Duration: 9 Days
Imagine spending time in Italy’s most beloved locations without the higher costs and bigger crowds associated with busy travel season. Join us on a cultural and culinary adventure of Southern Italy’s wonderful gems. Start with a stroll in Sorrento, one of the most beautiful settings facing the Bay of Naples; travel to the Adriatic coastal resort of Trani; and overnight in the Apulian capital of Bari on the heel of Italy’s “boot.” Be sure to sample the local focaccia after your tour of St. Nicolas’ Church! In Alberobello, take a tour of the traditional Trullo houses—whitewashed, circular homes, with classic conical roofs. Admire the lacy stone buildings and baroque squares of Lecce, and visit the Duomo and Santa Croce Basilica to understand why Lecce is called the “Florence of the South.” A scenic drive brings you to the rocky outcrop of Matera—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Casa Grotto to learn all about the Sassi houses, thought to be among the first human settlements in Italy.
Continue your Italian holiday to the charismatic Naples, birthplace of Neapolitan pizza. Enjoy guided sightseeing, which includes a visit to the fascinating Archaeological Museum. Join us in the off season and escape to Southern Italy’s off-the-beaten-path locales.
Welcome to Sorrento! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Amore, Sorrento
SORRENTO Orientation walk of the old town. Free time (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEMS Just as the sirens of Greek mythology lured sailors to the rocky shores of Sorrento, we are drawn to its alluring panoramas, sun-washed beaches, bistros, and boutiques. Take a seat in a sidewalk cafe to peruse the picturesque panoramas on the Bay of Naples.
Hidden Gem
TRANI Stop in the seaside resort en route to Bari. (B) 193 mi / 310 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Known as the 'Pearl of the Adriatic,' Trani encapsulates everything Puglia offers: wonderful beaches, a history-rich city centre and mouth-watering food. But that's not all, Trani is, in fact, a member of 'Cittaslow International,' an organisation founded in Italy to promote slower way of life, protecting quality of life through healthier living, sustainability, and culture.
Breaking Bread
BARI Guided walking tour includes the Old Town, San Nicola's Church, and Globus Local Favourite local focaccia tasting.
ALBEROBELLO Guided walking tour includes visit to a Trullo, one of the conical houses famous for their unique cone design. (B,D) 81 mi / 130 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
LOCAL TASTES The beauty of Italian culinary specialties is that no two regions approach recipes in the same way. Take the traditional Focaccia Barese (from Bari). The dough is made with the local staple of potatoes to create a bread that's not too tall but perfectly soft in the middle. Between the crunchy edges of baked mashed potato are ripe tomatoes, oregano, olive oil, and olives for the perfect palate-pleasing experience.
Sweet Strolls in Apulia
LECCE Guided walking tour includes Duomo and Santa Croce Basilica. Free time. (B) 93 mi / 150 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM Stroll through Apulia, the 'Florence of the South,' to take in the vibrant and bustling atmosphere. Wander the narrow streets of golden sandstone looking for hidden Piazzas or indulge in a wine bar with a glass of local rose and views of the carved baroque churches the city has to offer around each corner.
Stone Houses
MATERA Guided walking tour includes visit to Casa Grotta. (B,D) 112 mi / 180km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Matera is a city like no other, entirely carved out of the rocky slopes of a mountain in the Basilicata region and has been extended over millennia. Explore with a guide the secrets of this unique city that has been the setting for many famous films from Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of Christ' to James Bond 'No Time to Die.'
Chilling on the Coast
Scenic drive en route to Naples. (B) 162 mi / 260 km
PICTURE PERFECT Puglia region forms the heel of Italy's 'boot,' with whitewashed towns, centuries-old pastoral landscapes, and the magnificent Mediterranean coastline. Drive through this region and enter the vibrant city of Naples, a true feast for the eyes and palate in the quintessential Italian style.
A Slice of Life in Naples
NAPLES Guided sightseeing includes the Galleria Umberto, Piazza Plebiscito, and the Archaeological Museum. Farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Naples delivers Old World charm in spades as one of Italy's oldest cities. From its regal Palazzo Reale to the 13th-century Duomo di San Gennaro's frescoed masterpieces to nearby Mount Vesuvius to the most famous pizza in the world served throughout the city in Neapolitan style. A stroll along the promenade beside the Bay of Naples reveals why locals and visitors choose this spot to soak in the sunset on the Mediterranean Sea.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
