeping in lux hotels, to camping and simple cave hotels. Sightseeing ancient sites in Carthage and particularly the amphitheatre in El Djem a highlight. With lots of opportunity to experience all the local cuisine. Plus a chance to relax on the coast in beautiful Hammamet.
Traverse Italy by train, taking in the sights and delights of some of the country's most iconic cities. Stroll and sip a spritz alongside the canals of Venice, wander the food markets of Bologna, gaze out over the breathtaking beauty of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo and people watch in the piazzas of Rome.
Venice - Discover 'the Floating City\ and climb the San Giorgio Maggiore bell tower for a bird's-eye view of the canals.
Pisa - Visit the historic city and marvel at the incredible leaning tower.
Rome - Explore Italy's vibrant capital and see the ancient Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Want to see more of Italy? - Continue your trip to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast (Trip code: VRA).
Frolic in France and Monaco on this 14-day guided tour. In spectacular Saint-Tropez, a Local Expert will guide you along the coastal town’s ancient walls for stunning views of the sea below. See three architecture styles beautifully combine at the Aix-en-Provence Cathedral. Slide into the passenger’s seat of a vintage car for a drive through the countryside, then sip on wine at a countryside winery. Savour the 18th-century elegance of Château de Fonscolombe in the heart of Provence in a 3-night luxurious stay. In Paris, admire the glittering Eiffel Towel and the majestic Arc de Triomphe.
This epic deluxe cruise to Croatia will take you to the Croatian islands scattered across the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. Your journey starts in the pearl of Adriatic, Dubrovnik. best known for historic landmarks like the Walls of Dubrovnik and Rector's Palace. Then travel to Ston, located in the Peljesac peninsula of Croatia famous for Oysters. Spend mornings on spacious decks, enticing jacuzzi on the top deck with sun loungers or swimming in the crystal clear Adriatic Sea and evenings exploring small historical towns in Croatia and Adriatic. Explore the island of Mljet, famous for its well-diverse National Park and also known as the capturing place of the Greek hero Odysseus. See Korcula often known as "Little Dubrovnik” because of the similarities in its medieval squares, churches and houses. Chance to visit Bisevo, the island in the Adriatic sea famous for its Blue Cave. Chance to admire the view of Pakleni islands from Hvar. Then head towards Split, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site famous for its rich history and archaeological sites where your cruise will end.
This Egypt vacation is a unique and unforgettable way to explore the ancient wonders, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. Begin your journey in Cairo, one of North Africa's largest cities and a cultural and political crossroads. Before taking a flight to Luxor, visit the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza. Prepare for a breathtaking cruise down the Nile River in your floating hotel, discovering ancient Egyptian cities. Cross the Luxor Bridge to Esna and see the Temple of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Disembark the ship in Edfu and visit the Temple of Sobek and Horus, the best-preserved ancient temple. Continue your journey to Aswan, where you will see the High Dam and the Philae Temple, a beautifully preserved ancient temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis. Sail to Edfu and then enjoy the onboard Egyptian Gallabiyah Celebration. As the cruise ship docks in Luxor, you can unwind in your spacious cabins overnight. Continue your journey to Luxor's East Bank, where you will see the Karnak and Luxor Temples. Enjoy the Belly Dance show in the evening. After breakfast, disembark from the cruise in Luxor and proceed to the airport to catch your flight back to Cairo. Visit the Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Mosque, and Bazaar to finish off your exceptional trip in Cairo.
