Country Roads of Southern Italy - Small Group
Country Roads of Southern Italy - Small Group
$3995
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Southern Italy with the "Country Roads of Southern Italy - Small Group" tour. This cultural adventure begins in the historic city of Rome, where you'll explore ancient treasures with a local expert. Discover the unique Trulli structures in Alberobello and the Sassi cave dwellings in Matera, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Experience the vibrant Baroque architecture of Lecce and the ancient streets of Pompeii. Enjoy a taste of local life in Grottole, and indulge in the flavors of Capri with a limoncello tasting. Travel in comfort aboard a luxurious, air-conditioned coach, and stay in charming accommodations that blend modern amenities with local charm. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes, ensuring a memorable Italian escape. ...more ...less
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Capri: Discover the luxuriant Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire views of the Faraglioni rocks.
- Capri: Enjoy a tasting of limoncello and learn the history behind this traditional lemon liqueur.
Top Rated Highlights
- Rome: Discover ancient treasures of Rome with a passionate local. See Circus Maximus and the Ancient Forum, where Ancient Roman political life and law courts mingled with open-air markets and shops.
- Alberobello: Led by a Local Expert, explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing the Trulli of Alberobello. Circular structures with conical roofs that are domed within, built from local limestone and stacked without using mortar.
- Matera: With your Local Expert, visit the famous Sassi or cave dwellings, which were home to approximately 20,000 people until 1950s and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the first century.
- Capri: Cruise by jetfoil to this famous isle through beautiful blue Mediterranean waters.
Make Travel Matter
Grottole: Participate in the fascinating Wonder Grottole Project. This regeneration initiative works to rehabilitate the abandoned historic center and preserve village life. Your visit advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Authentic Dining
Alberobello: Learn about local life while savoring a freshly prepared Farm-to-Table meal featuring recipes and flavors typical of the region.
Insight Choice
Capri: Discover the luxuriant Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire views of the Faraglioni rocks.
Capri: Enjoy a tasting of limoncello and learn the history behind this traditional lemon liqueur.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Room 007 Select, Rome
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travelers over a delicious dinner with wine.
Day 2: Vatican City and Rome with a Local
Location: Vatican City, Rome
Accommodation Name: Room 007 Select, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rome is about art, antiquity, piazzas and palaces. Join a Local Expert for an in-depth experience bringing millennia of history to life. Journey from the Vatican City across the Tiber river to ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus. Admire the beautifully preserved Arch of Constantine and discover the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum on a guided visit. As you stroll with your Local Expert, imagine the gladiatorial battles and roaring spectators around the arena. Later, perhaps continue your exploration of Rome to see the Pantheon and the stunning piazzas and fountains of Rome.
Day 3: Alberobello
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The brilliant blue of the sky set against the white of the buildings of the southern Italian towns and villages will inspire the mind of any curious traveler. A photographer's paradise around every corner from Field Marigolds in early spring to date palm trees, figs and pomegranates with groves of olive trees for a picture perfect setting. Exploring the southern part of Italy is a chance to enter a world away from the throng of tourists and discover how Italians live and enjoy life. Rub shoulders with UNESCO World Heritage sites and friendly locals who will enchant you with their hospitality.
Day 4: The Trulli of Alberobello
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast
Admire another of Italy's record number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a Local Expert. The Trulli of Alberobello are circular structures with conical roofs that are domed within, built from local limestone and stacked without using mortar. Get up close learning the insights behind these unique structures. Relax this afternoon with your time at leisure or take the opportunity to join an optional experience to explore more of the Puglian countryside and heritage. Later, deepen your discoveries joining an optional experience for a Masseria dinner.
Day 5: Discovering Lecce
Location: Lecce, Gallipoli
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast
Italy will enchant the most curious of travelers. Enjoy a visit with your Local Expert to one of the most beautiful cities of southern Italy, Lecce. The town is often referred to as the Florence of the South due to its dazzling architectural, beautiful Baroque buildings and monuments dating back to Roman times. Amble along its spider's web of streets offering a kaleidoscope mix of long-range vistas and alluring glimpses. Next is the pretty seaside town of Gallipoli where you’ll view the Greek Fountain and medieval castle before making your way to a viewpoint looking out over the Ionian Sea.
Day 6: Journey South to Matera
Location: Matera, Grottole
Accommodation Name: MH Matera Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 recognise Matera as the biblical backdrop for the film ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ Continue to the small village of Grottole. Once a thriving community, it has lost most of its activity and population. Meet Andrea, a local striving to reignite the traditional way of living of the area. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience explore the historic old town to learn about the fascinating history of the village. Later, enjoy an aperitif with local snacks helping to preserve the culture. This evening, reflect on your day of discoveries over dinner with your fellow travelers.
Day 7: Pompeii and Sorrento
Location: Pompeii, Sorrento
Accommodation Name: Isabella, Sorrento
Meals Included: Breakfast
Buried in A.D. 79 by the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, discover the archaeological site of Pompeii in the region of Campania. Walk with your Local Expert through the cobbled streets to see a city frozen in time. Venture on to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched upon the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples and looking over to Mount Vesuvius.
Day 8: Capri, the Isle of Dreams
Location: Capri
Accommodation Name: Isabella, Sorrento
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The impossibly blue sea welcomes you to the sun-drenched island of Capri as you cruise by jetfoil. On arrival, meet your Local Expert for an orientation walk through the narrow alleyways. Explore Capri with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the immaculate Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire the views over the Faraglioni Rocks. Alternatively, enjoy a tasting of limoncello, Capri’s famous lemon liqueur.
Day 9: Depart Sorrento
Location: Sorrento, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, wave goodbye to your fellow travelers as you depart Sorrento on a coach transfer to Rome airport.
What's Included
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Choice Highlights
Choose between two carefully selected activities, including discovering the luxuriant Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and enjoying a tasting of limoncello in Capri.
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Top Rated Highlights
Discover ancient treasures of Rome with a passionate local, cruise by jetfoil to Capri, explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello, visit the famous Sassi of Matera, and walk through the cobbled streets of Pompeii with a Local Expert.
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Make Travel Matter
Participate in the Wonder Grottole Project, a regeneration initiative that works to rehabilitate the abandoned historic center and preserve village life.
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Additional Included Highlights
Personal radio headsets, hotel and restaurant tips, taxes and porterage charges, luggage handling, Insight Flourish, complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi, and scheduled airport transfers are included.
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Insight Experiences
Meet Andrea in Grottole for an aperitif and a tour of the village.
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Well-being
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Hand sanitizer is freely available on board.
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Transport
Travel in style with Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach featuring double the standard legroom and onboard washroom, ensuring a comfortable journey throughout Southern Italy.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as exploring more of the Puglian countryside and heritage or joining a Masseria dinner are not included.
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Transfers Outside Scheduled Times
Transfers are not included if your flights are outside the itinerary start and end dates, unless additional nights accommodation are booked with Insight Vacations.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach featuring double the standard legroom and onboard washroom, ensuring a comfortable journey throughout Southern Italy.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at Room 007 Select in Rome, Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri in Alberobello, MH Matera Hotel in Matera, and Isabella in Sorrento, offering a blend of modern amenities and local charm.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Grottole: Meet Andrea for an aperitif and a tour of the village.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom, ensuring a comfortable journey throughout Southern Italy.
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes unique experiences such as participating in the Wonder Grottole Project, a regeneration initiative to preserve village life, and meeting Andrea in Grottole for an aperitif and a tour of the village.
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Are there any optional experiences available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional experiences available such as exploring more of the Puglian countryside and heritage or joining a Masseria dinner.
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What is the focus of the 'Make Travel Matter' experience in Grottole?
The 'Make Travel Matter' experience in Grottole focuses on exploring the historic old town to learn about the fascinating history of the village and participating in efforts to preserve the traditional way of living in the area.
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What are the accommodation options during the tour?
The tour includes stays at Room 007 Select in Rome, Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri in Alberobello, MH Matera Hotel in Matera, and Isabella in Sorrento, offering a blend of modern amenities and local charm.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 4 dinners and 8 breakfasts.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Country Roads of Southern Italy - Small Group
9 Days Starting and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: Rome, Vatican City, Alberobello, Lecce, Gallipoli, Matera, Grottole, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SE821N26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
