About Your Trip
Discover clifftop villages, secluded beaches, and authentic Italian cuisine on this 10-day journey across southern Italy. Starting in Naples, venture south to Salerno, the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. The adventure continues inland towards Puglia, stopping in Matera, a city renowned for its ancient cave dwellings carved into a hillside. After a night in Ostuni, ‘the White City’, move on to Lecce, often labeled the Florence of the South due to its stunning array of baroque architecture.
Trip Highlights
- Sample delicious street food on a culinary tour of Naples
- Explore the spectacular beauty of the Amalfi Coast
- Experience the ancient hilltop town of Matera, featured in a recent blockbuster movie
- Meander through the Itria Valley and discover its most beautiful towns
- Visit a traditional olive oil farm to sample liquid gold straight from the source
- Discover the Baroque beauty of Lecce, the Florence of the South
Your Itinerary
Touch down in Naples and make your way to the hotel where you’ll be greeted by our Local Insider, who will accompany the group throughout the journey. At 6 pm, join fellow travelers for a welcome drink, followed by a three-course Neapolitan meal—an ideal opportunity to connect with each other. For those interested, a nightcap in a local bar is an option, or opt to head back to the hotel for a good night’s rest ahead of your first full day.
Accommodation: Hotel Palazzo Salgar
Activities Included:
- Welcome dinner
Learn about the history of Neapolitan food and its cultural importance on a street food tour. Naples is synonymous with pizza and pasta, but local specialties like sfogliatelle and aubergine parmigiana are well worth trying. Spend the afternoon exploring the city at leisure before taking a private transfer to the Amalfi Coast, your next stop.
Accommodation: Hotel Sole Splendid, Maiori
Activities Included:
- Naples street food tour
Today, the choice is yours. Embark on a private boat tour of the Amalfi Coast to explore one of the most alluring stretches of coastline in Europe, or take the public ferry to either Amalfi or Positano and spend the day as you wish. Whether you want to swim, relax on the beach, or wander leisurely around picturesque villages, you won’t be short of options. Return to Maiori in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Sole Splendid, Maiori
Optional Activities:
- Amalfi Coast private boat tour
Cross into the Basilicata region to reach Matera, known for its ancient hillside cave dwellings in the UNESCO-listed Sassi area. Navigate through narrow, winding streets on a guided walking tour and discover why it was crowned 2019 European Capital of Culture, recognizable from popular media.
Accommodation: Corte San Pietro
Activities Included:
- Matera walking tour
Continue eastwards into the Itria Valley, a particularly scenic area of Puglia. Marvel at the extraordinary trulli on a guided tour of Alberobello before heading to Ostuni, one of the most photogenic towns in Puglia, for a guided tour of La Città Bianca before enjoying the evening at your leisure.
Accommodation: Masseria Santa Lucia
Activities Included:
- Alberobello guided tour
- Ostuni guided tour
Spending time in southern Italy is all about enjoying the good things in life. Today is an open-ended day to be spent as you wish—sip coffee in Ostuni, visit beautiful coastal spots, or relax at the hotel’s private beach and spa facilities. Should you need tips, don’t hesitate to ask our Local Insider!
Accommodation: Masseria Santa Lucia
Travel down the heel of the Italian boot to Lecce. Your first stop is Il Frantoio olive farm for a tasting of the area’s famed olive oil, followed by lunch in a local masseria before arriving in Lecce, which you can explore at your leisure this evening.
Accommodation: President Hotel
Activities Included:
- Olive oil tasting
- Masseria lunch
Start your day with a guided tour of the Salento peninsula, home to stunning beaches and baroque towns in Italy. Begin in Otranto, characterized by Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Norman influences, followed by an exploration of Gallipoli, renowned for its centuries of maritime history and exceptional seafood.
Accommodation: President Hotel
Activities Included:
- Otranto guided tour
- Gallipoli guided tour
On your final full day of adventure, enjoy a walking tour of Lecce, noted for its honey-colored baroque churches. Spend the rest of the day exploring craft shops, street cafés, and local restaurants. Cap off your trip with a memorable farewell dinner surrounded by fellow travelers.
Accommodation: President Hotel
Activities Included:
- Lecce walking tour
- Farewell dinner
As your trip comes to an end, bid farewell to new friends. Check out of the hotel and make your way to Salento Airport for your journey home, or choose to extend your stay to experience more of Italy’s charm.
What’s Included
- One night Matera cave accommodation
- Eight nights premium hotel accommodation
- Private and local transport
- Nine breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners
- Local Insider
- Naples street food tour
- Matera walking tour
- Alberobello guided tour
- Ostuni guided tour
- Olive oil tasting
- Otranto guided tour
- Gallipoli guided tour
- Lecce guided tour
What’s Not Included
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Flights to and from the destination
- City tax (to be paid at accommodation. See ‘Important Information’ for prices)
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating:
4.6/5
Independent Service Rating based on 153 verified reviews.
Accommodation
Hotel Palazzo Salgar
Overlooking the Port of Naples, this white-marble hotel is ideally located within easy walking distance of significant landmarks, including Naples Cathedral. Expect comfortable, air-conditioned rooms with modern furnishings, as well as a gym, sauna, and Turkish bath.
Hotel Sole Splendid
This charming hotel is right on the water’s edge of Maiori, with a private beach just steps away. Rooms are elegantly furnished, flooded with natural light, and featuring beautifully patterned floor tiles.
Corte San Pietro
This guesthouse in the historic Sassi district of Matera is set in restored limestone cave dwellings and centered around a scenic courtyard. Inside, rooms feature local stone, wood, and iron, infusing the ancient heritage of the building with contemporary touches.
Masseria Santa Lucia
Perfectly located on the Adriatic coast, this luxury complex offers a classic slice of seaside bliss. Enjoy stunning sea views from your room, indulge in Puglian delights at onsite restaurants, and pamper yourself at the wellness center. While there is a pool, heading to the hotel’s private stretch of beach, aptly named La Dolce Vita Beach, is a must.
President Hotel
This recently renovated four-star hotel, located in the baroque center of Lecce, embodies Italian hospitality. Enjoy the elegant marble lobby and spacious rooms, all while savoring local delicacies like friselle al pomodoro and pasticciotti leccesi at breakfast.
Covid Safety
Your safety and wellbeing are our top priority, so we’ve implemented the following measures:
- Average group size of 10 people (max 18) maintains a comfortable travel experience while avoiding crowds.
- We prioritize small/boutique accommodations, reducing exposure to other travelers.
- Accommodation providers share protocols around extra health and hygiene measures.
- Included activities are exclusive to our group where possible.
- Covid-19 negative test results or vaccine certificates may be required; please check entry requirements.
- Confirm guidance on official government sites to ensure you are properly informed.
Important Information
- City tax: €4.50 Naples, €4 Maiori, €4 Matera, €2.50 Ostuni, €4 Lecce.
- Participants must be aged 25 years or over.
- Check entry visa requirements for your destination.
- Inform our support team of any medical conditions or accessibility needs.
- If traveling alone, you’ll share a twin room with another traveler of the same gender.
- Private room upgrades and additional accommodations available upon request.
- Travel insurance is mandatory.
- Itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Images for illustrative purposes may not reflect your itinerary exactly.
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