Classic South Italy Tour
14 Days / 13 Nights
Day 1: Brindisi - Lecce
Arrival at Brindisi Airport - Transfer to the hotel. Check-in and overnight.
Day 2: Lecce
Lecce is famous for the baroque architecture produced with the local yellow
stone which very easy shape, together with many palaces and churches from this
époque there is also rests from a Roman amphitheatre. An half day sightseeing
with local guide and then time on your own.
Overnight stay.
Day 3: Galatina - Gallipoli
Galatina is one of the bigger towns of the Salento peninsula, we have a sightseeing
with local guide through the historical centre seeing several elegant palaces.
The most important monument in the city is the church of S. Caterina d'Alessandria,
built in the end of 1300 and all the internal decorations in the beginning of
1400 with excellent frescoes from local artist influenced by the Giotto school.
After the visit we drive to the charming little town of Gallipoli, built on
an island of limestone connected with the mainland by a bridge.
Free time - Overnight stay.
Day 4: Otranto
After breakfast excrusioni to Otranto on the eastern tip of the peninsula was during the Byzantine period
the most important of the Salento peninsula, the dominant building is the fortress
made by Ferdinand of Aragona in the end of 1400. The main attraction is the
Cathedral of Annunziata with an interesting mosaic floor from 1100. After the free lunch
together in the country side we go back to Lecce. Overnight.
Day 5 Ostuni - Polignano a Mare
Today we leave our hotel in Lecce to continue our stay in a nice hotel by the
sea. On the way to Polignagno a Mare we make a stop in the charming town of
Ostuni, where all houses are white painted and well kept by the local women.
Time for free lunch on your own before we move on to the hotel. Check-in and overnight.
Day 6: Castel del Monte - Trani
After breakfast excursion to Castel del Monte is on of Apulias most beautiful profane buildings and one
of the most impressive fortresses of the middle age, with it's eight towers
built in a perfect circle. It was constructed during 1240 and lays with an incredible
view of the sorrounding landscape. Lunch in a farm before we
drive towards the sea and Trani, where we find the cathedrals S. Nicola Pellegrino,
one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches of south Italy. Once back to the
hotel we have time on our own. Overnight stay.
Day 7: Le Murge – Martina Franca – Alberobello
After breakfast departure for the excrusion to Le Murge - a plateau that extends along the upper part of the
region, here we'll see the typical houses built with Trulli technique often
round and with pointed roof. In Alberobello there are about a 1.000 Trulli houses,
shops, bars and restaurants. Martina Franca is a small medieval town where rococo
and baroque palaces was built during 1600-1700, there are nice examples of the
Apulian baroque and the municipal building is assigned to Bernini. We pass Locorotondo,
e picturesque little town that takes the name from it's shape, infact it's built
on a hill in a circle in the heart of Le Murge. Overnight stay.
Day 8: Matera
After breakfast we enter the Caveoso Sasso passing by the Porta Empia, that
faces a breathtaking panorama. Then for a visit to some Rock Churches and the
typically furnished Casa Grotta (Cave house).
Lunch within a fortified farm and transfer to the Rock Church Archaeological
Park of Natural History: a brief trip on the Matera Moors to discover
treasures of rupestrian civilizations and the area’s faunistic and botanical
heritage.
Easy walking with historical, natural and cultural interests.
Return to Hotel free dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Matera - Pizzo - Tropea - Vibo Valentia
Breakfast at hotel and departure to Pizzo Calabro,
charming village located on a cape over the sea and
where it’s possible to walk around tasting the
specialty of the town: its truffle icecreams, while
Joachim Murat king of France will embrace us with
his memory in the Castle. Continue to the enchanting
city of Tropea, free to enjoy the suggestive atmosphere
of its little streets who faces to the turquoise sea
from a high altitude. On sunny days it’s possible
to admire one of the Eolie’s island: Stromboli.
During the afternoon we will climb to Vibo Valentia
from where it’s possible to assist at a very
a romantic dusk. Overnight stay.
Day 10: Vibo Valentia - Reggio Calabria - Taormina
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Reggio Calabria,
crossing the panoramic highway overlooking the largest
island of the Mediterranean Sea: Sicily. Arriving
to the Straight of Messina we can admire, as from
a balcony, the homonymous city. On arrival there will
be a visit of the city. From Reggio embark to Messina.
City tour including the Cathedral with the belfry
and the watch who will delight our voyage at midday
with a fabulous spectacle. During the afternoon we
will visit Taormina. Free time to discover the first
town of Sicily to be conquered by the Greeks and that,
because of its geographical position, its sweet weather
and the unnumbered panoramic views together with the
flourish colours, is considered the ideal atmosphere
for a selected tourism. Overnight.
Day 11: Taormina - Etna - Taormina
Breakfast at hotel. Morning dedicated to the visit
of the highest volcano of Europe (1.800m.) and among
the largest actives of the planet: the Etna. We will
climb by bus up to the highest refuge, and walk inside
two extinguished craters and enjoy the unique view
of the “moon” environment. Return to hotel.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight.
Day 12: Taormina - Siracusa - Agrigento
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Siracusa, to visit
the Ortigia Island, characterized by its Sicilian
baroque, we will enter into the Cathedral, the Aretusa
fountain, etc. Continue to the archeological complex,
visit to the Greek amphitheater, the “Ear of
Dionisus”, the Roman Theatre, etc. During the
afternoon the journey proceeds to Agrigento. Known
as the “city of the temples” because of
the best preserved of the “Magna Greece”
located at its foot.
Overnight stay.
Day 13: Agrigento - Erice - Palermo
Breakfast at hotel. Visit to the Valley of the Temples
including the temples of June, of the Concordia, of
Hercules and the Largest Doric temple of the World:
the temple of Jupiter. At midday departure to Erice,
located at 750 m. over sea level and well preserved
because of its walls built on the VI b. C. Afternoon
at leisure. Arrival to Palermo. Check in and overnight.
Day 14: Palermo
Breakfast and transfer to the Airport.
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