Southern Italy: See & Experience in 9 Days 1st Class Custom Tours

Your tour to southern Italy starts in the village of Tropea. After getting settled in, we are taken to the dock for a boat ride. Seeing the village from the boat is quite a scenic experience. Upon the return, we are taken back to town by car. There we are provided with a guided walking tour of the town. Tropea features dramatic cliffs with a historic town perched atop, leading down to stunning white-sand beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters, all set against the iconic backdrop of the Santa Maria dell'Isola sanctuary.

This morning we relocate from Tropea to the beautiful mountain town of Matera. There we are provided with a guided walking tour. Matera is famous for its cave dwellings carved into the mountainside. Matera features stunning, ancient Sassi cave dwellings, making it one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Matera offers a surreal, time-travel-like experience with unique architecture, historic churches, incredible views and distinctive regional food, all set in a dramatic ravine landscape that’s also a popular film location.

Although today we are relocating to the town of Polignano a Mare, there are many important things to see and do en route. Firstly, we are provided with another walking tour of Matera. Next, we are taken by car to the town of Alberobello. It is a magical UNESCO World Heritage town famous for its unique, whitewashed ‘trulli’. These are ancient, conical-roofed stone huts that look like something from a fairytale. There we are provided with a guided walking tour. We are then taken by car to the hotel, located in Polignano a Mare. After checking in, we are provided with a guided night tour of the town. Polignano a Mare is known for its stunning cliffside setting, iconic Lama Monachile beach nestled in a cove, charming whitewashed old town with poetic alleyways, delicious cuisine and sea caves to explore.

Although we are relocating to the coastal village of Sorrento, there is much fun to have before reaching it. Firstly, we are taken by car to the town of Monopoli. There we are provided with a guided walking tour. Monopoli features a stunning, whitewashed historic old town with labyrinthine alleys, a vibrant, working fishing harbor with colorful boats, beautiful beaches, ancient castles and a delicious culinary scene. Next, we are taken by car to a grotto called Grotte di Castellana. It features a vast underground world of stunning limestone formations (stalactites, stalagmites, canyons and abysses), formed over 90 million years. There we are provided with a guided tour. We are then taken back to the hotel so we can pick up your luggage. After exploring Grotte di Castellana, we are taken to Sorrento.

Today we are going on a daytrip. We are taken by car to Sorrento’s Marina Piccola Port. From there, we take the boat to Capri Island. Capri Island features breathtaking natural beauty, not least its dramatic cliffs, blue waters and towering sea stack rocks. It also features a blue grotto, beautiful gardens, chic atmosphere for luxury shopping and dining and rich history. Upon the return to Sorrento, we have free time to enjoy the partying and shopping.

Today we explore the Amalfi Coast. This breathtaking coastal stretch is home to clear-water beaches and surrounded by verdant mountains, the Amalfi Coast features cliff-shaped coves upon which rest exotic and colorful villas. Together, these settlements form some of Italy’s most charming villages. Firstly, we are taken by car to the village of Ravello. Its primary draws are its villa gardens and its stunning and hilly landscape. Next, we are taken to the village of Atrani and then taken by foot to the village of Amalfi where we visit its cathedral and attractive, whitewashed alleyways. After Amalfi, we are taken by car to a sea cave called Grotta dello Smeraldo. There we have time to explore by boat. Next, we are taken by car to Positano. This village is arguably the trendiest most expensive of the bunch along the Amalfi Coast. Although this village offers very few conventional sites, it in itself is the site. Once we have explored it, we are taken back to your hotel by car.

Although we relocate today to the city of Naples, there are important places to visit beforehand. Firstly, we are taken to an archaeological site called Pompeii. Here we are provided with an extensive guided walking tour. Next, we are taken by car to another archaeological site, called Herculaneum. There we are provided with another guided walking tour. After checking into the hotel in Naples, we are taken to a local’s home. There we are provided with dinner, which is included on today’s tour. After your meal, we are taken back to your hotel.

We explore Naples today. We visit a square called Piazza del Gesu Nuovo, then a church complex called Santa Chiara, then a street called Spaccanapoli (lined with ancient buildings, churches, shops and restaurants), then a street called Via San Biagio dei Librai (known for its bookstores, artisan shops and vibrant atmosphere), then the cathedral, then a square called Piazza San Gaetano, then San Gregorio Armeno Church and then a square called Piazza del Plebiscite. In the evening, we recommend checking out the nightlife scene. The Vomero area and the Bagnoli waterfront are the most popular areas.

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Naples.