DAY 1: ARRIVAL
DAY 2: OSTUNI
- Breakfast in hotel. Suggested itinerary: Drive to Ostuni; you will take a walk through the beautiful streets of the old town, called the white town because the walls and the old town are painted white. Ostuni is famous for its olive trees, which appear as a green carpet in the eyes of the visitor. The old town is a labyrinth of alleys, courtyards and stairways leading up to the 15th-century cathedral, from where you can enjoy a unique view. Continue to Alberobello along the Itria Valley with its masserie (typical Apulian cultural buildings) throughout the countryside. If requested optional guided tour of Alberobello through the Trulli (Unesco heritage). Its buildings are conical in shape, made of limestone. Mixed with the past, with archaic roots full of superstition, as on every trullo. Stop for a photo on the "Belvedere", drive to Taranto-Overnight.
DAY 3: LECCE
- Breakfast in hotel. Suggested itinerary: Walking tour excursion in Lecce (optional with the guide with supplement) known as the Florence of the South, thanks to its architectural structures such as the Basilica of Santa Croce, whose construction took 150 years, or the Duomo, the center of religious life of the time, or Porta Napoli, the Zelestinian Palace, and the II century Roman theater brought to light in Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Here still live the popular traditions of the papier-mâché art and the processing of the typical soft stone which is still honored today by many artisans. Here you have the opportunity to try the typical dessert, "Pasticciotto Leccese" (optional). Free time for continuing the tour to Gallipoli, a reality suspended over the Ionian Sea, famous for its crystalline sea. Inside its fortified walls there is everything it does feel good: beauty, history, food, relaxation. Splendid village full of charming alleys and wonderful churches, dominated by baroque architecture and the typical Apulian historic center between white houses and wonderful landscape views. Starting from the Greek fountain, probably the oldest in Italy, built in the third century. A. C. its historic center preserves ancient buildings, beautiful baroque churches, and characteristic alleys. Gallipoli has two areas, the modern village and the historic center located on a small island connected to the mainland by a brick bridge and still surrounded by the ancient defensive walls of the '500. Drive back and overnight.
DAY 4: TROPEA & CAPO VATICANO
- Breakfast in Hotel and suggested itinerary drive to Tropea and Capo Vaticano. the two most precious jewels of the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria. Tropea is the pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea and is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The name of this town was mentioned for the first time by Pliny The Older in the first century A.D. In the centre of this town it is possible to admire the Church St. Mary of the Isle from a terrace on the sheer cliff top. Originally this church was a Basilian system of the 11th century and it still belongs to the Abbey of Montecassino. The cathedral, which was built in Norman times, is among the oldest buildings of the historical centre there is. In the course of the centuries it was rebuilt many times and today for the most part it is in the baroque style. Inside this church there are some artistic works, a picture by Lippo Benivieni, this is the wellknown Our Lady of Romania, who is one of the patron saints of Tropea. Back to the hotel with a stop in Capo Vaticano. The promontory of Capo Vaticano, which is made of white granite, dominates the coast and beautiful sandy beaches. It offers many views over the Aeolian Islands and the Straits of Messina. Continue to Zungri Arrival in Zungri, a municipality situated about 571 meters from sea level on the north slope of the plateau of Poro. Zungri is one of the most interesting of the agricultural center of this area. Its historical center is characterized by simple architectures and it represents a social model of peasant life, which is developed in the time, but it still keeps some aspects of poor building. Here you can visit a small family farm, which produces small quantity of onion, nduja (typical salami from Calabria), wine, cheese and vegetables. Then you will see of the Caves of Zungrì and the Church of Our Lady of the snow.
DAY 5: AMANTEA & BELMONTE
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Breakfast in Hotel and departure to Amantea and Belmonte. Amantea, a small town situated in a beautiful position between two capes. It has valuable historical and artistic sights that you will not be able to miss on a tour of the Old Town. Worth mentioning is the Gothic monastery of San Bernardino of Siena (15th century). ); the convent of the Friars Minor with the oratory dei Nobili, thanks to its high quality architecture, is considered a national monument of the Italian Republic; the collegiate church of San Biagio, built on a balustrade staircase; The Palace of the Poor Clares, one of the most beautiful restored historical buildings in Calabria, where it is possible to admire, besides the monastery, a splendid gallery of rare paintings, the only one of its kind in southern Italy; and last but not least, the impressive castle ruins of the Byzantine-Norman period, which dominates the city from the top of the hill. Then we will take you to the nearby and enlightening village of Belmonte Calabro, which lies on an unparalleled natural terrace directly above the sea. This village is a small architectural jewel that nestles on the back of a rocky hill that resembles a donkey's hump, even having the shape of a ship pointing in the direction of the sea. The village has a typical medieval structure in which the houses are leaning against each other, which is why, at times, narrow and winding alleys arose. The old town is surrounded by walls which are still largely preserved and are an authentic eloquent testimony to the past centuries. Here, in this old quarter, where some inhabitants still live today, there is still a hint of the simple, orderly, clean and industrious life of the Middle Ages.Overnight.
DAY 6: SCILLA & REGGIO CALABRIA
- Breakfast in the hotel. This day you are free to relax and explore the city on your own or you can opt to visit Scilla and Reggio Calabria.
Suggested itinerary: Drive to Scilla, the characteristic little town in the enchanting scenery of the Costa Viola. Here you can visit the old fishing village which is known as Chianalea. The second stop can be Ruffo Castle and St. Rocco’s church. Continue your day driving to to Reggio Calabria, an elegant city in Liberty style, which belongs to the Italian Art Nouveau period. Here you can also visit the National Archeological Museum which holds the richest collection of Magna Grecia finds and the Bronzes of Riace. Then we suggest you to take a walk on the seafront promenade which was defined by Gabriele D’Annunzio as “The most beautiful kilometre in Italy”. Visit the Roman Baths, the Greek walls and the cathedral. Drive back to Tropea. Overnight in Tropea area.
DAY 7: MATERA
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Breakfast at the hotel. Suggested itinerary: Drive to Matera one of the oldest cities in the world. Matera is located in the Basilicata region, the road to the city of Matera leads through a hilly landscape with many small villages perched on top of the hills. Arrival in Matera (local guide with supplement if requested) walk through the streets of what is known as the Second Bethlehem. These scenarios have been the setting for numerous films, including Mel Gibson's "Passion". The city is famous for its "Sassi", (Unesco World Heritage Site). Photo break with a view of the beauties of the city. Drive to Taranto area and overnight.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
- Breakfast in the hotel. Check out at 10:00. Drive to the airport, release of the car and end of our services. Grazie e arrivederci.
- Taranto Area: Palazzo Matà or similar (*)
- Tropea Area: Tropis, Santa Chiara, Torre Marino or similar (*)
(*) It could happen and in case of problems the hotels indicated may be replaced with others of the same category located in the same towns or up to 30 km distance where will be possible to realize the program. The name of the hotel will be sent to you 21 days before the arrival.
- Each customer can independently choose whether to follow the suggested itinerary or create one based on their own needs. However, it is essential to follow the schedule related to the cities where overnight stays are planned.
- Parking at the hotel is not guaranteed, but it will be possible to find it nearby.
- Norma Vacanze reserves the right to modify the excursion itinerary if deemed appropriate or due to force majeure.
- Norma Vacanze is not responsible for accidents, delays, damage or loss of luggage or personal belongings, nor for damages caused by third parties or others such as floods, storms, landslides, earthquakes, political unrest, epidemics, terrorist attacks, strikes, etc.
The rate does not include:
- Tourist tax to be paid locally
- Lunches and dinners unless mentioned
- Tips and personal extras
- Porter service
- Fuel
- Highway tolls
- Parking fees
- Tickets for planes, ships, trains, or buses to reach the airport
- Entrance fees to monuments and archaeological parks
- Cinque Terre Card (1 day €115 per person)
- Anything not expressly indicated under "the rate includes".
