fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Southern Italy: Amalfi Coast & Puglia

Southern Italy: Amalfi Coast & Puglia

From $ 4,415 AUD

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print
,

Description

Set off on an unforgettable journey through Italy’s sun-drenched, slower-paced Puglia region. Embrace the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast, sip sweet Moscato di Trani where it’s made (in Trani, of course) and tour Lecce’s Roman ruins, Baroque churches and whitewashed alleyways. Wander among trulli houses in Alberobello and the ancient hillside sassi dwellings in Matera. Then, finish in Bari, where the lanes of the Old Town lead to the Basilica di San Nicola and medieval squares, filled with spots for the best seafood and limoncello by the Adriatic. With a local leader at your side, and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, why not head down and say ciao to Italy’s southern slice of the Adriatic.

Trip Name
Southern Italy: Amalfi Coast & Puglia
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
10
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Join the sophisticates of Puglia at a harbour-side bar in Trani and sip a glass of Moscato di Trani where it’s made, with the Adriatic’s sparkling waters before you.
  • Explore the otherworldly sassi of Matera – ancient stone houses formed from natural grottoes and tufo cliffs overlooking a dramatic gorge. Then, spend the night overlooking them, picturing what life was like long ago.
  • Discover the distinctive Baroque architecture of Lecce, taking plenty of photos of the ornate churches, grand palazzi and lively piazzas that give this city such a special flavour.
  • Spend a free day your way on the Amalfi Coast – maybe wander to Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea and Chiostro del Paradiso, hike the Valley of Mills or visit Ravello’s villas.
  • Toast to your adventure, sipping local limoncello and snacking on focaccia barese in the tangled streets of Bari’s Old Town.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk., MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Many sites, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays). We recommend checking the opening times of anywhere you're interested to visit and making reservations where required/possible.

Day 1 - Minori
Ciao! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Amalfi Coast, in the small town of Minori. The Amalfi peninsula is a land of rocky coasts, cliff-top vistas, bright seas, tiered lemon groves, whitewashed villages, steep cliffs and blue skies. You'll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive in Minori Town early, why not take a self-guided stroll in search of some gorgeous panoramic views of the coast. Or you could just plant yourself at a sunny piazza cafe and enjoy a macchiato or a gelato.
Day 2 - Minori
You have a free day to explore Minori and Amalfi Town (just a quick bus ride away) today. If you're after a relaxing walk with a few cultural highlights, maybe stroll from one side of the town to the other and visit the Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea and the Chiostro del Paradiso. If you’re after something more active, maybe head out on a walk through the Valley of Mills. Or you could hop on a bus to the Valley of Dragons to reach pretty Ravello – for centuries, its lofty position and sunny, dry climate have beckoned writers, artists, musicians and travellers. Ravello also boasts two magnificent villas, the 11th-century Villa Rufolo – once the home of Wagner – and Villa Cimbrone – a 19th-century mansion with sprawling gardens and great views over the Gulf of Salerno. You could also take a half-day walk along the narrow trail of the famous Sentiero Degli Dei (the Walk of the Gods) through forests and fields of wildflowers, olive groves and vineyards.
Day 3 - Trani
This morning, set off by train to Italy's east coast, where you’ll spend the next two nights in Trani, known as the 'Pearl of Puglia.’ Once an ancient trading hub for merchants travelling to the Near East, this bustling port town is a favourite summer yachting destination. When you arrive, hit the limestone streets on a walking tour to explore the historic centre and its medieval churches, the most notable being the white cathedral that rises from the seawall by the ocean. Later, maybe head out with your fellow travellers and kick back on the waterfront to watch the sophisticates of Puglia clink glasses of Moscato di Trani in cosy bars.
Day 4 - Trani
Today is a free day to explore all that Trani has to offer. You might like to visit the dramatic Cattedrale di San Nicola Pellegrino, which begun in 1099 and has taken over two centuries to finish – the soft, white-pink limestone Norman cathedral is dedicated to the famously foolish St Nicholas the Pilgrim, whose bones lie in the crypt below the church. Inside, it’s bright, airy and simply furnished, with the remains of a 12th-century mosaic near the main altar. You might also head to the castle built by Frederick II – the king of Sicily, Italy, Germany, Jerusalem and the Holy Roman Emperor in the 13th century. Or maybe explore the medieval Jewish quarter, built in all-white stone, and its two largest synagogues, the Scola Nova and the Scola Grande. Fishermen sell the day’s catch in the marina, so maybe head there for dinner and grab a glass of wine harbourside.
Day 5 - Lecce
Head south today to Lecce – the Baroque architecture here is so distinctive it has its own name, barocco leccese! Elaborate palazzi (mansions) complement a defensive main square, while Roman ruins and magnificent allegories dance across ornate facades. The university gives the town a lively feel, and there are little boutiques, antique shops and delicious delis to explore, here. Take a tour of the town with a local guide, then have your afternoon and evening free to explore at your own pace.
Day 6 - Lecce
Embrace a free day to explore Lecce. If open, maybe step beneath the city and see the restored Roman amphitheatre excavated in the 1930s. Built in the 2nd century AD, the remarkably intact theatre seated 15,000 people. Overlooking the arena is the Colonna di Sant'Oronzo – a statue of Lecce's patron saint mounted on a Roman column. Maybe check out the Basilica di Santa Croce’s facade of sheep, dodos, cherubs and monsters, or head to the Piazza del Duomo. Used in the past as a defence against invaders, the square's openness is bordered by a 12th-century cathedral, a 68 m (223 ft) bell tower, a 15th-century Episcopal palace and an 18th-century seminario. In the afternoon, meet up with your group for an aperitivo with local specialties like friselle, taralli, puccia, bombette and burrate.
Day 7 - Alberobello
This morning, head to a local masseria to meet an olive oil producer. Learn how the techniques have changed over the millennia, then try a taste for yourself. Some olive trees here are thought to be close to 3000 years old and the farm has been active since Roman times. Continue to Ostuni and have some time to explore its narrow streets before moving on to Alberobello – a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town’s beehive-shaped trulli – small, dry-stone houses built from local limestone in the 14th century – are the big drawcard here. The origins of the buildings are unclear, although it's possible the mortar-less dwellings were created to be easily dismantled in a feudal tax evasion scheme. Wander the Old Town quarter of Rione Monti, where thousands of trulli and souvenir shops rise over the hill, or head over to Rione Aia Piccola and see trulli family dwellings.
Day 8 - Matera
After breakfast today, you’ll leave the fairytale town behind and move on to Matera – home to another ancient and unique style of home. One of the oldest cities in existence, Matera's otherworldly sassi – stone houses formed from natural grottoes and tufo cliffs overlooking a gorge – are a haunting and bittersweet insight into ancient life here. The Old Town’s resemblance to Jerusalem has attracted film directors of biblical epics, but its dark interiors were the scene of poverty in the mid-20th century. Duck down into the sassi through the knot of staircases and alleyways that snake through the limestone ravines and take a guided tour to appreciate both its ancient and modern history. Tonight, you’ll stay in accommodation with balconies that overlook the sassi.
Day 9 - Bari
This morning is free for you to explore the narrow alleyways and caves of Matera before boarding a local train to Bari around lunchtime. Sitting on a small peninsula in the Adriatic Sea overlooking Greece, Bari is the prosperous capital of Puglia. The tangled streets of its Old Town – Bari Vecchia – conceal Romanesque churches, a market, medieval piazzas and a Swabian castle. The Basilica di San Nicola was built to hold the relics of St Nicholas, which were stolen from Turkey by local Bari fishermen and have made the city a place of pilgrimage since 1087. Maybe take a walk along the stone walls, with the sea lapping on one side and the medieval town on the other. Maybe see out your last night with a group meal by the harbour, sampling local limoncello and some of the city’s famous seafood.
Day 10 - Bari
Your journey will come to an end after breakfast today and you are free to depart at any time. If you would like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
21-04-202730-04-2027AUD $ 4,640-
28-04-202707-05-2027AUD $ 4,545-
05-05-202714-05-2027AUD $ 4,595-
12-05-202721-05-2027AUD $ 4,680-
26-05-202704-06-2027AUD $ 4,880-
09-06-202718-06-2027AUD $ 4,545-
07-07-202716-07-2027AUD $ 4,460-
21-07-202730-07-2027AUD $ 4,415-
04-08-202713-08-2027AUD $ 4,415-
18-08-202727-08-2027AUD $ 4,545-
25-08-202703-09-2027AUD $ 4,680-
01-09-202710-09-2027AUD $ 4,770-
08-09-202717-09-2027AUD $ 4,770-
15-09-202724-09-2027AUD $ 4,770-
22-09-202701-10-2027AUD $ 4,770-
29-09-202708-10-2027AUD $ 4,770-
06-10-202715-10-2027AUD $ 4,680-
13-10-202722-10-2027AUD $ 4,680-
20-10-202729-10-2027AUD $ 4,545-
27-10-202705-11-2027AUD $ 4,415-
05-04-202814-04-2028AUD $ 4,635-
19-04-202828-04-2028AUD $ 4,635-
26-04-202805-05-2028AUD $ 4,635-
03-05-202812-05-2028AUD $ 4,770-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 4,915-
24-05-202802-06-2028AUD $ 4,915-
07-06-202816-06-2028AUD $ 4,770-
21-06-202830-06-2028AUD $ 4,770-
05-07-202814-07-2028AUD $ 4,635-
19-07-202828-07-2028AUD $ 4,635-
02-08-202811-08-2028AUD $ 4,635-
16-08-202825-08-2028AUD $ 4,770-
30-08-202808-09-2028AUD $ 4,915-
06-09-202815-09-2028AUD $ 5,010-
13-09-202822-09-2028AUD $ 5,010-
20-09-202829-09-2028AUD $ 5,010-
27-09-202806-10-2028AUD $ 5,010-
04-10-202813-10-2028AUD $ 5,010-
11-10-202820-10-2028AUD $ 4,915-
18-10-202827-10-2028AUD $ 4,915-
25-10-202803-11-2028AUD $ 4,770-

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights)

Transport

Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Taxi

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Intrepid Italy
More of activity:
Walking & Trekking