The historic city of Naples was founded about 3,000 years ago by Greek merchants. Later, the settlement took the name of Palepolis and in 475 BC it became Neapolis. Under various phases of foreign rule, the city developed continuously, until it became the capital of the most important of the pre-unification states, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The rulers of that Kingdom, the Bourbons, constructed a magnificent palace in nearby Caserta and filled the city with historic structures of all kinds.

Napoli  overview, dining, and shopping recommendations can be found  here. 

Welcome to the Taste of the South Tour~

You'll have a light breakfast at the hotel, then Domenico² - your tour leaders, the dynamic duo, Domenico and Mimmo, will meet you in the lobby at 10:00am.

You will start things off with a walk around Mimmo's hometown to get a feel for this intriguing and energetic city. We'll see Naples from a local's perspective as we explore this fascinating city and indulge in some of its best traditional snacks, street food, drinks, and of course...it’s world-famous pizza! 

You'll have time for a late afternoon break before we gather for our official welcome dinner where we might see 'O pazzariello, a popular Napolitan street artist dating back to the late 18th-century.

Overnight in Naples.

Hotel: Piazza Bellini
Via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, 101

80138 Napoli NA, Italy
Tel: +39 081 451732

The tour leaders will arrange a meeting time for you.

This morning, you will be joining Mimmo for a visit to one of Naples's bustling local markets. We'll check out the vibrant stalls bursting with fresh produce and local specialities to pick up some essential ingredients we'll need to prepare an authentic Neapolitan lunch. That's right, we will be Mimmo's special guests for a delicious lunch we'll prepare together. 

You will feast on your special home-cooked meal on his terrace overlooking the city.

After lunch, we'll return to our hotel and you’ll have the rest of the day and dinner on your own. Ask Mimmo for his favorite places or see our dining and shopping guide in this itinerary package. Overnight in Naples.

You will free time this morning to explore Naples, visit some of the city's museums, or go shopping! Lunch will be on your own.

Then, this afternoon, D² will arrange a meeting time for you to head out of town in search for the very best central Italy has to offer. 

You will start with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Caserta, commissioned in 1752 by King Charles of Bourbon. The King envisioned an extravagant royal residence that would rival any other, while his wife, Maria Carolina, Marie Antionette’s sister, wanted to one-up her little sis! The result is one of Italy’s most extravagant UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Royal Palace with its grandeur exterior, the lush palace grounds boasting both Italian and Renaissance gardens, and the elaborate water fountains will leave you speechless. Speechless, but hungry.

Did you know the best pizza in Italy isn’t in Naples? Luckily for you, we did, so we will make our way to the charming town of Caiazzo for dinner in a multiple-award winning pizzeria.

Owner and master pizzaiolo, Franco Pepe, has created a unique culinary journey with a tasting experience to discover the evolution of pizza and its ties to this magnificent territory. His has been called the best pizza in Italy; and we all know the best pizza in the world is in Italy. So this is your chance to eat the best pizza. In. The. World.

Return to Naples. Overnight in Naples.

Nestled at the toe of the boot between Basilicata and Puglia, Calabria is Italy’s 10th

largest region - and it is just dangling on the brink of international stardom. Still

relatively unknown to many travelers, this well-kept secret has long been the go-to

summer destination for northern Italians who flock to Calabria for weekend breaks and summer vacations. Long before sun-worshipers filled the shores with brightly striped umbrellas and Ultra tanning oil, Calabria had other visitors-visitors who left their mark on this part of Italy’s Mezzogiorno.     

Continue reading here.

Listed as one of Italy’s “100 Most Beautiful Villages,” Morano Calabro, (pronounced MORE-awnO CAL-a-bro) spills from a mountaintop that is dominated by a Norman castle and the 1st Century Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. From there, the town’s narrow alleyways curl through a labyrinth-like maze of Medieval houses, Baroque palazzi and Gothic churches, making it easy for travelers to get transported back through Calabria’s diverse and culture-rich history.

Morano Calabro overview, dining, and shopping recommendations can be found here.

At 8:00am today you’ll check out of our hotel in Naples and head towards our next region, Calabria. Along the way, we'll visit the Certosa di San Lorenzo in Padula, a Carthusian monastery founded in 1306. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most impressive Baroque structures in southern Italy. We’ll admire the cloisters, gardens and living quarters that make up this historically important complex nestled in the breathtaking Vallo di Diano, in the province of Salerno. Afterwards, we’ll stop for lunch nearby before continuing our journey to Calabria.  

We’ll check into our charming hotel, located near the stunning Morano Calabro castle and we'll have time to rest and get settled in before meeting for a delicious aperitivo.

Hotel: Meruo

Piazza Croce, 1

Morano Calabro CS, Italy 87016
Tel: +39 0981 314 28

The tour leaders will arrange a meeting time for you.

Today you will head out across towards the Tyrrhenian Coast to meet one of Calabria's  most passionate celebrity chefs - Vincenzo Grisolia.

A bit ahead of his regular Sunday crowd, you'll learn to make some of his favorite local specialties and will learn about the famed cedro - and our iconic peperoncino - and how they influence Calabrian cuisine.

You'll have lunch, then will return to Morano.

In the evening, you sample one of the area's most treasured possessions – the Moscato al Governo. This sweet wine is made from a combination of local grapes using a traditional and unique wine-making technique. Moscato wine dates back to at least the 16th-century based on historical records that show barrels of this precious elixir being delivered to the papal court as it is said that Pope Pius IV was quite fond of it.

Overnight in Morano Calabro.

You will depart at 9:15am and we’ll head to the Plains of Sibari and discover a few of its gastronomic specialties. We’ll start in Rossano to get an in-depth look at Italy’s oldest licorice factory – Amarelli. This family-owned company has been in business since 1731 making the best licorice you’ll ever taste! Today, they create everything from raw licorice to liquors, beer, chocolate and so much more. We will visit the factory, as well as the museum, located within the family’s old 15th-century residence and learn about the licorice-making process and the rich history of the family’s business.

You’ll have lunch featuring "Riso di Sibari," an ancient grain rice that is cultivated in this region and praised by food enthusiasts and chefs alike as one of the best qualities of rice in Italy. 

Finally, we’ll head to neighboring Corgliano Calabro, the clementine capital of Calabria. Here we’ll meet up with our friends who are giving Fanta a run for their money and see how clementines are being used to create delicious and refreshing drinks that have become household favorites.

You'll return to the village and have the rest of the evening on your own.

Basilicata packs incredible diversity into the unassuming instep of the Italian boot. With so much to see, read all about the region of Basilicata here.

A beautiful, historic town within Basilicata is Bernalda.  This is a stop for anyone visiting Basilicata! Steeped in rich, history mixed with Hollywood regulars, this is an unmissable spot. Read more about Bernalda here. 

This morning you'll have time to rest, sleep in, or stroll through the town, then you'll meet back at the hotel at 11:30am to depart.

You will cross over into our next southern Italian region, Basilicata and stop in the small town of Senise located at the gates of the Pollino National Park. There, you will discover an important protagonist for the cuisine of this region - Senise Peppers.

You'll often see these peppers hanging out on balconies to dry as you wander through the old town center which just adds to the beauty and charm of the architectural landscape.

Once dried, they are used to make a local specialty called "cruschi" peppers - which is dialect for crunchy. We'll visit an agricultural farm that grows these peppers and produces delicious cruschi peppers. We'll learn more about their production and get to taste them during our traditional Lucano lunch at a local enoteca.

After lunch we'll check into our charming hotel in Bernalda and rest up before gathering together for a welcome drink at the borgo. You'll have the rest of the evening and dinner on your own. Overnight in Bernalda.

Hotel: Borgo San Gaetano
Corso Metaponto, 25,

Bernalda MT, Italy 75012
Tel: +39 345 03 43 671

The tour leaders will arrange a meeting time for you.

This morning you have all opted out of optional yoga, thus you can choose to hang out at the borgo, head into town, or go for “passeggiata” (leisurely stroll) through the lovely hilltop town of Bernalda.  You’ll have free time for lunch (we can assist with recommendations and bookings, of course!).

In the evening, you’ll visit the Tavole Palatine, located in the archaeological site of Metaponto, which was founded by Greek settlers on the Ionian coast and became one of the most important settlements of the Magna Graecia. The small archaeological site includes different temples dedicated to Athena, Apollo, Hera, and others. The urban area contains a theater and ruins of Greek homes.

After your tour, we'll have a casual dinner at a local macelleria where you’ll choose your cut of meat directly from the butcher himself. It’ll be prepared and served up specially for you. Overnight in Bernalda.

At 10:00am this morning we'll meet Mariangela, a local celebrity chef, for a walk through Bernalda to visit her favorite places. We’ll mingle with the locals and stop into her preferred cheese shop and the local vegetable market to gather up all the fresh and delicious ingredients for our special meal. You'll cook together and dine on your delicious creations.

In the evening, you'll reconvene at the hotel (4:15pm) for a visit to the Amaro Lucano Museum for a private guided tour of this unique interactive museum. After we’ve learned a bit about this popular amaro, we’ll enjoy a mixology class with a local barman who will let us in on some of his secrets for creating the perfect cocktail which we’ll get to make, and of course sample!  Cin cin!

Then it’s back to the hotel and you’ll have the rest of the evening and dinner on your own. Overnight in Bernalda.

In 1993, Matera was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the Sassi cave dwellings that have been occupied by the city’s inhabitants since Neolithic times The architecture of the city is a confounding weave of streets that form rooftops that turn into floors that morph into a stairway or garden of yet another Sassi building.

These days, Matera is charming, picturesque, and romantic, but it wasn’t always that way.

More info on Matera here.

At 9:30 this morning we’ll check out of our hotel and make our way to Matera, famously known for its carved cave dwellings, called “Sassi,” and believed to be home to some of the first human settlements in Italy going back to 15,000 BC.  Before we settle into Matera, however, we will visit nearby Altamura, located in Puglia, which is known for its ancient bread tradition. We’ll get a firsthand look into the intricate bread-making process and discover the recipes and methods that have remained relatively unchanged since the Middle Ages. The real treat will be having the chance to taste this very region-specific kitchen staple.

Afterwards, we’ll drive the short distance to Matera and check into our 4-star hotel. You’ll have the rest of the evening on your own.

Overnight in Matera

Hotel: Palazzo del Duca

Via Muro, 50,  

Matera MT, Italy 75100

Tel: +39 0835 330 600

You will meet in the lobby of your hotel at 9:00am.

This morning we'll create our personalized Cucu' whistle with Cristian - a talented local artisan. These rooster-shaped whistles made of terracotta are typically found in Matera and are believed to bring good luck. We’ll paint our own good luck charm to take home - a special keepsake to remember our time in beautiful Matera.

Afterwards, you can choose an optional walking tour of Matera and immerse yourself in the unique charm of this ancient town.  

We’ll return to our hotel and you’ll have time to rest before we meet up for our magical farewell dinner with amazing views of the Sassi. Overnight in Matera

You’ll have breakfast, then you will  have a choice of two group transfers to the Bari Airport. Arrivederci! 

First Departure

4:00am (May)

Second Departure

8:00am (Micheli and Baily)

Let’s immerse ourselves in the enchanting world of Italy—a land where history, art, and culinary delights converge. Our seasoned travel hosts have meticulously curated exclusive guides that distill their collective wisdom into a treasure trove of insights.

Whether you’re sipping espresso in a sun-kissed piazza, marveling at Renaissance masterpieces, or indulging in gelato by the cobalt-blue sea, this guide is your passport to an unforgettable Italian adventure.

DRESSING AND PACKING GUIDE
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ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS GUIDE
As you embark on your Italian sojourn in 2024, the digital landscape has evolved, offering a seamless blend of old-world charm and modern connectivity. Here’s an updated guide to ensure you stay plugged into the Italian experience. Continue guide here.

 ITALY TIPPING GUIDE
In the charming eateries and bustling cafés of Italy, the art of tipping is as nuanced as a fine espresso. As we step into 2024, the tradition remains elegantly understated—tipping is a gesture of appreciation, not an obligation. Unlike the American custom where gratuities are a societal must, in Italy, the act of leaving a tip is a spontaneous flourish, a subtle nod to service that exceeded expectations. Continue guide here.

MONEY MATTERS GUIDE
Here is a little information to help you decide how to exchange money and use your credit cards in Italy. Continue guide here.