Make New Discoveries in Southern Italy
On a map, Southern Italy certainly forms the “boot” that shapes Italy — but there’s far more to this region than meets the eye. Join us as we explore Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria and truly explore Italy from “heel” to “toe,” or improve your cooking skills in the heart of Sicily. You can even journey through the region during the winter when the weather is still mild and there are fewer crowds to learn what local life is truly like in Taormina. Whatever you choose, you’ll experience a region of Italy that is often less explored — meaning there is plenty of room for new discoveries to be made!
- Most Popular
- Relevance
- Price
- Start Date
- Title Asc
- Title Desc
Southern Italy Tours
When we think of a Southern Italy vacation, we think of fresh pecorino cheese, world-famous pizzas, delicious chiantis, rich olive oils and fairytale towns sitting on the edge of cliffs overlooking the sea.
Italy is Road Scholar’s 2023 Campus of the Year, which means we have curated excellent Southern Italy tours for travelers of all ages. This country has it all — a friendly culture, delicious cuisine, stunning landscapes and historical treasures.
The regions that comprise Southern Italy are Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia and the two islands of Sardinia and Sicily. From stunning cliffs and white sand beaches to homemade pasta and world-class shopping, Southern Italy is a traveler’s paradise.
Italy’s style and charm will capture your heart and leave memories that will last a lifetime. Road Scholar has the best Southern Italy itineraries and tips for you.
Explore Culture & Cuisines on Tours of Southern Italy & Sicily
Did you know that Sardinia is one of the world’s five Blue Zones, where residents live the longest? Did you know that pizza was invented in Naples? This country is filled with delightful surprises to the senses at every turn. Road Scholar has many tours of Southern Italy and Sicily, and here are a few of our favorites.
1. Winter in Italy: Culture & Cuisine in Taormina & Sicily
Sicily is the island at the bottom of the boot that is great to visit in the winter months. Sicily’s location on the Mediterranean Sea gives it a romance and relaxation second to none.
Road Scholar has curated an incredible eight-day journey through Sicily and Taormina to explore these historic regions of Italy during the quieter months.
Travelers will learn how the Byzantines, Greeks, Romans and others influenced Sicilian life through the years. Enjoy the adventure with a ride along the Circumetnea Railway around the base of Mount Etna to learn about one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Sample ricotta cheese at a local family run caseificio and enjoy a full Sicilian lunch. Arrivederci in Italy!
2. Stunning Sardinia: From the Ancient World to the Costa Smeralda
Enjoy sightseeing and discovering artifacts and megaliths from ancient civilizations, or relax on the beach and swim in the Mediterranean. This 11-day Road Scholar trip will take travelers to ancient worlds, archeological sites, and coastal beaches along the Costa Smeralda.
Tour the Phoenician-Roman coastal settlements and the unique megalithic architecture of the Nuragic civilization. Relax and enjoy a boat excursion through the small islands of La Maddalena Archipelago — Bargi, Budelli, and Razzoli. Adventure awaits you on a Southern Italy vacation!
Adventures on Southern Italy Travel
At Road Scholar, our Southern Italy tours immerse you in the region’s rich culture in various towns in Italy’s boot. Through Southern Italy travel, you can embark on a wide range of adventures to fully experience the cultural heritage and natural splendor of the region. Southern Italy has sun-soaked landscapes dotted with olive groves, vineyards, and historic sites like ancient ruins and medieval towns. Ready to see what our escorted tours in Southern Italy are all about? Here are some of the top adventures in Southern Italy’s top towns and cities.
- Sicily: As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is one of the top city discoveries in Italy. It has a rich history, diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and, best of all, mouth-watering cuisine. On our Southern Italy tours to Sicily, you can experience all its wonders firsthand. Explore ancient Greek and Roman ruins, such as the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento or the Greek Theater in Taormina. For outdoor enthusiasts, a trek to Mount Etna, one of the world’s most-active volcanoes, allows you to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Other adventures include walking Palermo’s street markets, sailing to the Aeolian Islands, and touring the vineyards adorning Mount Etna.
- Puglia: Located in the heel of Italy’s boot is the charming town of Puglia, which is a great destination for Italy family tours and solo travel to Southern Italy. Some of the top adventures you can embark on in Puglia include the Trulli Houses in Alberobello, which is a town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its history and fascinating example of vernacular architecture, or Gargano National Park, known for its mix of dense forests, dramatic cliffs, and stunning beaches. Other highlights include the Baroque architecture in Lecce and visits to Puglia’s many olive groves.
- Calabria: Calabria is another highlight of our escorted tours in Southern Italy. Calabria is a region in Italy with rugged mountains and a charming coastline. You can partake in numerous adventures on our excursions around Calabria, including visits to Aspromonte National Park with its gorges and forests, and archaeological sites from the Bronze Age, such as the ancient city of Locri Epizefiri. Like all of our European travel programs, visits to Calabria will immerse you directly into the culture, where you can enjoy spicy Calabrian cuisine while dining with locals or visiting abandoned villages like Craco to understand the region’s rich history.
At Road Scholar, our Southern Italy tours combine discovery, relaxation, and excitement. We have a wide range of one-of-a-kind adventures you can participate in, such as taking cooking lessons in Taormina from locals to learn traditional methods for world-famous recipes or going wine tasting while learning about local grape growing traditions. Whether you’re interested in Central Italy tours or Southern Italy travel, we have experiential learning programs for people of all activity levels.
Explore Southern Italy With Road Scholar
At Road Scholar, we have a wide range of Northern and Southern Italy tours from which to choose, whether you are traveling solo or as a group. No matter which educational learning adventure you choose, you'll be placed in a cohort of like-minded adventurers.
Our programs are led by local experts who will walk you through your destination's history, culture, traditions and landscape. We also have a collection of online tours of Italy that are very popular.
Enroll in one of our Road Scholar tours today.