We Love —
- Discovering Puglia and the Amalfi Coast on a delightful circuit in complete freedom, with an itinerary that combines culture and pleasure.
- Admiring the incredible landscapes and experiencing the hospitality of the people of Southern Italy.
- Savouring the local gastronomy and relaxing in carefully selected, ideally located hotels for a comfortable stay.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your itinerary in brief —
Enjoy the freedom of your included hire car to discover one of the most beautiful regions of Italy through scenic roads and breathtaking landscapes. Bari, Pompeii, Amalfi, Positano, Polignano a Mare... Names with a soft resonance and an tantalising invitation to escape. Discover Southern Italy on this 5 or 7-night self-drive tour at your own pace and in total freedom.
5-night itinerary:
Day 1: Bari
Day 2: Polignano a Mare - Alberobello - Monopoli
Day 3: Naples
Day 4: Amalfi - Positano - Ravello
Day 5: Pompeii
Day 6: Naples - Return
7-night itinerary:
Day 1: Bari
Day 2: Alberobello and Locorotondo
Day 3: Polignano a Mare and Monopoli
Day 4: Castel del Monte
Day 5: Naples
Day 6: Pompeii and Herculaneum
Day 7: Amalfi - Positano - Ravello
Day 8: Naples - Return
Your itinerary in detail —
5-night itinerary
Day 1: Bari
- Arrival in Bari.
- Meander through the historic centre of Bari: Bari Vecchia. Don't miss the Orecchiette street, where you will see women working in the preparation and elaboration of the typical Bari pasta.
- Admire the façade of the Basilica of St. Nicholas. Stop by the Swabian Castle to see one of the largest castles in Puglia.
- End your day in Puglia with a stroll along the Lungomare, where you can enjoy a cocktail and dinner by the water.
Overnight at the Excelsior Hotel in Bari (or similar)
Day 2: Polignano a Mare - Alberobello - Monopoli
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit Polignano a Mare, one of the most impressive destinations in Italy. Polignano a Mare is built on cliffs that seem to fall into the emerald waters. Don't miss the charm of the old town and the views from the Terrazza Santo Stefano. Afterwards, stroll along the Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo, Polignano a Mare's splendid seaside promenade. For a taste of the Italian dolce vita, don't miss Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, lined with restaurants and bars.
- Monopoli: Explore the Castle of Charles V, a fortress with a history dating back to the Middle Ages. Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, known for its beautiful architecture and artwork.
- Take the opportunity to visit the town of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start in the northern part. Here you will find an authentic hidden quarter of trulli (examples of dry construction - without mortar), a prehistoric building technique still used in this area, in the middle of which stands the first of the buildings, the Trullo Sovrano.
- Should you wish to see the inside of a trulli, it's worth noting that many shopkeepers will invite you to step inside and visit. In addition, many of the town's shops have a terrace on the first floor, from which to look out over the rooftops of the trulli.
- A wonderful viewpoint is the Rione Aia Piccola, because from this tiny park, with its large tree and maze of low stone walls, you have a panoramic view of Alberobello.
- Stroll around the town to discover all its monuments and restaurants where you will find authentic local specialities and wine.
- Locorotondo: Explore the circular streets of Locorotondo's historic centre, characterised by its whitewashed houses, and visit the Chiesa di San Giorgio for its baroque architecture.
Overnight at the Hotel Excelsior de Bari (or similar)
Day 3: Naples
- Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Naples.
- Discover the old town in the historic centre.
- Stroll through the famous Spaccanapoli, admiring its churches, mansions, the picturesque Santonieri street and finally visit the magnificent cloister of Santa Chiara, whose basilica is the largest Gothic monument in the city. Head to Piazza del Plebiscito, located in the heart of the city and bordered by the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Salerno and Palazzo della Prefectura. Its name comes from the plebiscite of 21 October 1860, which led to Italian unification.
- Admire the Maschio Angioino, the main symbol of the city's architecture, which has been enlarged or renovated several times since its construction in 1279. Before strolling along Via Toledo, with its typical and popular shops, you will end your visit with the exterior of the Egg Castle, the oldest castle in Naples, inseparable from the history of its foundation by a people of Greek origin, who approached the islet of Partenope, where they built a defensive system in the 7th century BC.
- Let yourself be seduced by the city's many restaurants and be sure to try a magnificent pizza, the city's culinary symbol.
Overnight at the NH Panorama (or similar)
Day 4: Amalfi - Positano - Ravello
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Take the unique Sorrento to Amalfi road, to fully appreciate the spectacular scenes along this 48 km stretch of narrow coastal road lined with cliffs. The road runs along the southern coast of the Gulf of Salerno and offers breathtaking views of the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its incomparable scenery, it's never a bad time to make this trip, as Mediterranean sunshine is almost guaranteed all year round.
- Make a stop in Positano, the jewel of the coast. The colourful houses, painted in shades of pink, white and yellow, seem to cling to the cliff, but are actually very accessible through the narrow streets that wind up the steep mountainside. It is this unique vertical location on the cliff that gives most of its inhabitants a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean and makes it one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy.
- Finish your trip by visiting Ravello: Visit Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, famous for their gardens and panoramic terraces.
Spend the night at the NH Panorama (or similar)
Day 5: Pompeii and Herculaneum
- Enjoy a free day in Pompeii, where you can explore the well-preserved ruins, such as the Forum, the House of the Vettii, the Amphitheatre and the Temple of Apollo.
- In Herculaneum discover the intricate mosaics and preserved structures of Herculaneum, with notable sites such as the House of the Stag, the Baths and the House of the Mosaic Atrium.
Overnight at the NH Panorama (or similar)
Day 6: Naples - Departure
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and prepare for your departure from Naples.
*Please note that all the proposed visits and excursions are recommendations and suggestions for you to enjoy your trip to the fullest.
7-night itinerary
Day 1: Bari
- Arrive in Bari, pick up your hire car and drive to Ostuni.
- Visit one of the pearls of the magical Salento region, Ostuni, also called 'the white city for its snow-white houses. It is perched on a hill 218 metres above sea level and only 8 km from the Adriatic coast.
- Be seduced by its artistic wealth, its historical and gastronomic traditions and the sparkling beauty of the sea, which make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Puglia.
- You can also visit Brindisi, just 36.2 km away.
Spend the night at the Excelsior Hotel in Bari (or similar)
Day 2: Alberobello & Locorotondo
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Take the opportunity to visit the town of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start in the northern part. Here you will find an authentic hidden quarter of trulli (examples of dry construction - without mortar), a prehistoric building technique still used in this area, in the middle of which stands the first of the buildings, the Trullo Sovrano.
- Should you wish to see the inside of a trulli, it's worth noting that many shopkeepers will invite you to step inside and visit. In addition, many of the town's shops have a terrace on the first floor, from which to look out over the rooftops of the trulli.
- A wonderful viewpoint is the Rione Aia Piccola, because from this tiny park, with its large tree and maze of low stone walls, you have a panoramic view of Alberobello.
- Stroll around the town to discover all its monuments and restaurants where you will find authentic local specialities and wine.
- Locorotondo: Explore the circular streets of Locorotondo's historic centre, characterised by its whitewashed houses, and visit the Chiesa di San Giorgio for its baroque architecture.
Overnight at the Hotel Excelsior de Bari (or similar)
Day 3: Polignano a Mare and Monopoli
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit Polignano a Mare, one of the most impressive destinations in Italy. Polignano a Mare is built on cliffs that seem to slip off into the emerald waters.
- Don't miss the charm of the old town and the views from the Terrazza Santo Stefano. Afterwards, stroll along the Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo, Polignano a Mare's splendid seaside promenade. For a taste of the Italian dolce vita, don't miss Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, lined with restaurants and bars.
- Monopoli: Explore the Castle of Charles V, a fortress with a history dating back to the Middle Ages. Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, known for its beautiful architecture and artwork.
Overnight at the Hotel Excelsior de Bari (or similar)
Day 4: Castel del Monte
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Castel del Monte: Take the day to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its unique octagonal shape and mix of medieval architectural styles. Highlights include the central courtyard, the throne room and the panoramic views from the castle.
Overnight at the Hotel Excelsior or similar
Day 5: Naples
- Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Naples.
- Discover the old town in the historic centre.
- Stroll through the famous Spaccanapoli, admiring its churches, mansions, the picturesque Santonieri street and finally visit the magnificent cloister of Santa Chiara, whose basilica is the largest Gothic monument in the city. Head to Piazza del Plebiscito, located in the heart of the city and bordered by the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Salerno and Palazzo della Prefectura. Its name comes from the plebiscite of 21 October 1860, which led to Italian unification.
- Admire the Maschio Angioino, the main symbol of the city's architecture, which has been enlarged or renovated several times since its construction in 1279. Before strolling along Via Toledo, with its typical and popular shops, you will end your visit with the exterior of the Egg Castle, the oldest castle in Naples, inseparable from the history of its foundation by a people of Greek origin, who approached the islet of Partenope, where they built a defensive system in the 7th century BC.
- Let yourself be seduced by the city's many restaurants and be sure to try a magnificent pizza, the city's culinary symbol.
Overnight at the NH Panorama (or similar)
Day 6: Pompeii and Herculaneum
- Enjoy a free day in Pompeii, where you can explore the well-preserved ruins, such as the Forum, the House of the Vettii, the Amphitheatre and the Temple of Apollo.
- In Herculaneum discover the intricate mosaics and preserved structures of Herculaneum, with notable sites such as the House of the Stag, the Baths and the House of the Mosaic Atrium.
Overnight at the NH Panorama (or similar)
Day 7: Amalfi - Positano - Ravello
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Take the unique Sorrento to Amalfi road, to fully appreciate the spectacular scenes along this 48 km stretch of narrow coastal road lined with cliffs. The road runs along the southern coast of the Gulf of Salerno and offers breathtaking views of the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its incomparable scenery, it's never a bad time to make this trip, as Mediterranean sunshine is almost guaranteed all year round.
- Make a stop in Positano, the jewel of the coast. The colourful houses, painted in shades of pink, white and yellow, seem to cling to the cliff, but are actually very accessible through the narrow streets that wind up the steep mountainside. It is this unique vertical location on the cliff that gives most of its inhabitants a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean and makes it one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy.
- Finish your trip by visiting Ravello: Visit Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, famous for their gardens and panoramic terraces.
Spend the night at the NH Panorama (or similar)
Day 6: Naples - Departure
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and prepare for your departure from Naples.
*Please note that all the proposed visits and excursions are recommendations and suggestions for you to enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Your hotels —
Hand-picked just for you
Maximum room capacity
For your comfort, you will stay in standard rooms in 4* hotels mentioned below or similar, all of which have been carefully selected for their strategic location.
Your hotels during the trip:
- Bari: Hotel Excelsior Bari 4* or similar (2 or 4 nights)
- Naples: NH Panorama 4* or similar (3 nights)
* The hotels, which comply with local standards, are indicative and may be changed locally for hotels of a similar category.
Your dining choices
So that you can start the morning with energy, we have reserved for you a stay with breakfast included.
Your Destinations —
Bari
Discover a gem of southern Italy as Bari opens its arms to you. Capital of Puglia, this city is full of history. Its mild climate makes it a pleasant place for visits. You can take advantage of the city to visit its must-see monuments or stroll along the Adriatic Sea. Cultural events, famous wines and local traditions will delight your stay.
Much of the city was built in the nineteenth-century and is today an area enhanced by the coastal artery that circumnavigates the medieval old city. Take a walk along the banks and arrive at the Romanesque Basilica of San Nicola, an international center that preserves relics and is a destination of pilgrimage for thousands of devotees.
Amalfi Coast
Come with us to the enchanting Amalfi Coast in Italy's Campania region. You can expect to tower-high cliffs with breathtaking sea views, pastel-coloured cottages in charming villages and lots of special islets off the coast.
Discover Italian gastronomy in Positano, admire the stunning panoramas in Ravello, visit the historic and extraordinary Pompeii, stroll through idyllic Sorrento or discover the combination between history and modernity in Naples.
Amalfi itself is more than worth a visit, as is the picturesque islet Capri ... And all with the majestic Vesuvius volcano in the background.
Naples
The regional capital of Campania and one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world, Naples is a true encapsulation of the Italian spirit. The birthplace of pizza, home to a UNESCO World Heritage city centre, and full of narrow, cobbled streets brimming with locals and tourists - this city is full of life.
For foodies, Naples is a true heaven. Boasting the most Michelin-stars of any Italian city, Naples is also the birthplace of the classic Neapolitan pizza; indeed, Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba is believed to be the oldest pizzeria in the world, where you can sample the simple but delicious pizza Margherita. Visitors to the city can also take a day trip to the ancient site of Pompeii - which needs little introduction - as well as Herculaneum, a richer town that similarly perished in the eruption but left grander ruins and mosaics.
Back in the city, the National Archaeological Museum is the place to go to explore more of the region’s Roman history, or experience the city’s striking religious history in Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio ad Arco, a haunting church filled with human skulls. As the night draws in, head to the Lungomare (seafront) to admire the sunset over the sea, and perhaps take a break from pizza with fresh seafood from one of the waterfront restaurants.
During your stay, why not visit the nearby islands of Ischia, Ponza, Capri & Procida by boat.
