South Italy’s Highlights – Sorrento, Calabria and Puglia

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to our overnight hotel in northern France.

We’ll then continue on to reach our overnight hotel in the Parma area in time for dinner, before our overnight stay.

We continue our journey south to the Neapolitan Riviera where we stay for three nights.

Today’s optional excursion takes along the Amalfi Coast with a visit to the picturesque towns of Amalfi and Ravello, along the “Divine Coast”: discover Amalfi’s beautiful cathedral, which is one of Italy’s most beautiful and interesting churches. Ravello is one of the Amalfi Coast’s most beautiful and romantic cities. You may wish to visit Villa Cimbrone or Villa Rufolo, with its beautiful parks and the breathtaking vistas of the sea and the coast – one of the most photographed views in Italy.

Please note; this excursion is operated by a local coach.

After breakfast, we head to Sorrento. Spend time at leisure in this beautiful resort, with its exquisite views out over the Bay of Naples and traditional architecture that’s synonymous with this part of Italy. Alternatively, enjoy an optional excursion to the enchanting island of Capri, with its beautiful rugged landscapes, mild climate and luxuriant vegetation. Each year, thousands of tourists are so delighted that they dream to come back again. From the small road that links Capri to Anacapri, we will admire magnificent panoramas. In Anacapri, visit the Villa San Michele and its beautiful gardens, then reach Capri. In the afternoon, after a pleasant walk to the gardens of Augustus, we will be able to stroll on the famous “Piazzetta”.

Please note; the Capri excursion is operated by a local coach & ferry.

Today, we head to the Calabria region. On the way, we stop for a visit to the archaeological site of Pompeii. Following the eruption of the Volcano Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D., Pompeii lay buried and forgotten for hundreds of years. The town is high on the list of Wonders of the World and the excavations begun in the 18th century are still being carried out today. Our guide will take you slowly through some of the ancient streets of Pompeii where you can see Baths, Forums and Villas built by the prosperous Romans in the year 80 B.C. Marvel at the fabulously preserved Frescoes which adorned the walls and floors of the Villas. We continue to the area of Ricadi / Tropea in Calabria, where we stay for three nights.

Join our full-day optional excursion to the Aeolian Islands: composed of seven volcanic islands these are some of the most favourite destination for tourists in Sicily. Departure by boat from Tropea early in the morning and arrival in Vulcano, the southernmost of the Aeolian islands and the closest to the Sicilian mainland. It is built from the fusion of four volcanoes, the main craters, the Cavallo and the Gelso caves, are the nicest bathing spots and the most attractive. Here, we make a stop for a swim or mud bath. Departure to Lipari, the largest and the most popular of the Aeolian islands: here you can relax on the finest sand beaches and enjoy the charming town’s old centre. We continue by boat to Stromboli, renowned for its active volcano: cruise around the island to admire the famous “Sciara di Fuoco” and stop for a swim or for a visit to the village.

Enjoy a scenic drive around Calabria’s hilly landscapes and coastline passing crystal-clear bays, seaside towns and lush highlands. We head first to picturesque Tropea, well known as the “Pearl of Calabria” and one of the region’s most popular resorts. Here we can visit the cathedral, the colourful centre and admire, from the terraces that overlook the sea, the Church of Santa Maria dell’Isola on a headland above the sea symbol of the Town and visit Capo Vaticano, a rocky promontory of cliffs and secluded bays. We end the day at the fishing town of Pizzo, where you can sample its fabled ‘tartufo’ —a cocoa-covered ice cream dessert with a molten chocolate centre.

After breakfast, departure to the Puglia region. On the way stop in Matera (Basilicata region) and visit the historic town to discover its ancient “sassi” district of cave dwelling. Carved from soft rock 9,000 years ago, the UNESCO-listed caves were inhabited until the mid-1900s. Wander around the cave district and see how some caves are now re-inhabited and used as shops and restaurants. Continue to the Cisternino area for four nights.

Today we head to the picturesque and iconic town of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its quaint 'trulli' houses: whitewashed cottages with cone shaped roofs line the town’s roads. Feast your eyes on the cottages as you stroll and perhaps step inside one to see its domed interior. In the afternoon drive to the White City of Ostuni. The white-washed houses can be seen from afar and they blend perfectly with the soft and colourful hills giving Ostuni its own special charm. Take a walk through the beautifully preserved old town with its quaint winding streets and enjoy the great panoramic views across this stunning landscape.

Included excursion to Bari, the capital of the Apulia region, whose centre consists of two contrasting sections: an old town with winding streets is found next to the new town with elegant, landscaped checkerboard commercial districts and fine boutiques. The port of Bari, nicknamed the Gateway to the Orient, is an important transit point for goods from the Mediterranean. In the afternoon drive to the famous Castel del Monte, built by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century. It is a striking octagonal fortress, with eight octagonal towers and which has been included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Join our optional excursion, which takes us first to Lecce, the pearl of the Apulian Baroque. The impressive buildings and the unquestionable beauty of its churches have given Lecce, the nickname “Florence of the South”. Take a stroll around the centre, visit Piazza Oronzo, the heart of the city, and see the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre, as well as Palazzo dei Celestini, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and Santa Croce, one of the most beautiful examples of the Baroque period. We continue towards the southern tip of Italy, on the east coast of the boot heel, and reach Otranto. A natural bridge between the Mediterranean and the East, Otranto is a magical town and boasts the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata where the most spectacular and significant mosaics of the Apulian and Italian artistic panorama can be admired. The floor mosaic of the Cathedral is incredible and is made up of about 600,000 polychrome tiles of limestone composition.

We leave Puglia and head north to the Fano/Pesaro area in the Marche region, where we stay overnight.

After breakfast, we continue our journey northwards. We make a stop in Bologna and include a walking tour of this beautiful old town. Visit the huge Gothic Basilica of St. Petronio and the Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the town with its medieval buildings and palaces.

Continue into France and to our overnight hotel.

Return home.