Italy: Amalfi Coast to Puglia

Naples is the third largest city in Italy and a cultural and political hub of the Campania region. The city sits at the base of Mount Vesuvius overlooking the Bay of Naples. The city was the home of the last Spanish King who ruled over the Kingdom of Two Sicilys from his massive castle that is located near the port. Today the city center is a mix of post WWII era modernity and a few historic treasures that survived the bombing. The crazy traffic of the city has become a symbol of the modern Naples and its vibrant streets.

Gain a new perspective on the volcanic countryside with a visit to a winery near Pompeii. Layers of ash have transformed the timeworn soil into a fertile vineyard. Enjoy an exclusive wine tasting with lunch, where you can relax and take in the landscape.

A fishing village of terraced lemon groves, Minori exudes the quintessential Amalfitana vibe. Start your morning in a garden and learn about sfusato lemons, used in limoncello. Sample this fragrant liqueur in a pastry shop before hiking along the coast.

The rocky Sorrento Peninsula stretches into the Tyrrhenian Sea separating the Bay of Naples to the north from the Gulf of Salerno to the south. On the south of the peninsula is the famed Amalfi Coast. The Amalfi Coast features the 32 mile long coastal drive that hugs the cliff at is passes through the picturesque fishing villages of Positano, Amalfi, and Minori (among others). The coast is famed for its breathtaking views, local cuisine, and drinks like limoncello.

Ferry past tumbling cliffs and pastel-colored houses on your way to Positano, where you’ll enjoy a free afternoon in this resort town. Perhaps you spend time browsing the posh boutiques, or taking a moment to relax and rest along the beach.

Matera is a community in southern Italy that is home to the unique Sassi of Matera. The Sassi of Matera are a unique urban structure of cave dwellings that are carved out of the local tufa stone ravines. The community of stone dwellings were inhabited by nearly 15,000 people until the 1950s when the Italian government forced everyone to leave for hygienic purposes. Today, the Sassi are being rehabbed into modern homes, hotels and tourist attractions. The site is also home to a number of ancient stone churches.

You’ll have a free day to lose yourself in Lecce’s charismatic ambience – full of winding lanes, sun-kissed piazzas, and hidden cafes. Perhaps you’ll join an optional excursion to Otranto and a nearby winery, featuring wine from the region’s dark purple grapes.

Stop in Ostuni, a whitewashed town surrounded by olive trees. A place inhabited since the stone age, Ostuni is famous for olive oil, wine, and the “Old Town,” a section of the city built on a hill, topped with a citadel and surrounded by ancient walls.

Zoom through the city of Ostuni like a local in the backseat of an open-air Ape Calessino, a traditional 3-wheeled car. You’ll get an incredible overview of the entire city during an unforgettable tour unlike any other as you’re whisked through the streets.

Alberobello is a small town in the southern Italian region of Puglia. The town is famous for its unique stone homes called trulli. The trulli of Alberobello look like something out of a cartoon. Each trullo is constructed using slabs of local stone with a conical roof made without mortar. The city center of Alberobello is home to nearly 1500 trulli and is designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site. Visitors can walk through the streets that are lined with trulli that are used as homes, B&Bs, shops and restaurants.