Country Roads of Southern Italy
Across nine days in Italy, you follow the scent of espresso through Rome, trace ancient streets with a Local Specialist and wander through the Vatican, where cool marble rests beneath painted ceilings. At your luxurious resort in Sorrento, you settle in and look out across the Bay of Naples to Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that buried Pompeii in ash and lava in 79 A.D. In Alberobello, you pass the pale stone, conical roofs and whitewashed walls of the Trulli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in the village of Grottole, you explore the historic old town.
- 21 Apr 2027 – 29 Apr 2027
from $4,695 pp twin share * - 05 May 2027 – 13 May 2027
from $4,875 pp twin share * - 19 May 2027 – 27 May 2027
from $5,275 pp twin share * - 02 Jun 2027 – 10 Jun 2027
from $4,695 pp twin share * - 16 Jun 2027 – 24 Jun 2027
from $4,695 pp twin share * - 30 Jun 2027 – 08 Jul 2027
from $4,395 pp twin share * - 28 Jul 2027 – 05 Aug 2027
from $4,395 pp twin share * - 25 Aug 2027 – 02 Sep 2027
from $5,095 pp twin share * - 08 Sep 2027 – 16 Sep 2027
from $5,320 pp twin share * - 22 Sep 2027 – 30 Sep 2027
from $5,350 pp twin share *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travellers over a delicious dinner with wine.
Day 2 – Rome with a Local
Rome is a city of art, antiquity, piazzas and palaces. Join a Local Specialist to bring millennia of history to life as you see the Vatican City and journey across the Tiber River to ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus, admire the Arch of Constantine and discover the iconic Colosseum on a guided visit. Later, perhaps continue with an Optional Experience to explore the second-century Catacombs and uncover the origins of early Christianity.
Day 3 – Alberobello
The brilliant blue sky set against the whitewashed buildings of southern Italy’s towns and villages is sure to inspire any curious traveller. After a scenic journey south from Rome, you’ll arrive in Puglia, where the iconic trulli of Alberobello await. In the late afternoon, join a Local Specialist for a guided stroll through this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn how these unique, conical-roofed dwellings were ingeniously constructed without mortar, and hear the stories behind their origins and preservation. As you wander through this enchanting town, you’ll uncover the region’s rustic charm and gain fresh insights into traditional Apulian life — an experience that’s both authentic and unforgettable.
Day 4 – The Trulli of Alberobello
Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Spend the morning unwinding at your hand-picked hotel or head back into Alberobello to further explore its storybook streets at leisure. If you’re looking to uncover more of Puglia’s rural beauty, join an Optional Experience to the White Town of Ostuni and visit a traditional olive mill to learn about the region’s time-honoured cultivation practices. Later in the afternoon, there’s the opportunity to venture to the Adriatic coast on an Optional Experience to Polignano a Mare, famed for its dramatic limestone cliffs and sea-view terraces — a perfect spot to savour the golden hour.
Day 5 – Discovering Lecce
Italy will enchant the most curious of travellers. Enjoy a visit with your Local Specialist to one of the most beautiful cities of southern Italy, Lecce. The town is often referred to as the Florence of the South due to its dazzling architecture, ornate Baroque buildings and monuments dating back to Roman times. Amble along its spider’s web of streets offering a kaleidoscope mix of long-range vistas and alluring glimpses. Next is the pretty seaside town of Gallipoli where you’ll view the Greek Fountain and medieval castle before making your way to a viewpoint looking out over the Ionian Sea. Later, deepen your discoveries joining an Optional Experience for a Masseria dinner.
Day 6 – Journey South to Matera
Visit Matera with a Local Specialist for an in-depth exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi — a labyrinth of cave dwellings, churches, staircases and arches, hewn out of the solid rock. You may recognise Matera as the biblical backdrop for the film ‘The Passion of the Christ’. Continue to the small village of Grottole. Once a thriving community, it has lost most of its activity and population. Meet Andrea, a local striving to reignite the traditional way of living of the area. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience explore the historic old town to learn about the fascinating history of the village. Later, enjoy an aperitif with local snacks helping to preserve the culture. This evening, reflect on your day of discoveries over dinner with your fellow travellers.
Day 7 – Pompeii and Sorrento
Buried in A.D. 79 by the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, discover the archaeological site of Pompeii in the region of Campania. Walk with your Local Specialist through the cobbled streets to see a city frozen in time. Venture on to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched upon the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples and looking over to Mount Vesuvius.
Day 8 – Capri, the Isle of Dreams
This morning, meet your Local Specialist for an orientation walk through the narrow alleyways. Explore Capri with your choice. Choose to visit the immaculate Gardens of Augustus with a Local Specialist and admire the views over the Faraglioni Rocks. Alternatively, enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri’s famous lemon liqueur.
Day 9 – Depart Sorrento
This morning, wave goodbye to your fellow travellers as you depart Sorrento on a coach transfer to Naples airport and Rome airport.
Highlights
- Air-conditioned coach with double legroom and onboard washroom included
- Expert Travel Director, professional Driver and audio headsets provided
- Hotel tips, local taxes and daily bag transfers all included
Across nine days in Italy, you follow the scent of espresso through Rome, trace ancient streets with a Local Specialist and wander through the Vatican, where cool marble rests beneath painted ceilings. At your luxurious resort in Sorrento, you settle in and look out across the Bay of Naples to Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that buried Pompeii in ash and lava in 79 A.D. In Alberobello, you pass the pale stone, conical roofs and whitewashed walls of the Trulli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in the village of Grottole, you explore the historic old town.
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver.
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing.
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with a local specialty representing the destination.
FAQs
- Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
- Isabella, Sorrento
- Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
- UNAHOTELS MH Matera
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 9 days and 8 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 21 Apr 2027 and 30 Sep 2027, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
Are discounts available?
Seasonal or loyalty discounts may be available on selected departures at the time of enquiry.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
Provided by: Trafalgar ToursFine Print
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