9 Day Affordable Southern Italy, Puglia & Campania

Southern Italy Escorted Tour – Puglia, Matera & Naples (9 Days)

Bari • Alberobello • Lecce • Matera • Pompeii • Naples

Discover the authentic soul of Southern Italy on this unforgettable escorted journey through the sun-drenched region of Puglia, the ancient cave city of Matera, and the vibrant streets of Naples. From UNESCO treasures to Baroque masterpieces and Mediterranean cuisine, this itinerary blends culture, history, and gastronomy into one perfectly curated experience.

DAY 1 – Thursday: Depart for Italy

Overnight flight to Italy.

DAY 2 – Friday: Arrive in Bari

Welcome to Puglia, Italy’s spectacular “heel,” surrounded by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Arrive in the lively port city of Bari and transfer to your hotel.

This evening, meet your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by a welcome dinner.
(Recommended arrival before 4 PM)

Overnight: Bari
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3 – Saturday: Bari Old Town & Optional Alberobello

Explore charming Bari Vecchia with its winding medieval streets. Highlights include:

• Bari Cathedral

• Basilica of San Nicola – Home to the relics of St. Nicholas

• Castello Normanno-Svevo – 12th-century Norman fortress

Free time to enjoy piazzas and cafés.

Optional Tour: Visit Alberobello, a UNESCO-listed town famous for its iconic Trulli stone houses.

Overnight: Bari
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 – Sunday: Masseria Experience & Lecce

Visit a traditional Puglian Masseria farmhouse and enjoy a regional lunch with local wine.

Continue to baroque masterpiece Lecce, known as the “Florence of the South.” Highlights include:

• Piazza del Duomo

• Roman Amphitheater (2nd century BC)

• Basilica di Santa Croce

Overnight: Lecce
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5 – Monday: Leisure in Lecce or Salento Peninsula

Free day to explore Lecce independently.

Optional Full-Day Tour: Salento Peninsula & Otranto
Drive to Italy’s southernmost tip where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea. Visit the coastal town of Otranto and enjoy stunning sea views, fishing villages, and local cuisine.

Overnight: Lecce
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6 – Tuesday: Matera – The Ancient Sassi

Travel to extraordinary Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explore the famous Sassi di Matera, ancient cave dwellings carved into limestone cliffs, dating back to prehistoric times.

Dinner at your hotel.

Overnight: Matera
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7 – Wednesday: Pompeii & Naples

Journey toward Naples with a stop at legendary Pompeii Archaeological Park, preserved under volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Walk ancient streets, temples, and the Forum before continuing to Naples.

Overnight: Naples
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 – Thursday: Naples Historic Center

Panoramic tour of Naples, overlooking the Bay of Naples.

Optional afternoon visits:

• Naples National Archaeological Museum

• Underground Naples

• Seafront promenade

Farewell dinner in the evening.

Overnight: Naples
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 – Friday: Depart Italy

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Meals: Breakfast

✨ Package Includes

✔ Roundtrip Flights: New York – Bari / Naples – New York
✔ 7 Nights First-Class Hotels
✔ 11 Meals (7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners)
✔ Deluxe Air-Conditioned Motor Coach
✔ English-Speaking Tour Manager
✔ Professional Local Guides
✔ Entrance Fees per Itinerary
✔ Hotel Taxes & Service Charges
✔ Porterage & Included Gratuities
✔ Wireless Audio Headsets for Touring
✔ Transfers (with airfare purchase)