Delight in a special 15-day exploration of Italy’s southern climes, from striking Sicily and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to Apulia, the alluring “boot heel,” enjoying Italian hospitality, outstanding cuisine, and unique hotels.  Your small group first experiences Sicily’s intriguing cultural heritage with four nights in Taormina.  Encounter archaeological wonders in Agrigento’s remarkable “Valley of the Temples.”  After a visit to Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, enjoy a small group highlight:  lunch and Sicilian wines at a family-run farm.  Traveling to the mainland, tour Matera’s ancient cave dwellings and Alberobello’s white-washed houses, both UNESCO sites.  Discover Lecce, the “Florence of the South.”  With four final nights in Sorrento, highlights include evocative Pompeii, a Neapolitan cuisine cooking lesson, and a hydrofoil cruise to the storied Isle of Capri.  After a glorious Amalfi Coast drive, celebrate the Italian sojourn at a farewell dinner.  Explore Rome independently with an optional 4-day/3-night post-tour extension.