Welcome to a vacation in the south of Italy! Physical beauty on the land and sea, history everywhere, food to be enjoyed and talked about forever, beautiful hotels, relaxation on a beach or a boat, or hiking magnificent trails; a vacation that will surpass any dreams you've ever had of a vacation in Italy.
The trip includes 4 nights in Puglia, 7 nights on the Amalfi Coast and 1 night in Naples.
As the southernmost region of mainland Italy, Puglia (e.g. Apulia in Italian) is the heel of Italy's boot. Bordered on the east by the Adriatic Sea and on the south by the Ionian Sea, Puglia has the rocky cliffs and sandy beaches of the Italian Riviera and the whitewashed villages of the Greek Islands. Home to ancient vineyards, Roman ruins, medieval castles, and Baroque cities, Puglia has the very best of every Italian region wrapped into one stunning region.
Puglia is nicknamed the breadbasket of Italy. The hot, dry Mediterranean climate and the fertile soil make it one of the leading producers of wheat in the country. As a result, bread and pasta are staples of the Apulian diet. There is nothing better to eat with the fresh bread of the region than Puglia’s other famous product, olive oil. The region produces about 40% of Italy’s olive oil each year. With bread, olive oil, and plenty of hearty dishes throughout the region, you might think visiting Puglia is all about eating, and you’d be partially right.
Puglia is also known for its coastline, the longest of any mainland Italian region. With incredible cliffs along the beach in Polignano a Mare, the natural cave pool of Roca, and the Beach of Purity in Gallipoli, the soft sands and gentle waves of the Apulian coastline are among the best in Italy.
The mini-trip from Puglia to the Amalfi Coast includes a stop in Matera. Located about 12.5 miles from the Pugliese border, Matera is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on the planet. Once nearly forgotten, Matera is experiencing a rejuvenation of interest and investment. Named a European Capital of Culture in 2019 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the once-dilapidated caves have been updated and renovated for the world to enjoy. While there make sure to check out the world class hotel built and owned by Francis Ford Coppola, Palazzo Margherita.
The natural beauty and picturesque landscapes of the Amalfi Coast have made it one of the most popular destinations of the world's jet set, earning it the nickname of "Divine Coast" (Divina costiera). The Amalfi Coast, is widely considered Italy's most scenic stretch of coastline, a landscape of towering bluffs, pastel-hued villages terraced into hillsides, precipitous corniche roads, luxuriant gardens, and expansive vistas over turquoise waters and green-swathed mountains. The Amalfi Coast is one big UNESCO World Heritage site, brimming with culture. Each town along the coast offers its own special story. If you want a cinematic preview of the area, find a copy of "The Talented Mr. Ripley" or "Under The Tuscan Sun" (for the great scene in Positano). Oh, the itinerary also includes the island of Capri and the Blue Grotto.
Naples is unique; it is the most densely populated city in Europe. More than that, Naples is famous as the gateway to Pompeii and as the birthplace of pizza.
Welcome once again to what will surely be a vacation of a lifetime.
Buon viaggio!
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Wed, May 29th 2024 - Thu, May 30th 2024
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Depart From Home and Arrive at Karol Wojtyla International Airport- Bari, Italy for Transfer by Private Car Service to Monopoli
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Thu, May 30th 2024
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Il Melograno Resort 4 Nights, Suite/Double (5 Star)
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Fri, May 31st 2024
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Private Locorotondo, Martina Franca, and Alberobello Tour with Wine Tasting and Food Pairing (8 Hours)
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Sat, Jun 1st 2024
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On Your Own Beach Day at Hotel La Peschiera
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Sun, Jun 2nd 2024
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Private Full Day Tour to Cisternino, Ostuni and Polignano A Mare (8 Hours)
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Mon, Jun 3rd 2024
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Private Transfer From Monopoli Hotel to Amalfi With Stop in Matera for Guided Tour and Lunch
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Mon, Jun 3rd 2024 - Mon, Jun 10th 2024
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Hotel Luna Convento Junior Suite Sea View- 7 Nights (4 Stars)
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Tue, Jun 4th 2024
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On Your Own Beach Day to Explore the Towns Along the Amalfi Coast, Rent a Boat or Just Relax on the Beach
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Wed, Jun 5th 2024
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On Your Own Beach Day to Explore the Towns Along the Amalfi Coast, Rent a Boat or Just Relax on the Beach
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Thu, Jun 6th 2024
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Small Group Afternoon Cooking Class at Ristorante IL Ritrovo in Montepertuso (Positano) With Dinner (7 Hours)
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Fri, Jun 7th 2024
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On Your Own Beach Day or Explore More of the Amalfi Coast.
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Sat, Jun 8th 2024
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Private Capri Tour including the Blue Grotto from Amalfi (8 Hours)
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Sun, Jun 9th 2024
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On Your Own Beach Day or Explore More of the Amalfi Coast.
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Mon, Jun 10th 2024
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Private transfer Amalfi Hotel to Naples Hotel
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Mon, Jun 10th 2024
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Grand Hotel Oriente, Naples - Executive/Double - 1 Night (4 Stars)
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Tue, Jun 11th 2024
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Private Transfer From Naples Hotel to Naples International Airport
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You will be met outside of customs by an English speaking driver and escorted to your hotel in Monopoli.
Website: http://www.aeroportidipuglia.it/
Address: Viale Enzo Ferrari, 70128 Bari BA, Italy
Dates
Start: 5/29/24
End: 5/30/24
The south of Italy is home to some of the country's great treasures, but few can match the comfortable surroundings of Il Melograno which is exquisitely in tune with its breathtaking surroundings. Nestled among ancient olive trees that provide the hotel's kitchen with its unique oil, Il Melograno offers a rich array of flavors that inspire all the senses just minutes from the shores of the Adriatic Sea. Building on its 16th-century heritage as an august farmhouse in a region known as "the land of wine," Il Melograno recently received an impeccable restoration to unite its old world charms with modern amenities and comforts. The result is an intimate southern Italian retreat with a personal attention to detail that makes you feel right at home. Take advantage of the hotel's private beach club, Le Tamerici, with its large sandy beach as an ideal place to spend a day by the sea. For the spa-minded guest, choose from a number of amenities at the 5000-square foot facility, which includes a gym and specialized Italian massages and treatments. The exclusive relationship between the spa and French cosmetics house Orlane, delivers the pampering you deserve.
Website: https://www.melograno.com/
Address: Contrada Torricella, 345, 70043 Monopoli BA, Italy
This tour is in the Itria Valley, an area of Apulia renowned for its landscapes, made of little villages scattered among vineyards and olive trees, for its lavish and abundant food, and excellent wines.
Your first stop is Locorotondo, an ancient village member of the Italian Board of Historical Towns. Here, together with the typical Apulian white-washed houses, you will also see some notable examples of Baroque architecture.
After your time there, head for Martina Franca. This little town is a pearl of Baroque style, with an aristocratic flair given by the beckoned churches and palazzi, but it also with a very strong bourgeois identity, revealed by the multi-story houses whose underground floors were storehouse, ground floors shops and upper floors family spaces. Some time at leisure will give you the chance to pop in one of the food shops to get some capicola, a delicious a cold cut made from pork neck, smoked with Maquis shrubs, exclusive to this area.
Your journey resumes to a family-run wine estate. A great part of their land is dedicated to farming native grapes, such as primitivo, negramaro, and verdeca, but they also train international grapes that, thanks to the soil and the climate, acquire distinctive characters. At your arrival a member of the family welcomes you, and, before starting a tour of the premises, tells you about the estate and their wines; then, in their winery, you will taste three of their most representative wines, accompanied by local foods.
A short drive takes you to Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its distinctive trulli date back to somewhere between 15th and 17th century, when the Kingdom of Naples had reign over this region, was entitled to collect taxes from its inhabitants, and hit especially hard on home owners. Apulian farmers were poor, but resourceful: they built their trulli without using mortar, so, when the tax collector was en route for the village, they pull the keystone from the archway and the roof would collapse; they would then dismantle part of the wall, so that it appeared like a pile of debris to the unsuspecting collector. Wander through the trulli and try to spot the differences between them, while listening to the interesting commentary delivered by your guide.
Website: http://www.comune.alberobello.ba.it/
Address: 70011 Alberobello, Metropolitan City of Bari, Italy
Dates
Start: 5/31/24 at 9:00am
End: 5/31/24 at 5:00pm
A day to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of the Adriatic Sea. Hotel La Peschiera is the sister property of Masseria il Melograno and is available to enjoy for the day. The Apulian sun is diffused by the cooling waters of the seashore and their blue pools. La Peschiera’s private sandy beach has loungers, parasols, and refreshments all day.
The lounge bar overlooking La Peschiera’s private beach is somewhere to sip chilled champagne and toast your surroundings, or an iced oyster martini as an avant-garde choice to compliment crudo, e.g. Apulian sushi.
The design of Saleblu Restaurant makes it seem encased in glass for uninterrupted sea views, and the wood dining terrace is shaded with a sweep of white canvas sails. Contemplate the calm blue scene, and prepare to dine like a nobleman on sophisticated Apulian cuisine.
Website: http://www.peschierahotel.com/
Address: Contrada Losciale, 63 Frazione, 70043 Capitolo BA, Italy
Your private driver will take you on a day trip to experience the beautiful towns of Puglia. Like its sister city of Ostuni, Cisternino boasts a small, utterly charming old town center that has remained virtually intact for centuries. Its whitewashed houses, narrow, shady streets, historic churches, and elegant central piazza open out onto a series of panoramic viewpoints from which visitors can take in the surrounding countryside, with its rolling hills, dry stone walls, and white-tipped conical trulli roofs piercing the green fields.
One of the Puglia’s most picture-perfect towns, Ostuni overlooks the olive groves and vineyards of the Itria Valley from its spot perched atop a hill. Known as “the White City,” you might confuse this small town in Italy with a village in Greece because of its whitewashed homes. The medieval charm of the town continues throughout the narrow streets, which lead to small, hidden courtyards, terraces overlooking the nearby vineyards, and local landmarks, like the 15th-century Ostuni Cathedral.
A shining gem on the coast of the Valle d’Itria, perched atop a 20 meter-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, Polignano A Mare truly lives up to its name and literally could not be any more ‘at sea’!
Polignano A Mare offers all the ingredients for a perfect visit. The tiny old town, reached through the Porta Vecchia gate, combines charming, white-washed streets with beautiful old churches such as the Chiesa Matrice. You may find yourself getting lost in the winding streets, but you won’t mind at all. Before you know it, you will have reached one of three panoramic terraces offering breathtaking views of the beautiful Adriatic Sea and coastline.
Rising high above a vast olive-carpeted plateau, Ostuni has long been an awe-inspiring sight for those traveling across Puglia. Strong defensive walls and tumbling clusters of white-washed houses wind around the hillside, at the top of which, proudly surveying the surrounding land, sits the magnificent Gothic cathedral.
The most distinguishing characteristic of Ostuni and the reason for its taking the nickname La Città Bianca, is its uniformly white buildings. The views from Ostuni are, by themselves, reason enough to make a trip there. Wonderful vistas abound from all angles, the best of which offer 360-degree panoramas of the surrounding countryside and the Adriatic Sea.
Dates
Start: 6/2/24 at 9:00am
End: 6/2/24 at 5:00pm
Your driver and guide will transport you from Puglia to the enchanting town of Matera; about 1+ hour drive from the coast.
Matera is spellbinding, with its history, colors, light, and views. Largely carved out of and built with rocks made from volcanic ash, the town has an incredible history and a deep sense of spirituality, purity, and authenticity. The Sassi, ancient cave dwellings that were inhabited until the middle of the 20th century, and the art-filled churches are the most remarkable aspects of the town, but not the only reasons for visiting this beautiful and unique part of the world. Matera also boasts a superb artistic and cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, and a warm sense of hospitality.
There will be time for a guided tour and free time to enjoy lunch in the town.
From Matera, the driver will take you to the town of Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast and your hotel. The drive will be about 3 hours and 135 miles. Time to enjoy the views of the Italian countryside.
The Hotel Luna Convento, a 13th-century cloister founded by St. Francis of Assisi, is located just a short walk from downtown Amalfi. It boasts a stunning location with views overlooking the Bay of Amalfi. The rooms have been tastefully converted to meet all modern needs and furnished in pure Mediterranean style, all with a view of the sea. A stay in the Hotel Luna Convento is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. This boutique hotel features a beautiful cloister, interior courtyard, chapel and tower.
Located on the rocks on the outskirts of Amalfi, the Hotel Luna Convento boasts a seawater swimming pool, solarium and sun deck. This small luxury hotel also has two restaurants, a bar and 43 suites and rooms.
Meals are served by waiters in white jackets and dickie bows under a prettily painted vaulted ceiling (or on the terrace) in the sunny main La Veranda restaurant, which looks over the town to the coast.
The food is local: seared calamari on a lick of creamed pumpkin, linguini pasta with sea urchin, grilled catch of the day and veal escalope in a lemon sauce.
Considering the hotel's location on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, Italy, and the historical context of the convent, it is hardly surprising that the Hotel Luna Convento has attracted a host of select guests, among them artists, directors, politicians and royalty.
A Sample Review of the Hotel Luna Convento
We had the most fantastic stay at the Hotel Luna Convento!
All the staff there were warm and welcoming and super helpful when we needed transport to a dinner reservation at Glicine, phoning the Hotel Santa Caterina so they could collect us.
Our room was very spacious and had an amazing view of the coastline.
The private pool area is really a highlight and selling point of the hotel, you can relax i
by the pool or enjoy the warm open sea via the step access… just fantastic!
Can’t recommend Hotel Luna Convento enough. We had the most amazing holiday.
Website: http://www.lunahotel.it/
Address: Via Pantaleone Comite, 33, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy
Dates
Start: 6/3/24
End: 6/10/24
Positano is the most popular town on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, known all over the world for the "moda positano", the vibrant nightlife, and the characteristic shops. You will be able to use the ferry service from Amalfi to visit the other iconic towns along the coast like Ravello, Praiano, Furore, and Sorrento.
Website: http://www.comunedipositano.it/
Address: 84017 Positano, SA, Italy
Website: http://www.comunedipositano.it/
Address: 84017 Positano, SA, Italy
Address: 80067 Sorrento, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
Talking, cooking, and tasting the traditional dishes of the Amalfi Coast, Il Ritrovo offers the opportunity to spend an alternative afternoon, learning to knead and cook the traditional recipes of the restaurant. Ristorante Il Ritrovo, situated in Montepertuso, is a lovely hamlet on the hills overlooking Positano. Chef Salvatore will let you discover the fabulous flavors of Italian cuisine, creating special recipes all made with natural local ingredients, and teaching you the secrets of healthy Mediterranean cuisine. You will learn how to prepare a typical Italian meal based on appetizers, a first course (like homemade ravioli stuffed with cheese or tagliatelle with cherry tomatoes and basil), a main course (like fish with lemon or white wine, escalope with white wine, lemon or balsamic vinegar) accompanied by vegetables.
You will also learn how to combine wines, how to set your table and create the right atmosphere for a special event. At the end of the lesson, you will taste all the dishes prepared during the class, accompanied by local wines, fruit and dessert. At the end of the lesson, transfer back to Amalfi.
Here is a sample review
This cooking class was the highlight of our vacation. Il Ritrovo picked us up at our hotel. We were greeted at the restaurant by Marilu who is a gracious hostess and fluent in English, and she served us homemade cookies and cappuccino. She asked us if we wanted to cook anything in particular (we said eggplant parmesan) and whether we wanted fish or beef for our main course.
The class lasted about 3 hours...we made homemade pasta with the pasta machine, ravioli stuffed with cheese and mushrooms, eggplant parmesan, cheese stuffed fried zucchini flowers, tempura fried vegetables, sauce made with cherry tomatoes, traditional tomato sauce, veal with lemon sauce, and lemon tiramisu. It was a hands-on class, so we learned a lot. The kitchen is modern and professional, and we could watch the chef preparing some additional dishes such as octopus and seafood soup. He made us a chicken pasta dish with some of the leftover pasta noodles we had made in the pasta machine.
Then we were seated on the terrace and served our meal with a bottle of wine. They gave us some limoncello and wine to take home. Highly recommend!
Website: https://www.ilritrovo.com/
Address: Piazza Cappella, 3, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
Another day to enjoy the hotel pool or a beach or to explore more of the Amalfi Coast. It is a good day to rent a boat or, if you are in shape to follow the Path of the Gods and get incredible views of the coastline.
Address: Sentiero degli Dei, Italy
A day out exploring the gem of the Mediterranean Sea the island of Capri with its breathtaking landscapes sculpted by wind and sea, its history, and its exclusive atmosphere.
Meet your guide and board the fast jetfoil to Capri. Once at Marina Grande, start a tour on a private vehicle that, driving by beautiful gardens and Mediterranean Scrub, takes you to Anacapri.
This little village perched on the slopes of Mt. Solaro may be less known than its cumbersome neighbor, but it is equally fascinating and worth some leisure time, that you may choose to employ sauntering around or having a look at the many shops; if you are looking for something different, you might want to take the chairlift to Mt Solaro, the highest peak of the island (approx 1930 ft/590 m), and enjoy some unique views.
Capri would not be the same without a visit to the Blue Grotto, the absolute symbol of the island. So, weather permitting, get ready to board a rowing boat - and to quickly lean back when entering the unsuspected crevice in the cliff that leads into the incomparable blue of the grotto. Once in Capri, follow your guide to the Piazzetta, bustling with people and life. Walking along whitewashed walls and typical shops, your guide will try to steer away from the crowds for a little while and to surprise you with some stunning views, before leaving you some time to explore on your own.
Address: Capri, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
Another day to enjoy the hotel pool or a beach or to explore more of the Amalfi Coast. It is a good day to rent a boat or, if you are in shape to follow the Path of the Gods and get incredible views of the coastline.
Address: 84011 Amalfi, SA, Italy
You will be met at your Amalfi hotel by an English-speaking driver. You will then be escorted to your Naples hotel.
Website: http://www.comune.napoli.it/
Address: Naples, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
In the historic center of Naples, just steps from the Stock Exchange and the port, the Grand Hotel Oriente is an active, dynamic backdrop to Neapolitan life. Given this great location, a discriminating international clientele has chosen it as a favorite place to stay for both pleasure and business. The uniqueness and sophistication of the facilities, the strategic location, impeccable hospitality, the caring, and the personalization services, give our team reliability and prestige.
Website: http://www.grandhoteloriente.it/
Address: Via Armando Diaz, 44, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy
You will be met in the lobby of your Naples hotel by an English speaking driver. You will then be escorted to the Naples airport for your flight.
Website: http://www.aeroportodinapoli.it/
Address: Viale F. Ruffo di Calabria, 80144 Napoli NA, Italy