Explore Southern Italy
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 10-day journey through the heart of Italy, a country renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, and mouth-watering cuisine. This multi-day tour offers an immersive experience of Italy's diverse landscapes, from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Amalfi Coast to the sophisticated port town of Trani, the baroque city of Lecce, and the ancient sassi of Matera. Explore quaint towns, marvel at grand cathedrals, stroll through lush valleys, and sample local delicacies. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or a nature lover, this tour promises a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration.
Included
9 breakfasts
vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat
TRANSPORT IN EUROPE:
Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
PRIVATE VEHICLES:
Our private vehicles are locally sourced and are air conditioned and comfortable, which makes travelling enjoyable. On some days we will be covering long distances, which will make these days feel longer, however spectacular views and interesting stops along the way make up for it.
TRAINS:
The main mode of transportation on this trip is by train. Italian long-distance and inter-regional trains are comfortable and often decked out with air-conditioning. Toilets are always available. Some of the trains have snack bars (or vending machines) and power points next to the seats but that cannot be guaranteed on every journey. Regional and metropolitan trains are usually a bit more basic and can be quite busy, but this just adds to the experience. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long (and short) distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre of your next destination.
Train , Public bus , Private vehicle , Taxi
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION:
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE BASIS:
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
CHECK-IN TIME:
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION:
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
FACILITIES:
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Hotel (9 nights)
hotel: 9 night(s);
All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Trani - City Walking Tour with Local Guide
Lecce - Aperitivo with Local Specialties
Alberobello - Olive Oil Mill Visit and Tasting
Matera - Ipogeo Underground Cistern
Matera - City Walking Tour with Local Guide
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
- Amalfi - Arrival day
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Welcome to Italy! Your journey begins at the picturesque Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Arrive in the charming town of Minori, where you'll meet your local leader and fellow travellers at 6 pm. If you arrive early, feel free to explore the town's panoramic views or relax at a local cafe with a macchiato or gelato.
Day 2
- Amalfi
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- Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo
- Valle delle Ferriere
- Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta
- Santa Maria degli Angeli alle Croci, Naples
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Spend the day exploring the enchanting towns of Minori and Amalfi. Visit the grand Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea and the Chiostro del Paradiso in Amalfi Town. For a more active day, hike through the Valley of Mills or take a bus to the Valley of Dragons to reach the picturesque town of Ravello. Don't miss the 11th Century Villa Rufolo and the 19th Century Villa Cimbrone, both offering stunning views over the Gulf of Salerno. For the adventurous, a half-day walk along the famous Sentiero Degli Dei is a must.
Day 3
- Trani
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Travel to the east coast of Italy to the scenic town of Trani, known as the 'Southern Pearl'. Once a bustling trading hub, Trani is now a sophisticated port town with a white cathedral on the seawall and a crescent-shaped marina. Explore the historic centre and its medieval churches on a walking tour with a local guide. Later, relax on the waterfront and enjoy a glass of Moscato di Trani, the local sweet wine.
Day 4
- Trani
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- Castel del Monte
- Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption
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Spend the day exploring Trani at your own pace. Visit the stunning Cattedrale di San Nicola Pellegrino, one of the most beautiful buildings in southern Italy. Explore the castle built by Frederick II and stroll through the medieval Jewish quarter, stopping by the Scola Nova and Scola Grande synagogues. End the day with a fresh seafood dinner by the marina.
Day 5
- Lecce
- Trani
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Travel south to Lecce, a city known for its baroque architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Lecce's ornate palazzi, Roman ruins, and dancing allegories on facades make it a sight to behold. The city's lively university scene and charming boutiques, antique shops, and delis add to its appeal.
Day 6
- Lecce
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- Basilica di Santa Croce
- Colonne Romane
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Spend the day exploring Lecce. Visit the restored Roman amphitheatre, the Colonna di Sant'Oronzo, and the Basilica Di Santa Croce. Don't miss the Piazza del Duomo, a square bordered by a 12th-century cathedral, a 68 m-high bell tower, an 15th-century Episcopal Palace, and an 18th-century Seminario. In the afternoon, join the group for an aperitivo featuring local specialties.
Day 7
- Lecce
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- Tower Incina
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Travel to Ostuni and explore its narrow streets before visiting a local olive oil producer. Learn about the millennia-old techniques and taste the exquisite olive oil. Next, head to Alberobello, known for its unique Trulli, small, dry-stone houses built from local limestone in the 14th century. Wander the Old Town quarter of Rione Monti and visit the Church de Sant'Antonio. Spend the night in a restored Trullo, experiencing local history firsthand.
Day 8
- Matera
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Transfer to Matera, one of the oldest cities in existence. Explore the sassi, stone houses formed from natural grottoes and tufo cliffs overlooking a dramatic gorge. Take a guided tour to appreciate both its ancient and modern history. Stay in accommodation with balconies overlooking the sassi for a unique experience.
Day 9
- Matera
- Bari
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- Basilica San Nicola
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Board a local train to Bari, the capital of Puglia. Explore the tangled streets of its Old Town, Bari Vecchia, and visit the Basilica di San Nicola. Walk around the stone walls with the sea on one side and the medieval town on the other. Spend your last night on this trip enjoying a group meal by the harbour, sampling local limoncello and seafood.
Day 10
- Bari - Departure day
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Your journey comes to an end after breakfast today. You are free to depart at any time. If you wish to extend your stay, please speak to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.
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