Naples & Puglia: Discovering Southern Italy

Day 1 : Evening departure from Montreal in economy class.

Day 2 : Arrival of the group at Naples Airport. Welcome by the tour escort who will accompany the clients throughout the tour. Departure towards Paestum. Stop for a visit to a farm renowned for its buffalo breeding in a natural environment that respects animal welfare. Opportunity to visit the modern stables, watch the buffalo milking process and observe the artisanal production of mozzarella. Lunch featuring local specialties. Transfer to the hotel located in the region. Check-in to the rooms. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3 : Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards the port of Salerno, where the group will board a boat to discover the Amalfi Coast. The first stop is Positano, a village that seems suspended between sky and sea, with its colourful houses stacked along the cliffs. Seen from the sea, it offers an unforgettable panorama. Continue towards Amalfi, a charming former maritime republic dominated by its cathedral and surrounded by steep mountains plunging into the sea. Visit of the Cathedral and free time for lunch. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4 : Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, guided visit of Paestum, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in southern Italy. Walking through its remarkably preserved Greek temples offers a journey through more than two millennia of history, set in a peaceful landscape between sea and countryside. After the visit, continue towards the hills of Cilento for a stop at a local winery, where you will enjoy a tasting of regional wines. In the afternoon, departure for Castellabate, a charming hilltop medieval village offering spectacular views of the coast. Free visit. Strolling through its stone alleyways reveals a typically Italian atmosphere, calm and full of charm, far from the crowds. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5 : Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards Matera. Arrival at the end of the morning. Free time for lunch. Afterwards, welcome by the local guide and visit of Matera, a city reminiscent of ancient Palestine lost in the south of Italy. Perched on its rocky spur, it overlooks barren plateaus and arid hills dotted with white villages. Visit of the Casa Grotta including entrance fees. Transfer to the hotel in the Puglia region, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6 : Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a guided tour of Lecce, known as the “Florence of the South.” Discovery of the Porta Napoli, Via Palmieri, the baroque Basilica of Santa Croce with its richly decorated façade, the Roman theatre and its museum, Piazza San Oronzo, and Piazza del Duomo, entirely surrounded by baroque buildings and considered one of the most remarkable squares in Italy (outside visits of the monuments). Free time for lunch before departing towards Otranto. In the afternoon, guided visit of Otranto, the jewel of the Adriatic coast, including a visit to its majestic Cathedral (entrance fees included). Transfer to the hotel in the Lecce region. Check-in to the rooms, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7 : Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards Santa Maria di Leuca, where, from its promontory, you will witness the meeting of two seas: the Adriatic and the Ionian. Visit of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae (“End of the Earth”), based on an ancient belief that considered it the boundary of all emerged lands. Free time for lunch before continuing towards Gallipoli. Visit of the historic centre, surrounded by Roman and Byzantine fortifications and located on an island connected by a brick bridge to the modern part of the city. Visit of an underground olive oil mill (frantoi ipogei). Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8 : Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, enjoy a unique culinary experience with a cooking class to learn the secrets of local gastronomy, including the preparation of traditional handmade pasta and sauces, cooking of the dishes, and tasting of the final products served at the table. In the afternoon, departure towards Ostuni and visit of the “White City,” a picturesque town perched on the hills of Puglia. With its narrow winding streets, dazzling white houses, and Mediterranean atmosphere, it offers a unique charm. At the end of the day, transfer to the hotel in the region. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9 : Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, guided visit of Alberobello, capital of the “Trulli,” unique rural houses built using an ingenious technique, featuring circular layouts with dry stone walls topped by cone-shaped roofs. The historic centre has been declared a national monument and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The districts entirely composed of Trulli, connected by winding alleyways climbing the hills, create a magical panorama. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, continuation towards Polignano a Mare, one of the most spectacular villages on the Adriatic coast. Perched on white cliffs overlooking crystal-clear waters, its historic centre offers breathtaking views around every corner. Free visit. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 10 : Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit of Bari, the vibrant capital of Puglia, where history and local life blend harmoniously. Walking through the old town, you will discover a maze of lively alleyways, ancient churches such as the Basilica of San Nicola, and an authentic atmosphere where traditions are still very much alive. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, departure by coach towards Naples. Transfer to the hotel in the region. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11 : Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards Naples. Meet with the local guide and visit of the historic centre of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its lively alleyways, baroque churches, and unique atmosphere blending popular traditions with authentic daily life. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, continuation of the visit with the monumental district of the city, more elegant and spacious, featuring grand squares, historic palaces, and the famous waterfront. Between the castle and the avenues lined with prestigious buildings, discover another side of Naples, more majestic yet equally fascinating. Free time for shopping. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 12 : Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards Pompeii. Meet with the local guide and visit of this exceptional archaeological site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through its ancient streets, houses, and remarkably preserved frescoes offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of a Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Continue towards Sorrento. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, free time in Sorrento, an elegant town perched on cliffs overlooking the sea. With its picturesque alleyways, panoramic terraces, and breathtaking views over the Gulf of Naples, Sorrento offers a refined and relaxing atmosphere. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 13 : Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the excursion to Capri. Meet with the local guide at the port and boat crossing to Capri, the most famous island in the Gulf of Naples, whose natural beauty has inspired many artists. Free time for lunch. Island tour by minibus and visit of Villa San Michele in Anacapri (entrance fees included). Return to the hotel at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 14 : Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Montreal.