Southern Italy Odyssey
20 Days / 19 Nights Tour
PUGLIA
Day 1 Bari, Alberobello ( 3 nights )
Arrive at Bari Airport and transfer to hotel at Alberobello, the heart of the Trulli Valley. Free time to explore city then dinner at hotel. ( D )
Day 2 Castellana Grotte
We visit Castellana Grotte, an ancient town rich in history and with a centre notable for its churches and palaces dating back to the 13th century. In the afternoon visit to the famous Grottos of Castellana. This cave system is 70mt deep and approx. 3,000mt. in length with the main chamber or “Grave” 50mt wide, up to 60mt high and 600mt long. Visitors are rewarded with one of the most beautiful sights of all Italian show caves: a showcase of pure white speleothems, stalactites, stalagmites, curtains, calcite crystals, and helictites with the tour ending at the fabulous “White Cave”.
( B D )
Day 3 Ostuni, Lecce
Departure for Ostuni one of the most stunning cities in Southern Italy famous for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses. The city is a series of levels, staircases, alleys and arches with hints of the Middle Ages in every corner with a view to the sea from every angle. We will visit the main Cathedral and enjoy a degustation menu of the local produce. Then on to Lecce, the city has been dubbed the Florence of Baroque. The city’s heyday was when it was part of Spain in the 17th century. Carved from golden sandstone the exuberant architecture looks like a sumptuous theatrical set. ( B D )
BASILICATA
Day 4 Matera ( 2 nights )
Depart for the region of Basilicata visiting Matera “The city of Rocks”. This is one of the most extraordinary spots on Earth, which is why UNESCO has listed it among its 365 official World Heritage List locations. The city is characterised by the houses which are literally carved out of the “tufo’ rock and was used as the setting for the filming of “The Passion of The Christ”. We will visit the peasants Museum with its exhibits of ancient crafts and cultures of the city and surrounding areas. ( B D )
Day 5 Vulture, Melfi
The day is dedicated to Vulture and the surrounding area with its beautiful countryside and Rionero and its lakes inside an extinct volcano and where we will sample some of the local produce. Then on to Melfi at the foot of Monte Vulture with its Norman castles which dominate this area. ( B D )
CALABRIA
Day 6 Sibari, Rossano, Crotone ( 2 nights )
On to Sibari, an ancient Greek city considered one of the most beautiful. We visit the Archaeological Museum then on to Rossano. This city is one of the most important centres of the Byzantine period in Italy and where the “Codex Purpureus” is kept. We will then visit the Liquorice Museum (Calabria is a main producer of natural liquorice) and sample some of the product. Continue to your hotel in Crotone. ( B D )
Day 7 Santa Severina, Capo Colonna
Leave for Santa Severina one of the best preserved ancient cities in Calabria with its imposing castle. Then on to Capo Colonna where we can see the ruins of the ancient Greek city of “Kroton” and the temple of Hera Lacinia. We continue to “Le Castella” and its magnificent Aragonese Castle. ( B D )
Day 8 Roccelletta Di Borgia, Stilo, Siderno ( 3 nights )
Leave for Roccelletta Di Borgia where we visit the Archaeological Park of Scolacium a testament to the ancient colonisations of the Greeks and Romans. Here you will see Greek and Roman ruins together with many relics and magnificent marble statues all only recently discovered under an olive grove. We then continue to the Jasmine Coast and to Stilo an important city during the Byzantine period and visit “La Cattolica” one of the best examples of the Byzantine churches. Then on to your hotel in Siderno. ( B D )
Day 9 Leisure
This is a free day to relax, enjoy and recharge.
Day 10 Locri, Gerace
Excursion to the site of ancient “Locri Epizephyrii” one of the most important and influential cities in ancient “Magna Graecia”. We then go on to Gerace the “Medieval City” once the centre of the Catholic Church in Calabria and still has the largest Cathedral in Calabria which is of Norman origin. ( B D )
Day 11 Pizzo, Tropea, Vibo Valentia
Departure for Pizzo. Visit the Aragonese Castle and the Little Church of Piedigrotta which has been completely carved out of the Tufo rock. We then continue on to Tropea, the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”, where we visit the Cathedral and take a walk through the historic centre and enjoy the magnificent views from its balcony on the sea. Settle in to hotel at Vibo Valentia. ( B D )
Day 12 Vibo Valentia, Serra San Bruno
( 3 nights )
Today we visit Vibo Valentia the ancient Greek city of Hipponion. Situated on a plateau 476 mtrs above sea level with views from Capo Palinuro in the Campania region to Sicily this was a strategic city which was later settled by the Romans and later by the Normans. Then on to Serra San Bruno to visit the Chartreuse Monastery and perhaps catch a glimpse of the monks who have taken a vow of prayer, work and silence. ( B D )
Day 13 Gambarie, St. Elia, Palmi
A trip to Gambarie a mountain resort town situated 1,100 mtrs above sea level in the heart of the Aspromonte mountain range, enjoy a walk through the forest and then on to a restaurant for a lunch of local produce, bread, cheeses, wine and other home made foods. We continue on to Monte St. Elia with its spectacular views over the Mediterranean and then visit Palmi an important city in the region. ( B D )
Day 14 Reggio, Scilla, Villa St. Giovanni, Palermo
Today we tour Reggio Di Calabria where we visit the National Museum where the famous Bronzes of Riace are kept along with other artefacts of the Magna Graecia ( Greater Greece) period. Walk along the lungomare “The most beautiful kilometre” in Italy. Next is mythical Scilla and the quaint fisherman’s quarter of the Chianalea. Then on to Villa St. Giovanni for the ferry across to Sicily and continue our journey to hotel in Palermo.
( B D )
SICILY
Day 15 Palermo, Monreale ( 2 nights )
A tour of the major sites of Palermo with a visit to the Cathedral, Teatro Massimo and the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of Palermo. We then visit Monreale and the Duomo “the most beautiful temple in the world”, built in the 12th century by the Norman King William II after he had a vision of the Virgin Mary asking him to build a church. We will also visit the Royal Palace and the Benedictine Monastery. ( B D )
Day 16 Piazza Armerina, Agrigento
( 1 night )
A trip to Piazza Armerina where we visit the Roman villa built between the 3rd and 4th centuries, famous for its fabulous mosaic floors. We continue to Agrigento and the magnificent Valley of the Temples, perhaps the greatest testimony of the glorious period of Greek settlement in Southern Italy. Check into hotel. ( B D )
Day 17 Caltagirone, Taormina ( 3 nights )
We visit Caltagirone known throughout the world for its ceramic works. Completely rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1693 the city is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Sicily. In the afternoon we continue to Taormina “the jewel of Sicily” with its Greco-Roman theatre and views across to Mt. Etna. This city has been a destination for holiday makers since Roman times. Check in to hotel. ( B D )
Day 18 Etna, Acireale, Catania
We have an excursion to the volcano of Mt. Etna followed by lunch at a local restaurant after which we proceed to Acireale. This city preserves many impressions of the Baroque period which have left a huge influence on the city and maintains many beautiful treasures of this period. We will then continue to Catania and a scenic tour of the city. Founded by the ancient Greeks in 729 BC followed by the Romans, Saracens, Normans, Swabians, Aragonese all of whom have left their mark on the city. ( B D )
Day 19 Syracuse, Noto
Leave for Syracuse the greatest city outside Greece, at one time surpassing Athens in splendour and glory. Founded by the Corinthians in the 8th century BC it is home to some of the greatest testaments to both the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. The Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre, the Ear of Dionysius, the Temple of Apollo and the island of Ortigia are just some of the places we visit. We then move on to the Baroque city of Noto. Conquered by the Arabs in 866 AD it rose to become the stronghold of Muslim power in Sicily and was still the centre of power under Norman and Swabian rule. ( B D )
Day 20 Departure
Transfer to Catania Airport and departure for your next destination. ( B )
( B ) breakfast
( L ) lunch
( D ) dinner
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