Italy: From Sicily to Rome, 1943-44

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Date(s) - 19/09/2026 - 27/09/2026
12:00 am

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September 19-27, 2026

This fully guided and immersive staff-ride will explore the people and places of the Italian Campaign from July 1943-June 1944, that began Europe’s liberation from Nazi rule. We will walk the beaches and cliffs, and follow the operations from the Sicilian landing zones to the desperate fighting along the Gustav Line and Monte Cassino and on to the Anzio-Nettuno landings and the liberation of the Italian capital, the famed Eternal City.

The events of 1943-44 continue to inspire long after the guns have fallen silent. This Italy staff-ride will bring guests to the beaches, cliffs and fields; and villages, towns and cities where the Greatest Generation made their most indelible mark. From Rangers at Licata and Gela, to the American infantrymen assaulting the beaches at Paestum; from American paratroopers holding the key Biazza Ridge, and in the dizzying heights and intense fighting at Altavilla to the brutal slugfest fighting along the Rapido at San Pietro, and Cassino to the 3^rd Infantry Division and the Ranger Force at Anzio-Nettuno and the final Ranger battle at Cisterna. Then, we will arrive in Rome to discuss the liberation of that city on June 4^th and 5th, 1944, as well as visit so many other iconic sites!

The WWII expedition unfolds over nine days and eight nights with stories of all the Allied participants as well as those of the German defenders. In addition, we will see numerous examples of ancient Greek and Roman civilization – the heart of the Western World’s legacy.

ACTIVITIES & HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th: ROME ARRIVAL AND EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

Check-in to Hilton Hotel at Rome FCO International Airport.
We will have a Welcome Social and Dinner and do an overview of the staff-ride along with group introductions.
Hotel: Hilton.

Day 2

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th: FLIGHT TO SICILY AND DRIVE TO SIRACUSA

Breakfast
Depart Rome FCO International Airport on flight to Catania International Airport on Sicily.
Drive south to the ancient city of Siracusa, with its millennia of history.
Visit ancient Greek sites, discuss the battles between Athens and Sparta and others here
Walking tour of the Old Town island of Ortigia
Group Dinner in Old Town
Hotel: Ortea Palace by Autograph Collection

Day 3

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st: THE HUSKY LANDINGS AND INITIAL FLIGHTS

Breakfast
Drive west from Siracusa into the American zone
Visit the landing beaches of George Patton’s 7^th Army, with the Ranger Battalions and the 3^rd Infantry Division at Licata and Gela. The allied invasion of Sicily was the largest of the war in numbers of men landed on D-Day.
Walk the Gela streets and waterfront where Colonel Darby and his Rangers hunted German tanks.
In the afternoon visit the 1^st Infantry Division’s inland battlesite at Casteluccio di Gela.
We will visit sites of the American advance inland, including Jim Gavin and the 505^th PIR holding the key Ponte Dirillo Bridge and Biazza Ridge. Some of the stiffest fighting for the 82^nd in the war! The 45^th Infantry Division also saw hard action nearby at Piano Lupo.
Return drive through the mountains to Siracusa in the British and Canadian zone.
Social hour followed by dinner on your own in the Old Town with its myriad restaurants.
Hotel: Ortea Palace

Day 4

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd: SIRACUSE to CATANIA WITH THE 8th ARMY

Breakfast
Visit British Commando and glider battlesites at Ponte Grande Bridge and on the Maddalena Peninsula as the British and Canadians attempt to gain a foothold.
Visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Siracusa.
Drive north along the 8^th Army route toward Catania.
Lunch overlooking the critical and strategic Catania Plain, the focus of the British advance.
Visit the incredible dayslong battlesite at Primosole Bridge, perhaps the toughest British action in the war.
Late afternoon visit to Taormina, the gorgeous cliffside town, renowned for its actors and performers from ancient Greek theater to Hollywood fame.
Dinner on your own in Taormina.
Drive to port of Messina and board our ferry for the overnight trip up into Salerno Bay.
Hotel: Ferry cabins are ensuite.

Day 5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23: AVALANCHE LANDINGS AND INITIAL FLIGHTS

Breakfast aboard ship.
Land at the port of Salerno as British commandos did on September 9, 1943.
Explore the landing beaches of Mark Clark’s 5th Army, especially the 36th Division at Paestum in Operation AVALANCHE.
A visit to the ancient Greek ruins of Paestum is followed by lunch on your own near the museum. This Magna Graecia site is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved in the ancient world.
In the afternoon, visit other small-unit battles sites including the Tobacco Factory complex, and the tough fight in the clouds at Altavilla with elements of the 82nd Airborne and 36th IDs.
Drive to Amalfi and check-in to the 4-star Luna Convento lodgings, a gorgeous former monastery overlooking the famed Amalfi coast.
Social Hour followed by dinner on your own in central Amalfi.
Hotel: Luna Convento

Day 6

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th: THE RANGERS AT CHIUNZI PASS AND ON TO THE BATTLES AT CASSINO AND THE BREAKING OF THE GUSTAV LINE

Breakfast
In the morning, we examine the Ranger Force operations to secure the vital Chiunzi Pass to the north. A significant battle here enabled the allies to advance on Naples.
Depart for San Pietro Infine and Cassino.
At San Pietro, we will observe the brutal fight against a formidable enemy and equally formidable terrain. The 36th Division sustained many losses but took the town (though totally destroyed and this day a national park). Famed war correspondent Ernie Pyle wrote his most eloquent dispatch about this fight – “The Death of Captain Waskow.” John Huston made an acclaimed war documentary during the battle.
Group lunch in San Pietro.
Our next stop is the Rapido River crossings at Sant Angelo in Theodice. The battle here, to break the stalemate at Cassino, resulted in one of the bloodiest setbacks of the war in Italy.
In the rebuilt city of Cassino, we will discuss the four attacks by Americans, New Zealanders, Indians and finally Poles to capture the high-ground behind.
We will visit the amazing Abbey of Monte Cassino, one of the most important sites in all Christendom and one that dominates the road to Rome. Its destruction by allied bombing remains one of the most controversial decisions of the entire war.
We will also experience the nearby Polish Cemetery where we can observe the final fight up the forbidding terrain resulting in its capture.
Drive to Nettuno.
Check-in to lodgings on the Anzio-Nettuno landings beach.
Social hour, followed by dinner on your own.
Hotel: Austura Palace

Day 7

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th: ANZIO-NETTUNO & CISTERNA TO ROME LIBERATION

Breakfast
In the pre-dawn darkness of January 22, the Ranger Force landed at Anzio and quickly seized the vital port, spearheading the invasion in Operation SHINGLE, an attempt to turn the Germans out of their Gustav Line positions. The main American force landed at nearby Nettuno.
Visit the nearby Sicily-Rome American Cemetery where over 7,000 Americans lie in a spectacularly beautiful rest.
Our next stop is one of the most pivotal actions for the Rangers in WWII. At Cisterna, on January 30^th, Darby’s Ranger force faced overwhelming odds and was itself destroyed in a fierce battle that few survived. The remains of the 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th Battalions were dismantled and the survivors sent back stateside to train new Rangers.
Group lunch in Cisterna.
Continuing on to Rome, we will follow the May 1944 breakout from the beachhead by MG Lucian Truscott’s VI Corps. Entering the city, we will visit sites of its liberation by the US-Canadian 1^st Special Service Force, as well as battles against the Germans by Italians in 1943.
We will also visit the Ardeatine Cave Massacre site and memorial.
Check-in to central Rome lodgings, the 5-star Eitch Borromini, a 17^th century palace designed by Borromini overlooking the Piazza Navona.
Social hour, dinner on your own.
Hotel: Eitch Borromini (or similar)

Day 8

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH: ROME

Breakfast
Visit WWII sites in Rome, including the vibrant Jewish Quarter and its synagogue and museum.
Afternoon time on your own, including lunch, to explore museums and other sites of the Eternal City!
Final group dinner to wrap-up the expedition.
Hotel: Eitch Borromini (or similar)

Day 9

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH: END OF THE EXPEDITION AND DEPARTURES

Breakfast, followed by departures and onward journeys.

THIS EXPEDITION INCLUDES

Nine days and eight nights of in-depth guided tours.
Full-time professional historian.
All single occupancy lodging in best hotel available in each location: 1 night in Catania, 2 nights in Siracusa, 1 night aboard Ferry, 1 night in Amalfi, 1 night in Nettuno and 2 nights in Rome.
Breakfast at all hotels
All museum and other entrance fees per itinerary.
Daily transportation on luxury bus or van with driver.
Personalized tour support.
Most meals (all breakfasts).
Ferry from Messina to Salerno.
All airport transfers to/from airports/hotels.
Pricing: $7,500per person, double occupancy; $750 single occupancy supplement.
LOCATION AND LODGING (subject to change)
- Catania: Romano Palace Luxury
- Siracusa: Ortea Palace
- ferry
- Amalfi: Luna Convento
- Nettuno: Austura Palace
- Rome: Eitch Borromini

NOT INCLUDED

Flights to/from Europe
Alcohol

INTRIGUED BUT STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TOURING ITALY?

Let’s schedule a conference call! We’d love to chat with you and answer any questions you may have.
Complete the contact form below and let’s set up a call.

DEPOSIT, PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY

EHE requires a deposit of $1,000 per person to confirm the trip. For any cancellation made 90 days before the tour start date, EHE will refund all payments minus itemized sunk costs by EHE and a $250 per person administrative fee.

Cancellations received by EHE between 90 and 60 days of the tour start date will result in forfeiture of the deposit.
For cancellations received by EHE between 30 and 60 days of the tour start date, the guests will be responsible for 50 percent of the tour cost to cover sunk costs.
For cancellations received by EHE less than 30 days of the tour start date, the guests will be responsible for the total tour cost.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR UPCOMING TRIP TO ITALY

Contact Information: Brian DeToy phone 253.468.7374 and email brian@historyexp.com or Sheryl Shafer phone 303.517.9676 and email sheryl@historyexp.com.

Reading: If you want to do some reading beforehand, we recommend:

The Day of Battle: The War in Italy, 1943-1944 by Rick Atkinson (the entire Liberation Trilogy is magnificent)
Martin Blumenson, Salerno to Cassino.
Ernest Fisher, Jr. Cassino to the Alps.
Farley Mowatt. And No Birds Sang.
Audie Murphy. To Hell and Back.
Bill Mauldin, Up Front.
Frank Costigliola, Roosevelt’s Lost Alliances: How Personal Politics Helped Start the Cold War (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2012).
Richard Overy, Why the Allies Won (New York: W.W. Norton, 1997).
Norman Rich, Hitler’s War Aims: Ideology, The Nazi State, and the Course of Expansion (New York: W.W. Norton, 1992).
Peter Caddick-Adams, Monte Cassino: Ten Armies in Hell.

Film:

The Devil’s Brigade (William Holden, et al. The 1st Special Service Force assault on a key part of the German line).
The Battle of San Pietro (John Ford’s 1945 masterpiece of a battle we shall visit).

19/09/2026 - 27/09/2026 12:00 am Italy: From Sicily to Rome, 1943-44