Spectacular Southern Italy

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Sorrento

   The genteel resort town of Sorrento on the southern end of the Bay of Naples is clearly designed for comfort. Complete with a solid portfolio of three to five star hotels, plenty of restaurants and gelaterias it's a typical slice of the Italian riviera. It makes for an easily accessible and affordable base for boat trips to Capri, a visit to Naples, Pompeii and Vesuvius or a jaunt to the other side of the Sorrentine peninsula to the Amalfi Coast. In Sorrento itself you'll enjoy all the advantages of a small town with a sizeable year-round population and a cosy Centro Storico packed with bars, antique shops, churches and grand old palazzos.

   Upon landing at the Naples Airport, our driver will pick you up and take you directly to your accommodation in Sorrento. The drive should take about 1 hour.

   

   Sorrento Chill

   You've made it to the Amalfi Coast! Once you're comfortably settled, head out of your accommodations and enjoy Sorrento's Mediterranean charm. A nice stroll along the main promenade or Marina is a perfect way to stretch your legs and enjoy the spectacular views. Follow that by relaxing with an Italian-style aperitif at one of the numerous bars, sample some locally-produced limoncello in one of the shops, or go to one of our favorite restaurants for a nice dinner. Or you can even do all of the above! No matter what you decide to do, we're sure you'll instantly fall in love with this angle of paradise.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Sorrento

   

   Group Boat Excursion to Capri

   Experience the beauty of Capri on a full-day excursion starting from the Sorrento port. Sail along the picturesque Sorrento coastline and marvel at iconic landmarks like the Green Cave, the White Cave, and Faraglioni Rocks. Enjoy stops for refreshing swims in crystal-clear waters and explore Capri and Anacapri during four hours of free time, discovering charming spots like Piazza Umberto I. Conclude your unforgettable journey with a return to the Sorrento port, having savored the essence of "la bella vita".

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 7-8 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Indulge alla Sorrentino

   Even though limoncello is the most famous product in this area, there are many other foods and specialties to try in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Some of the most famous are Provolone del Monaco di Sorrento, a sort of semi-hard cow's milk cheese that has a smooth texture and mild smoky flavor, which goes great with local wine. The tomatoes here are also very special. There are many different varieties, and each is rich in flavor. They all taste excellent when they are sliced thick and topped with extra virgin olive oil, basil, and a dash of salt for a perfect bruschetta. Of course, the list wouldn't be complete without mozzarella! There are many places to try this famous cheese, but our favorite is the Caseificio Apreda Francesco, a traditional producer with many delicious varieties.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Sorrento

   Journey Through Ancient History at Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius

   A visit to Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient Roman life, with its well-preserved ruins and artifacts that tell the story of the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. You can explore the iconic streets, homes, and temples of this location, but a guided tour with an expert to bring the history to life is a more effective way to gain an understanding of what happened. For a truly immersive experience, you could also include a visit to Mt. Vesuvius itself, where you can hike to the crater for stunning views of the Bay of Naples. We can organize private or group tours to ensure a seamless and enriching day trip to this fascinating historical area.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Pompeii Private Day Trip with Cooking Class and Wine Tasting on Mount Vesuvius from Sorrento

   Experience the ancient city of Pompeii on this private tour, exploring its streets, art, and architecture preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. After your guided visit, enjoy a hands-on cooking class featuring seasonal, local ingredients and a wine tasting. This tour blends history, archaeology, and authentic Italian flavors for an unforgettable experience.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 8 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Group Tour from Sorrento

   Begin your adventure with an early departure to beat the crowds and make the most of your visit to Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage site preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Wander its ancient streets with a professional guide who brings the city’s history and daily life to life. Then, enjoy an invigorating trek to the crater’s edge of Mount Vesuvius. From there, take in breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples from a truly unique vantage point.

   This is a group tour with bus transportation of up to 42 people. For a more intimate experience, it is possible to upgrade to a private tour.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 8 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

4. Day 4 Traveling to Monopoli by Private Transfer / Arrival in Monopoli

   

   Today our driver will pick you up from your accommodations in Sorrento and take you to Monopoli in Puglia. The journey takes about 5 hours along the main highway. For an additional fee, we can arrange a stop in Matera on the way.

   The heel of the Italy's boot, Puglia has long been off most foreign travelers' radar, but not so for the Italians. This is where they love to go on their own vacations, particularly in summer, because the food down here is just that good. In Puglia you'll find a distinctly Mediterranean approach to life, the clear blue waters of the Adriatic and some fantastic food and wine with cuisine changing almost every few miles. One of our favorite spots on the coast is the small town of Monopoli. The whitewashed and white stone buildings of the old town and the marble-smooth limestone paving have a relaxing effect. Monopoli is popular with Italian vacationers too, but the fact that almost everyone's speaking Italian adds to that "for-locals" feeling. All the bounty of the sea is on menus around the old town, but we'll share the best places with you. You're ideally placed here for day trips either along the coast or inland to some of Puglia's small hilltop towns, the trulli of Alberobello, or the caves of Castellana Grotte.

   Monopoli's Old Town is mostly pedestrian and access for cars is restricted. Your driver will bring you as close as technically possible to the accommodation. The hotel will arrange a pick-up by their courtesy vehicle directly at your parking spot, and will help you with luggage.

   

   People Watching in the Main Square

   If you are here for the first time and have already explored the historic center a little bit, or you have a walking tour planned for the day after, then there is nothing left to do other than sit in the main square, enjoy a nice, refreshing glass of white wine and some pizza, and do some people watching (an all-time favorite activity for people in the South of Italy!). The very best place to engage in this is Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi. It's a gorgeous square, but the best part is that it really comes alive after 5:00 PM when locals go to enjoy a nice aperitivo. And you know what they say, right? When in Rome…

   Suggestion to explore on your own

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Monopoli

   

   Farms, Olive Trees, and Grotto Churches Group Bike Tour

   Get to know the real Apulia on this half-day biking excursion. You'll set off from Old Town and there will be several stops along the way: First at Porto Ghiacciolo, a picturesque beach near the Saint Stephan castle, then at an old grotto church and fascinating oil mill excavated inside the rock. Before going back to Monopoli, you'll visit an authentic Apulian farm and taste some typical regional products. It's a refreshing way to end your day of exploration through this beautiful region.
   

   • Activity Level : Strenuous
   • Duration : 4-5 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

6. Day 6 Your Second Full Day in Monopoli

   

   Manduria: Noble Wines and Paradisiacal Beaches

   After breakfast, we suggest you leave Monopoli and head towards Manduria, which is famous for its world-class Primitivo and rosé wines. You can discover the history, tradition, and flavor of this nectar while visiting the Consorzio Produttori and its folk museum, with a guided tasting by a local sommelier and a light lunch. In the afternoon, relax on the gorgeous white sandy beaches nearby, which are part of a protected natural area. We also offer the option to explore both as a private tour.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 8 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

   

   Sunset Sailing at Polignano a Mare

   Polignano a Mare, a scenic coastal village just up the coast from Monopoli, is perched atop a rocky outcrop, offering spectacular photo opportunities. An ideal spot to admire a romantic view over the sea while sipping a refreshing aperitivo, this village can also be reached by boat from Monopoli so that you can admire the picturesque marine caves nearby. One of the best ways to explore and enjoy this wonderful marine area is on a boat ride. We offer opportunities to take boat rides, so be sure to contact your Destination Expert for more details and book a tour.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

7. Day 7 Traveling to Lecce by Private Transfer / Arrival in Lecce

   

   Today you're heading to the heart of Puglia, the beautiful baroque town of Lecce. Our driver will meet you at the accommodation and to make your journey more than just a transfer, you'll have a stop in Alberobello on your way. This quaint little town is known for its unique Trulli, dwellings with conical rooftops marked by rune-like signs, a perfect place for an exploration break. After 2 hours of discovering Alberobello, you'll continue your drive to Lecce. The total duration of the journey is about 4 hours. Please note that this is a non-guided transfer.

   Lecce is the most important town on the Salentine peninsula, the very heel of Italy. The town's rich history, stretching back to the times of the ancient Greeks, is what makes it so interesting.. The centerpiece of the old town is a 2nd century Roman amphitheater which was only rediscovered in the early 1900s during construction work, and it is still half buried; however, the exposed part is now used for concerts. Much of Lecce's historical center's architecture dates from the Baroque period and has earned the city the nickname 'Florence of the South'. These beauties stand in stark contrast to some of the Fascist buildings erected during Mussolini's reign.

   Your driver will bring you directly at your hotel in the city center of Lecce.

   

   Romantic Evening - The Most Beautiful Rooftop in Lecce

   Sira is the place of sunsets and summer nights, the place where time is still and gives way to awe and wonder. Sira is pure emotions. The most evocative terrace in Lecce, with an amazing view of Santa Croce church, welcomes you when the sun goes down during the beautiful season to offer you a peerless moment, simply unforgettable.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Your First Full Day in Lecce

   

   Lecce Private Walking Tour

   Surrender to the gilded allure of Lecce on this intimate, guided walking tour through the heart of Salento's cultural masterpiece. An expert guide will lead you through a labyrinth of sun-drenched streets and hidden piazzas, transforming astonishing Baroque facades into living narratives of forgotten legends and whispered secrets. Marvel at the elegance of carved churches and aristocratic palaces, experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of this unforgettable jewel of Southern Italy.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 1 hour 30 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Relax on the Beach at Santa Maria al Bagno

   After exploring Lecce's historic gems, you might want to join the locals and head to the nearby Santa Maria al Bagno, a small fishing village known for its unspoiled beaches. The seafront is compact, fronted by old townhouses which double as waterfront cafes. Here you can pick up an Africano (espresso with Disaronno, fizzy water and ice) and spend the afternoon on the lovely beach. Then, as the sun begins to set, head south a few miles towards Lido Conchiglie and one of the fish restaurants on the water's edge. Santa Maria al Bagno also hosts the small Museum of Memory and Hospitality to remember the times when survivors of the Shoah were sent here to recover before the birth of Israel.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

9. Day 9 Traveling to Naples by Private Transfer / Arrival in Naples

   Say goodbye to Puglia and hello to Italy's pizza capital, for today you're traveling to Naples! Our driver will meet you at your accommodation and transport you in door-to-door comfort to the other side of the country. To break up the journey, you'll make a 2 hour stop at Matera in the Basilicata region. This unique UNESCO-listed cave town is perfect for exploring and a brief lunch break. After the stop, you'll be back on the road to Naples. The total duration of the journey is about seven hours. Please note that this is a non-guided transfer.

   To call Naples rough around the edges would be quite the understatement. Yet amidst the chaos and beneath the grime is one of Italy's true gems. It's the third-largest city in the country, home to over three million people. An important port city for all the civilizations that have existed there, Naples is the original melting pot. Founded as Neapolis (literally "new city") by the Greeks in the 7th century B.C., Naples has many layers of history for you to discover.

   Upon reaching Naples your driver will drop you directly at your accommodation in the center of the city.

10. Day 10 Departure Day

    A driver will pick you up at your Naples accommodation and drop you off at Naples International Airport for your departing flight.