Rome to Southern Italy: Amalfi & Puglia

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. There are no activities planned until your welcome meeting at 6 pm, but there are plenty of things to do in Italy’s capital if you arrive early – the Colosseum, the Forum, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti, Piazza Venezia, the Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica – so arriving early is recommended. Don’t forget to do as the Romans do and sip an espresso at one of the tiny streetside cafes or sample the many flavours of gelato that colour the city (Trastevere is a great spot for dining). For those captivated by the Eternal City, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return visit. For dinner, why not head out with your group and get to know each other?

Travel by train to Naples, a city brimming with passion and gastronomy. Naples has been shaped by many empires and civilisations throughout history, including the Romans, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Venetians, Spaniards, Normans and Africans. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the famous Spanish Quarter remains one of Europe’s most densely populated residential areas. Join your leader for an orientation walk around the city centre and the Spanish Quarter, finishing with a pizza tasting – Naples is the birthplace of pizza, after all! You'll also partake in the Neapolitan custom of caffe sospeso, a gesture of anonymous charity while paying for coffee. Later this afternoon, board a train to the time capsule of Pompeii. Your accommodation tonight is conveniently located near the entrance to the archaeological excavation site. (B)

The small town of modern Pompeii has a wonderful square in Old Town – the perfect place to spend some time with the locals, drink an authentic Italian coffee and watch the world go by. Today’s highlight is a guided tour of the ruins of ancient Pompeii. Until 79 AD, Pompeii was a thriving Roman trading centre, but it was frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying 2000 people and their homes under a layer of ash. The city was never rebuilt and largely disappeared from people’s minds until the ruins were rediscovered in the late 16th century. The immaculately preserved ruins include villas, temples, theatres and markets, and provide insights into how Romans lived and worked 2000 years ago. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or if you like, you can visit the nearby Herculaneum, renowned for its fossilised archaeological treasures. (B)

A private transfer will take you to the mighty Mt Vesuvius this morning, where you’ll meet a local volcanology guide. Hike to the summit for 360-degree views over the Bay of Naples and peek inside the crater. Although Mt Vesuvius is still considered an active volcano, the last eruption was in 1944 and there's no sign of lava. See firsthand the awesome power of the volcano that engulfed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD. In the afternoon, travel by private vehicle to the resort town of Sorrento. People have been coming to the peninsula and islands of the Sorrento region for at least 2000 years. There are many options in this small seaside town with its piazzas, maze of old streets, cafes and shops. Sorrento is also famous for its lemon groves, which produce the famous limoncello, and you’ll enjoy a tasting of the liqueur this evening. (B)

You have a free day to explore the cliffside town of Sorrento. Maybe stroll along the marina or cool off in the waters of the small beaches. Visiting Capri is another option, accessible by a hydrofoil. Natural grottoes dot Capri’s rugged coastline, but go inland and you’ll find narrow roads that wind through fragrant citrus groves and villages of flat-roofed white houses. In Capri, you could also take a boat trip to the Blue Grotto (La Grotta Azzurra), where the water shines with an extraordinary blue translucence thanks to the refraction of sunlight outside. End the day the Italian way with a gelato making demonstration with your group. (B)

Arrive at the Amalfi Coast after a short journey by private vehicle. The Amalfi peninsula is a land of rocky coastlines, clifftop towns, bright blue seas and tiered olive groves. If you're after a relaxing walk with a few cultural highlights, stroll from one side of Amalfi town to the other and visit the Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea and the Chiostro del Paradiso. If you want something more active, maybe head to the Valley of Mills. Alternatively, catch a bus up to the Valley of Dragons to reach the town of Ravello – its lofty position and dry climate have attracted writers, artists, musicians and travellers for centuries. Tonight, you'll stay in Minori, just a 15-minute bus ride from Amalfi (the bus fare is included). Minori is quieter than the tourist hotspots while still being just a short walk from the beach. (B)

This morning, take a short bus ride to Bomerano. Here, your leader will take you for a half-day hike along the narrow trail of the famous Sentiero Degli Dei (Path of the Gods) which was historically used by farmers, mules and donkeys. The path winds through diverse scenery with unrivalled views of the coast. Walk through forests and fields of wildflowers, olive groves and vineyards, past ancient stone huts and beside sheer granite cliffs. See local farmers tending their crops by hoe and herds of goats grazing along the trail. You’ll finish up in Positano, where you'll have time to explore and maybe take a dip in the sea before returning to Minori by ferry and bus. As tonight marks your final evening together, maybe gather your group for a celebratory feast to cap off your Italian adventure. (B)

Today is a free day for you to explore the region surrounding Amalfi. A great way to see the coastline is on a boat – there are regular seasonal services between Amalfi, Positano and Capri. It is also highly recommended to walk to the shaded Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Watermills). Here, you’ll find remnants of Europe’s earliest paper mills among the thick foliage, fed by the valley's streams. Pass locals collecting wild mushrooms and carrying half their body weight in lemons as the path takes you deep into the valley to the entrance of the nature reserve Valle delle Ferriere (Valley of Iron). This is one of the most interesting nature reserves of the area and an ideal place for lunch. (B)

You have a free day to explore Minori Town and Amalfi Town (just a 15 minute bus ride away) today. If you're after a relaxing walk with a few cultural highlights, stroll from one side of Amalfi Town to the other and pay a visit to the Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea and the Chiostro del Paradiso. If you’re after something more active, maybe head out on a walk through the Valley of Mills. Alternatively, you can take a bus to the Valley of Dragons to reach pretty Ravello – for centuries, its lofty position and sunny, dry climate have made it an appealing place for writers, artists, musicians and travellers. Ravello also boasts two magnificent villas, the 11th century Villa Rufolo – once the home of Wagner – and Villa Cimbrone – a 19th century mansion with sprawling gardens and great views over the Gulf of Salerno. You could also take a half-day walk along the narrow trail of the famous Sentiero Degli Dei (the Walk of the Gods) through forests and fields of wildflowers, olive groves and vineyards. (B)

Travel to Italy's east coast to Trani, known as the 'Southern Pearl'. Once an ancient trading hub, Trani is a port town with a white cathedral on the seawall. The crescent-shaped marina is a great place to relax and watch the world go by. With medieval streets and its own sweet wine, Trani feels like stepping into a 1950s movie set. When you arrive, explore the historic centre and its medieval churches on a walking tour. The Old Town points to a time when this was a major port for merchants travelling to the Near East. Later, kick back on the waterfront and watch the sophisticates of Puglia clink glasses of Moscato di Trani in cosy bars. (B)

Today is a free day to explore all that Trani has to offer. You might like to visit the dramatic Cattedrale di San Nicola Pellegrino – begun in 1099 and taking over two centuries to finish, the soft white-pink limestone Norman cathedral is dedicated to the famously foolish St Nicholas the Pilgrim, whose bones lie in the crypt below the church. Inside, it’s bright and airy and the remains of a 12-century mosaic near the main altar set off the simply furnished church. You can also head to the castle built by Frederick II – the king of Sicily, Italy, Germany, Jerusalem and the Holy Roman Emperor in the 13th century. Explore the medieval Jewish quarter, built in all-white stone, stopping by two synagogues, the Scola Nova and the Scola Grande. Fishermen sell the day’s catch in the marina, so maybe head there for dinner and grab a glass of wine harbourside. (B)

Head south and delight in the baroque architecture and atmosphere of Lecce. Lecce's elaborate ornamentation is elevated to dizzying heights, presenting the casual viewer with a feast for the senses. Sumptuous palazzi (mansions), a defensive main square, Roman ruins and magnificent allegories dancing across ornate facades make Lecce a swoon-worthy sight for any traveller. The university gives the town a lively feel, and there are little boutiques, antique shops and delicious delis to explore. (B)

Today is a free day for you to explore Lecce. If open, maybe step beneath the city and see the restored Roman amphitheatre excavated in the 1930s. Built in the 2nd century AD, the remarkably intact theatre seated 15,000 people. Overlooking the arena is the Colonna di Sant'Oronzo – a statue of Lecce's patron saint mounted on a Roman column. Maybe check out the Basilica Di Santa Croce’s facade of sheep, dodos, cherubs and monsters or head to the Piazza del Duomo. Used in the past as a defence against invaders, the square's openness is bordered by a 12th-century cathedral, a 68 m-high bell tower, a 15th-century Episcopal Palace and an 18th-century Seminario. In the afternoon, meet up with the group for an aperitivo with local specialties like friselle, taralli, puccia, bombette and burrate. (B)

Travel by private transport to a local masseria to meet an olive oil producer, who will show you how the techniques have changed over the millennia before you're treated to a tasting. Some olive trees here are thought to be close to 3000 years old and the farm has been active since Roman times. You’ll then head to Ostuni and explore its narrow streets before continuing to Alberobello. Travellers flock here to see at the beehive-shaped Trulli (singular trullo) – small, dry-stone houses built from local limestone in the 14th century. The origins of the buildings are unclear, although it's possible the mortar-less dwellings were created to be easily dismantled in a feudal tax evasion scheme. Wander the Old Town quarter of Rione Monti, where thousands of Trulli (and souvenir shops) rise over the hill or head over to Rione Aia Piccola and see Trulli family dwellings. (B)

Transfer by private mini bus to Matera. The extraordinary sight of Matera's Old Town gives a haunting, bittersweet insight into ancient life. One of the oldest cities in existence, Matera's otherworldly drawcard is the sassi (singular sasso) – stone houses formed from natural grottoes and tufo cliffs overlooking a gorge. Its resemblance to Jerusalem has attracted film directors of biblical epics, but its dark interiors were the scene of shameful poverty in the mid-20th century. Duck down into the sassi through the knot of staircases and alleyways that snake through the limestone ravines, and take a guided tour to appreciate both its ancient and modern history. Tonight, you’ll stay in accommodation with balconies overlooking the sassi. (B)

This morning is free for you to explore the narrow alleyways and caves of Matera before boarding a local train to Bari at around lunchtime. Sitting on a small peninsula in the Adriatic Sea overlooking Greece, Bari is the prosperous capital of Puglia. The tangled streets of its Old Town, Bari Vecchia, conceal Romanesque churches, a market, medieval piazzas and a Swabian castle. The Basilica di San Nicola was built to hold the relics of St Nicholas, which were stolen from Turkey by local Bari fishermen and have made the city a place of pilgrimage since 1087. The relics are also the mainstay of Bari's biggest annual celebration, the Festa di San Nicola. The stone walls are lovely to walk around, with the sea lapping on one side and the medieval town on the other. Bari is also the perfect place to see out your last night and have a group meal by the harbour, sampling local limoncello and some of the seafood the city is famous for. (B)

Your journey will come to an end after breakfast today and you are free to depart at any time. If you would like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation. (B)