Italy rugby tour - 10 days in Southern Italy

Italy, a haven of history, great food, sunshine and with us, sport. Take a look through this 10 day trip of a lifetime through Rome, Naples, Palermo and Catania.This program combines some of the best sight-seeing in all of Italy with quality rugby with several local opponents. The South of Italy and Sicily are both historically important with impressive and monumental ancient sites to see as well as medieval castles to visit. We will go slightly off the beaten path discovering great food, friendly people, a warm climate, and exciting competition.  






Your personalized itinerary:

Day 01: Benvenuti a Roma! / Welcoming Meal

Welcome to Rome! Your local tour manager will be at the airport to greet you and we will transfer into the center of the ancient city! Upon arrival, we will complete check-in formalities as well as have some free time to rest and relax.

Evening: We gather together to enjoy a welcoming meal at a traditional Roman eatery.

Day 02: Tour of Ancient Rome / Match 1

This morning, we will commence an historical excursion of the ancient city. The highlights will include visits of the Circus Maximus, the Roman Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Mouth of Truth and much more! After our morning program, we will be free for lunch and the rest of the afternoon.

Evening: We transfer over to the local pitch of a quality opponent with post-match hospitalities available afterwards!

Day 03: On to Naples / Pompeii

After a delicious Roman breakfast, we head South to the Naples, Italy area. Upon arrival, we will first enjoy a tour of ancient Pompeii. Pompeii was destroyed in A.D. 79 in a massive eruption of the nearby volcano Vesuvius. We will walk through the ancient streets and houses, and touch history in a way that few can ever do…

After free-time for lunch, we transfer to our hotel to complete check-in formalities. For those with a little energy, we will enjoy an optional tour of the Pozzuoli Amphitheater. This huge arena was the 2^nd largest of the Roman Empire and is the most intact of any of these ancient structures.

Evening and overnight in Naples area.

Day 04: Walk of Naples / Match 2

After our morning breakfast, we will transfer to the center of Naples for a morning walk of the ancient city. Naples is one of the oldest cities of Italy and was founded by the Greeks. Walking through the ancient city will allow us to visit Greek and Roman ruins, a medieval castle, and various medieval and Renaissance era churches, before taking a pizza break! Pizza was after all invented here in Naples; you'll never eat anything out of a cardbox delivery box again after tasting the real-deal here! 

Afternoon free to rest and relax.

Evening: We will transfer over to the local club where we will take on our second opponent, a former national champion holder and one of Italy oldest football clubs. Post Match hospitalities available.

Day 05: Free Day / Optional Activities

Today we are free to rest and relax or take advantage of an optional activity. You can take a train to Sorrento, or take a boat out into the Bay of Naples to visit the Isle of Capri, or visit some of the other famous sites in the city of Naples itself. Your local tour manager can assist you as you need. 

Evening: We depart for the port of Naples where we will embark on an overnight cruise across the Mediterranean seas to Palermo Sicily. Overnight cabin accommodation is provided. 

Day 06 Welcome to Palermo / Tour of Palermo

Upon our arrival in Palermo, we will transfer over to our hotel for an early check-in. Afterwards, we commence a tour of Palermo. We will see the Cathedral of Palermo, the market place, San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Royal Palace, the Palatine Chapel, and much more!

Afternoon: Free to explore and enjoy Palermo. If you wish to take an optional program, such as to the Cathedral of nearby Monreale, just ask your local tour manager for information.

Evening and overnight in Palermo

Day 07: Free-Time / Match 3

Today you are free to rest and relax. There are several things to do and see in Palermo from medieval castle visits to a day trip of the coastal islands: the warm, crystal blue waters of the Med are perfect for swimming. 

Evening: We transfer over to the local pitch to play Palermo’s premier rugby club. Post match hospitality, Sicilian style, available!

Day 08: Villa Armerina / Catania / Match 4

After our Sicilian breakfast, we hop on our private motor-coach and head East across the island to Catania. Along the way, we will first visit the ancient Roman villa at Piazza Armerina! The imperial villa has some of the most impressive mosaics anywhere in Europe. From ladies in bikinis to a game that looks like volleyball, we learn a lot from Sicily’s ancient past by looking at her ancient “pictures.”

Upon arrival in Catania, we will have time to rest and relax or explore some of this Sicilian city. Catania was destroyed by nearby Mount Etna (one of the largest volcanoes in the world!) but has been rebuilt over the centuries. The tradition of food and drink are almost as string as their fame for having a good time!

Evening: We transfer over to the local pitch to play Catania’s famous San Gregorio RFC. Post match hospitality, Sicilian style, available!

Day 09: Mount Etna / Back to Naples

After our last Sicilian breakfast, we head North by stopping at Mount Etna. At almost 11,000 feet,  we rise up to see much of Eastern Sicily, part of Italy, and a hundred miles of Mediterranean sea…be prepared for the cold however as it is always cold and windy at the top of this still active volcano!

Continuing on, we will cross the straights of Messina by ferry into Sicily before venturing Northwards through the Calabrian mountains and valleys. Upon arrival back in Naples, we will have free time before we meet for supper.

Evening: Farewell banquet of traditional Neapolitan Food!

Day 10: Return flight home

After our last breakfast in Italy, we transfer to the local international airport for our flight home.  


This itinerary has been designed with local experts in order to get a real taste of the local culture. Excluding airfare, prices start as low as £550 per person for this 10 day tour; contact us on info@tours4.com or 0800 043 3887 to start organising your next tour today.