Indulge in the beauty, culture, and history of Southern Italy, also called the Mezzogiorno, with this tailored 15-day itinerary. From the stunning coastlines of Naples and the Amalfi Coast to the ancient ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Paestum, this trip will take you on a journey through time, showcasing the region’s rich heritage. You’ll also have the chance to savour the delicious cuisine, sample the world-renowned wines, and experience the warm hospitality of the locals.
Itinerary Highlights
Explore the regions of Campania, Basilicata and Puglia
Cruise the Coastline of Capri by yacht
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
Cheese and wine tastings
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
14
Nights
Price Guide
$POA
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Arrive in Naples
Day 2
Naples – Pompeii – Sorrento
Explore the great city of Naples today with your expert local guide. Your tour includes a walking tour of Spaccanapoli in the city’s ancient heart. Wander through the narrow streets, enjoying the colors, smells, and noises that are typical of this city, but most of all, the sheer, boundless energy of the Neapolitan spirit. Visit Piazza del Gesù, with the opulent baroque church of Gesù Nuovo and Piazza San Domenico.
Board your private vehicle to continue your tour of Naples; your guide will take you to the most beautiful panoramic spots, such as the hill of Posillipo and then along the “lungo mare” of Mergellina. Head out of the city in the afternoon to one of Italy’s most famous and unique archaeological sites – Pompeii. This once opulent city was ‘frozen’ in time in AD 79 when lava from Mount Vesuvius enveloped Pompeii. Pompeii’s extensive and varied ruins now provide us with a rich history of life at the time of the Roman Empire. There are theatres, thermal baths, shops and lavish dwellings, many of which have been incredibly well preserved. After your visit you continue to the beautiful coastal resort of Sorrento.
Day 3
The Glamorous Island of Capri
Travel across the Tyrrhenian Sea by hydrofoil to the glamorous island of Capri today. Capri has constant sunshine and enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a Garden of Eden. The home of emperors, seat of monasteries, place of exile, and former haunt of goats and fishermen, its fortunes changed during the 19th century when English and German expatriates discovered its charms. Enjoy time to people-watch and shop in Capri town’s boutiques before arriving at your hotel in a stunning clifftop location in Anacapri.
Day 4
Capri by Private Yacht
Spend the day exploring Capri by sea from your private motor yacht, waiting for you in the Marina Grande, where you board a private boat and start the round trip of the island.
You can stop for lunch along the way at Marina Piccola, which is a delightful, picturesque inlet that provides the capresi and other sun worshippers with their best beach – it is also safe for swimming. The entire cove is romantically lined with stabilimenti – elegant bathing lidos.
Travelling west, flank the beach of Marina Grande and of Bagni di Tiberio. The next stretch of coastline consists of a high calcareous cliff with fissures and grottoes covered by lush, indigenous vegetation. After passing Punta Gradola, you reach the Blue Grotto where you have the chance to visit the famous blue cave.
Day 5
Capri to the Amalfi Coast via Positano
Travel by hydrofoil back across the sea to the mainland where your private driver awaits you to begin your journey along the fabled Amalfi Coast. No visit to the region is complete without time to explore the village of Positano, whose homes and villas cling to the rocks and narrow cobbled alleyways lead down to the sea and elegant restaurants serving the freshest catch of the day. Continue to your iconic hotel in the coastal town of Amalfi.
Day 6
The Cuisine of Campania
Today you are met at your hotel and transferred to the nearby village of Sant’Agata, a quaint village where you make your way to a rustic farmhouse. Upon arrival you are welcomed by the owner for refreshments before taking a stroll around the grounds to admire the fresh produce. Depending on the fruits and vegetables in season, you can pick some lunch provisions. You then enjoy a hands-on cooking demonstration where you are shown the skills of mozzarella-making, as well as creating the perfect pizza (southern style!). Lunch includes fresh farm produce. Return to Amalfi with the chance to stop at a small limoncello producer to view the process in which it is made and have a tasting. Limoncello is a lemon liqueur made exclusively with lemons from Sorrento. Since it has become fashionable, many have tried to make limoncello, yet nobody has matched the quality of limoncello from this area, which is the genuine and inimitable version!
Day 7
Ravello Sightseeing Tour
Enjoy a half-day tour of Ravello. Close by Amalfi it is situated on a mountain overlooking the coast from Maiori to Amalfi and offers some of the finest viewing points in Italy. Visit Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, and stroll along the streets and alleyways of this enchanting town. Continue on to the Bartolomeo da Foggia and Barsian da Trani. In the main chapel the blood of St Pantaleone is preserved and said to liquefy on the 27th of July of every year. You may also decide to visit the church of San Giovanni del Toro, with its striking mosaic pulpit by Alfano da Termoli or the churches of Santa Maria a Gradillo and Santissima Annunziata. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the stunning setting of your hotel.
Day 8
Amalfi to Matera via the Ancient Site of Paestum
Leave the Amalfi Coast today with your driver, stopping at another of the most important sights in Southern Italy: Paestum. Your expert local guide brings alive the archaeological site whose fine yellow-toned buildings were founded by the Greeks in 600 BC. Paestum was the northernmost limit of Greek civilisation in Italy, and today, the most well-preserved remains have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting Paestum, continue across the region of Basilicata to your luxury hotel in Matera, another UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.
Day 9
Matera & Metaponto
With the help of your expert local guide, discover the truly unique ‘sassi’ of Matera. Thanks to soft tufa rock, cave dwellings were hewn into cave homes from pre-historic times. Over the centuries, the caves were developed into homes, largely inhabited by the poor or refugees, which numbered 15,000 in the 1950s, before the caves were abandoned. The rock-hewn churches are truly phenomenal feats whilst your guide helps you to imagine how large families and even livestock lived in the cave houses. In the afternoon, travel with your guide to the Ionian Coast of Calabria and Metaponto. See the ruins of the Temple of Hera, dating from the 6th century BC. The ruins are a suggestive remnant of the once-almighty Greek settlement here. The nearby museum has an excellent collection of 4th- and 5th-century statues, ceramics and jewellery. Return to Matera from here.
Day 10
In the Footsteps of Dinosaurs and Bari
Leave Matera this morning towards the Murge National Park and the town of Altamura. In 1999, more than 4000 dinosaur footprints were discovered in a disused quarry. The prints are important because they provide information about different aspects of dinosaurs, such as the skeletal motor apparatus, posture, walk, behaviour, speed and environmental preferences. Today, you have the chance to see this truly unique place. Head to the coastal city of Bari in time for lunch before meeting your guide. Visit the Basilica di San Nicola at the Centre of Bari Vecchia. Bari traces its history back to before the Romans but only began to make a name for itself in the 10th century. As an important trading city, and seat of a nominally independent Byzantine governor, it was sometimes a rival to Venice, but more often its ally. The Normans took the city in 1071, favoured Bari and helped it become the leading town of Puglia. Walking through some of the streets of the historical centre you can see ladies making the typical “orecchiette” pasta (little ears) by hand before heading to your hotel.
Day 11
Day at Leisure
Today is yours to relax and enjoy the numerous facilities at your hotel. Alternatively, you may enjoy a half-day tour to the Caves of Castellana. Discovered only in 1938, the caves are rich with multi-coloured stalagmites, stalactites, lakes and underground caverns. including the White Grotto, a showcase of pure white speleothems, calcite crystals, and helictites. The caves are the most impressive showcase caves in Italy.
Day 12
The Valle d’Itria
Embark on a day-long journey with your knowledgeable local guide, exploring the wonders of “Valle d’Itria”, also known as Trulli Valley. Visit Cisternino and Locorotondo, where you will see the architecture typical of the region with a historical centre containing whitewashed stone buildings with cool, shaded, cave-like interiors, narrow streets and churches. Today you enjoy a visit to a local cheese producer where you witness the individual phases of how different cheeses are made. After the visit, you enjoy an informal cheese tasting with a buffet, where you have the opportunity to taste various local delicacies. After the cheese tasting, continue to Alberobello, one of Puglia’s rich UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Founded in the 15th century by the Counts of Acquaviva, Alberobello contains the largest concentration of perhaps the most famous of all of Puglia’s monuments: the cone-shaped dwellings known as trulli. The origin of these charming structures was practical in nature: the counts granted tax-free land and domicile rights to immigrants from the surrounding lands on the condition that their houses should be easily demolished in the case that the King of Naples ever found out that they were evading taxes! Their particular construction – without any use of a binding material – ensured that the houses could easily be reduced to a mere pile of stones in a hurry, leaving no trace of their former function.
Day 13
The Puglian Coast to Lecce
You leave your coastal hotel today, heading ever further south to the heel of Italy. Stop en route in the town of Ostuni, known as the White City. It is a charming example of Mediterranean architecture with its gleaming white splash of sun-drenched streets and quaint cobbled alleyways where hints of the Middle Ages can be seen around every corner. Your final destination today is the city of Lecce. After lunch join your guide for a walk through Piazza Duomo – one of the finest Baroque architectural scenes in the world, with the cathedral, the adjoining façade of the Palazzo Vescovile, and the seminary. Lecce is rightly described as the most pure Baroque town in the whole of Italy, a ‘little Florence’ without the tourists. The buildings in the pedestrian-only walled centre are made from a special type of soft carved stone called tufigna, which is stunningly floodlit at night. During the visit, enjoy a unique demonstration of local handcraft famous in Lecce, the papier mâché. You visit a laboratory in the historical city centre where a family has worked for many years to create papier mâché figures of the Nativity.
Day 14
The Heel of Italy
Spend the day with your driver and guide exploring the extreme southernmost part of Italy. Visit Otranto, an ancient and beguiling town of whitewashed houses cascading around the walls protecting a noble cathedral and castle and facing the sea. Visit the cathedral, begun in the 11th century by the Normans, and the only one in the south to have conserved an entire medieval mosaic pavement; the mosaic depicts three giant trees of life, their roots supported by two elephants, bearing extraordinary fruits. After lunch, enjoy the Adriatic coastline drive to the extreme edge of Puglia, Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Ionio Sea meets the Adriatic. Along the way there are many quaint harbours (such as Vadisco and Tricase) and grottoes (such as the Zinzalusa Grotto) to see.
Day 15
Transfer to Brindisi
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $POA
When to travel
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If you’re planning a trip to Italy, it’s important to consider the weather to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience. The best time to visit Italy in terms of weather is during the months of April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild and pleasant. However, if you’re looking for a winter getaway, January can be a good time to visit as long as you’re prepared for cooler temperatures. In Italy, January is typically one of the coldest months of the year, with average temperatures ranging from 3°C to 12°C depending on the region.
In January, Italy experiences cold and wet weather. The average temperature during this month is around 5°C, with lows of 1°C and highs of 8°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is common in the mountainous areas. It's important to bundle up and dress warmly if you plan on traveling to Italy in January.
In February, Italy experiences cold weather with occasional rainfall. The average temperature during this month is around 7°C, with lows of 4°C and highs of 10°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is still possible in the mountainous areas. It's important to dress warmly and bring rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in February.
In March, Italy experiences a transition from colder weather to milder temperatures. The average temperature during this month is around 10°C, with lows of 7°C and highs of 14°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly colder than the south, but the temperature is generally pleasant across the country. Rainfall is common during this month, so it's important to bring rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in March.
In April, Italy experiences mild and comfortable weather. The average temperature during this month is around 14°C, with lows of 10°C and highs of 18°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is pleasant across the country. Rainfall is still possible, but it is less frequent than in March. April is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for mild weather and fewer crowds.
In May, Italy experiences mild and pleasant weather with plenty of sunshine. The average temperature during this month is around 18°C, with lows of 13°C and highs of 22°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is less frequent, and the days are longer, making it a great time to explore Italy's many outdoor attractions. May is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In June, Italy experiences warm and sunny weather with longer days. The average temperature during this month is around 23°C, with lows of 18°C and highs of 27°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is less frequent, and the days are longer, making it a great time to explore Italy's many outdoor attractions. June is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In July, Italy experiences hot and sunny weather with long days. The average temperature during this month is around 28°C, with lows of 22°C and highs of 32°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature can be quite high across the country. Rainfall is rare during this month, and the days are long, making it a great time to enjoy Italy's many outdoor attractions. July is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In August, Italy experiences hot and sunny weather with long days. The average temperature during this month is around 29°C, with lows of 23°C and highs of 33°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature can be quite high across the country. Rainfall is rare during this month, and the days are long, making it a great time to enjoy Italy's many outdoor attractions. August is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In September, Italy experiences comfortable and mild weather with fewer crowds. The average temperature during this month is around 23°C, with lows of 18°C and highs of 27°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is still possible, but it is less frequent than in July and August. September is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for mild weather and fewer crowds.
In October, Italy experiences cooler weather with occasional rainfall. The average temperature during this month is around 17°C, with lows of 12°C and highs of 21°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically cooler than the south, and rain is common across the country. October is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for fewer crowds and cooler weather. It's important to bring warm clothes and rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in October.
In November, Italy experiences cooler and wetter weather as winter approaches. The average temperature during this month is around 12°C, with lows of 8°C and highs of 16°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically cooler than the south, and rain is common across the country. November is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for fewer crowds and cooler weather. It's important to bring warm clothes and rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in November.
In December, Italy experiences cold and wet weather as winter sets in. The average temperature during this month is around 8°C, with lows of 4°C and highs of 11°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is common in the mountainous areas. It's important to bundle up and dress warmly if you plan on traveling to Italy in December. December is a popular month to visit Italy, especially during the Christmas season, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
Add on’s
There are a multitude of add-on holiday options to this Italy itinerary. For example, you could head to Greece. Greece is a beautiful country with stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and delicious food. Visit Athens to see the Acropolis, or head to the Greek islands for a relaxing holiday. Spain offers a mix of history, culture, and beaches. Visit Barcelona, for the architecture of Gaudi, or head to Andalusia to see the Moorish influences in the region.
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