Puglia, Campania and Rome - 8 Days

Welcome to Rome. We transfer you to your hotel and you have free time to settle in. You will receive information in the afternoon – either in person or via the notice board at reception.

This morning we take a guided tour of the Eternal City lasting around three hours – a panoramic drive revealing one of the oldest and most influential cities in the Western world. We finish in Vatican City at around 11:00. Afterwards, you can choose an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. You then have the rest of the day free. Note: if the group is very small, the tour may run by passenger van or a hop on hop off service.

Today we travel towards the Adriatic, crossing the splendid Apennines. We stop in Termoli, a charming coastal town with a walled old quarter, a 13th century castle, and a Romanesque cathedral. There is time for lunch and a stroll and – in the summer months, weather permitting – you can enjoy a dip in the sea. We then continue to the Gargano Peninsula – the spur of Italy’s boot – to visit Monte Sant’Angelo, a beautiful medieval town at 800 metres. You have free time to wander its streets, explore the castle, and visit the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel. At day’s end we arrive in San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for decades, and we make time to visit the ancient Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie before heading to our hotel.

We depart for the Adriatic coast to discover some of Apulia’s most evocative towns. We stop in Trani, a lovely port city dominated by its spectacular Romanesque cathedral by the sea. You have time for lunch and a stroll along the elegant harbour. We continue to Castel del Monte, a unique octagonal fortress – one of Italy’s great architectural treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon we arrive in Bari, capital of Apulia, where you have time to explore the fascinating historic centre, narrow medieval lanes, and the Basilica of Saint Nicholas – a lively city with the authentic flavour of Southern Italy.

After breakfast we travel to Polignano a Mare, a picturesque coastal town perched above the Adriatic, famed for its whitewashed houses, dramatic viewpoints, and the little inlet of Lama Monachile. We continue to Otranto, the easternmost town in Italy, with a charming historic centre, defensive walls, and a cathedral renowned for its extraordinary medieval mosaic. There is time for lunch and, weather permitting, you can enjoy a swim in its crystal clear waters. In the afternoon we arrive in Lecce, celebrated for its exuberant Baroque architecture – nicknamed the Florence of the South. You have free time to stroll before we head to the hotel.

Today we visit two remarkable UNESCO World Heritage towns. We explore Alberobello, famed for its distinctive cone shaped houses known as trulli, and Matera, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. We include a guided tour of the historic centre, focusing on the Sassi di Matera – ancient dwellings and rock hewn structures that date back thousands of years. Lunch is included. In the afternoon we travel through Basilicata and Campania amid beautiful mountain scenery. We reach Salerno in the late afternoon – you might enjoy a stroll along the waterfront promenade.

Early this morning we visit Pompeii – admission and a guided tour with a local expert are included – to discover the prosperous city buried when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. Afterwards we head to Naples to board the ferry to Capri. After about a 45 minute crossing we arrive on the island, celebrated for its natural beauty and glamorous atmosphere. If you wish, you can take a boat trip to the White Grotto or ride the funicular up to Capri Town to visit the Gardens of Augustus for sweeping views. We return to Naples, where our coach waits to take us back to Rome, arriving at day’s end.

After breakfast, our journey comes to an end – we hope you leave with wonderful lasting memories.