Matera is an extraordinary and magical town
Morgan Freeman
Southern Italy on the road adventure: A Traveler’s Dream Journey
Embark on an exclusive journey through Southern Italy’s most captivating destinations, beginning in the vibrant city of Naples, where history and culinary excellence converge. Stay at a unique hotel and visit the city with a english-speaking private guide.
Continue to the Amalfi Coast, where you’ll wind along the scenic coastal road to reach an elegant hotel featuring unparalleled views of the Mediterranean in Sorrento. Explore the picturesque towns of Ravello and Amalfi with a private boat.
Your journey then leads to the enchanting city of Matera, where you’ll stay in a sophisticated hotel 4 or 5 stars, overlooking the ancient Sassi districts. Experience the unique atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage site with private guided tours through the cave dwellings and enjoy candlelit dinners in restored cave restaurants.
Moving into Puglia’s Salento region, discover the baroque splendor of Lecce, the “White City” of Ostuni, Alberobello with its Trulli and conclude your journey in Bari; here, immerse yourself in the local culture with private tours of the historic center, visits to exclusive ceramics workshops, and farewell dinners featuring the region’s finest seafood.
At least go back to Naples to drop-off your rental car and take your return flight
Throughout the journey enjoy the services of expert local guides who will reveal the hidden treasures of each destination.
Day 1 – 3: Sorrento
Your unforgettable vacation begins in Sorrento. Arrival with your flight to Airport of Naples.
A private taxi will pick you up and drive to Sorrento to your accommodation, a charming 4-star hotel where you will spend 3 nights.
You will immerse yourself in the history of a typical farm to taste one of the world’s best-loved delicacies: buffalo mozzarella and discover the production process as well and finally you’lhttps://stage.20regionsofitaly.com/blog-en/sorrento-flavours-traditions-and-nature-turuziello-farm/l taste also the olive-oil and proceed with a cooking lesson of pizza!
You will have the opportunity to spend a day along the coast, accompanied by an experienced English-speaking driver to visit the different locations that make this stretch of coastline world famous.
We also recommend a day by boat to appreciate the sea around Capri, the caves that dot its shores, and visit the charming village.
Day 4 – 5: Naples
After check-out you will leave to Naples with a private driver: on the way you will stop for a guided tour Pompeii and at the Vesuvio wineries for a visit and a tasting lunch; then proceed to your accomodation in the historic centre of Naples where you’ll stay for the next two nights.
The following day we propose a private guided tour of the traditional area of this city: the popular alleyways of the “Quartieri Spagnoli” and the “Pignasecca” market with street food … if you like it!
DAY 6 – 7: MATERA, one of the world’s oldest cities
From now on your journey will continue by rental car (the option of private chauffeur also remains valid to reach Puglia, if you prefer).
With a cab from the hotel you go to pick up your car at the Naples’ airport to reach Matera (250 km for 2h45m).
In Matera we collaborate with two magnificent hotels, a 4-star hotel in the heart of the famous “Sassi” and a splendid 5-star, both with SPA and with striking rooms carved directly into the rock. Here you can stay for two unforgettable nights!
We suggest planning for the day after your arrival a guided tour of the city so you can appreciate and learn all the secrets of these incredible places.
DAY 8 – 10 : WELCOME TO SALENTO
With your car, depart to Puglia (210km for about 2h10m driving); arrive in Salento (Lecce). Here you can stay in a typical “masseria” surrounded by the countryside or at a boutique hotel in the center of a typical town among Baroque or Moorish-style buildings characteristic of the Lecce area.
In these three days there are plenty places to visit, for example: Otranto is one of the most famous towns in Salento: overlooking the Adriatic Sea, it is the most eastern town in Italy, a true pearl of the Puglia coast.
Santa Maria di Leuca is the southernmost part of the Salento peninsula, a place rich in history, culture and beautiful landscapes. Among the places to visit are the many caves on the coast, the monuments and the civil and religious architecture of the inland, as well as the regional natural park Costa Otranto – Santa Maria di Leuca and Bosco di Tricase.
Gallipoli a mixture of sun, sea, fun, art and culture. It is a picturesque place where there is no lack of artistic treasures, which blend well with the natural beauty of the area.
Lecce: here we propose a private guided visit; your guide will take you on a tour of the wonderful Baroque city of Lecce: you’ll see the church of Santa Croce and the cathedral, but every corner of this city is a true masterpiece and testifies to the full bloom of Apulian Baroque. You can immerse yourself in art and culture by visiting the churches, museums and the Roman amphitheater.
DAY 11 – 12 – 13: Itria Valley
Departure to North of Puglia, we suggest for your accommodation for the next nights Ostuni or Polignano a Mare (120km for about 1h30m driving).
During these days we suggest a day dedicated to Itria Valley and the Trulli
Start the day with a guided tour of Alberobello takes you to discover one of the most picturesque villages in the Mediterranean region. A premise that lives up to a village that can only remain etched in the memory and hearts of the people who visit it.
Leave Alberobello and proceed to Cisternino, another pretty village also famous for its ancient tradition of Carne al Fornello. In the afternoon you can have a visit to others villages like Locorotondo and Putignano in the list of the most beautiful villages of Italy.
Bari, is about 1 hour driving but we propose a tour of Bari Vecchia and street food with a private English speaking guide and the possibility to learn from a lady on the street how to do “Orecchiette” typical handmade pasta from Puglia.
Day 14 – 15: BACK TO NAPLES
Depart to Naples ( 305 km for 3h10m) for the last night in Italy in a central unique accomodation and leave from the Naples’ airport the next day.
Sorrento & Amalfi Coast
A day-trip through the iconic towns of coastline
Discover the famous Amalfi Coast admiring villages, colours and incredible views with a private english-speaking driver.
You will enjoy a full-day excursion departing from Sorrento, discovering Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, the most beautiful villages in southern Italy.
An excursion by car along the Amalfi Coast is the perfect choice if you want to savour the authentic atmosphere of southern Italy and its beautiful coastal landscapes.
Culinary Art at Turuziello
Flavours and traditions
You cannot visit Campania without tasting one of the world’s best-loved delicacies: buffalo mozzarella. And why not also discover the production process while savouring this tradition? You will immerse yourself in the history of a typical Turuziello farm and also taste the oil. An interesting and tasty day that you will hardly forget. You will also take part in a cooking lesson on pizza.
Pompeii archeological excavations
A uniquely evocative experience
Guided tour of Pompeii. Here you will immerse yourself and your guide in the history of this fascinating and interesting place. You will be taken along the ancient streets to observe the daily life of a Roman city and its ancient ruins before it was destroyed by volcanic ash from the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. You will be amazed by this place.
Matera
Unesco City
You will visit Matera, which stands on a limestone plateau and has a spectacular anomaly: a central furrow, a real canyon of 70-80 metres, crossed by the Gravina torrent.
The territory of Matera has been inhabited continuously since the Palaeolithic period. As for the Sassi districts, they came into being towards the end of the 15th century.
The alternation of populations over time has left a complex urban system in which buildings overlap natural cavities. Today, it is possible to see the original core of the Sassi and the houses carved directly into the rock and tuff, experiencing a unique sensation: that of being in a nativity scene.
The incredible landscape of Matera has been the backdrop for many films, famous and not, Italian and foreign, including Mel Gibson’s colossal ‘The Passion’.
Welcome in Puglia!
Salento land of enchantment
You will discover a land full of culture, this ancient territory through guided tours with dedicated professionals who will take you through the customs and history of the ancient ‘Messapi’, the splendour of the Ancient Villages, the art of beautiful cities such as Lecce, Gallipoli and Otranto.
Otranto is one of the most famous towns in Salento: overlooking the Adriatic Sea, it is the most eastern town in Italy, a true pearl of the Puglia coast. Here you will find a warm and generous welcome and a rich cuisine that will reconcile you with life.
Santa Maria di Leuca is the southernmost part of the Salento peninsula, a place rich in history, culture and beautiful landscapes. Among the places to visit are the many caves on the coast, the monuments and the civil and religious architecture of the inland, as well as the regional natural park Costa Otranto – Santa Maria di Leuca and Bosco di Tricase.
Beautiful city of Salento, Gallipoli is a mixture of sun, sea, fun, art and culture. It is a picturesque place where there is no lack of artistic treasures, which blend well with the natural beauty of the area.
Lecce: here we propose a private guided visit; you’ll see the church of Santa Croce and the cathedral, but every corner of this city is a true masterpiece and testifies to the full bloom of Apulian Baroque. You can immerse yourself in art and culture by visiting the churches, museums and the Roman amphitheater.
Trulli and Valle D’Itria
… Locorotondo, Alberobello and more!
Alberobello: the town has been listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy for its historical importance and architectural uniqueness. Since 1996 it has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Before visiting the most famous Alberobello we recommend Locorotondo and Cisternino, on the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
In the Locorotondo countryside there is a wine cellar where you can visit and taste wines. This winery has original trulli dating back to the 1700s that you can see during the tour.
