12-Nights Italy: Amalfi Coast to Puglia - Explorations – Small Group from $5,799
Collette
OFFER ID 1697515
Stray off the beaten path and explore a new side to the Italy you know and love. Soak up the sun with a free afternoon in Positano, home to colorful hillside houses and local posh boutiques. Spend two nights in a unique cave dwelling in Matera, and your last two nights in the Puglia region in a personal converted trulli house. Uncover the Baroque excellence of Lecce, an artisan city of limestone. Make your way through southern Italy and experience the Amalfi Coast and the Puglia region.
12 nights from $5,799 per person
Itinerary Details
Day 1 Overnight Flight
In a country of renowned cuisine, iconic coastlines, and ancient roots, stray off the beaten path and explore a new side of the Italy you know and love. Make your way through southern Italy and experience the Amalfi Coast and the Puglia region.
Day 2 Naples, Italy
Arrive in Naples, a vibrant mecca for locals and travelers alike. Volcanic landscapes give way to medieval architecture and Grecian lanes, creating a unique culture exclusive to Naples. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. Toast to the start of your Italian getaway, looking out over the deep blue Bay of Naples to Mt. Vesuvius looming in the distance.
Day 3 Naples
Explore Naples’ exuberant historic city center (UNESCO) and underground ancient ruins with a local guide. During your afternoon at leisure, consider visiting the nearby National Archeological Museum and peruse relics from Pompeii and Ercolano. Tonight’s Impact Moment comes in the form of a private concert, performed by the Napulitanata social enterprise, which supports Italian heritage and abates the city’s high unemployment. And a perfect finale: our welcome dinner gathered around a beautiful pizza, the iconic jewel of Neapolitan cuisine.(B, D)
Day 4 Naples - Optional Excursion to Isle of Capri
Take the day to explore the lively city of Naples on your own. Perhaps you’ll join an optional excursion and sail to the enchanting Isle of Capri, where you’ll reach the world-famous Piazzetta and explore this island paradise of chic boutiques, lush vegetation, and outdoor cafés. Join your guide on a panoramic drive to Anacapri to sample local food and wine, then sail back to Naples in the afternoon.(B)
Day 5 Naples - Ercolano - Ravello
Begin your day exploring the archeological site of Herculaneum in Ercolano, at the western foot of Mount Vesuvius. Imagine Roman society of the past as you wander through the excavated ruins of Ercolano with a guide. Then, visit a pasta factory and taste an iconic Italian dish right where it is produced during a light lunch. Watch the sun fade on the sea from the lush gardens of Ravello, your new home for the next three nights.(B, L)
Day 6 Ravello - Amalfi - Positano - Ravello
Reach the coastal village of Amalfi, the rocky coast’s namesake town. Formerly a maritime republic, Amalfi puts a historic spin on the seaside hubs, containing cobblestone piazzas and towering mosaicked cathedrals. Enjoy some time at leisure, then ferry past tumbling cliffs and pastel-colored houses on your way to Positano. Enjoy a free afternoon in this resort town, perhaps browsing the posh boutiques or resting along the beach. Return to Ravello in the afternoon.(B)
Day 7 Ravello - Minori - Maiori - Ravello
A fishing village of terraced lemon groves, Minori exudes the quintessential Amalfitana vibe. Start your morning in a garden and learn about sfusato lemons, used in limoncello. Sample this fragrant liqueur before hiking** along the coast. You’ll trek the rugged Path of Lemons — an ancient, hilly route that links Minori with the nearby town of Maiori. Explore on your own before returning by boat to Minori for more free time and sightseeing.(B, D)
Day 8 Ravello - Matera
This morning, discover one of Italy’s delectable cheese products during a visit to a dairy farm. Taste freshly made mozzarella for lunch before continuing south to Matera (UNESCO), whose inimitable scenery has been featured in blockbuster films. Experience the town’s cave dwellings, your home for the next two nights. Each cave is unique, half-excavated and half-carved from the land. In these unparalleled accommodations,*** connect with the Italian landscape like never before.(B, L)
Day 9 Matera
Today, it’s your choice! You can hike into Matera’s 9000-year-old history on a guided hike along its hillside caves, narrow passages, and steep alleys known to locals as the Sassi -OR- discover local recipes during a cooking demonstration inside one of the rock dwellings. The afternoon is yours to explore more of Matera’s heritage. Perhaps you’ll visit the remarkable Palombaro Lungo underground water cistern or head out of town for a hike through the surrounding countryside dotted with prehistoric caves and medieval rock churches.(B)
Day 10 Matera - Lecce
Cross into the Puglia region and pause at a wine museum to learn about the special wines produced in Puglia before continuing to Lecce, a Baroque powerhouse of limestone. Get to know the city with a local expert and take in its iconic architecture and papier-mâché craftsmanship.(B, L)
Day 11 Lecce - Otranto - Lecce
Today, visit the picturesque village of Otranto and enjoy its characteristic winding lanes and hidden cafés. Take your time for a relaxing lunch along the sea and enjoy your time at leisure in one of the pearls of Salento. Reconvene in the evening for a private folk music and dance performance, highlighting the traditional pizzica e taranta. According to legend, spider bites cause the women to dance with feverish energy. (B)
Day 12 Lecce - Ostuni - Alberobello
Stop in Ostuni, a whitewashed town surrounded by olive trees. Zoom through the town like a local in the backseat of an open-air Ape Calessino, a traditional 3-wheeled car. Enjoy time on your own in Ostuni before continuing to Alberobello (UNESCO), a whimsical city known for its trulli, stone huts with cone-shaped roofs. Meander with your guide through a labyrinth of these gnomish houses, some adorned with symbols carrying religious or astrological meanings. Make your way to your personal room*** in one of these peculiar houses that will be your home for the next two nights.(B)
Day 13 Alberobello
Today, take a tour of an olive oil mill and taste a variety of extra virgin olive oils. Back in Alberobello, enjoy free time to further explore the city on your own. As the day draws to a close, gather to wish Italy goodbye at a farewell dinner.(B, D)
Day 14 Alberobello - Tour Ends
Depart for home with treasured memories of rocky shores and cobblestone streets.(B)
Day 1 Overnight Flight
In a country of renowned cuisine, iconic coastlines, and ancient roots, stray off the beaten path and explore a new side of the Italy you know and love. Make your way through southern Italy and experience the Amalfi Coast and the Puglia region.
Day 2 Naples, Italy
Arrive in Naples, a vibrant mecca for locals and travelers alike. Volcanic landscapes give way to medieval architecture and Grecian lanes, creating a unique culture exclusive to Naples. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. Toast to the start of your Italian getaway, looking out over the deep blue Bay of Naples to Mt. Vesuvius looming in the distance.
Day 3 Naples
Explore Naples’ exuberant historic city center (UNESCO) and underground ancient ruins with a local guide. During your afternoon at leisure, consider visiting the nearby National Archeological Museum and peruse relics from Pompeii and Ercolano. Tonight’s Impact Moment comes in the form of a private concert, performed by the Napulitanata social enterprise, which supports Italian heritage and abates the city’s high unemployment. And a perfect finale: our welcome dinner gathered around a beautiful pizza, the iconic jewel of Neapolitan cuisine.(B, D)
Day 4 Naples - Optional Excursion to Isle of Capri
Take the day to explore the lively city of Naples on your own. Perhaps you’ll join an optional excursion and sail to the enchanting Isle of Capri, where you’ll reach the world-famous Piazzetta and explore this island paradise of chic boutiques, lush vegetation, and outdoor cafés. Join your guide on a panoramic drive to Anacapri to sample local food and wine, then sail back to Naples in the afternoon.(B)
Day 5 Naples - Ercolano - Ravello
Begin your day exploring the archeological site of Herculaneum in Ercolano, at the western foot of Mount Vesuvius. Imagine Roman society of the past as you wander through the excavated ruins of Ercolano with a guide. Then, visit a pasta factory and taste an iconic Italian dish right where it is produced during a light lunch. Watch the sun fade on the sea from the lush gardens of Ravello, your new home for the next three nights.(B, L)
Day 6 Ravello - Amalfi - Positano - Ravello
Reach the coastal village of Amalfi, the rocky coast’s namesake town. Formerly a maritime republic, Amalfi puts a historic spin on the seaside hubs, containing cobblestone piazzas and towering mosaicked cathedrals. Enjoy some time at leisure, then ferry past tumbling cliffs and pastel-colored houses on your way to Positano. Enjoy a free afternoon in this resort town, perhaps browsing the posh boutiques or resting along the beach. Return to Ravello in the afternoon.(B)
Day 7 Ravello - Minori - Maiori - Ravello
A fishing village of terraced lemon groves, Minori exudes the quintessential Amalfitana vibe. Start your morning in a garden and learn about sfusato lemons, used in limoncello. Sample this fragrant liqueur before hiking** along the coast. You’ll trek the rugged Path of Lemons — an ancient, hilly route that links Minori with the nearby town of Maiori. Explore on your own before returning by boat to Minori for more free time and sightseeing.(B, D)
Day 8 Ravello - Matera
This morning, discover one of Italy’s delectable cheese products during a visit to a dairy farm. Taste freshly made mozzarella for lunch before continuing south to Matera (UNESCO), whose inimitable scenery has been featured in blockbuster films. Experience the town’s cave dwellings, your home for the next two nights. Each cave is unique, half-excavated and half-carved from the land. In these unparalleled accommodations,*** connect with the Italian landscape like never before.(B, L)
Day 9 Matera
Today, it’s your choice! You can hike into Matera’s 9000-year-old history on a guided hike along its hillside caves, narrow passages, and steep alleys known to locals as the Sassi -OR- discover local recipes during a cooking demonstration inside one of the rock dwellings. The afternoon is yours to explore more of Matera’s heritage. Perhaps you’ll visit the remarkable Palombaro Lungo underground water cistern or head out of town for a hike through the surrounding countryside dotted with prehistoric caves and medieval rock churches.(B)
Day 10 Matera - Lecce
Cross into the Puglia region and pause at a wine museum to learn about the special wines produced in Puglia before continuing to Lecce, a Baroque powerhouse of limestone. Get to know the city with a local expert and take in its iconic architecture and papier-mâché craftsmanship.(B, L)
Day 11 Lecce - Otranto - Lecce
Today, visit the picturesque village of Otranto and enjoy its characteristic winding lanes and hidden cafés. Take your time for a relaxing lunch along the sea and enjoy your time at leisure in one of the pearls of Salento. Reconvene in the evening for a private folk music and dance performance, highlighting the traditional pizzica e taranta. According to legend, spider bites cause the women to dance with feverish energy. (B)
Day 12 Lecce - Ostuni - Alberobello
Stop in Ostuni, a whitewashed town surrounded by olive trees. Zoom through the town like a local in the backseat of an open-air Ape Calessino, a traditional 3-wheeled car. Enjoy time on your own in Ostuni before continuing to Alberobello (UNESCO), a whimsical city known for its trulli, stone huts with cone-shaped roofs. Meander with your guide through a labyrinth of these gnomish houses, some adorned with symbols carrying religious or astrological meanings. Make your way to your personal room*** in one of these peculiar houses that will be your home for the next two nights.(B)
Day 13 Alberobello
Today, take a tour of an olive oil mill and taste a variety of extra virgin olive oils. Back in Alberobello, enjoy free time to further explore the city on your own. As the day draws to a close, gather to wish Italy goodbye at a farewell dinner.(B, D)
Day 14 Alberobello - Tour Ends
Depart for home with treasured memories of rocky shores and cobblestone streets.(B)
Excursions
Naples and Pompeii - 8 hours
- Introduction to the history of Naples and Ancient city of Pompeii
- Free time for shopping in Napes
- Lunch to be reserved at original Naples pizzeria
Tour duration: 8 hours
Included:
- Private deluxe sedan or van for the day
- English speaking guide for Naples and Pompeii
- Clients are picked up and dropped off at the Port
Naples: Food Tour of Naples - 4 hours
Naples: Food Tour of Naples - 4 hours
Along with your expert guide, head into the heart of the historic centre of Naples and explore one of Naples’ best food markets. Your guide will lead you through the market stalls and shops, where you can sample some of the delicious local specialties. Continue along the alleys of the historic city centre to discover the most picturesque corners of Naples. Sites include the Greek ruins of Bellini square, the street of music (San Biagio dei Librai), San Gregorio Armeno street (famous for shops selling nativity scenes), Decumani and old churches decorated in Rococo style.
Stop for a wine tasting in one of the most famous wine shops in the city before the highlight of your tour: lunch in one of the world’s oldest pizzerias! Naples is the birthplace of the pizza. The Naples pizza margherita features a soft yet satisfyingly chewy base, all puffed up and charred at the edges, the merest smear of tomato sauce, the odd dot of mozzarella and a few basil leaves. Not to be missed is the pizza fritta - the original pizza and unique to Naples - a deep fried pizza filled with ricotta cheese. Heaven on a plate!
Highlights:
- Sample some delicious specialities at one of Naples' best food markets
- Visit one of the world's oldest pizzerias for lunch
Tour can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
• Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
• An expert local guide (4 hours)
• Entrance fees
• All taxes
• Wine tasting and pizza
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
Naples: The City of Naples - 8 hours
Naples: The City of Naples - 8 hours
Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe, covering 4,200 acres and enclosing 27 centuries of history. One of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world with Bronze Age Greek settlements dating back to the second millennium BC, the area was re-founded as Neápolis (‘new city’) in the sixth century BC, becoming a lynchpin of Magna Graecia and playing a key role in the merging of Greek culture into Roman society.
Explore Naples today with your expert guide. Highlights include the Spaccanapoli district, the magnificent Duomo cathedral, the Cappella Sansevero with its virtuosic sculptural masterpiece the Cristo Velato, as well as lesser-known gems such as the San Giovanni a Carbonara. Today’s tour encompasses artistic-historic treasures and plenty of local colour. Along the way, enjoy a bite of Naples’ famous street food ‘frittura’, a sinfully delicious mix of deep fried aubergines (eggplant), zucchini, mozzarella, arancini (rice croquettes), cauliflower, or potato croquettes.
Continue your sightseeing tour in the historic centre of Naples. Visit the Castel Nuovo, the imposing medieval structure built by the Angevins to defend the city. You may also wish to visit the adjoining Palazzo Reale (The Royal Palace Museum and Royal apartments), built in the 17th century. The magnificently decorated halls and rooms contain the original Bourbon furnishings, paintings, statues and porcelain. Enjoy a panoramic drive to reach the magnificent Carthusian Monastery, the Certosa di San Martino situated on Vomero Hill, where you may visit the luxuriously decorated Baroque Style church.
Highlights:
- Try Naples' famous street food as your guide shows you the historic sights of Italy
- Visit the medieval Castel Nuovo, whose magnificently decorated rooms contain original Bourbon furnishings, paintings and statues
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
• Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
• An expert local guide (8 hours)
• Entrance fees
• All taxes
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
Naples: Historic Pompeii & Vesuvius - 9 hours
Naples: Historic Pompeii & Vesuvius - 9 hours
Travel outside Naples today for an excursion to Pompeii. Upon arrival at Pompeii, enjoy a walking tour of this once opulent town. The extensive and varied ruins of Pompeii now provide us with a rich history of life at the time of the Roman Empire. Destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 BC, this dugout treasure represents an amazing day trip for children and adults alike. On view are temples, forums, amphitheatres, a brothel and the casts of those killed by the falling ash and pumice stone.
Mount Vesuvius – 1281 meters high – was brought into volcanological history after the eruption of 79 BC, when it destroyed the towns and thousands of residents of Pompeii, Stabiae, and Herculaneum. Climb till the summit of the ‘mount’ this afternoon with your guide and admire the splendid views across the Bay of Naples. Lose yourself admiring its slopes, once covered with vineyards and woods that nowadays provide a spectacular backdrop for the bustling town below.
Please note: The visit to Mount Vesuvius is not suitable for people with mobility issues and is subject to both volcanological and weather conditions at the time of the tour.
Highlights:
- The ruins of Pompeii provide an unparalleled window into life during the Roman Empire
- Climb to the summit of Mount Vesuvius to admire views across the Bay of Naples
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
• Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
• An expert local guide (8 hours)
• Entrance fees
• All taxes
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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