Rome to Sorrento, Capri & Puglia

On arrival in Rome you will be met and transferred to the hotel. The rest of today is free for you to head into Rome and explore at leisure.

Enjoy a free day in Rome. Head out independently to visit highlights like the Colosseum and Roman Forum, or speak to your tour leader about optional activities that are available to book locally.

Rome - Sorrento. Setting off from Rome, we head south, passing through Lazio and Campania to reach the coastal gem of Sorrento. On arrival, the rest of today is at leisure for you to explore Sorrento. Perhaps enjoy some shopping, or sample some local limoncello. Dinner is included at the hotel tonight - please dress smartly (jacket for men) as it is a formal dinner!

Sorrento - Capri - Sorrento. Today we explore the beautiful and exclusive Mediterranean island of Capri. Weather permitting, we will visit the Blue Grotto sea cave by row boat. You can enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before there is free time to explore the island. Capri was a summer home for the Roman emperor Augustus and today is popular with celebrities. After our visit, we return to Sorrento for the night - dinner is included.

Sorrento - Bari. The morning is free for you to relax, or you may choose to join an optional excursion to Pompeii. Later, at the scheduled time, meet your driver at the hotel for the transfer to Caserta, where you board the train to Bari (travel unescorted).

On arrival at Bari station, a driver will be waiting to take you to the hotel. After check-in, enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

After breakfast at the hotel, we meet our tour leader for a guided morning tour of Bari, the main city of Puglia. We explore the old town, visiting the Basilica of San Nicola and the Norman-Swabian Castle, which offers sweeping views (entry not included). The tour continues to Piazza Mercantile, where we see the historic Column of Justice.

After the tour, you have free time for lunch. While not included, we recommend sampling local dishes at a traditional restaurant in the city centre or trying Bari’s famous street food. Dinner tonight is included.

Bari - Trani - Castel del Monte - Alberobello. After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Bari by coach and travel to Trani, known as the 'Pearl of Puglia'. We'll explore the vibrant Jewish Quarter and see the historic 12th-century cathedral, made from beautiful white stone.

After our stop in Trani we continue to Castel del Monte, a 13th-century citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This octagonal castle features on the Italian one-cent coin and is shrouded in mystery, as its exact historical purpose remains unknown.

Our final destination today is Alberobello, best known for its traditional conical houses made from local limestone - these are called Trulli. A welcome toast and dinner is included.

Alberobello - Matera - Alberobello. We visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site today with a day trip to Matera. The historic centre of this city is known as Sassi di Matera and is unique due to the large number of cave dwellings that were carved into the canyon created by the Gravina River, around 9,000 years ago! In this long history, Matera has been occupied by Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, and many other groups.

Many of the caves are still used today, as houses, pubs, hotels, and other businesses. We'll enjoy sightseeing with a local guide to take in the best of the cave dwellings. And we will also see the Roman Catholic cathedral which overlooks the city. We then transfer back to Alberobello for dinner.

Alberobello - Locorotondo - Ostuni - Lecce. After breakfast at the hotel, we depart Alberobello by coach and make our way to Locorotondo, one of Puglia’s renowned “white towns.” Here you will have free time to explore at your own pace.

We then continue to Ostuni, beautifully set between the Trulli region and Salento, with views across a coastal plain dotted with ancient olive trees. Enjoy free time to wander the historic centre, with opportunities for lunch, shopping, or sampling local products such as Ostuni’s celebrated olive oil (own expense). In the late afternoon, we travel onwards to Lecce, in the heart of Salento. Dinner is included.

Lecce - Otranto - Lecce. This morning we enjoy a three-hour guided tour of Lecce, exploring the old town, the 12th-century Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and the elegant Piazza del Duomo.

We then travel by coach to Otranto, where you have free time for lunch. In the afternoon, you can discover Otranto at your own pace. The city bears the marks of Greek, Roman, and Turkish influence, visible in its historic quarters. Highlights include the Cathedral, which houses the relics of 813 martyrs behind the altar, and its remarkable mosaic floor, considered one of the finest in Italy.

The day concludes with dinner at Masseria L’Uliveto in Maglie, where we learn more about Puglia’s history and culture.

Lecce - Martina Franca - Monopoli - Bari. Leaving Lecce, we travel back towards Bari, passing through the striking landscape of the Murge plateau. Our first stop is Martina Franca, an elegant Baroque town known for its churches, noble palaces, and lively Piazza Plebiscito. Here we visit the Cathedral, Ducal Palace, and Torre dell’Orologio, with free time afterwards to wander the historic streets.

We then continue through the Valle d’Itria, a countryside dotted with olive groves and vineyards, to Masseria Montenapoleone. Here we take part in a hands-on cooking class, learning to prepare traditional Pugliese specialities such as focaccia, orecchiette, and cavatelli, paired with local wines. Lunch follows, featuring the dishes we have prepared using organic local ingredients.

In the afternoon, we visit Monopoli, a fortified citadel by the sea, before travelling onwards to Bari.

Today our tour comes to an end after breakfast and check-out. An included transfer takes you to the airport. Safe onward travels!