Luxuries of Puglia to Amalfi Coast Tour

Travelers to Italy often overlook Puglia, an unsung treasure-trove of regional luxury. Olive groves help produce creamy and indulgent oil that is coveted around the Mediterranean, and the seaside towns look out to the gorgeous turquoise and indigo hues of the Adriatic Sea. Woodlands give way to rugged hillsides covered with lush vineyards, and your eyes will widen as your flight lands at Karol Wojtyla Airport in Bari, where your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival. You will travel south along the coast and notice the way the water gently rolls along the combination of white and gold sand against sporadic pebbled beaches.

The nutty aroma in the air emanates from the ancient olive groves that grow on the property of your luxurious resort. You will be able to hear the crystal clear Adriatic Sea splashing against the coastline as the white stone shimmers like marble in the warm sunlight. The remainder of the day will be yours to enjoy the pleasures of the resort and the nearby picturesque seaside village of Savalletri. Colorful fishing boats wade in the water while the aroma of fresh focaccia bread drifts out of the bakeries. Restaurants place tables and chairs along the cobbled lanes and piazzas with views to the sea, and the elegant and enticing scent of swordfish dressed in the zesty lemon juice will help you to settle in and relax.

In the morning, the sea breeze will carry the semi-sweet fragrance of the water as the fronds on the palm trees along the coastline and leaves on the olive groves rustle. The aroma of almond pastries lingers in the air near the bakeries in town, easily drawing you in. After breakfast, your private transfer will greet you in the lobby of your resort and lead you to the town of Alberobello to begin your exploration of the beautiful towns around Italy’s heel.

Upon arrival, you will notice the white walls of circular homes supporting the conical rooftops. These houses are known as Trulli and date back to the Middle Ages, and now more than 1,000 Trulli decorate the hills in the area known as Rione Monti. Restaurants, bars, and hotels fill the enchanting interiors and feel like a home taken out of a fairytale. The white stone walls help insulate the structure, keeping the interior cool in the summer heat and warm in the cold winters.

The scent of rich espresso drifts from the corner bar and towards the neoclassical façade of the Basilica of Saints Cosma and Damiano. You will stop in the Cantina Albea, a wine museum that will bring insight into the traditions of vintners around Puglia with a display of tools that date back to pre-Christian times. Walk through the cantina to view antique oak barrels that add to the layers of the historical and cultural framework of wine. The cool interior offers a warm respite from the Puglian sun, and you can take a seat at a table in the cantina to watch the ruby red color of a local wine fill your glass. Continue to the charming labyrinthine lanes of Locorotondo to wander alongside the whitewashed walls and beneath the windowsills decorated with blossoming pink geraniums.

Wake up in the comforts of your luxurious resort to the sounds of the Adriatic Sea lapping against the nearby beach. The scent of frothy cappuccino fills the dining room at breakfast, accompanied by the aroma of zeppole, a traditional pastry of deep-fried dough topped with powdered sugar. You will make your way to the stunning city of Lecce after your meal, which is often referred to as the Florence of the South due to its elaborate dedication to the arts. The exuberant Baroque architecture shimmers with golden stone most prominent in former palaces and preserved churches.

Cherubs, gargoyles, and griffins adorn the façade of the Basilica di Santa Croce. The ornate columns and cornices give way to the interior that embodies a more classical style. The aroma of frankincense drifts through the nave and you will find harmony in the mixture of the subtle, charming interior as it contrasts with the splendor of the Baroque façade. Restaurants serve traditional orecchiette pasta dressed in a tomato sauce and flavored with pecorino and basil. Confectionaries display pistachio desserts and cookies dipped in chocolate while papier-mâché decorates the windows of artisan workshops, representing the deep tradition of the art form that dates back to the 17th century. Your instructor will welcome you into the workshop keen on introducing you to the intricacies of papier-mâché, allowing you craft twine and straw to shape unforgettable figurines.

The fishing boats will return to the marina at Savelletri in the morning with fishers eager to take their catch to the famous fish market in Bari. The bright turquoise water will capture your eyes at breakfast as you sip your decadent espresso before venturing out of the resort to visit a nearby olive orchard. The serene landscape brings a captivating ambiance as you touch your fingers to the thin, spindly leaves of the olive tree. Nets blanket the ground beneath the branches ready to catch the ripening fruit as it falls away. The villa on the property dates back to the 19th century, and lemon groves thrive in the landscape to add a citrus aroma to the nutty scent that emanates from the olive trees.

Embark on a journey through the historic town of Polignano a Mare. Set sail with the locals, serviced by the experts at Dorino Boat Trips, and coast along the cliffs of Puglia. Along the way, stop and relish in the secluded coves of the Adriatic Sea while enjoying a nice snack and a refreshing swim.

Your guide will show you the mill that processes the ripened olives after harvest, and in the tasting room, a selection of olive oils awaits you. Each small cup is different in viscosity and opacity, and your guide will help you to discern that the aroma of the first oil is slightly paler than the other two while the olive aroma is less prevalent. You will reach the final cup to find a semi-sweet aroma similar to almonds combined with a creamy smooth texture that coats your palate. You can then learn about the three different oils you tasted, with the final being an extra virgin and the only type of olive oil produced on the mill. After the tour, you can wander out to the maze-like city of Ostuni to stroll beneath the archways and alongside the vibrant fruit stalls.

You will soon leave behind the shores of the Adriatic Sea and watch the turquoise water and the white sand fade behind the horizon as you journey forward. Your private transfer will take you inland to the region of Basilicata, to reach the town of Matera. Rustic, medieval architecture stands atop a hill that looks east towards the Ionian Sea while narrow streets lead to hidden alleys and wide stairways. Settlers have inhabited the region since before antiquity in cave homes that cover the walls of the gorge, and your guide will lead you along the upper district of town as the medieval architecture decorates the undulating plateau.

You will enter into the Church of San Pietro Barisano for your first introduction to the subterranean life of the historical city, and the spiced scent of myrrh lingers in the nave. 15th and 16th-century frescos decorate the entrance level that leads to an empty frame where the altarpiece originally stood while catacombs below the church provide insight into the history of burials in a town that sits atop the hard stone.

You will make your way out of the church and down to the lower level of the city to view the Stassi, the rock districts. The inhabitants of Matera have inhabited the caves since the Middle Ages with unique views to the Gravina Valley below. The mouth of the caves frame the colorful doors and resemble a city carved out of rock instead of homes made from caves. You will enter into Casa-Grotta di Vico Solitario to find a reproduction of life in the city leading up to the mid-20th century.

Enjoy the wonder of your hotel as you wake up in the splendor of a 19th-century villa located in the town of Bernalda. Outside of the hotel, old men gather in the piazza to talk politics and soccer while sipping strong espresso. Exotic plants grow in the private gardens and offer a view over the rugged hills and sporadic vineyards that are growing in the valley. The traditional life of the surrounding village remains intact and unruffled with Lucanica sausages dangling in the window of the deli and the mouthwatering scent of Matera bread drifting over the cobblestone streets.

The town of Maratea contrasts with the rugged and isolated atmosphere of the region as a collection of coastal villages overtakes the 19-mile long stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The cliffs shelter the coves and provide stunning viewpoints while 44 ancient hilltop churches provide a sense of history alongside the extraordinary beauty of the shoreline. Your private driver will lead you through the collection of villages to view the Basilica of San Biagio, the main church in the district.

You can see the outline of the 22-foot tall Christ the Redeemer statue above as the church was originally erected in the 6th century and carries a soft-spoken grandeur in the serene ambiance. As you wander back to streets, colorful ceramics create elaborate window displays in the shops around town, and you can walk along the beach and dig your toes into the grainy black sand of Macarro beach. In the afternoon, you will meet a celebrated chef ready to introduce you to the traditional cuisine of Maratea and Basilicata in his kitchen. Learn how to make and shape the customary pasta made from durum wheat along with a beautiful vegetable dish of onion, eggplant, peppers, tomato, and garlic cooked in seasoned olive oil.

The relaxed ambiance of your magnificent resort will allow for you wake at your own pace while the nearby town bustles around the main piazza with the old men returning to their daily morning conversations accompanied by the rich flavor of fresh espresso. Your private transfer will greet you in your hotel lobby after breakfast and escort you to Ravello, located on the famous shoreline of the Amalfi Coast. Olive, lemon, and orange trees grow on the thriving terraces as the mountains ascend from the water to create a sense of seclusion and separation from interior Italy. Colorful towns rise along the ridges and foothills and offer sensational views of the indigo-colored water. You will easily settle into the lavishness of your hotel that has been situated in a 12th-century palace with a panoramic view of the shores below.

The remainder of the day will be yours to indulge in the wonders of Ravello, a town located in the mountains at nearly 1,200 feet above sea level. Spend some time exploring the quiet and serene town known for its dreamy gardens, elegant villas, and stylized main square of Piazza Vescovado. The white walls of the Cathedral cast a captivating spell over the 11th-century piazza while the Baroque and Romanesque architectural styles shape the façade beneath the 13th-century bell tower. The archways and embellishments of the tower showcase the mixture of Byzantine and Moorish design, embodying the prestige and power of the city through its far-reaching trade.

The scent of the cappuccino overtakes the orange citrus that drifts from the orchards and the day is yours to travel along the Amalfi Coast with your private driver to visit the colorful towns and local communities. The 25-mile long road connects Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east, and you will begin your exploration of the bustling and beautiful scenery in Positano. Pastel colored homes rise along the mountain ridges as brightly painted boats wade in the marina.

The Tyrrhenian Sea laps against the jutting rocks and stone jetty as you stroll along the narrow cobblestone lanes amidst the boutique shops that showcase lemon-clad ceramics as bursts of the zesty citrus fills the air. Colorful scarves and day dresses decorate the doorways of vibrant shops, and you can visit with a locally known cobbler who crafts handmade sandals while you wait, located on via della Tartana. Ruins of sumptuous Roman villas ornament the town around the Church of the Assumption of Saint Mary as marvelous green, blue, and yellow majolica tiles decorate the dome. Before leaving the charming town, you can step into a family-owned wine shop to learn the art of crafting the typical regional liqueur of limoncello. At the end of the lesson, you will find a vivacious yellow cocktail made from lemon rind, sugar, and alcohol that needs to sit for at least one week.

In the morning, you will board a ferry to reach the island of Capri. The dramatic coastal cliffs reach heights up to 200 feet tall, striking a dramatic image before the horizon before the ferry docks at the jetty that leads to Marina Grande. Adorable homes line the golden sands and lead into the ridges of the cliff that overlook the water as small, colorful boats dress the beach at low tide. The funicular carries you to the Piazzetta at the top of the cliff where cafes set out tables and chairs for views to the water. The scent of lemon cream tarts and flavorful espresso overtake the square, and you will immediately understand the allure of the legendary island known for captivating Hollywood starlets and Roman emperors alike.

Take your time to stroll along the narrow cobbled lanes of Capri Town to view the luxury boutiques while the aroma of pine and sweet oranges emanates from the artisan perfume shop. The tradition of the sweet scents on the island date back to the 15th century with monks in the Charterhouse of San Giacomo utilizing herbs and flowers. Experience the Villa Jovis, the former palace of Emperor Tiberius in the 1st century AD as the complex encompasses terraces that overtake nearly two acres and reach an elevation of more than 130 feet tall.

In the morning, you will indulge in the panorama of the Amalfi Coast from the comforts of your villa accommodation as you savor the creamy texture of your fresh cappuccino and the accompanied sweetness of the crispy sfogliatelle, a delicate layered pastry stuffed with ricotta cheese. The ceramic tiles of Vietri sul Mare glint against the rugged mountains to the east as sailboats and fishing boats glide across the water in imitation of the former glory of the eponymous city of Amalfi. Your private transfer will soon collect you at your hotel when you are ready, escorting you around the Bay of Naples to reach the international airport for your flight home.