Country Roads Of Puglia & The Neapolitan Riviera

You will depart from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport in the morning to late afternoon. Join your travel director in the evening to explore the Eternal City, passing the Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city. Get to know your fellow travelers over a pleasant welcome dinner as you dine at your hotel's restaurant, Unique al Palatino.

Head southeast, through the sun-baked landscapes to the region of Puglia and its most spectacular town, Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With your local expert, explore the small, white-washed stone houses - known as Trulli - which are clustered together throughout the city and built entirely without mortar.

Puglia is a paradise for wine-lovers. Join an expert vintner for a tasting of the region's most robust and structured reds - as rich and complex as anything you'll find in Tuscany! For your dine-at-home experience, you are welcomed into a local family's home. See Nonna making orecchiette pasta and join her for a traditional freshly prepared southern Italian meal.

The day is free for you to enjoy this extraordinary town as you wish. Join an optional experience to the stunning city of Ostuni. With its dazzling white-washed houses and fascinating history, it is a true delight.

Visit Matera with a local expert for an in-depth exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi — a labyrinth of cave dwellings, churches, staircases and arches, hewn out of the solid rock. You may recognize Matera as the biblical backdrop for the film "The Passion of the Christ." Your journey continues with rolling green hills and wide mountain views paving the way, as you head towards the Tyrrhenian Sea. Take the dramatic coastal road to the lively clifftop town of Sorrento. Perched upon the cliffs, look out to see the mighty Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples.

Cruise by hydrofoil through the impossibly blue sea to the sun-drenched island of Capri. On arrival, ride an open-top taxi up to Capri town where your local expert escorts you to Caesar Augustus Gardens for views of the Faraglioni rocks and a refreshing lemon granita. After exploring the winding cobble streets, descend to the port by funicular before returning to Sorrento where you are at leisure for the rest of the day.

Travel along Italy's finest coastline, the Amalfi Coast. Stop for a bird's-eye view of the terraced houses of Positano before venturing in to the heart of the town. There's time to be tempted by the boutiques before returning to Sorrento to enjoy stunning views down to the clear waters of the Bay of Naples. Maybe relax over coffee and contemplate your options. You could stroll down to the harbor, visit the Church of St. Francis, take a swim from the foot of the cliffs or just relax and enjoy the warm, southern sunshine.

Journey north to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Your local expert walks you through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples. Witness the colorful frescoes that were hidden for centuries. Continue beneath the brooding hilltop monastery of Monte Cassino and back to Rome where your journey reaches its zenith in the evening. In the heart of the Eternal City, you are treated to a quintessential Italian experience – fine food, wine, music and a private performance of enchanting operetta for your celebration dinner.

You will leave Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci airport.