ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Welcome to Puglia! Whether you are landing at Bari or Brindisi International Airport, your private driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel of choice in Lecce, in the heart of Salento. Use this first day to relax in the hotel and take in the sights of the historical center of Lecce.
DAY 2
After breakfast, your private driver will meet you at the hotel and head towards the Italian Heel, the southernmost part of Puglia. Re-discover the Greek roots of this region, by visiting ancient settlements and listening to local dialects that are closer to the Greek language than Italian. Visit Gallipoli (Greek for beautiful city), enjoy the coast of Santa Maria di Leuca, and learn how the medieval walls of Otranto inspired The Castle of Otranto, the first Gothic novel ever written by H. Walpole.
DAY 3
Take this day to self-explore the splendid baroque city of Lecce, and optionally join a cooking class to discover the typical flavors and ingredients of this area. In this region, cooking is a matter of history and tradition, and your expert chef will be happy to share age-old stories and myths behind the recipes. Once all your dishes are completed, enjoy the fruits of your labor with a relaxing family-style lunch accompanied by local wine.
DAY 4
Your driver will meet you for your private transfer to Matera where you will check in at your hotel of choice. Afternoon at leisure, take your first glimpse of the Sassi area.
DAY 5
Your guide will meet you at the hotel for a memorable journey through the historical center of Matera, known worldwide as Sassi di Matera. During your tour, you will learn how small houses and caves have been exquisitely carved into the rocks to foster civilization in this sloped area.
DAY 6
Relax and continue self-exploring Matera or opt for a day trip to Alberobello and Locorotondo. Learn the history behind the typical trulli houses that are scattered around Alberobello earning the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. After Alberobello, enjoy a break in a local winery, and then you will head to Locorotondo, a historical “circular” town perched on top of a hill offering stunning views over the surrounding valley.
DAY 7
After meeting your driver, you will start your journey through the Basilicata and Calabria countryside until you reach your hotel of choice in Calabria. Optionally, enjoy a stop for lunch in northern Calabria. Once you reach Calabria, you will check into the hotel and spend the afternoon relaxing by the seaside and enjoying the hotel facilities.
DAY 8
Meet your driver at the hotel and embark on a journey through the western Calabrian coast, also known as the Coast of the Gods due to its ancient Greek roots. You are now in the heart of Greater Greece (Magna Graecia), as this area was known more than 2000 years ago. Discover the distinct Calabrian-Greek villages and dialects, let our expert guide enchant you with stories of ancient tribes and colonies, and don’t miss out on the natural beauty of this coast, which still to this day hides unspoiled coves and literal natural gems.
DAY 9
Spend this day on the beach or self-exploring the surrounding area. Optionally, you can add a private boating experience to your itinerary. As you explore the coast you will discover some of the most beautiful spots in the region and swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. If you would prefer to explore the history of the area, you can opt for a day trip to Reggio Calabria, where you will visit the National Archaeological Museum and get a first glimpse of your next destination.
DAY 10
After breakfast, you will meet your driver and head to either Lamezia Terme (station or airport) or Reggio Calabria (station), where a rental car of your choice will be waiting for you. Start your self-driving adventure towards Villa San Giovanni and hop on a short ferry to Sicily. Once in Sicily, drive to your hotel of choice and take the rest of the day to enjoy the vibe of this unique island. Alternatively, let us take care of all the arrangements and take you from Calabria to Sicily using a private transfer.
DAY 11
Meet the driver at the hotel or self-drive to Agrigento where an expert local guide will be waiting to uncover the secrets of the ancient Valley of Temples. Walk through 3000-year-old streets, admire the Greek and Roman heritage, and revel in the magnificence of temples that most would expect only to find in Greece. Optionally, you can add a traditional lunch with wine and then continue to Piazza Armerina, a cute baroque town that deserves the visit of every history buff.
DAY 12
Based on your hotel of choice, today you can either join a local guide for a walk through the vibrant streets of Palermo, where you will discover how Byzantine and Arabic influences have shaped this centuries-old city, or let a private driver take you back through time to discover the ancient Greek colony of Siracusa, the baroque capital Noto and the artistic old town of Modica.
DAY 13
Drop the rental car off at Catania Fontarossa airport or Palermo Punta Raisi airport, to catch your flight back home.
