Treasures of Southern Italy
Treasures of Southern Italy
From Apulia to Campania, passing through Calabria and Basilicata. A unique tour experience to discover the authentic side and the timeless charm of the regions of Southern Italy.
DAILY PROGRAM
Day 1: ARRIVAL
Arrival at Naples airport, welcome by our English speaking tour leader and coach transfer to the hotel, located in the surroundings of Naples. Accommodation in a 4* hotel such as Hotel San Mauro, or similar. Welcome drink. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: NAPLES – PADULA – SCALEA – COSENZA
Breakfast at the hotel, then departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, drive to Padula, famous for its 14th century Charterhouse of San Lorenzo. Guided visit of this architectural ensemble, one of the largest in southern Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then road to Scalea. Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, visit of this small tourist centre renowned for its beautiful golden beaches. Then drive to Cosenza, with some panoramic stops along the way in the most famous seaside resorts. Accommodation in a 4* hotel such as Hotel Villa Fabiano, or similar, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: PIZZO CALABRO – TROPEA
After breakfast, departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, guided excursion to Pizzo Calabro, a fishing village perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. Visit of the medieval historical centre, rich in churches, such as the Church of Piedigrotta, located by the sea, then view of the beautiful castle built by Ferdinand I of Aragon (all external views). Drive to Tropea and free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, visit of this pearl of the “Coast of the Gods”, and the most famous tourist center of the Peninsula of Capo Vaticano. The landmark of the town is the church of Santa Maria dell'Isola, located on its rock overlooking the sea. Small tasting of ice cream or local pastries during the day. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: SILA – CIRO MARINA
Breakfast at the hotel, departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, guided visit (half-day) of Cosenza, cultural centre and main city of Calabria. Stroll through the historic centre through its winding streets bordered by several buildings, which bear witness to the glory of the Angevin and Aragonese eras, and view of the medieval Dome dating back to 11th century. Then, departure for the Sila National Park, with stops and visits of San Giovanni in Fiore, a village located at the foot of Monte Negro, and Santa Severina, a medieval village standing on a tuff rock overlooking the valley Neto river. Lunch with typical products in a farmhouse located in Santa Severina. In the afternoon, road to Ciro Marina, accommodation in a 4* hotel such as Hotel Il Gabbiano, or similar. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: ROSSANO CALABRO – ALBEROBELLO
After breakfast, departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, guided tour (half-day) of Rossano Calabro. Discovery of this ancient and picturesque village, also known as the “Ravenna of the South" due to the important byzantine testimonies found there, among which the seven monasteries. Visit of the charming byzantine Dome and to the “Amarelli" Liquorice Museum, with a small tasting included. Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, road to Alberobello. Accommodation in a 4* hotel, such as Hotel Astoria, or similar. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: MATERA
After breakfast, departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, guided visit of Matera, designated as European Capital of Culture in 2019. Visit of the “Sassi", a group of troglodytic houses and sanctuaries dug in the natural caves of the Murgia. Apparently these represent the first testimonies of dwellings in Italy. Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, visit of the village of Alberobello, recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site, and known all over the world for the Trulli, typical dry-stone buildings with funny conical roofs. Visit of the “Trullo Sovrano” located in the historic centre of Alberobello, and walk through the villages of Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola, which keep extraordinary Trulli complexes. Afterwards, visit and small wine tasting in a nearby cellar. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: LECCE - OTRANTO
Breakfast at the hotel, then departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, guided tour of Lecce, the baroque pearl of southern Italy. Known as "The Florence of the South", Lecce is considered a true architectural masterpiece of the baroque and rococo styles. Walking through the charming streets of the historic center you will discover the exuberance of the baroque through the facades of its remarkable monuments such as the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce, the Dome Square with its Cathedral and other marvels with pink stone décor (all external views). Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, drive to Otranto, an ancient port city on the Adriatic coast. Guided walking tour of the city, which develops around the impressive Aragonese Castle and the Norman Cathedral. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: BARI - CASTEL DEL MONTE - NAPLES
Breakfast at the hotel, then departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, guided tour of Bari: among the historic streets of Bari Vecchia and its walls overlooking the sea, lies the famous Basilica of St. Nicholas of Bari, one of the most beautiful examples of roman architecture. In the old town also lies the Cathedral of San Sabino, a roman-style church built on the ruins of a byzantine cathedral. Continue to the majestic Swabian Castle, built by Frederick II in 1233 (all external views). Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, guided visit of Castel del Monte, an isolated fortress located on one of the highest heights of the “Murge”. Tour of the castle, a unique medieval architecture masterpiece, built in the 12th century by the will of Frederick II. Then drive to Naples, accommodation in a 4* hotel such as Hotel San Mauro, or similar. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: GRAGNANO - SORRENTO - AMALFI
After breakfast, departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, visit of a pasta factory in Gragnano, to discover the history and the traditional production techniques of this village, famous all over the world for its culinary tradition. Then drive to Sorrento and stop at a nearby farm. Visit of the farm, dedicated to the production of cheese, oil, limoncello and lunch with taste of local products. In the afternoon, road to Amalfi, along the panoramic road above Positano. Stop in Amalfi and free time to discover the ancient Maritime Republic with a look at the imposing Cathedral of St. Andrew, whose architecture bears witness to the imprint of contacts with the East. Return to the hotel passing by the hills of Agerola or the Valico di Chiunzi, routes that allow you to admire the lush vegetation and the charming of landscapes of the Amalfi Coast. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: POMPEII
After breakfast, departure by coach for a daily excursion with our tour leader. In the morning, meeting with the guide and tour of centre of this ancient capital of south Italy: Piazza Plebiscito with the Royal Palace and the San Carlo Opera House; the Galleria Umberto I, the Piazza Municipio with its Castel Nuovo, the walk through the small streets of Spaccanapoli. Road to Pompeii. Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, guided tour of Pompeii ruins, an old Roman city buried during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. It represents an amazing testimony to the daily life of the imperial period, preserved in an almost perfect state, lending itself wonderfully to an evocation of the ancient world. Back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer by coach to Naples airport with our tour escort. Check-in assistance and end of our services.
The price includes:
• 10 nights accommodation on H/B basis in mentioned 4* hotels or similar, in double room
• All dinners excluding beverages
• Welcome drink on the day of arrival
• Lunch/tasting with local products (day 4 and day 9)
• Ice cream tasting (day 3), licorice tasting (day 5), wine tasting (day 6)
• The service of a professional English-speaking tour leader from/to the airport and for the whole duration of the tour, accommodation and meal costs included
• Local guide services in Padula, Naples and Pompeii
• Visit at the pasta factory in Gragnano
• Transportation by air-conditioned G.T. bus according to the itinerary, including all city access fees as currently in force, and including meals and/or accommodation expenses necessary for the driver
• The shuttle-bus in Santa Severina and Castel del Monte
• All guided visits as mentioned in the program
• VAT as currently in force 10% for hotels, 5% for maritime transport, 22% other services
• Our constant phone support
The price doesn't include:
• Air transport
• Tourist tax
• Luncheons (except for day 4 and day 9)
• Drinks at meals
• Entrance fees
• Headsets (not mandatory)
• Luggage transport service at the hotels
• All services not mentioned in our program and in "the price includes"
• The possible increase in VAT, access and parking costs for the bus, taxes in general
• Extras, optional visits, tips and personal expenses
CONTACT US
If you need more information, please feel free to contact us anytime, we will be happy to help you!
#INVIAGGIOCONEXPERT
copyright: Expert Travel Team | p.iva: 04064921218 | privacy and cookies | designed with love by justweb