ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Naples
Arrival at Naples Airport and transfer to the hotel on the Sorrentine Peninsula. Check-in at the hotel, welcome drink and rest of the day at leisure.
Hotel on the Sorrentine Peninsula MEALS: D

Day 2: Capri Island
Today’s highlight will be the visit of the island of Capri. Leaving Sorrento harbor by boat, we will reach Marina Grande. On the island a local minibus will take us to the center of Capri, the famous Piazzetta and the Augustus Gardens. From here we will enjoy a fantastic view of the Faraglioni cliffs. After a typical lunch with drinks we will reach Anacapri by minibus and visit the house of the Swedish doctor A. Munthe (not included) and the church of San Michele (not included). Return to Sorrento in the late afternoon.
Hotel on the Sorrentine Peninsula MEALS: B, L, D

Day 3: Amalfi Coast and Matera
Today we will drive along the stunning Amalfi coast passing by Positano, characterized by narrow alleys and steep staircases. The author John Steinbeck rightly described Positano as “the only vertical place in the world”. In Amalfi we will stop for lunch (not included). Amalfi is so narrow and steep that the small alleyways of the town consist of stairways. We will see the Cathedral, the Bell Tower and the “Paradise Cloister”. The highlight of our day will be Ravello. The little village is located higher up on the coast with breathtaking views of the coast. We will visit the magnificent Villa Rufolo with its garden, bell tower and courtyard. In the afternoon we will proceed to Matera.
Hotel in Matera MEALS :B, D

Day 4: Matera and the Sassi
This morning we will visit Matera with its famous “sassi” (stones). This city was built into the hills and ravines made of soft tufa stone. The local people carved their houses right into the “Sassi” or stones, where they lived in cave-like homes. This area is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the afternoon by experiencing this unique city at your leisure.
Hotel in Matera MEALS :B, D

Day 5: Alberobello and Grottoes of Castellana
We spend the morning exploring the town of Alberobello with its unique cone shaped “Trulli“ houses made of stones. We will then make our way to the Castellana Caves, one of the most important tourist attractions of Apulia. The underground tunnels are as long as a mile and offer an amazing scenario of stalactites and stalagmites. We arrive at our hotel in Ostuni later in the day and have time to relax.
Hotel in Ostuni MEALS: B, D

Our suggestion:
- Discover the Tremiti Islands, a beautiful archipelago of small islands, 40 km off the Gargano Peninsula. A charming sight of rough cliffs, sandy beaches and thick pine woods, surrounded by the pristine Adriatic sea

Day 6: Lecce and Otranto
We start off our day with a guided tour of Lecce, also called the “Florence of the South”. The magnificent baroque buildings, palaces, churches and the ancient amphitheater make this city truly unique. Our next stop will be in the Salice Salentino wine area where we will visit the oldest wine cellar of this region. We then make our way to Otranto, a seaside town close to the easternmost point of Italy. Otranto’s most important attraction is the 12th century mosaic in the town’s Romanesque cathedral.
Hotel in Ostuni MEALS :B, D

Our suggestion:
- Discover the secrets of traditional Italian cuisine and learn how to prepare delicious Apulian dishes in a ½ day cooking class at an authentic Apulian farmhouse “Masseria”

Day 7: Castel del Monte and Napoli
Today’s excursion will take us on a fascinating journey through time following the footsteps of Frederick II to Castel del Monte. The world-famous Norman Castle, which dominates the surrounding countryside from a hilltop, was built in an octagonal shape with eight octagonal towers inserted on each of the eight corners. It is one of the best preserved medieval castles in southern Italy. After a guided tour of the castle we will proceed to Naples.
Hotel in Naples MEALS: B, D

Day 8: Departure
Transfer to the airport and departure.
MEALS :B