Italy: Rome, Matera & Apulia

Discover the ancient monuments of the city with this interesting walking exploration. Set off with your knowledgeable guide for the open-air market at Piazza Campo de Fiori with its colorful displays of fruits, vegetables, crafts, and other items. Browse through the market as you take a short break before heading on to bustling Navona Square. Stroll around looking at the fountains, churches, and palaces around the square that are the works of famous artists such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. Walk on till you come upon the magnificent Pantheon, once a temple devoted to pagan deities that now serves as a Christian basilica. Saunter past Palazzo Madama, the seat of the Italian senate, and the Column of Marcus Aurelius constructed in honor of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. Leave behind Palazzo Montecitorio, the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, as you make your way to the famous shopping street of Via Condotti with its exclusive boutiques. Amble to the end of the street to the iconic Trevi Fountain made famous by the 1960 movie La Dolce Vita. You could throw a coin into the fountain before heading on to the Spanish Steps with its sloping staircase and the elegant Barcaccia fountain. (Half Day; Private Activity & self organized transfer if required; Fitness Level: Moderate. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate for church visits.)

Visit the glorious Vatican Museums, an expansive complex that houses the world’s largest private art collection across 54 galleries and two papal palaces. Admire the stunning architecture and the elegant décor as you enter the premises and walk through the corridors. Accompanying passionate expert guides, absorb centuries of history via anecdotes and hidden details that bring the art to life, showcasing the power and politics of the Vatican City. Amid this treasure trove of priceless art including works by master painters and celebrated artists, see magnificent frescoes, rare sculptures, and prized paintings. Navigate the many rooms including favorites such as the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of Tapestries, and the Gallery of the Maps featuring painted topographical maps of Italy. Take a break at the airy Belvedere Courtyard. Stepping inside the Sistine Chapel, marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings. Observe scenes from the Old Testament, with hidden symbols of Judaism. Continue further to the ornate St Peter’s Basilica, considered the world’s largest and the most important church, thanks to the crypt that serves as a site of pilgrimage for Catholics. After browsing Bernini’s Baldachin, climb the dome for a close look at the ceiling mosaics, and enjoy the best view of Rome, concluding an experience of a lifetime! (Half Day; Time: 1430 hrs; Shared Activity with max group size 12 guests; Self organized transfer to the meeting point; Meeting point: Cantina del Duca, Via Santamaura 60, Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes prior; Fitness level: easy-moderate, Please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear appropriate clothing – shorts, miniskirts and uncovered shoulders are not allowed in the Basilica – and comfortable walking shoes. If St. Peter’s Basilica is being used for a religious ceremony or function, the tour will continue outside.)

Explore the fascinating city of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, accompanied by your private guide. Each area has numerous sassi (caves) which the city is famous for, alongside houses and cave churches. As you make your way around the city, your guide will tell you about its turbulent history during the early years when people lived in poverty, until they evacuated in 1950, abandoning the sassi for the next 30 years. Visit an ancient cave church and see a preserved fresco of Saint Lucio dating back to the 1500s. Afterward, head to several panoramic viewpoints before stepping into the Romanesque-style Matera Cathedral to admire its beautiful interiors, decorated with gold and marble. You will also see an original medieval fresco of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy.’ Continue to the main square to see the Palombaro Lungo, a unique underground cistern, and end your tour with a stop at the historic Church of St. John. (Duration: half-day; Private activity & no transfers; Meals not included; Entrance fees included; Fitness level: moderate.)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting the following places in Lecce. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, an architectural masterpiece and one of the town’s most important churches. The interiors contain 17 richly decorated altars that display mythological figures and angels in celebration, as well as cherubs, flowers and animals. Next, head to Piazza Sant’Oronzo, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Here, you’ll find a tall column with the statue of Sant’Oronzo and the ruins of a Roman amphitheater. Stop at Caffe Alvino for a pasticciotto, which is a pastry filled with ricotta cheese or egg custard. Rest awhile in Villa Comunale and people-watch. At the Papier Mache Museum, learn about the craft’s history and how it is manufactured. Amble through five rooms filled with painted religious and peasant figurines, ornamental flowers and jewelry, and tiny plates of food for dolls’ houses. End with a stroll along Via Salvatore Trinchese that is occupied by music venues and fashionable boutiques selling leather bags and jackets. (En route; Self-explore activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

While driving from Matera to Lecce, stop at Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the mortarless hobbit houses. Alberobello is famous for its unique collection of well-preserved trulli, former dwellings of agricultural laborers in the Itria Valley. Arrive at the town center and meet your guide who will lead you through the trulli-lined streets. Discover these curious conical-roofed, whitewashed structures constructed from limestone boulders. Pass by traditional buildings with their distinctive gnome-hat roofs and wrought-iron balconies. Notice symbols such as crosses and evil eyes painted on the roofs. Then, head to the scenic Rione Monti district, characterized by about 1,000 trulli. Several trulli structures house shops and restaurants, while others provide accommodation for visitors seeking a unique experience. Gain insight into the ancient construction method that is still used today. After, continue on your journey to your hotel in Lecce. (Enroute activity; Duration: 3 hrs; Private activity & transfer; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy)

Begin this tour with a 40-minute drive to Otranto, where you will pass mountain landscapes and villages Once you reach, proceed to explore this historic coastal town. Stroll through its maze of cobbled streets, along ancient fortifications and wind your way toward Otranto Cathedral. It features a blend of Christian, Romanesque and Byzantine architectural styles, and a 12-century floor mosaic that depicts the ‘Tree of Life’. While visiting the ossuary chapel, learn about the basilica’s dark history. See an altar that displays the skulls and bones of 813 martyrs, who died defending their faith in 1480. Walk along the city walls and ramparts to stop at the Church of Saint Peter, which is replete with frescoes and Greek inscriptions. Ascend to the Aragonese Castle and tour its chambers, halls and tunnels, and take in sweeping sea views. Finally, visit the abandoned bauxite quarry and its lake. (Duration: 5 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable walking shoes; Not available on Sundays)

Discover Ostuni, southern Italy’s ‘white city’, while traveling from Lecce to Fasano. Drive through the beautiful Itria Valley to arrive in Ostuni. Meet your guide and walk across the main square dominated by an ornately carved stone column, topped with a statue of Saint Oronzo. Wind your way through the Old Town, a maze of cobbled alleyways, staircases and arches. Head uphill to catch glimpses of the shimmering Adriatic Sea. Take in sweeping views of the surrounding countryside from Largo Castello and follow Via Cattedrale past monumental palaces and churches. At the top of the hill you’ll find the 15th-century Duomo nestled in a plaza, which also features the Palazzo Vescovile and Palazzo del Seminario. Ostuni Cathedral displays Romanesque, Gothic and Byzantine design elements on its facade, while its interiors are adorned with ancient artworks and carved wooden altars. Finally, make your way to Piazza della Liberta, before continuing on your journey to Fasano. (Enroute activity; Duration: 3 hrs; Private activity & transfer; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting the following places in Fasano. Begin with a drive to Grotte di Castellana, a mesmerizing cave system. It comprises Italy’s longest natural subterranean network of passages. The caves are home to an extraordinary range of underground landscapes, geological formations and crystallized caverns. Walk down the caves and you’ll experience natural light streaming through the ceiling and creating surreal visual effects. Alternatively, families may visit Zoosafari Fasanolandia, which is Europe’s second largest wildlife park with more than 200 animal species. Stop for lunch at the FronteMare Restaurant, which is perched on a hill overlooking the sea. It is renowned for its raw and cooked seafood dishes and traditional Italian fare. To relax, head to the sandy Lido Ottagono Beach, sprawling with umbrellas and deck chairs. Explore Parco Commerciale di Casamassima, a premium shopping mall that has a host of boutiques, footwear stores, salons, spas and restaurants. As the day wanes, take a stroll along the idyllic harbor. (En route; Self-explore activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Discover the art of preparing Apulian cuisine during this private cooking class in Fasano. In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to Masseria Montenapoleone, a fortified farmhouse that dates to the 1600s. There you will meet the farmer who will teach you how to make a variety of pastas from the region. Learn how to prepare the dough for orecchiette, cavatelli, and strascinati by using bran and flour and adding just the right amount of salt and water. Listen to stories about local traditions and history while you cook. The farmer will also explain how different types of wheat are grown and harvested. Enjoy a glass of wine during the class and taste the dishes you prepared before wrapping up. (Duration: half day; Time: 1100 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; This activity is not available in January)