We Love —
- Discovering two beautiful Italian regions and marveling at the picturesque villages along the way.
- Staying in elegant hotels for maximum comfort at each stage of your roadtrip and complimenting your trip with optional excursions.
- Taking time to admire the breathtaking, inconic views of the Amalfi Coast.
Customer reviews —
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Always dreamed of being carried away by the Italian Dolce Vita? Head for the tip of the "heel" of Italy's boot and its very famous region of Puglia!
From the moment you set foot on Italian soil, you will be charmed by its sublime landscapes, its picturesque little villages and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea flanking you as you drive along its coast.
Travel at your own pace through the real, typical Italy, and make stops in extraordinary spots in the beautiful region of Puglia, such as the village of Alberobello with its famous Trulli conical houses built with hand-cut stone...
Continue your journey onwards towards Campania and in particular the Amalfi Coast, its breathtaking panoramic road, its villages with magnificent views and its towns and sites full of history.
Campania is the perfect complement to this itinerary. This region is known for its culture, traditions and regional language, which make the Campanians an atypical people.
We propose a 7-night self-drive tour to discover the beauties of Southern Italy. Between the ever-changing shades of blue of the sea, the verdant interior landscapes dotted with olive trees and towns and villages full of history, the backdrop to your road-trip is sure to be splendid and memorable.
Your itinerary
Day 1: Bari – Alberobello
Day 2: Alberobello and the Grotte di Castellana
Day 3: Matera and Altamura
Day 4: Through Cilento and stop in Benevento
Day 5: Amalfi Coast
Day 6: Pompeii and Sorrento
Day 7: Salerno and surroundings
Day 8: Departure from Naples
The order of the itinerary may be subject to modifications.
Your Itinerary In Detail —
Day 1 - 3
Day 1: Bari - Alberobello
Upon arrival at Bari airport, collect your car and begin your trip to beautiful Puglia! Depending on the arrival flight time, you can make a stopover in Bari on your way to Alberobello.
Bari is the capital of Puglia and its center consists of two contrasting parts: an old town with winding streets next to the new town with elegant facades, landscaped checkerboard commercial districts and beautiful shops.The port, nicknamed "Gateway to the East", is an important transit point for goods coming from the Mediterranean. Continue to your hotel in the Alberobello area.
Overnight stay
Day 2: Alberobello and Grotte di Castellana
After breakfast depart for Castellana to visit the famous network of caves created by underground rivers that filter through the limestone soil of the Murge hills.
You will continue your self-drive tour with a visit to the exceptional town of Alberobello, which is on the water route and which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Famous for its "trulli" houses, Alberobello is one of a kind. Alberobello is one of a kind with its unique whitewashed limestone dwellings made of dry stone walls and black conical roofs.
The origins of trulli are unclear, but prehistoric building techniques are remarkably used even today. Take the time to walk around these unique buildings and admire their construction.
Return to the hotel and overnight stay
Day 3: Matera and Altamura
In the morning, depart for Altamura, whose medieval old town was built by Frederick II in 1230. Here you will visit a bakery and learn how Focaccia - the typical bread of Puglia - is prepared.
Have a light lunch by eating Focaccia with cheese and sausage! You will then be ready for your next destination: Matera, the oldest city in Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at this picturesque town and the famous Sassi di Matera (Stones of Matera) on a tour among houses carved into calcarenite rocks and monolithic churches.
Return to the hotel in Alberobello and overnight stay
Day 4 - 6
Day 4: Cilento stopping in Benevento
Head towards the historic town of Benevento, nestled in the Apennines. You can see the famous Arch of Trajan, one of the best-preserved Roman triumphal arches in the world, and the 2nd-century Roman theater or the UNESCO-listed Church of Santa Sofia. Go inside to admire the arches, columns and frescoes of the star-shaped church. Then you will go to Cava De Tirreni, in the Salerno area. Installation and night.
Day 5: Amalfi Coast
Today you can enjoy an excursion to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. Breathtaking views await you on the winding Amalfitana path. It is considered by many connoisseurs to be the most beautiful scenic route in the world due to its beautiful coastal scenery. The road winds along many gorges and cliffs and constantly offers you new perspectives on this unique coastal region.
Passing through Positano, you head towards Amalfi, where you will see the Duomo and the "Montero" monastery. On the way to the hinterland you will reach Ravello, an oasis of tranquility surrounded by vineyards.
Visit Villa Rufolo, which inspired musician Richard Wagner to create one of his most famous operas, Parsifal.
Return to Cava de Tirreni and overnight stay
Day 6: Pompeii and Sorrento
This morning, after breakfast, you will make your way towards Pompeii. Visit the ruins of the city of "Pompeii", buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD and preserved for centuries almost intact. Here it will be possible to observe the way of life of the ancient inhabitants of the city and you will be amazed by the number of villas, shops and public buildings that archaeologists have brought to light.
Take a walk around the baths, the rue de l'Abondance, the Maison du Faune. Have lunch in one of the restaurants located just outside the archaeological site or decide to continue the excursion directly to Sorrento. Stroll the alleys of the old town to shop and take breathtaking photos of the Bay of Naples.
You can also taste the famous "Limoncello" lemon liqueur and some other typical products.
Return to the hotel and overnight stay
Day 7 - 8
Day 7: Salerno and surroundings
After breakfast, you will take the road to Salerno. The city has a rich and varied culture, and the city is divided into three distinct regions: the medieval sector with a state-of-the-art modern area, the planned 19th-century area and the post-war area, plus densely populated, with its many apartments. Its main attractions include the Castello di Arechi, which is perched on top of a cliff offering a breathtaking view of the sea, and its cathedral, whose large bell tower dominates the historic centre of the city and which houses the tomb of Saint Matthew.
Then visit the beautiful Lungomare (promenade) lined with palm trees, where you will find a great selection of shops. Continue to Puglia, and reach the city of Naples for your last night.
Return to the hotel and overnight stay
Day 8: Departure from Naples
Breakfast at the hotel.
Return of the car and return flight.
Your Hotels —
Hand-Picked Just For You
Maximum room capacity
For your getaway to discover the highlights of southern Italy, we have selected for you the following 4* hotels (or similar), ensuring optimal comfort and restful nights after your days on the road.
You will be accommodated in a standard room throughout this programme.
Your hotels at each stage:
- In Alberobello: Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri 4* (or similar)
- Salerno area: Hotel Scapolatiello 4* in Cava de Tirreni (or similar)
Please note: In the case of unavailability, the hotels listed in the programme, may be substituted with hotels of similar category.
Your dining choices
This offer is based on a Bed and Breakfast stay.
Your journey to Puglia, the Amalfi Coast & Bari —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking. This flight may include one or more stopovers. The stopover may be technical (without a change of aircraft) or transit (with a change of aircraft).
Luggage information
Baggage, meals and other services on board certain flights may be subject to a charge. You will find out whether your airfare includes baggage when you choose your airline and timetable. If your fare does not include baggage, please go to the airline's website before your departure with your travel file reference to find out the exact fare and purchase your extra baggage. If you choose a low-cost airline, you will be able to add your baggage during the booking process. For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving baggage, so you will have to pay for it at the airport counter. You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Your Destinations —
Matera
Matera is a peaceful city, located in the province of Basilicata in Southern Italy. It is best recognised for the Sassi districts, a large rock settlement featuring limestone grottoes and ancient caves that date back to the Middle Ages.
This city is brimming with museums, festivals, and year-round concerts. Visitors can also explore the surrounding neighbourhoods filled with local shops, winding alleyways, and Baroque churches.
Your Destination
Stretching along the southeastern coast of Italy across from the Tyrrhenian Sea, Campania is a region of diversity, brimming with traditional, flower-decked towns, stunning sea vistas, and lush countryside. Encompassing the glamorous Amalfi Coast, the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, beautiful Sorrento, and the bustling city of Naples, there’s so much to explore in this historic region.
It was the Romans who named the region Campania felix, meaning ‘happy countryside’, and Benevento is a historic town surrounded by some of this famed beauty. Here, you can admire ancient Roman theatres, Gothic churches, and Byzantine art - a true historian’s playground. Towards the sea, the Amalfi Coast beckons with cliffside towns and azure-blue sea, while out in the Mediterranean, Capri and Ischia offer travellers indulgent island getaways.
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.
