Southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast
Venture into southern Italy on an expedition inspired by National Geographic Traveler's September 2011 article "The Towns Italy Forgot." In Puglia, the narrow peninsula that comprises Italy's "heel," discover whitewashed villages surrounded by ancient olive groves. Then visit the rugged landscapes of Basilicata and the famous sassi, or cave dwellings, of Matera. Cap off your adventure by exploring the gorgeous Amalfi Coast and the stunning ruins of Pompeii, Oplontis, and Paestum.
Trip Highlights
- Stay in a unique hotel housed within the carved grottoes of Matera.
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Alberobello, dotted with more than 1,500 whimsical beehive dwellings called trulli.
- Hike among the centuries-old olive trees in Puglia, the extraordinary rock churches in Basilicata, and the hillside villages of Amalfi.
- Go on an insider’s tour of Pompeii with a local guide.
Itinerary - 10 Days
Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Bari, Italy
Depart on an overnight flight to Bari, the capital of Italy's picturesque Puglia region. Transfer to our hotel, housed in one of the beautiful masserie, or fortified farmhouses, for which Puglia is so famous. Settle into your room and enjoy free time to explore this fabulous hotel and its waterfront before our welcome reception and dinner this evening.
Torre Coccaro (D)
Day 3 — Valle D'Itria
Spend the day in the Valle D’Itria, traveling through landscapes of brick-red earth, silvery olive trees, and trulli—the fairy-tale-like stone dwellings found in this region. Wander past elegant mansions in the baroque village of Martina Franca. Explore Alberobello, a World Heritage site scattered with more than 1,500 trulli, which offers insight into this mysterious form of architecture that dates back to prehistoric times.
Torre Coccaro (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Lecce
Travel to the town of Lecce, known for its elegant baroque architecture and the Roman amphitheater which remains visible under the present-day piazza. Enjoy free time to explore the town and stop for lunch on your own. Tonight, gather for a wine tasting followed by a feast of Puglia's most typical dishes.
Torre Coccaro (B,D)
Day 5 — Puglia/Basilicata
Visit the archeological site of Egnazia, where digs continue to reveal Bronze Age and Roman ruins. Then take a walk with a local naturalist among the picturesque olive groves that stretch in every direction of Puglia. Some of the groves contain trees that date back a thousand years and are protected by regional law. After lunch, journey to the mountainous region of Basilicata, where our destination is the extraordinary hill town of Matera. This World Heritage site features at its core a cluster of sassi (literally the “stones”), ancient dwellings and caves carved out of the soft rock face by prehistoric settlers and inhabited until the 1950s. Our remarkable hotel lies within these restored grottoes and retains the character and integrity of the original dwellings.
Le Grotte Della Civita (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Matera
Spend a full day soaking up the unique ambience of Matera. Venture down the steep streets that crisscross Barisano and Caveoso, the two districts of Matera's sassi. Visit a house furnished as it would have been when as many as ten people lived with their animals in one or two rooms. Explore the chiese rupestri, or rock churches, some of which still have their original fresco decorations. After lunch on your own, head out on an easy hike along the opposite ridge of the ravine on which Matera is built and discover some of the rock churches that dot the countryside. Our expert Massimo will help travelers improve their photography skills along the way.
Le Grotte Della Civita (B,D)
Day 7 — Paestum/Sorrento
Today, travel west to the ancient Greek archaeological site of Paestum. Explore its magnificent temples before gathering for lunch in an 18th-century manor house right at the site. Continue to the lively and elegant town of Sorrento, perched on the Bay of Naples. Enjoy an evening at leisure to explore the town.
Imperial Hotel Tramontano (B,L)
Day 8 — Amalfi Coast
A morning drive brings us to the Amalfi Coast, where picturesque towns and villages nestle among cliffs that drop dramatically to the sea. Stop in Amalfi, once one of Italy's four great maritime republics, and see its beautiful Romanesque cathedral. Visit Positano, perched on the cliff face at the water's edge, and enjoy free time to wander the steep streets. Return to Sorrento, and enjoy dinner on your own tonight.
Imperial Hotel Tramontano (B)
Day 9 — Pompeii/Sorrento
Spend the morning in Pompeii, a city frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted in a.d. 79, blanketing the area in a thick layer of ash and debris. The site was only discovered many centuries later, when, in 1748, explorers excavated dwellings, everyday objects, and the bodies of Pompeii’s residents, all remarkably preserved in the volcanic ash. Venture into this splendid and haunting city, see its frescoed villas, and get a rare glimpse of daily life nearly 2,000 years ago. Return to Sorrento for lunch on your own and an afternoon at leisure. Celebrate your journey at a farewell dinner this evening.
Imperial Hotel Tramontano (B,D)
Day 10 — Naples/U.S.
After breakfast, transfer to the Naples airport for return flights home.
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