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Peregrine Travel Centre

Explore Southern Italy

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Explore Southern Italy

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Description

Take off on an unforgettable journey down Italy’s rarely visited heel, getting to know another side of this entrancing country. Believe the beauty of Amalfi, unwind in style among the sophisticates of Trani and tour the Roman ruins, baroque churches and whitewashed alleyways of Lecce. Wander among the peculiarly shaped houses of Alberobello, wander the hillside dwellings of Matera and discover the Old Town’s life surrounding Bari’s Basilica di San Nicola. Head down and say ciao to Italy’s southernmost slice of the Adriatic.

Trip Name
Explore Southern Italy
Last Updated
2024-08-29
Days
10
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Stroll through the flourishing countryside of the Amalfi Coast and pick lemons straight from the tree.
  • Join the sophisticates of Puglia with a glass of Moscato di Trani and drink to Trani’s Adriatic beauty at a harbour-side bar.
  • Explore the otherworldly Sassi of Matera – stone houses formed from natural grottoes and tufo cliffs overlooking a dramatic gorge.
  • End this Italian adventure sipping limoncello in the tangled streets of Bari’s Old Town.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Many sites, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays). We recommend checking the opening times of anywhere you're interested to visit and making reservations where required/possible.

Day 1 - Amalfi Coast
Ciao! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Amalfi Coast, in the small town of Minori. The Amalfi peninsula is a land of rocky coasts, cliff-top vistas, azure seas, tiered lemon groves, whitewashed villages clinging to steep cliffs, and bright blue skies. You'll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive in Minori Town early, why not take a self-guided stroll in search of some gorgeous panoramic views of the coast? Or, you could just plant yourself at a sunny piazza cafe and enjoy a macchiato or a gelato.
Day 2 - Amalfi Coast
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 superb 11th Century Villa Rufolo, once the home of Wagner, and Villa Cimbrone, a sumptuous 19th Century mansion with fabulous gardens and unequalled 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.
Day 3 - Trani
Travel to Italy's east coast to Trani, known as the 'Southern Pearl', a scenic town with a sophisticated feel. Once an ancient trading hub, Trani is a delightfully eccentric port 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 bathed in a rarefied light and its own sweet wine, Trani truly feels like stepping back into a 1950s movie set. When you arrive, explore the historic centre and its medieval churches on a walking tour with a local guide. The Old Town points to a time when this was a major port for merchants travelling to the Near East. Later, simply kick back on the waterfront and watch the sophisticates of Puglia clink glasses of Moscato di Trani in cosy bars.
Day 4 - Trani
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, one of the most beautiful buildings in southern Italy. 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 is astonishingly 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 fine synagogues: the Scola Nova and the Scola Grande. Fishermen sell the day’s catch in the marina, so maybe taste the freshness by heading for dinner and a glass of wine harbourside.
Day 5 - Lecce
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.
Day 6 - Lecce
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 horseshoe-shaped theatre seated 15,000 people. Overlooking the arena is the Colonna di Sant'Oronzo, a statue of Lecce's patron saint mounted upon a Roman column. Presented to Lecce from Brindisi, this column once stood at the terminus of the Via Appia that ran from Rome to Brindisi. The fascinating Basilica Di Santa Croce inspires varied reactions – its heavily decorated façade of sheep, dodos, cherubs and monsters is a cacophony to some, while others are drawn to the lavish brilliance. For another baroque experience, head to the Piazza del Duomo. Used in the past as a defence against invaders, the square's pleasant 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 again for an aperitivo with local specialties, such as friselle, taralli, puccia, bombette and burrate.
Day 7 - Ostuni / Alberobello
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. Then head to Ostuni and explore its narrow streets and white houses, before continuing to Alberobello, set in a landscape of olive trees and low walls dotted with unique dwellings. People flock to Alberobello to marvel at the beehive-shaped Trulli (singular trullo), which are 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. See religious and mystical symbols on the roofs, the differently shaped spires, and head to the Church de Sant’Antonio, built in the style of a huge trullo.
Day 8 - Matera
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 dramatic 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. With over 3000 habitable caves, some dating as far back as the 8th century BC, the sassi are filled with stunning frescoed rock church complexes, exhibits recreating inhabited caves, and even a contemporary sculpture museum. The sassi are undergoing extensive restoration, and it’s now the one place in the world where you can eat at a restaurant inside a 9000-year-old dwelling! Tonight, you’ll stay in accommodation with balconies overlooking the sassi.
Day 9 - Matera / Bari
This morning is free for you to further 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 riotous market, elegant 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 on this trip and have a group meal by the harbour, sampling local limoncello and some of the seafood that the city is famous for.
Day 10 - Bari
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
30-04-202509-05-2025AUD $ 3,396-
07-05-202516-05-2025AUD $ 3,532-
14-05-202523-05-2025AUD $ 3,706-
28-05-202506-06-2025AUD $ 3,668-
11-06-202520-06-2025AUD $ 3,668-
18-06-202527-06-2025AUD $ 3,668-
09-07-202518-07-2025AUD $ 3,396-
23-07-202501-08-2025AUD $ 3,396-
06-08-202515-08-2025AUD $ 3,396-
13-08-202522-08-2025AUD $ 3,396-
27-08-202505-09-2025AUD $ 3,532-
03-09-202512-09-2025AUD $ 3,668-
10-09-202519-09-2025AUD $ 3,668-
17-09-202526-09-2025AUD $ 3,668-
24-09-202503-10-2025AUD $ 3,668-
01-10-202510-10-2025AUD $ 3,532-
08-10-202517-10-2025AUD $ 3,532-
15-10-202524-10-2025AUD $ 3,532-
22-10-202531-10-2025AUD $ 3,532-
29-10-202507-11-2025AUD $ 3,532-
08-04-202617-04-2026AUD $ 4,195-
29-04-202608-05-2026AUD $ 4,195-
06-05-202615-05-2026AUD $ 4,360-
13-05-202622-05-2026AUD $ 4,530-
27-05-202605-06-2026AUD $ 4,530-
10-06-202619-06-2026AUD $ 4,530-
17-06-202626-06-2026AUD $ 4,360-
24-06-202603-07-2026AUD $ 4,360-
01-07-202610-07-2026AUD $ 4,195-
08-07-202617-07-2026AUD $ 4,195-
15-07-202624-07-2026AUD $ 4,195-
22-07-202631-07-2026AUD $ 4,195-
05-08-202614-08-2026AUD $ 4,195-
12-08-202621-08-2026AUD $ 4,195-
26-08-202604-09-2026AUD $ 4,360-
02-09-202611-09-2026AUD $ 4,530-
09-09-202618-09-2026AUD $ 4,530-
16-09-202625-09-2026AUD $ 4,530-
23-09-202602-10-2026AUD $ 4,530-
30-09-202609-10-2026AUD $ 4,530-
07-10-202616-10-2026AUD $ 4,360-
14-10-202623-10-2026AUD $ 4,360-
21-10-202630-10-2026AUD $ 4,360-
28-10-202606-11-2026AUD $ 4,360-

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights)

Transport

Train,Public bus,Private vehicle,Taxi

Map

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