Itinerary
- Day 1
Naples to Sorrento
You'll arrive at Naples airport or train station and pick up your rental car for the drive to Sorrento. The rest of the day is open for you to settle in or explore at your own pace. If you're interested, there's an optional drive along the Amalfi Coast where you can stop in Positano to walk around its colorful streets, check out Amalfi's 9th-century cathedral, and drive up to Ravello for views from its hilltop villas and gardens overlooking the water.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Amalfi Coast excursion including Positano village stroll and beach time at Spiaggia Grande
- Visit Amalfi Cathedral and Piazza Duomo
- Explore Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone gardens in Ravello with panoramic sea views
Landmarks Positano Amalfi Cathedral Villa Rufolo Villa Cimbrone 
- Day 2
Sorrento area
After breakfast, you'll head to Pompeii to see the ancient Roman city that was buried and preserved by volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Walking through the site, you'll pass old streets, villas, forums, temples, and theaters with frescoes still intact from centuries ago. In the afternoon, continue south to Paestum where you can optionally visit the National Archaeological Museum or walk around three impressive Greek temples showing Doric architecture. By evening you'll return to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Pompeii ancient ruins including houses, temples, theaters, forum, and frescoes
Optional Activities
- National Archaeological Museum visit in Paestum
- View three Greek temples (Hera, Neptune, Ceres) in Paestum
Landmarks Pompeii Mount Vesuvius Paestum Temples Temple of Hera Temple of Neptune Temple of Ceres - Day 3
Sorrento area
Early morning you'll take a boat across the Gulf of Naples to Capri. During the crossing you'll see the Faraglioni rock formations, Punta Carena lighthouse, and several grottos, including the well-known Blue Grotto with its blue water. Once you dock at Marina Grande, you have about 5 to 6 hours of free time on the island to wander around as you like. Bring comfortable shoes and your camera. The boat returns you to the Sorrento area that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Boat tour to Capri with views of Faraglioni rocks, Punta Carena lighthouse, and grottos including Blue Grotto
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Capri island during 5-6 hours of free time
Landmarks Capri Blue Grotto Faraglioni Rocks Punta Carena Lighthouse Marina Grande 
- Day 4
Sorrento to Taranto
You'll leave Sorrento and drive roughly 315 km toward Taranto, with a stop in Matera. This city is one of the world's oldest, located in Basilicata, and you'll walk through the narrow streets of the Sassi district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its steep hillside setting and as a filming location for The Passion of the Christ. Take time to photograph the town before driving on through scenic countryside toward Taranto.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Stroll through Matera's 'Sassi' district and UNESCO World Heritage Site streets
Optional Activities
- Photo break and exploration of Matera's historic architecture and hilltop villages
Landmarks Matera Sassi 
- Day 5
Taranto area
You'll explore Ostuni and its distinctive white-painted old town surrounded by green olive groves. Walking the winding alleyways and small squares, you'll see the 15th-century cathedral and various churches. From there, you'll head through the Itria Valley to Alberobello to see the trulli, traditional cone-roofed stone houses that are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After exploring both towns across about 125 km, you'll return to Taranto.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Ostuni old town with white-washed buildings and cathedral
- Visit to Alberobello trulli UNESCO World Heritage Site
Landmarks Ostuni Cathedral Alberobello Trulli Itria Valley 
- Day 6
Taranto area
You'll drive to Lecce, called the Florence of the South for its Baroque architecture. There you can tour the Basilica of Santa Croce which took 150 years to build, walk past the cathedral and Porta Napoli gate, and see Palazzo dei Celestini. The Roman theater in Piazza San'Oronzo dates to the 2nd century. You'll learn about Lecce's papier-mâché art tradition from the 17th and 18th centuries. Later, continue to the coastal town of Gallipoli on a small island and walk its alleyways to see the baroque Cathedral of Sant'Agata and a 13th-century fortress. You can try the local dessert pasticciotto or join a boat tour if interested. About 212 km of driving gets you back to Taranto.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Lecce including Basilica of Santa Croce, cathedral, Porta Napoli gate, and Palazzo dei Celestini
- Visit Roman theater in Piazza San'Oronzo
- Explore Gallipoli old town and Cathedral of Sant'Agata
Optional Activities
- Try traditional 'Pasticciotto Leccese' dessert
- Boat tour or snorkeling excursion in Gallipoli
Landmarks Basilica of Santa Croce Lecce Cathedral Porta Napoli Palazzo dei Celestini Roman Theater Piazza San'Oronzo Gallipoli Cathedral of Sant'Agata Gallipoli Fortress 
- Day 7
Taranto to Tropea
You're heading from Apulia into Calabria, starting at the fishing village of Pizzo with its narrow alleyways and quiet squares. There you'll see Piedigrotta church built right into limestone cliffs overlooking the water, and you can try the local truffle ice cream. From there, drive to Tropea to walk its old town with grand palaces and the Norman cathedral. Stop at Santa Maria dell'Isola church on a hill above white sand beaches with Aeolian Island views. Continue to Capo Vaticano lighthouse for some of the best views in the region over cliffs and bays. You'll also visit a shop with local Calabrian products and food items.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Exploration of Pizzo fishing village including church of Piedigrotta
- Exploration of Tropea old town, Norman cathedral, and church of Santa Maria dell'Isola
- Visit to Capo Vaticano lighthouse
Optional Activities
- Sample famous truffle ice cream in Pizzo
- Shopping for typical Calabrian products and local delicacies
Landmarks Pizzo Church of Piedigrotta Tropea Tropea Norman Cathedral Church of Santa Maria dell'Isola Capo Vaticano Lighthouse 
- Day 8
Tropea area
You'll travel to Scilla in the Costa Viola area, known for its natural beauty. Spend time in the fishing village of Chianalea and see the Castello Ruffo di Scilla fortress on the coast, then visit the church of San Rocco. After that, head to Reggio Calabria, a city with many Art Nouveau palaces. The National Archaeological Museum there has interesting artifacts on display. You can walk along the beach promenade, which locals call the most beautiful kilometer in Italy. About 210 km of driving brings you back to Tropea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Scilla including Chianalea fishing village district and Castello Ruffo di Scilla fortress
- Visit church of San Rocco in Scilla
- Exploration of Reggio Calabria including Art Nouveau palaces
Optional Activities
- National Archaeological Museum visit in Reggio Calabria
- Stroll along Reggio Calabria beach promenade
Landmarks Scilla Chianalea Castello Ruffo di Scilla Church of San Rocco Reggio Calabria National Archaeological Museum 
- Day 9
Tropea to Sorrento
On your way back toward Sorrento, you'll stop in Cilento National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 known for its natural landscapes. You'll walk through wild olive groves, lemon orchards, and forests with diverse plant and animal life. After exploring the park, continue on to your final hotel in the Sorrento area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Exploration of Cilento National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site with olive groves, lemon trees, and forests
Landmarks Cilento National Park - Day 10
Sorrento to Naples
You'll have breakfast at the hotel and then check out around 10 am. Drive your rental car to Naples airport to return it, then arrange your individual departure. You can also look into extending your stay if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
