Country Roads of Southern Italy
Indulge in Italy’s finest food and views during this 9-day guided tour. In Rome, discover the city on a walking tour with a Local Expert and see the Vatican City. In Sorrento, settle into a luxurious resort and take in the views of Mount Vesuvius, which buried Pompeii in a sea of lava in 79 A.D. Indulge your curiosity from an insightful MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in the village of Grottole to viewing the Trulli of Alberobello UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 26 Aug 2026 – 03 Sep 2026
from $4,275 pp twin share * - 09 Sep 2026 – 17 Sep 2026
from $6,095 pp twin share * - 23 Sep 2026 – 01 Oct 2026
from $6,075 pp twin share *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
- Day 1 – Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome:
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 travellers over a delicious dinner with wine. - Day 2 – Rome with a Local:
Rome is a city of art, antiquity, piazzas and palaces. Join a Local Expert to bring millennia of history to life as you see the Vatican City and journey across the Tiber River to ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus, admire the Arch of Constantine and discover the iconic Colosseum on a guided visit. Later, perhaps continue with an Optional Experience to explore the second-century Catacombs and uncover the origins of early Christianity. - Day 3 – Alberobello:
The brilliant blue sky set against the whitewashed buildings of southern Italy’s towns and villages is sure to inspire any curious traveller. After a scenic journey south from Rome, you’ll arrive in Puglia, where the iconic trulli of Alberobello await. In the late afternoon, join a Local Expert for a guided stroll through this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn how these unique, conical-roofed dwellings were ingeniously constructed without mortar, and hear the stories behind their origins and preservation. As you wander through this enchanting town, you’ll uncover the region’s rustic charm and gain fresh insights into traditional Apulian life—an experience that’s both authentic and unforgettable. - Day 4 – The Trulli of Alberobello:
Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Spend the morning unwinding at your hand-picked hotel or head back into Alberobello to further explore its storybook streets at leisure. If you’re looking to uncover more of Puglia’s rural beauty, join an Optional Experience to the White Town of Ostuni and visit a traditional olive mill to learn about the region’s time-honoured cultivation practices. Later in the afternoon, there’s the opportunity to venture to the Adriatic coast on an Optional Experience to Polignano a Mare, famed for its dramatic limestone cliffs and sea-view terraces—a perfect spot to savour the golden hour. - Day 5 – Discovering Lecce:
Italy will enchant the most curious of travellers. 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 architecture, ornate 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. Later, deepen your discoveries joining an Optional Experience for a Masseria dinner. - Day 6 – Journey South to Matera:
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 travellers. - Day 7 – Pompeii and Sorrento:
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:
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:
This morning, wave goodbye to your fellow travellers as you depart Sorrento on a coach transfer to Rome airport.
Highlights
- Indulge in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in the village of Grottole.
- Marvel at the Trulli of Alberobello UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Settle into a luxurious resort in Sorrento with views of Mount Vesuvius.
Indulge in Italy’s finest food and views during this 9-day guided tour. In Rome, discover the city on a walking tour with a Local Expert and see the Vatican City. In Sorrento, settle into a luxurious resort and take in the views of Mount Vesuvius, which buried Pompeii in a sea of lava in 79 A.D. Indulge your curiosity from an insightful MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in the village of Grottole to viewing the Trulli of Alberobello UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inclusions
- 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.
- 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.
FAQs
- Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello
- Isabella, Sorrento
- Room 007 Select, Rome
- UNAHOTELS MH Matera
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 9 days and 8 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 26 Aug 2026 and 01 Oct 2026, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
Are discounts available?
Seasonal or loyalty discounts may be available on selected departures at the time of enquiry.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
Provided by: Insight VacationsFine Print
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