Roma Trip Overview
Some are enamoured with elevated scenic views, whilst others say nothing compares to an Aperol Spritz served by an ocean of azure blues.
It’s the age-old travel question: Do you prefer mountains or beaches?
Well, on this trip, you don’t have to answer, because you get the best of both.
You listen to folk tales within the wooded slopes of the Majella National Park, visit villages that cuddle the rocky sides of the Lucanian Dolomites, and walk atop the ridges of the volcano of Vesuvius.
At the same time, you see the gentle, lapping waves of Torre Lapillo’s lesser-known beaches; experience the glitz and glamour of the famous Amalfi Coast; and taste every type of seafood you can in the fishing villages of the Adriatic Sea.
What’s more is that we’ve even managed to mix in Pompeii, Montecassino Abbey, and a few historical wonders into this irresistible itinerary.
Take this tour through the best of South Italy and let both their mountains and beaches take your breath away.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 days
Starts: Roma, Italy
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Roma Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Roma, Lazio, Italy
Some are enamoured with elevated scenic views, whilst others say nothing compares to an Aperol Spritz served by an ocean of azure blues.
It’s the age-old travel question: Do you prefer mountains or beaches?
Well, on this trip, you don’t have to answer, because you get the best of both.
You listen to folk tales within the wooded slopes of the Majella National Park, visit villages that cuddle the rocky sides of the Lucanian Dolomites, and walk atop the ridges of the volcano of Vesuvius.
At the same time, you see the gentle, lapping waves of Torre Lapillo’s lesser-known beaches; experience the glitz and glamour of the famous Amalfi Coast; and taste every type of seafood you can in the fishing villages of the Adriatic Sea.
What’s more is that we’ve even managed to mix in Pompeii, Montecassino Abbey, and a few historical wonders into this irresistible itinerary.
Take this tour through the best of South Italy and let both their mountains and beaches take your breath away.
Itinerary
Day 1: Rome – Montecassino – San Pietro Infine – Ariano Irpino
Stop At: Abbazia di Montecassino, Via Montecassino, 03043, Cassino Italy
You leave the hustle and bustle of Rome and head south towards peaceful Cassino.
Sitting atop of the mountain, the Montecassino Abbey is a sight to behold. A working monastery and a pilgrimage site, this place was a centre of art, culture, and learning. It was also the scene for a decisive battle near the end of World War II. You have your entrance ticket included and get time to stroll through the cloisters of the monastery and contemplate the turbulent history of war.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: San Pietro Infine, San Pietro Infine, Province of Caserta, Campania
Then, you visit the overgrown ruins of San Pietro Infine, before you travel past hilltop villages and mountains to Benevento.
Built on a hill with a stunning background of mountains, this timeworn city has a special aura. It’s filled with memories of the ancient Samnites, Romans, and Longobards. Legends also say witches gather from all over the world by an ancient walnut tree by the local river.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Incontro or similar, Ariano Irpino
Day 2: Ariano Irpino – Trani – Polignano a Mare – Alberobello – Lecce
Stop At: Trani, Trani, Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, Puglia
You wake up in the stunning region of Campania and head south to Trani.
Known as the ‘Pearl of Apulia’, this historic stone-built port and fishing village exudes sophistication. Walk along the promenade in the marina or stroll through the historic centre and admire the medieval churches, cathedral, and historic Jewish quarter.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Polignano a Mare, Polignano a Mare, Province of Bari, Puglia
You travel to Polignano a Mare, a small, idyllic seaside town perched on the edge of cliffs. Enjoy your lunch surrounded by sun-bleached stone buildings and enjoy the Adriatic breeze. You should also try to catch sight of the brave cliff divers disappearing into a small inlet of water.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Alberobello, Alberobello, Province of Bari, Puglia
Just when you thought your day couldn’t get any better, your adventure takes you to Alberobello. With over 1,500 small and rounded white houses, this town looks like it was inhabited by gnomes. These beehive-shaped buildings are called trulli and are so unique to Apulia that they were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Take your time to meander around the narrow streets and marvel at the impossibly photogenic nooks.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Aloisi or similar, Lecce
Day 3: Lecce – Otranto – Santa Maria di Leuca
Stop At: Lecce, Lecce, Province of Lecce, Puglia
Buongiorno! Wake up and start the day with some pasticciotto, the gorgeous breakfast pastry. Enjoy your free time in the morning by strolling through Lecce’s old town and admiring its unique architecture. The city’s Baroque style is so unique it got the name of its own, ‘Lecce Baroque’.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Otranto, Otranto, Province of Lecce, Puglia
Next, contrast the splendour of Lecce with the laid-back seaside towns of the Salento Peninsula. You leave at noon and travel through the ochre-coloured fields and olive groves to Otranto. Enjoy your time here strolling around the fortifications or harbourside promenade and try some local dishes.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Santa Maria di Leuca, Santa Maria di Leuca, Castrignano del Capo, Province of Lecce, Puglia
You continue your adventure to Santa Maria di Leuca. Located on the southernmost tip of Italy’s heel, the little town sits between two seas. It’s steeped in history and the legends of its origin are influenced by various cultures. Here, you can climb up the stairs alongside a beautiful man-made waterfall and get rewarded with magnificent views from the lighthouse, located at what was once known as Finibus Terrae (“at the End of the Land” from Latin).
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Aloisi or similar, Lecce
Day 4: Lecce – Matera – Castelmezzano
Stop At: Matera, Matera, Province of Matera, Basilicata
You leave Lecce and head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera. This city is so perfectly adapted to the terrain that it blends in with its rocky surroundings on a cliff edge. It’s a higgledy-piggledy jumble of sassi, the ancient cave dwellings, houses and churches.
Spend your time uncovering the rich history of this place and visit ancient churches with paintings on stone cave walls. You can also check out what the 18th-century dwellings were like and stumble upon locations used in Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Castelmezzano, Castelmezzano, Province of Potenza, Basilicata
Your adventure takes you off the beaten track again as you journey into the heart of the Lucanian Dolomites and the village of Castelmezzano. One of the highest villages in the Basilicata region, it’s located on a narrow ledge that drops away into a dramatic gorge. But Castelmezzano wasn’t built here just for the stunning vistas. Find out about its rich history as you explore the village or go for a hike to see the ruins of the castle which gave the village its name.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Plaza or similar, Salerno
Day 5: Salerno – Sorrento – Positano
Stop At: Sorrento, Sorrento, Province of Naples, Campania
Today is all about the glamourous Amalfi Coast.
Pastel-coloured houses and villas, chic boutiques, gourmet restaurants; this is La Dolce Vita at its finest.
You start the day by exploring the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento. This town of lemons and plunging cliffs allured literary geniuses from Byron and Goethe to Dickens and Tolstoy. Wander through the sun-drenched piazzas and savour a glass of cold limoncello before you continue your day.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Positano, Positano, Amalfi Coast, Province of Salerno, Campania
The next stop is Positano which looks like a colourful multi-tiered cake clinging to a sea-cliff. Find a restaurant to enjoy your lunch and drink in the magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Then, peruse the local boutiques and take photos as you meander through the streets. Alternatively, walk down the steps to the beach for a swim and some sun.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Plaza or similar, Salerno
Day 6: Salerno – Vesuvius – Pompeii – Rome
Stop At: Vesuvius National Park, Via Palazzo del Principe, 80044 Ottaviano Italy
In the morning, you travel north to face Mount Vesuvius. In ancient times, this mountain was considered to be divine and had connections to Jupiter – god of sky and lightning. Legends say that the giants used to inhabit the volcano, which explained the loud noises and rumbling.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Pompeii Archaeological Park, Porta Marina (via Villa dei Misteri), 80045 Pompeii Italy
After the exciting start of the day, you go to Pompeii, which fell victim to the eruption of Vesuvius. There was no time to flee, so people and buildings were buried and preserved in volcanic ash. Get a glimpse of the world of the Ancient Romans as you take your time to explore this archaeological site.
Then you leave the past behind and take a road that leads to Rome. Enjoy your leisurely ramble north through Campania and Lazio before you arrive in the Eternal City early in the evening.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
