Fantasia Combo: Southern Lights: Rome, Sorrento, Capri & Puglia 12 Days Rome - Bari

Welcome to Rome! On arrival you will meet your driver at the airport in the arrivals hall, then be transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay. Remainder of day at leisure.  

Day at leisure or explore Rome at your own pace or on a selected tour.

After breakfast, depart by coach at 7:00am, traveling south along the “Autostrada del Sole” through the regions of Lazio and Campania. Along the way, admire breathtaking views of the Italian countryside and the stunning Amalfi Coast, where crystal-clear waters meet rolling hills dotted with lemon groves and picturesque villages. On arrival in Sorrento, the gem of the Amalfi Coast, explore its lively streets, artisanal ceramic workshops, and historic churches. After hotel check-in, the remainder of the day is at leisure.  
Optional (supplement applies): Take an excursion to discover more of the spectacular Amalfi Coast.
In the evening, dinner is at the hotel (recommended dress code: jacket for gentlemen).

After breakfast, transfer to the port of Sorrento and board a boat to Capri, an island long admired for its dramatic scenery, mild climate, and lush vegetation. On arrival, board a smaller vessel at Marina Grande for a visit to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting). Spend free time for lunch (not included) and explore Capri at your own pace, whether browsing shops or taking in the island’s sights. In the afternoon, return to the port for the boat journey back to Sorrento. Dinner at your hotel.

This morning is at leisure or join an optional excursion to Pompeii.
Optional (supplement applies): Depart Sorrento and travel to Pompeii, where a professional local guide will lead a walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the remarkably preserved ruins of the ancient Roman city, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Skip-the-line access and personal audio headsets are included to ensure clear commentary throughout the visit. Return to Sorrento.
At the scheduled time, meet your driver at the hotel and transfer to Caserta, where you board your train to Bari. On arrival at Bari Station, meet your driver for your transfer to your hote for a two-night stay. Remainder of day at leisure.  

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before meeting your Tour Leader for a morning tour of Bari, the vibrant capital of Puglia. Explore the charming old city centre, including the Basilica of San Nicola and the Norman-Swabian Castle, known for its breathtaking views (castle entry at your own expense). Continue to Piazza Mercantile and see the ancient Column of Justice. Remainder of the day is at leisure. We recommend lunch at a typical local restaurant in the city centre or sampling some of Bari’s delicious street food specialties (own expense).

Today’s destination is Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most unique cities in the world. After breakfast, depart by coach to explore the legendary “Sassi di Matera”, ancient cave dwellings inhabited since prehistoric times and carved directly into the limestone. These extraordinary cave homes and winding alleys represent a living history spanning more than 9,000 years, offering a fascinating insight into human resilience and adaptation.
Continue with a visit to the majestic Romanesque Cathedral, which dominates the skyline with its striking Campanile (bell tower) and panoramic position overlooking the Sassi. From here, take in spectacular views across the stone labyrinth below. Your guided tour will reveal the rich architectural and cultural heritage that makes Matera so distinctive.
In the late afternoon, return to Alberobello for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Alberobello by coach and travel to Locorotondo, where you will have free time to explore this charming town, part of Puglia’s famous “white towns.”
Reboard the coach and continue to Ostuni, located between the Trulli region and Salento, overlooking a coastal plain filled with ancient olive trees. You’ll have free time to discover another of Puglia’s beautiful white towns, with opportunities for lunch, shopping, and tasting local specialties, including the world-famous Ostuni olive oil (all at your own expense).
In the late afternoon, continue by coach to Lecce, in the heart of the Salento region, for dinner and overnight.  

After breakfast at your hotel, set out on a 3-hour guided tour of Lecce. Visit the historic old town centre, including the 12th-century Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and Piazza del Duomo.
Following the tour, board the coach and depart for Otranto, where you will have free time for lunch (own expense). Spend the afternoon exploring this beautiful coastal city at your own pace. Over the centuries, Otranto has been influenced by many civilisations, including Greek, Roman, and Turkish cultures, all of which have left their mark on the city. Wander through the old quarters to see how these traditions blend together.
Be sure to visit the iconic Cathedral, where the bones of 813 martyrs are displayed in a glass case behind the altar. Its magnificent mosaic floor is considered comparable in richness and significance to the famous mosaics of Ravenna.
In the early evening, continue to Maglie for dinner at the “Masseria L’Uliveto.” Visit this historic farm and discover more about the history and culture of Puglia while sampling traditional regional dishes and local products. Later in the evening, return to Lecce for your overnight stay

After breakfast, travel back to Bari through the scenic Murge Plateau and the picturesque Valle d’Itria, known for its olive groves and vineyards. Stop in Martina Franca, an elegant Baroque town featuring impressive churches, noble palaces, and charming piazzas, including Piazza Plebiscito, the Cathedral, the Ducal Palace, and the Torre dell’Orologio. Free time will be available to explore the town.
Continue to Masseria Montenapoleone for a hands-on culinary experience focused on traditional Pugliese cuisine. Guided by the local massaro, learn how to prepare fresh pasta including orecchiette, cavatelli, and strascinate, while discovering local traditions and regional wheat varieties. The experience is accompanied by a glass of wine, followed by a lunch featuring your handmade pasta and other fresh local specialties from the masseria.
In the afternoon, visit Monopoli, a historic fortified seaside town with a maze of narrow streets and a rich maritime history linked to the Crusades and trade with Constantinople. Later, continue to Bari for your overnight stay.

This morning you will be transferred to Bari Airport for your onward flight.

• 24/7 local operator support in Italy
• Return airport transfers
• 11 nights hotel accommodation
• Breakfast daily
• Cooking experience and lunch at a Masseria
• 6 dinners
• 2 local food experiences
• Modern Air-conditioned touring vehicle
• Boat excursion to Capri and visit to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting)
• Entrance fees to Casa Grotta (Matera), Otranto Cathedral and the Churches of Lecce
• English speaking tour escort throughout
• Sightseeing and visits as specified in itinerary
• Italy Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• International Airfares
• Tourist tax to be paid to the hotels
• Optional tours and excursions
• Entrance fees not mentioned
• Drinks during meals
• Porterage
• Mandatory Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above