Southern Italy and Sicily Tale by Bus with Departures from Eskişehir and Ankara

Southern Italy and Sicily Tale by Bus

3 Nights Accommodation on the Island of Sicily – Outlet Tour Included
(10 Days 9 Nights, 8 Nights Accommodation)
 

Thessaloniki – Igoumenitsa – Ioannina – Bari – Taranto – Lecce – Catania – Taormina – Savoca – Palermo – Castellammare – Erice – Cefalu – Messina – Calabria – Salerno – Positano – Amalfi – Alberobello – Kalambaka (Meteora) – Kavala

          Departure Dates
March 13 – March 19 – May 22 - July 24 – September 11 – November 6 – November 13

We start our tour by picking up you, our valued guests, from Eskişehir Özdilek Parking Lot at 12:00, opposite Ankara Armada Mall at 15:00, Ümitköy Bridge at 15:30, Bolu Highway Facilities at 18:30, Düzce Tursan Rest Facilities at 20:00, Sapanca Berceste at 21:30, and opposite İzmit Bus Terminal at 22:00. We arrive at the Kapıkule Border Gate. After completing our passport and customs procedures here, we continue our journey with a overnight journey.

Route: Eskişehir – İpsala Border Gate (934 km)

After having breakfast at our leisure in Nea Karvali in the morning hours, we continue our journey towards Thessaloniki. Upon our arrival in Thessaloniki, during our panoramic tour, the Waterfront, White Tower, Rotunda, Fair Ground, Ottoman and Byzantine monuments, Hagia Demetrios Cathedral which is the largest cathedral in Greece, and the Statue of Alexander the Great will be among the places to see. Following the panoramic tour, we visit the house of the Great Leader Atatürk. In the short free time we will give after our tour, you can have a meal or drink coffee or frappe at the cafes on the waterfront. After the free time, we meet at the time specified by our guide, leave Thessaloniki, and continue our journey towards Igoumenitsa. On the way, we stop by the city of Ioannina. After the dinner break we will give in this charming city built on the lakeshore, we depart for the Port of Igoumenitsa. Upon our arrival, we complete the ticket, customs, and passport procedures and board the ship. We move to the seats reserved for our group on the ship. Our night will be spent with a ferry journey.

Morning Breakfast        : Will be taken at leisure in Nea Karvali (Not included in the price)
Lunch                     : Will be taken at leisure in Thessaloniki (Not included in the price)
Dinner                 : Will be taken at leisure in Ioannina (Not included in the price)
Currencies             : Euro
Route                            : İpsala Border Gate – Nea Karvali (186 km), Nea Karvali – Thessaloniki (163 km), Thessaloniki – Ioannina (259 km), Ioannina – Igoumenitsa (79 km)
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 687 km
Ship Boarding Time     : Estimated: 23:00

Following our morning arrival at the port of Bari (Brindisi), we leave the ship and set off for Taranto. Upon our arrival, we reach our hotel near Taranto, which is a port city bearing the same name in the Puglia Region in southern Italy. Guests who wish can join the optional Lecce tour (50 Euros), known as the Florence of Southern Italy. On this tour, we go to Lecce, famous for its Baroque architecture and known as a city inhabited by a very hospitable Italian population. During our Lecce walking city tour upon arrival, the Basilica of Santa Croce, the ancient city center, Duomo Square, Sant’Oronzo Square, and Naples Gate will be among the places to see. Following our tour and a brief free time, transfer to our hotel and check-in to rooms. Overnight at our hotel.

Morning Breakfast        : Will be taken at leisure on the ship (Not included in the price)
Lunch                     : Will be taken at leisure during the day (Not included in the price)
Dinner                 : Will be taken at leisure in Taranto (Not included in the price)
Currencies             : Euro
Route                            : Bari – Taranto (92 km), Taranto – Lecce (214 km)
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 306 km
Hotel Check-in Time         : Estimated depending on road conditions: 21:00

After the morning breakfast at the hotel, we complete our check-out procedures and depart from the hotel with our luggage, heading towards Catania. Upon our arrival in Catania, one of the most important cities of the Sicily region hosting numerous monuments and natural beauties, we begin our city tour. During our tour, the Duomo, Fontana dell’Elefante, Republic Square (Piazza Repubblica), and Via Etnea will be some of the places to see. During the free time we will give after the tour, we recommend you taste various seafood and fish at the fish market. Following the free time, transfer to our hotel and check-in to rooms. Overnight at our hotel.

Morning Breakfast        : Included and will be taken at the hotel
Lunch                     : Will be taken at leisure during the day (Not included in the price)
Dinner                 : Will be taken at leisure in Catania (Not included in the price)
Currencies             : Euro
Route                            : Taranto – Catania (481 km)
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 481 km
Hotel Check-in Time         : Estimated depending on road conditions: 21:30

After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Those who wish can participate in the optional Taormina – Savoca tour (75 Euro). On our tour, we first head to Taormina, one of the most beautiful coastal cities of Sicily, where we can also enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Etna, one of Europe's active volcanoes. After seeing the Greek-Roman style theatre in this city located at the foothills of Mount Tauro, there will be free time to explore the city and sip your coffee. Following the free time and at the time announced by our guide, we depart to visit the village of Savoca, where Francis Ford Coppola filmed the Sicilian scenes of the world-famous Godfather series. Among the places we will see in Savoca are Bar Vitelli, where the scene of Michael Corleone asking her father for permission to meet his daughter Apollonia was filmed, and the Church of Santa Lucia, where the wedding scene of Michael Corleone and Apollonia took place. During our free time here, we recommend trying the traditional Italian delicacy, Lemon Granita. After our tour, we pick up any guests who did not join the tour and continue our journey towards Palermo. On our way, we stop by the Sicily Outlet Village, which is included in our tour. We give you free time for your shopping in this area, located on Italy's island of Sicily and known throughout Europe for its outlets, featuring products from 161 different brands. At the end of the free time given by our guide, we continue our journey towards Palermo. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel and check-in into the rooms. Overnight at our hotel.

Breakfast        : Included at the hotel
Lunch               : Free during the day (Not included in the price)
Dinner           : Free at the Outlet (Not included in the price)
Currencies             : Euro
Route                            : Catania – Taormina (54 km), Taormina – Savoca (22 km), Savoca – Outlet (133 km), Outlet – Palermo (148 km)
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 357 km
Hotel Check-in Time         : Estimated depending on road conditions: 21:30

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave the hotel by our vehicle for the Palermo tour. During our city tour of Palermo, some of the places to be seen are the Palatine Chapel, San Giovanni Cathedral, Politeama Square, Palazzo dei Normanni, Quattro Canti Square, Via Roma and Via Liberta streets. Free time after our tour. Guests who wish can join the optional Castellamare Del Golfo – Erice – Spiaggia di Mondello tour. (70 Euro) Our first stop on the tour is Castellamare Del Golfo, which will enchant you with its magnificent beaches and scenery, eye-catching architecture, and historical beauties. During our panoramic tour, we see the Castellamare Del Golfo Castle, which gives the town its name, along with the harbor of the same name. During our free time here, you can taste the best fish and seafood of the island. After free time, our next stop is Erice, established on the northwest corner of the island of Sicily, dominating the magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Founded on a steep hill 750 m high, Erice takes its name from an Elymians hero named Eryx. During our walking tour, Erice Duomo, Porta Trapani, Torretta Pepoli, and San Martino Church will be some of the places we will see. After our tour, during our free time, you can explore the narrow streets of the city, buy souvenirs, and have a drink against the scenery. After our tour, we head to Spiaggia di Mondello, the last point of today's tour, and give you a swimming break in these beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast. At the end of our tour, we return to our hotel in Palermo. Overnight at our hotel.

Breakfast        : Included at the hotel
Lunch               : Free in Castellamare Del Golfo (Not included in the price)
Dinner           : Free in Palermo (Not included in the price)
Currencies             : Euro
Route                            : Palermo – Castellamare Del Golfo (67 km), Castellamare Del Golfo – Erice (37 km), Erice – Spiaggia di Mondello (95 km)
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 199 km
Hotel Check-in Time         : Estimated depending on road conditions: 20:00

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off towards Salerno. Guests who wish can join the optional Cefalu tour to be organized on the way (35 Euro) (Guests not joining the tour will rest at a facility on the way). On our tour, after spending time in Cefalu, a charming fishing town located on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, seeing the 12th-century historical cathedral, the fishermen's gate, and the unique streets of the city, we continue our journey towards Messina. We pass to the port by seeing the city panoramically from the bus. Crossing the Strait of Messina, we set off towards Salerno for accommodation. Upon arrival in Salerno, transfer to our hotel and check-in to the rooms. Overnight at our hotel.

Breakfast        : Included at the hotel
Lunch               : Free during the day (Not included in the price)
Dinner           : Free on the way (Not included in the price)
Currencies             : Euro
Route                            : Palermo – Cefalu (67 km), Cefalu – Messina (159 km), Messina – Salerno (438 km)
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 664 km
Hotel Check-in Time         : Estimated depending on road conditions: 22:30

After breakfast at the hotel, your day is free. Guests who wish can join the optional Amalfi Coast tour (95 Euro). On our tour, we get the opportunity to see the Amalfi Coast, Italy's most beautiful coastline with its breathtaking views from high steep cliffs, colorful and charming villages overlooking the sea, winding and steep roads, ornate gardens, and turquoise waters. We also get the chance to see the panorama of southern and northern Italy displaying all their beauties along with their contrasts. Leaving the hotel by our vehicle, we arrive at the point where we will board our boat and set off towards Positano. During our Positano tour, which hosted the set of the movie "The Talented Mr. Ripley", narrow streets, lemon groves, and colorful houses extending towards the slope are just some of the things we will see. During the free time we will give after our tour, you can shop, eat lemon sorbet, or swim in the turquoise blue waters. After our Positano tour, we set off by boat towards the town of Amalfi, which gives its name to the entire coastline in this region. When we arrive here, during our panoramic walking tour in the valley called the Valley of the Mills, which is devoid of mills today, the Church of San Andrea, Piazza di Dogi, and the De Cape Ciucci fountain are just some of the things we will see. During the free time we will give after our tour, you can buy ceramic products and lemon-concept products identified with the region, and taste calamari, shrimp, and fish served in paper cones called coppa di Amalfi. After the end of our Amalfi tour, which will continue with sea enjoyment, we return to Salerno by our boat. Transfer to our hotel and overnight.

Breakfast        : Included at the hotel
Lunch               : Free in Amalfi (Not included in the price)
Dinner           : Free in Salerno (Not included in the price)
Currencies             : Euro
Hotel Check-in Time         : Estimated depending on road conditions: 18:30

After breakfast at the hotel, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. We perform our panoramic city tour in Salerno, which is considered one of the most beautiful coastal cities in Europe. During the city tour, we see medieval churches, stylish wine bars, boutiques, and the tree-lined coastline and leave Salerno. After Salerno, which has an insatiable view and a magical atmosphere, guests who wish can participate in the optional Alberobello tour to be organized on the way (35 Euro) (Guests not joining the tour will rest at a facility on the way). Alberobello is famous for its cone-roofed houses called Trullo. The origin of these houses dates back to the 16th century. These interesting structures emerged to escape the heavy taxes imposed by the king. After our arrival in Alberobello, we will see key-stoned mushroom houses in the town of Alberobello, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. After the free time we will give here, we set off towards the port of Bari (or Brindisi). Following our arrival and the ticket, customs, and passport procedures to be carried out, we move to the seats reserved for our group and set off in the evening hours. Our night will be spent with a ferry journey.

Breakfast        : Included at the hotel
Lunch               : Free in Alberobello (Not included in the price)
Dinner           : Free on board (Not included in the price)
Currencies             : Euro
Route                            : Salerno – Alberobello (294 km), Alberobello – Bari (or Brindisi (80 km)) (57 km)
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 351 km (or 374 km)
Ship Boarding Time     : Estimated depending on road conditions: 17:30

After arriving at the port in the morning hours, we set off towards Kavala. Guests who wish can join the optional Kalambaka (Meteora) tour (35 Euro) (Guests not joining the tour will rest at a facility on the way). Journey to Meteora, the Region of Monasteries, which is considered the Cappadocia of Greece, located 200 meters above the ground and still actively performing its duties today. Here we witness the lives of the monks inside the monasteries they carved into the rocks years ago and visit the monasteries. Then we pass Kavala panoramically and take a break for dinner. After our tour, we set off towards the Ipsala border gate. Following our arrival and the passport and customs procedures we will carry out, we continue our journey on Turkish territory, returning to Eskişehir via Tekirdağ, and bid farewell to you, our valued guests, dropping you off at the points where we picked you up, hoping to see you on our next tours.

Breakfast        : Free on board
Lunch               : Free during the day (Not included in the price)
Dinner           : Free in Kavala (Not included in the price)
Currencies             : Euro
Route                            : Igoumenitsa – Kalambaka (168 km), Kalambaka – Kavala (378 km), Kavala – Ipsala Border Gate (192 km), Ipsala Border Gate – Eskişehir (934 km)
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 1672 km