Hidden Treasures of Southern Italy
PLUS, your tour includes your choice of an excursion in Naples so you can plan your day your way.
Itinerary
Welcome to Naples!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Spend Your Day Your Way in Naples
Your Southern Italian adventure begins with an orientation drive of Naples, a vibrant city oozing in character and culture.
Explore more of the city with your choice of an included Globus Choice Excursion.
- Naples Hidden Gems - Discover more of Naples on a walking tour featuring the Piazza del Gesù Nuovo with its Baroque masterpiece namesake church, the historical street Spaccanapoli, dividing the old town in two, and the Santa Chiara Monastery complex including a visit to the stunning cloisters decorated with hand-painted majolica tiles.
- Spanish Quarters Sights & Bites - Explore an authentic showcase of Neapolitan culture in the Spanish Quarter. Your Local Guide shares stories on a walk along the maze of narrow streets lined with traditional ground-floor dwellings. Look for the collection of iconic murals on Vico Totó and be treated to Naples' beloved sfogliatella - delicate layers of pastry wrapping a decadent ricotta filling.
Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening.
Hidden Gem
Drive into the hilly region of Basilicata to reach Matera, one of the oldest towns in the world. Join a Local Guide on a fascinating walk to see the historic center with its complex of “Sassi” houses built into the local caves and visit one of the casa grotta (cave houses). Enjoy free time in the late afternoon and evening.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Matera is a city like no other, entirely carved out of the rocky slopes of a mountain in the Basilicata region and has evolved over millennia. Explore with a Local Guide to reveal the secrets of this unique city that also served as the setting for many famous films, including Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ and the James Bond 007 film, No Time to Die.
Cultivating Culture
Enjoy a scenic drive into Apulia, the charismatic region with the longest coastline that forms the heel of Italy's “boot.” Enjoy an interesting visit to the Museum of Primitivo Wine to learn about the local production, followed by a tasting and a light lunch. Continue to Lecce for free time.
LOCAL FAVORITE - Wine holds a significant cultural and historical importance in Italy, making it one of the world's leading wine-producing countries. The Italian wine culture is deeply intertwined with the country's regional diversity. The Primitivo grape is the primary grape variety cultivated in the Manduria region, and it is known for producing robust and full-bodied red wines with rich fruit flavors. Its name derives from the tendency of the grape to mature early.
Sweet Strolls in Apulia
This morning, discover why Lecce is often referred to as the “Florence of the South” when you follow your Local Guide for a walking tour of Lecce's beautiful historic center, rich in Baroque architecture. Visit the Duomo with its distinctive bell tower and the Basilica of Santa Croce that took over 200 years to complete. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to browse at leisure and sample some of the region's delicious specialties.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Stroll around Lecce to take in the vibrant and bustling atmosphere. Wander the narrow streets of golden sandstone looking for hidden piazzas, or relax in a wine bar and indulge in a glass of local rosé and views of the carved Baroque churches found around each corner.
Stone Houses
Drive to the vibrant port city of Bari and meet your Local Guide for a walking tour of Bari Vecchia, the city's oldest district, including a visit to the Basilica of San Nicola. Later, continue to Alberobello, and join your Local Guide for a walking tour through the charming streets to see the world-famous trulli (traditional conical-roof houses) to discover how people live there.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The iconic round houses (trulli) date back hundreds of years. These trulli, constructed of dry stone and cone-shaped roofs, include the oldest structures built in the 16th century and were used as grain storage or residences. Made without cement in the masonry techniques of the day, these whitewashed homes were easily disassembled to avoid property taxes when the collectors came calling! Today, you can stroll the streets lined with trulli houses to see their conical rooftops decorated with symbols such as a cross, heart, astronomical symbol, or the evil eye.
Stalactites & Stalagmites
A short drive this morning to Castellana Grotte. Descend underground for a fascinating guided visit and walk through some of the most suggestive caves in the world. Return to the hotel and enjoy free time this afternoon and evening.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The Grotte di Castellana is one of the largest cave systems in Italy, stretching for over two miles. The underground tunnels are a natural marvel with stunning geological formations illuminated in a rainbow of hues as the sun moves through the sky and enters the caves from above.
Discover three of Apulia's most captivating towns. Enjoy orientation walks through Locorotondo and Ostuni, celebrated for their whitewashed streets, charming historic centers, and magnificent panoramic views. In the picturesque town of Cisternino, savor a tasting of locally produced extra virgin olive oil, one of the region's finest specialties. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Olive oil lies at the heart of the Ostuni countryside. Ancient olive groves, home to ancient olive trees, some more than 1,000 years old, shape the landscape around the town. The local extra‑virgin olive oil, made from native varieties such as Ogliarola and Coratina, is celebrated for its fragrant aroma, balanced fruitiness, and subtle peppery finish—an authentic taste of Apulia's tradition.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Extra nights are available in Bari. (Nearest airport is Bari).
Trip Inclusions
- Orientation drive in Naples, introducing the highlights of Southern Italy's vibrant city
- Globus Choice Excursion in Naples − included in your tour with your choice of a guided walk through the vibrant Spanish Quarter plus a complementary sfogliatella pastry, or a guided walk to see highlights of Naples including a visit to the Santa Chiara Monastery
- Guided walking tour of Matera features a visit to a Casa Grotta (cave house)
- [LF] Primitivo wine museum visit plus tasting, to learn about Apulia's renowned Primitivo wine tradition
- Guided walking tour in Lecce includes Duomo and Santa Croce Basilica
- Guided walking tour in Bari features the Old Town and San Nicola's Church
- Guided walking tour in Alberobello to see the trulli (traditional stone conical-roof huts)
- Guided visit to the Castellana Grotte underground cave system, exploring spectacular limestone caverns filled with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites
- Orientation walks in the charming hill towns of Locorotondo and Ostuni
- [LF] Local olive oil tasting in Cisternino, sampling one of Apulia's signature regional products
- 8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinner
- Naples: NH Napoli Panorama (Superior Tourist-Class):
The NH Ambassador the tallest hotel in Italy. Situated in the heart of the city, 500 meters from the historical center, the hotel is 700 meters from the port, 10 minutes from the Central railway station and next to Piazza Municipio. A few meters from the hotel there are banks, important offices and the commercial centre. - Matera: Hotel Del Campo (Superior First-Class):
Set in a former 18th century aristocratic residence with beautiful ancient gardens, this charming property is located just outside the centre of Matera within easy reach of the Sassi UNESCO site. It offers large rooms, all of which are located in a new wing and feature parquet floors, air conditioning, and Free Wi-Fi. The hotel Restaurant serves delicious local specialities in the historic dining room together with an extensive choice of traditional wines from Basilicata. - Lecce: Hilton Garden Inn Lecce (Superior First-Class):
Set in a quiet residential area in the heart of the Salentine Peninsula, just a short distance away from the stunning attractions of Lecce's historic city center also known as 'The Florence of the South'. This contemporary hotel boasts a complimentary 24-hour fitness center, Beauty & Spa facility and a seasonal rooftop outdoor swimming pool with views of the city skyline. All 143 rooms are designed for extra comfort with self-adjusting Garden Sleep System® beds, air-conditioning, coffee/tea making facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi access. A full-service restaurant offers inspired Italian cuisine in a contemporary and refined atmosphere, a variety of snacks and refreshments can be found at the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry and the trendy looking bar offers drinks and light bites in stylish surroundings. - Alberobello Area: Grand Hotel Olimpo (Superior First-Class):
The Grand Hotel Olimpo is surrounded by typical Trulli and offers 40 comfortable, air-conditioned rooms, all fully equipped with a flat-screen, cable channel TV, safety deposit box, a minibar, desk and hairdryer. The Eden restaurant serves a refined à la carte menu with tasty, delicious combinations which respect the local gastronomic traditions and there is also a great selection of fine wines on offer. - Reggio Calabria: Grand Hotel Excelsior (Superior First-Class):
Refined and elegant, equipped with a large Convention Centre and a rooftop garden that hosts the exclusive restaurant Gala, the Grand Hotel Excelsior is the ideal solution both for a business trip or a romantic weekend in the beautiful city of Calabria.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Don't waste your precious time qeuing up, skip the lines with special VIP access at the must-see sites. Read more
Travel with expert Tour Directors and Local Guides who share their vast knowledge of the destination. Read more
Globus has the recipe for a great holiday. Savour the flavours of Europe through its regional cuisine. Read more
Globus picks hotels picked on their centralised location, so you'll stay right in the heart of the destination. Read more
Globus' coaches offer one of the most comfortable, stress-free and eco-friendly ways to travel. Read more
Do as the locals do and enjoy unique experiences that you wouldn't find touring on your own. Read more
Dates & Pricing
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Globus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
