Enchanting People, Enchanting Travels
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Itinerary Details

Day 1 – 4

International Arrival

You will be met at the arrival lounge and assisted with further connection. You will be transferred from Rome airport to your hotel in a private vehicle.

3 Nights

Rome

‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’, or so the saying goes. It is awe inspiring to remember that the powerful city of Rome once held the destiny of millions within its walls—in its old senate houses, ancient temples, plebeian marketplaces, public circuses and amphitheaters. The ancient Italian capital is still a cosmopolitan city with over 3,000 years of history, culture and architecture living cheek by jowl with its modern avatar. The sight of the Colosseum, the graceful Pantheon and the Roman Forum have continued to evoke wonder and awe among travelers down the centuries. As with other ancient cities around the world, Rome is strewn with monuments marking its tumultuous history. The Vatican City, housed within Rome, pays homage to the once mighty seat of Christendom’s Holy Roman Empire. As St. Peter’s Basilica towers over the landscape, Michelangelo’s priceless frescos guard the walls of the Sistine Chapel. Priceless art and architecture are hard to miss in this heady European city: Bernini’s fountains, Michelangelo’s sculptures, Caravaggio’s paintings and Raphael’s frescoes follow you at every turn. Cobbled streets, elaborate piazzas and spectacular fountains recall a baroque era, while masterful artwork, churches and museums point to a rich Renaissance period. Alfresco dining, good food, cheerful street life and ancient traditions of Roman feasts have travelers asking for more.

Included activities

Personalized Historic Rome on Foot

Discover the ancient monuments of the city with this interesting walking exploration. Set off with your knowledgeable guide for the open-air market at Piazza Campo de Fiori with its colorful displays of fruits, vegetables, crafts, and other items. Browse through the market as you take a short break before heading on to bustling Navona Square. Stroll around looking at the fountains, churches, and palaces around the square that are the works of famous artists such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. Walk on till you come upon the magnificent Pantheon, once a temple devoted to pagan deities that now serves as a Christian basilica. Saunter past Palazzo Madama, the seat of the Italian senate, and the Column of Marcus Aurelius constructed in honor of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. Leave behind Palazzo Montecitorio, the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, as you make your way to the famous shopping street of Via Condotti with its exclusive boutiques. Amble to the end of the street to the iconic Trevi Fountain made famous by the 1960 movie La Dolce Vita. You could throw a coin into the fountain before heading on to the Spanish Steps with its sloping staircase and the elegant Barcaccia fountain. (Half Day; Private Activity & self organized transfer if required; Fitness Level: Moderate. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate for church visits.)

Group Majestic Vatican Group Tour

Visit the glorious Vatican Museums, an expansive complex that houses the world’s largest private art collection across 54 galleries and two papal palaces. Admire the stunning architecture and the elegant décor as you enter the premises and walk through the corridors. Accompanying passionate expert guides, absorb centuries of history via anecdotes and hidden details that bring the art to life, showcasing the power and politics of the Vatican City. Amid this treasure trove of priceless art including works by master painters and celebrated artists, see magnificent frescoes, rare sculptures, and prized paintings. Navigate the many rooms including favorites such as the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of Tapestries, and the Gallery of the Maps featuring painted topographical maps of Italy. Take a break at the airy Belvedere Courtyard. Stepping inside the Sistine Chapel, marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings. Observe scenes from the Old Testament, with hidden symbols of Judaism. Continue further to the ornate St Peter’s Basilica, considered the world’s largest and the most important church, thanks to the crypt that serves as a site of pilgrimage for Catholics. After browsing Bernini’s Baldachin, climb the dome for a close look at the ceiling mosaics, and enjoy the best view of Rome, concluding an experience of a lifetime! (Half Day; Time: 1430 hrs; Shared Activity with max group size 12 guests; Self organized transfer to the meeting point; Meeting point: Cantina del Duca, Via Santamaura 60, Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes prior; Fitness level: easy-moderate, Please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear appropriate clothing – shorts, miniskirts and uncovered shoulders are not allowed in the Basilica – and comfortable walking shoes. If St. Peter’s Basilica is being used for a religious ceremony or function, the tour will continue outside.)

Hotel options

Hotel Ponte Sisto – Opt 1
Room Superior Room
Meals Breakfast
Style International
Donna Camilla Savelli – Opt 2
Room Superior Room
Meals Breakfast
Style Boutique
Day 4 – 6

You will be transferred from your hotel to Rome train station in a private vehicle

Board your train from Rome to Bari (Duration: 4 hrs)

Your chauffeur will drive you from Bari to Matera in a private vehicle (Duration: 1 hrs)

2 Nights

Matera

Matera, a few hours south-east of Naples, is a historic town in southern Italy’s Basilicata region, built on the slopes of a rocky ravine and dominated by a warren of cave dwellings inhabited for at least 9,000 years. Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site, is split into two sections, the Sasso Barisano and the Sasso Caveoso, and separated by a ridge crowned with the 13th-century Matera Cathedral. Visit the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera, which includes over 150 churches and monasteries hewn out of pale limestone rock. They are decorated with frescos painted by Byzantine monks. Head to the town’s main square, Piazza Vittorio Veneto, with its eye-catching giant sculpture, Salvador Dali’s Space Elephant. On a guided tour of Palombaro Lungo, learn about this magnificent 16th-century subterranean manmade water cistern. Matera boasts several interesting museums, including the Archaeological Museum with its collection of 4th-5th century Greek vases, the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Sculpture. Matera’s rich culinary tradition is accentuated by its restaurants serving provincial specialties. Try the delicious cannolo materano, paired with excellent passito wine.

Included activities

Personalized Matera Walking Tour

Explore the fascinating city of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, accompanied by your private guide. Each area has numerous sassi (caves) which the city is famous for, alongside houses and cave churches. As you make your way around the city, your guide will tell you about its turbulent history during the early years when people lived in poverty, until they evacuated in 1950, abandoning the sassi for the next 30 years. Visit an ancient cave church and see a preserved fresco of Saint Lucio dating back to the 1500s. Afterward, head to several panoramic viewpoints before stepping into the Romanesque-style Matera Cathedral to admire its beautiful interiors, decorated with gold and marble. You will also see an original medieval fresco of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy.’ Continue to the main square to see the Palombaro Lungo, a unique underground cistern, and end your tour with a stop at the historic Church of St. John. (Duration: half-day; Private activity & no transfers; Meals not included; Entrance fees included; Fitness level: moderate.)

Hotel options

Relais Casa di Lucio – Opt 1
Room Deluxe Room
Meals Breakfast
Style Boutique
Sextantio le Grotte della Civita – Opt 2
Room Classic Room
Meals Breakfast
Style Boutique
Day 6 – 8

Your chauffeur will drive you from Matera to Lecce in a private vehicle. Enroute you will visit sights as specified under activities. (Duration without stops: 2hrs)

2 Nights

Lecce

Nestled in Puglia’s Salento Peninsula, Lecce is brimming with historical attractions. The city’s distinctive architecture, known as ‘Barocco leccese’, is evident in the sandstone sculpted piazzas and monuments like the Porta Napoli and the Duomo. The Basilica di Santa Croce and Lecce Cathedral are particularly remarkable for their ornate facades, intricate statues and stunning rose windows. Stroll through the second-century Roman amphitheater and the imposing Lecce Castello, designed in the classic four-cornered defense tradition. History buffs can explore more of the city’s past at the many museums, while art lovers will enjoy the city’s famed papier-mache products. The gardens, fountains, and flowering trees of Villa Communale di Lecce offer the perfect spot for a leisurely afternoon. You can also head out to Cesine Nature Reserve, where leafy trails lead to the golden sands and warm waters of the Adriatic Sea. The late evening bustle of historic piazzas in Lecce invite you to end the day with a glass of local rosé and hearty seafood antipasti.

Included activities

We recommend: Explore Lecce at your leisure

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting the following places in Lecce. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, an architectural masterpiece and one of the town’s most important churches. The interiors contain 17 richly decorated altars that display mythological figures and angels in celebration, as well as cherubs, flowers and animals. Next, head to Piazza Sant’Oronzo, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Here, you’ll find a tall column with the statue of Sant’Oronzo and the ruins of a Roman amphitheater. Stop at Caffe Alvino for a pasticciotto, which is a pastry filled with ricotta cheese or egg custard. Rest awhile in Villa Comunale and people-watch. At the Papier Mache Museum, learn about the craft’s history and how it is manufactured. Amble through five rooms filled with painted religious and peasant figurines, ornamental flowers and jewelry, and tiny plates of food for dolls’ houses. End with a stroll along Via Salvatore Trinchese that is occupied by music venues and fashionable boutiques selling leather bags and jackets. (En route; Self-explore activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Personalized Visit to Alberobello

While driving from Matera to Lecce, stop at Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the mortarless hobbit houses. Alberobello is famous for its unique collection of well-preserved trulli, former dwellings of agricultural laborers in the Itria Valley. Arrive at the town center and meet your guide who will lead you through the trulli-lined streets. Discover these curious conical-roofed, whitewashed structures constructed from limestone boulders. Pass by traditional buildings with their distinctive gnome-hat roofs and wrought-iron balconies. Notice symbols such as crosses and evil eyes painted on the roofs. Then, head to the scenic Rione Monti district, characterized by about 1,000 trulli. Several trulli structures house shops and restaurants, while others provide accommodation for visitors seeking a unique experience. Gain insight into the ancient construction method that is still used today. After, continue on your journey to your hotel in Lecce. (Enroute activity; Duration: 3 hrs; Private activity & transfer; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy)

Personalized Otranto Walking Tour

Begin this tour with a 40-minute drive to Otranto, where you will pass mountain landscapes and villages Once you reach, proceed to explore this historic coastal town. Stroll through its maze of cobbled streets, along ancient fortifications and wind your way toward Otranto Cathedral. It features a blend of Christian, Romanesque and Byzantine architectural styles, and a 12-century floor mosaic that depicts the ‘Tree of Life’. While visiting the ossuary chapel, learn about the basilica’s dark history. See an altar that displays the skulls and bones of 813 martyrs, who died defending their faith in 1480. Walk along the city walls and ramparts to stop at the Church of Saint Peter, which is replete with frescoes and Greek inscriptions. Ascend to the Aragonese Castle and tour its chambers, halls and tunnels, and take in sweeping sea views. Finally, visit the abandoned bauxite quarry and its lake. (Duration: 5 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable walking shoes; Not available on Sundays)

Hotel options

Palazzo De Noha – Opt 1
Room Superior Room – 23 sqm
Meals Breakfast
Style Boutique
Pollicastro Boutique Hotel – Opt 2
Room Classic Room – 24 sqm
Meals Breakfast
Style Boutique
Day 8 – 11

Your chauffeur will drive you from Lecce to Fasano in a private vehicle. Enroute you will visit sights as specified under activities. (Duration without stops: 1hr)

3 Nights

Fasano

Fasano is a charming town that lies between the hills and the sea in southern Italy. An ancient settlement, dating back to Greco-Roman times, it is almost equidistant from the cities of Bari, Brindisi, and Taranto. With its maze of alleys, stairways, and piazzas, the historic center of Fasano is a delight to discover. The Baroque-style Arco dei Cavalieri and the Palazzo of the Knights of Malta are some of the prominent landmarks here. Soak in the ambiance at the bustling Piazza Ciaia with its cafes and shops, an ideal spot to people-watch and sample delicious gelato. Chronicling the region’s olive cultivation legacy is the Museum of Olive Oil, housed in a 12th-century farmhouse. There is also the Zoosafari with its wild animal safari, marine park, and carnival rides, which is popular with people of all ages. Annual events such as La Scamiciata, with its medieval vibe, and the Jazz Festival see the town turn into a hub of fun. There are also plenty of restaurants and eateries that serve wholesome food made with fresh produce and seafood specialities.

Included activities

Personalized Visit to Ostuni

Discover Ostuni, southern Italy’s ‘white city’, while traveling from Lecce to Fasano. Drive through the beautiful Itria Valley to arrive in Ostuni. Meet your guide and walk across the main square dominated by an ornately carved stone column, topped with a statue of Saint Oronzo. Wind your way through the Old Town, a maze of cobbled alleyways, staircases and arches. Head uphill to catch glimpses of the shimmering Adriatic Sea. Take in sweeping views of the surrounding countryside from Largo Castello and follow Via Cattedrale past monumental palaces and churches. At the top of the hill you’ll find the 15th-century Duomo nestled in a plaza, which also features the Palazzo Vescovile and Palazzo del Seminario. Ostuni Cathedral displays Romanesque, Gothic and Byzantine design elements on its facade, while its interiors are adorned with ancient artworks and carved wooden altars. Finally, make your way to Piazza della Liberta, before continuing on your journey to Fasano. (Enroute activity; Duration: 3 hrs; Private activity & transfer; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy)

We recommend: Explore Fasano at your leisure

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting the following places in Fasano. Begin with a drive to Grotte di Castellana, a mesmerizing cave system. It comprises Italy’s longest natural subterranean network of passages. The caves are home to an extraordinary range of underground landscapes, geological formations and crystallized caverns. Walk down the caves and you’ll experience natural light streaming through the ceiling and creating surreal visual effects. Alternatively, families may visit Zoosafari Fasanolandia, which is Europe’s second largest wildlife park with more than 200 animal species. Stop for lunch at the FronteMare Restaurant, which is perched on a hill overlooking the sea. It is renowned for its raw and cooked seafood dishes and traditional Italian fare. To relax, head to the sandy Lido Ottagono Beach, sprawling with umbrellas and deck chairs. Explore Parco Commerciale di Casamassima, a premium shopping mall that has a host of boutiques, footwear stores, salons, spas and restaurants. As the day wanes, take a stroll along the idyllic harbor. (En route; Self-explore activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Personalized Cooking Class at Masseria Montenapoleone

Discover the art of preparing Apulian cuisine during this private cooking class in Fasano. In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to Masseria Montenapoleone, a fortified farmhouse that dates to the 1600s. There you will meet the farmer who will teach you how to make a variety of pastas from the region. Learn how to prepare the dough for orecchiette, cavatelli, and strascinati by using bran and flour and adding just the right amount of salt and water. Listen to stories about local traditions and history while you cook. The farmer will also explain how different types of wheat are grown and harvested. Enjoy a glass of wine during the class and taste the dishes you prepared before wrapping up. (Duration: half day; Time: 1100 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; This activity is not available in January)

Hotel options

Masseria Montenapoleone – Opt 1
Room Deluxe Rustic Room – 30 sqm
Meals Breakfast
Style Boutique
Masseria Torre Coccaro – Opt 2
Room Superior Room – 25 sqm
Meals Breakfast
Style Boutique

You will be transferred from your hotel to airport in a private vehicle

International Departure

This tour is ideal for those who want to go beyond the usual and see Italy’s hidden gems. Enjoy a walking tour of Rome and admire the glorious Vatican museums before heading off to explore the towns of Matera, Lecce and Fasano. Learn about Matera’s turbulent history on a tour that takes you to an ancient cave church, the historic Church of St. John and the original medieval fresco of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’. Lecce is brimming with historical attractions, and while here, you will also get to visit the coastal town of Otranto and Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A variety of experiences awaits you in Fasano, which include exploring Grotte di Castellana, a mesmerizing cave system and an Apulian cooking class at an ancient fortified farmhouse. This tour can be tailored according to your interests and preferences. Get in touch with our travel experts, who will be glad to craft a personalized experience for you.

Price & Inclusions

Option 1

From $6,990 USD / person

Option 2

From $7,990 USD / person

Prices are in USD and exclude international flights. This trip price is based on low season rates for accommodation and other applicable services, and may change depending on availability, currency fluctuations and number of people traveling together. For high season prices, please contact us with your exact travel dates and preferences.

Price Includes
  • Accommodation and meals, as specified in the itinerary
  • Activities and excursions, as specified in the itinerary
  • Transportation services, as specified in the itinerary
  • Your Trip Coordination Team: Dedicated support throughout your journey, with a primary, personal point of contact. Plus, in case of emergencies while you’re traveling, our trip coordination team are available 24/7 by phone
Not Included
  • Entrance fees and meals, unless mentioned in the itinerary description
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Visa and tourism fees
  • Travel, health, and cancellation insurance
  • International airfare

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