Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome to Ariano Irpino
You'll leave Rome early and drive south toward Cassino, where Montecassino Abbey sits high on a mountain. This working monastery has quite a history, serving as both a pilgrimage destination and a major World War II battlefield. After exploring the monastery grounds and getting a sense of the place, you'll check out the overgrown ruins of San Pietro Infine nearby. From there, you'll wind through hilltop villages and mountain roads heading to Benevento, an ancient city with layers of Samnite, Roman, and Lombard history. By evening, you'll settle into Ariano Irpino for your first night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Montecassino Abbey including monastery exploration
- Visit San Pietro Infine ruins
Landmarks/POIs Montecassino Abbey San Pietro Infine Benevento - Day 2
Ariano Irpino to Lecce
This morning you're heading south into Puglia, the region shaped like Italy's heel. You'll start in Trani, known as the Pearl of Puglia, walking through its stone-built port area and checking out medieval churches and the old Jewish quarter. After that, you'll continue to Polignano a Mare, a clifftop town where you'll grab lunch on your own. Later in the afternoon, Alberobello is next, and you'll walk through its distinctive streets lined with over 1,500 trulli houses, those cone-shaped white buildings that are UNESCO protected. By evening you'll arrive in Lecce and settle in for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Trani's marina promenade, medieval churches, cathedral, and Jewish quarter
- Visit Polignano a Mare and watch cliff divers
- Stroll through Alberobello and explore trulli houses
Landmarks/POIs Trani Polignano a Mare Alberobello - Day 3
Lecce
After breakfast, you have free time to wander Lecce's old town and take in the distinctive Lecce Baroque architecture that makes the city unique. In the afternoon, you'll travel through fields with ochre-colored soil and olive groves toward the Salento Peninsula's coastal towns. You'll stop in Otranto to walk along its fortifications and harbour promenade, then head to Gallipoli, a charming seaside town with clear blue water. You can take a leisurely walk around before heading back to Lecce for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Lecce's old town and Baroque architecture
- Visit Otranto and explore fortifications and harbour promenade
- Sample local cuisine in Otranto
- Walk through Gallipoli old town
Landmarks/POIs Lecce Otranto Gallipoli - Day 4
Lecce to Salerno
You're leaving Lecce today for Matera, a UNESCO site known for its ancient cave dwellings carved into rocky cliffs. You'll visit churches that still have stone cave wall paintings and see some locations used in the film Passion of the Christ. After that, you'll head into the Lucanian Dolomites to reach Castelmezzano, one of the highest villages in the region, perched on a narrow ledge with dramatic views. There's a hike to castle ruins if you want to explore further. By evening, you'll travel west across Basilicata to the coast and arrive in Salerno for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Matera's cave dwellings and ancient churches with wall paintings
- Visit locations featured in 'Passion of the Christ'
- Discover Castelmezzano's history
- Hike to castle ruins in Castelmezzano
Landmarks/POIs Matera Castelmezzano - Day 5
Amalfi Coast - Salerno
Today you're experiencing the Amalfi Coast with its pastel-colored houses and excellent restaurants. You'll start in Sorrento, famous for lemons and high cliffs, where you can walk around sun-soaked piazzas and try some limoncello. Then you're heading to Positano, a colorful multi-tiered town clinging to sea cliffs. Lunch happens at a restaurant with sea views over the Tyrrhenian Sea, and after eating you can explore shops or relax on the beach if time allows. Later, you'll board a ferry cruise along the coast with stops in small towns and chances for photos. Back in Salerno by late afternoon, you'll watch the sunset with a drink in your hand this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Amalfi Coast ferry cruise with stops in charming coastal towns
Optional Activities
- Explore Sorrento and sample limoncello
- Lunch at scenic restaurant in Positano
- Browse local boutiques in Positano
- Beach swimming and sunbathing in Positano
Landmarks/POIs Sorrento Positano Amalfi Coast - Day 6
Salerno to Rome
You're heading north to Mount Vesuvius for a hike up to its crater, so wear proper walking shoes. This volcano, now dormant, was once feared as divine, and you'll get a sense of why from the top. After the hike, you'll visit Pompeii, the city that was buried and preserved by Vesuvius in 79 AD. Walking through the archaeological site gives you a real window into ancient Roman daily life. Then you'll start the journey back to Rome, taking it slowly through Campania and Lazio regions. You'll arrive back in Rome by early evening where your tour ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Mount Vesuvius crater
- Entrance to Pompeii Archaeological Site
Landmarks/POIs Mount Vesuvius Pompeii
