Elite Southern Italy: 12 Days with a Private Driver and Guide

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Roma - Roma (H)
7 stops
1
Terme di Caracalla Spa
The Baths of Caracalla were built by order of Emperor Caracalla, with construction beginning in 212 AD. These famous public baths were the most impressive ever built in the Roman Empire until the inauguration of the Baths of Diocletian. Within this gigantic rectangular enclosure, the baths were surrounded by libraries, gymnasiums, gardens, enlivened by spectacular water jets, and rooms offering various services. Today, the Baths of Caracalla host important musical and opera performances, confirming the great fame they enjoyed in ancient times. 20 minutes, Admission not included
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included
2
Circo Massimo
The Circus Maximus is located near the Tiber River. This strategic location facilitated trade and socialization with other peoples. It was here that small horse-drawn chariot races, lasting seven laps, were held.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II
The Vittoriano, the Altar of the Fatherland, is located in the area of ancient Rome. It holds great architectural and artistic significance, centered on the Risorgimento. During the Fascist era, the Vittoriano became one of the stages of the regime led by Benito Mussolini.
25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
4
Mercati di Traiano - Museo dei Fori Imperiali
Trajan's Market was the first Roman shopping center. This brick structure consisted of six floors with 150 shops. The Imperial Fora were monumental squares considered the center of political activity in ancient Rome, which over the centuries was enriched with structures and buildings.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is a beautiful monument, a world-famous rectangular pool and one of the symbols of Rome. Besides having become a stage for Italian fashion, it's worth mentioning the pivotal scene in Federico Fellini's 1960 film, La Dolce Vita!, and the famous scene with the beautiful Anita Ekberg diving into the pool and inviting Marcello Mastroianni to do the same.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
6
Piazza Di Spagna
Piazza di Spagna is beautiful and famous in the fashion world, dressing up for the occasion because in July it hosts the famous "Donne Sotto le Stelle" fashion show. It is located in one of Rome's best areas, on the streets renowned for shopping and design.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free
7
Colosseo
The Flavian Amphitheater, "The Colosseum," is Rome's most famous monument and the world's first and largest permanent masonry amphitheater. Construction began for Emperor Vespasian and was completed by Emperor Flavius. It hosted games, including animal fights, the slaughter of condemned prisoners by wild animals or other types of executions, and the famous gladiatorial combats.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Roma - Roma (H)
7 stops
8
Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums house one of the world's largest art collections, a vast collection of artworks amassed over the centuries by the Popes. This tour includes a visit to the Sistine Chapel and its frescoed rooms, masterpieces by masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, the somber Caravaggio, the imposing Titian, and the grandiose Michelangelo. They house artworks and masterpieces from across the centuries, from Renaissance artists such as Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini, and da Vinci, as well as contemporary works by Van Gogh, Dalí, and Picasso. You can also see ancient statues, sculptures, Egyptian art, and more.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
9
Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi
At the center of the square stands the statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi astride his horse. It sits on a hill overlooking the right bank of the Tiber, atop one of Rome's oldest neighborhoods, offering the most evocative views. At noon, you can witness the characteristic cannon firing.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
10
Trastevere
Over the years, it has become famous and a destination for many tourists. It is undoubtedly one of Rome's most characteristic neighborhoods, with colorful streets and narrow alleys, full of Roman trattorias, craft breweries, markets, small shops and artisan workshops, as well as simple B&Bs and affordable hotels.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
11
Piazza Navona
In ancient times it was a stadium dedicated to athletic competitions, today it is one of the most famous monumental squares in Rome which represents the Baroque style of the city, built by the Pamphili family.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free
12
Pantheon
The Pantheon is a world-famous monument, a temple dedicated to the worship of all the gods. Its circular shape and distinctive entrance portico, supported by sixteen Corinthian columns of gray and pink granite, have made it immortal over time.
25 minutes • Admission ticket included
13
Campo De' Fiori
Campo de' Fiori is one of Rome's most famous squares, brimming with charm and history. It's the only square without a church and has a dual soul: in the morning, it's a popular market filled with the sounds of Romans selling fruit and vegetables; in the evening, it's a bustling square, especially with tourists, drawn to the small cafés surrounding the square.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free
14
Castel Sant'Angelo
Built as the tomb of Emperor Hadrian, it is another symbol of Rome that over the years has had various functions: a prison, a fortress, a residence and is currently a museum and venue for cultural events.
25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
Day 3
Roma - Abbazia di Montecassino - Anfiteatro di Santa Maria Capua Vetere - Napoli (H)
2 stops
15
Abbazia Di Montecassino
It is the largest monastery in the world and the second oldest in Italy after that of Saint Scholastica. It stands at an altitude of 516 meters. Twenty-five monks currently live there, including young novices, who live their total consecration to God through prayer and work: the famous teaching of Saint Benedict: "ora et labora." During visits, the monks rarely meet, but their presence is strongly felt. On February 15, 1944, around 9:30 a.m., the bombing of the Abbey began. 230 planes of various types dropped 380 tons of bombs, and unfortunately, the target was hit, although many bombs fell outside the area, causing losses to Allied troops as well. Subsequently, from 1948 to 1956, it was rebuilt by a famous engineer who created a reconstruction of the abbey's interior with blind and silent spaces between the vault cornices, a move opposed by some art historians.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
16
Anfiteatro Campano
Santa Maria Capua Vetere, a small ancient city near Naples, is home to the Campanian Amphitheater, or Capuan Amphitheater, built in the Flavian period between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. It was restored and decorated with columns and statues by Emperor Hadrian, and inaugurated by his successor Antoninus Pius. It was a Colosseum for spectacles, capable of holding up to 60,000 spectators. It likely served as a model, having been, arguably, the first amphitheater in the Roman world. It was home to the first and most renowned gladiator school.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Napoli - Scavi di Pompei - Salerno (H)
2 stops
17
Naples
Naples is beautiful and panoramic, with a commanding view of the gulf and a powerful tradition in the visual arts. It's truly enchanting! The charm of its people and the city makes you fall in love with the place, makes you dream, makes you philosophize. This city boasts many cultural, artistic, and monumental resources. Must-sees include the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola in Piazza del Plebiscito, the Castel Nuovo (medieval fortress) with its five towers and a triumphal Renaissance arch, the "Castel Nuovo" or Maschio Angioino, and the Royal Palace of Naples.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
18
Pompeii Archaeological Park
The archaeological excavations of Pompeii, an ancient Roman city corresponding to modern-day Pompeii, were buried by lava following the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The lava and ash served as a sort of covering that allowed the city to survive over the centuries and protect it from the elements; for this very reason, the city has remained intact. Strangely enough, walking among the excavations brings us back to the past of this ancient Roman city.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Salerno - Bari (H)
1 stop
19
Salerno
Salerno's historic center preserves traces of its rich past, boasting ancient buildings and narrow streets, perfect for those who love a historic atmosphere and proximity to shops and restaurants. A vibrant city, rich in cultural initiatives, embellished by works by great architects. The province of Salerno has it all: sea, art and culture, natural beauty, a city center rich in history and services, food and traditions. Famous for the Cathedral Crypt, the Minerva Gardens, and the Arechi Castle, it's an ideal destination for those who want to discover the charms of Campania beyond the confines of the more famous Naples. We're planning a visit to a traditional farm to see buffalo herding and taste the exquisite Mozzarella di Salerno.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Bari - Bari (H)
1 stop
20
Bari
Bari is located at the mouth of a plain called the Bari Basin and consists of an old town (Bari Antica), a primitive urban center with important monuments, and new neighborhoods along the coast. You can't say you've truly seen Bari until you've lost yourself in its narrow streets, captivated by the hanging laundry, the numerous votive altars, the smell of dirty laundry, and the aroma of delicious food that characterize the Old Town. The city of Bari is also well known as the resting place of the relics of Saint Nicholas, which has made Bari a favorite destination for Western Orthodox believers. The capital of Puglia also has a very important port, cementing a long tradition of trade and entrepreneurship. Among Bari's main attractions are: the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the historic center, the waterfront and Murat, the Cathedral of San Sabino, the Petruzzelli Theater, Piazza Ferrarese, and the Norman-Swabian Castle.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Bari - Polignano al mare - Monopoli - I Trulli di Alberobello (H)
2 stops
21
Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare (known until 1863 as Polignano) is a small Italian town in the metropolitan city of Bari in Puglia. The oldest part of the city stands on a rocky spur overlooking the Adriatic Sea. A crystal-clear sea and rock dotted with impressive sea-dug cavities are the hallmarks of Polignano a Mare, known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Must-sees: the historic center of Polignano (and a poetic treasure hunt); the Polignano caves, a hidden paradise; the Bourbon bridge over Lama Monachile, a silent lookout; Lama Monachile, the beach of desire; and the Domenico Modugno Belvedere, a tribute to the Maestro. This small town is home to one of the most exclusive and beautiful restaurants in the world, located inside a famous Apulian cave, offering a majestic and endless view of the sea. We can organize lunch for you only upon request and well in advance.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
22
Monopoli
Monopoli is an Italian municipality in the metropolitan city of Bari in Puglia. Its characteristic historic center, dating back to the early Middle Ages, built over the remains of a Messapian settlement fortified as early as the 5th century BC, overlooks the sea and is surrounded by high walls. The city is known worldwide for offering its visitors an extraordinary natural heritage. Indeed, in its depths, one of the largest complexes of karst caves in Italy was discovered in the last century. Among Monopoli's main attractions are: the historic center, the Sabbiadoro beach, the Basilica Cathedral of Maria Santissima della Madia, the Egnazia water park, the Castle of Charles V, the Cala Cerasa beach, Cala Porta Vecchia, and the famous Old Port of Monopoli.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
I Trulli di Alberobello - Ostuni - Brindisi (H)
2 stops
23
I Trulli di Alberobello - World Heritage Site
Alberobello is famous for being the capital of the trulli, the stone buildings with conical roofs that, like no other, symbolize the entire region of Puglia. Listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy," Alberobello is characterized by the trulli of the Monti district, lined uphill to form a marvelous and unique village, where time seems to have stood still. The trulli were built with roughly worked limestone, quarried during excavations for underground cisterns, and stones collected from the surrounding countryside and rocky outcrops. The overhanging ledge from the roof was used to collect rainwater in special cisterns, while the external steps allowed the cones to be filled from above with straw and grain. Must-sees: the House of Love, the legend of the Siamese trulli, the only trullo church in the world, the Aia Piccola neighborhood. Walk along the Corso to the Church of SS. Admire the horizon.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
24
Ostuni
Ostuni, an Italian city in Puglia, in the province of Brindisi, stands in white splendor on three hills at the edge of the Murge, 299 meters above sea level. Its territory extends over approximately 206 square kilometers. This small medieval town in the province of Brindisi is one of the most beautiful and characteristic villages in Puglia. White and picturesque, it is a tangle of cobblestone streets, steep stairways, charming doorways, courtyards, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. Ostuni is the name of a Puglian white wine. You can visit: Piazza della Libertà and the Obelisk of Sant'Oronzo, the historic center and the Aragonese walls, the cathedral and Diocesan Museum, the famous Church of Santiago de Compostela, rich in religious history, and the Ostuni Civic Museum.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Brindisi - Gallipoli - Taranto (H)
2 stops
25
Brindisi
Brindisi is an Italian municipality and the capital of the province of the same name in Puglia, located 13 meters above sea level. It has one of the most populous centers in Salento and plays an important commercial and cultural role thanks to its strategic location on the Adriatic Sea. Brindisi is famous for several reasons, and strolling through the historic center, you can appreciate the Regina Margherita waterfront, Brindisi Cathedral, the Swabian Castle, the Roman Column, the Virgilian Staircase, Piazza della Vittoria, the Church of San Giovanni al Sepolcro, and the Verdi Theater.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
26
Gallipoli
An Italian municipality in the province of Lecce, in Puglia, Gallipoli sits 12 meters above sea level. The city has been a bishopric since the 6th century and is located along the western coast of Salento, which extends to the Ionian Sea. Gallipoli is the "Beautiful City" with a dual soul: the sun, the sea, the splendid coastline, and its famous nightlife on one side, and its historic center, which has witnessed centuries of history on the other. Gallipoli is known for its crystal-clear sea and its beautiful beaches of fine sand. During the walk, we will appreciate the area's many unique features and attractions, from the Greek fountain to the castle, from the bastions of the ancient walls to the evocative Cathedral of Sant'Agata, also known as the Pinacoteca. And also noble palaces, underground olive oil mills, the typical houses with patios and the historic pharmacy, the churches of the confraternities, the library, and the museum. A charming little city.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Taranto - Taranto (H)
1 stop
27
Taranto
Taranto is located in the Ionian Sea in the gulf of the same name and is known as the "city of two seas" due to its unique position between the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo. The origins of its name already reveal the city's mythological and epic echoes. "Taranto" derives from "Taras," a Greek mythological figure born from the union of Poseidon and the nymph Satyria. The city still proudly preserves the vestiges of that splendid past and is rich in wonders and history, not only preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto, known as MARTA, but also admirable by strolling through the historic center. For example, in the central Piazza Castello stand the remains of the Doric Temple, also known as the Temple of Poseidon: the oldest in Magna Graecia. The tour includes: Taranto's old town, the Cathedral of San Cataldo, the Convent and Church of San Domenico Maggiore, the MUDI Diocesan Museum, and the Ethnographic Museum. We know full well that this city is wonderful.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Taranto - Matera - Salerno (H)
1 stop
28
Matera
4-star or 3-star Superior hotel
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 12
Salerno - Reggia di Caserta - Roma (H)
1 stop
29
Reggia di Caserta
The city of Caserta is internationally renowned for its magnificent Bourbon Palace, also known as the Versailles of Italy. In the 18th century, Charles VII, the new King of Naples and Sicily, decided to build a large palace outside Naples, identical to Versailles. His project was grandiose and included: the Royal Palace, the renovation of the palace in front, a large and extensive park, the surrounding city, and an aqueduct. However, the entire project could not be completed due to a lack of funds and also due to Charles VII's departure from Naples to assume the crown of Spain as Charles III. The Palace is shaped like a violin. Around the 16th century, alchemists and violin makers created such harmonious and meticulously studied forms, highlighting the constantly evolving art. Indeed, during a visit to the Palace, music can be appreciated by walking around and observing the shop windows and art exhibits.
3 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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