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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Puglia & Southern Italy

with Rome extension

Duration: 12 or 14 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 133

Discover the soul behind the “boot heel” of Italy.

Sip cappuccino in a cafe where only Italian can be heard. Wander underground through Neolithic caves. Travel back to simpler times in untouched Alberobello, the heart of Puglia, Italy. From the soothing shores of the Amalfi Coast to the quaint homes of the Trulli Valley, authenticity presides everywhere you go on a Southern Italy tour.

Your tour package includes

10 nights in handpicked hotels
10 breakfasts
5 dinners with beer or wine
8 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

National Archaeological Museum
Bari
Castel del Monte
Basilica of St. Nicholas
Trulli entrance

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Naples today.

Naples2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Naples

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Italy! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Naples

Included meal: Breakfast

This morning’s guided sightseeing tour introduces you to the highlights of Naples.

• Enjoy a panoramic tour with a scenic drive along the Naples waterfront

• Pass Castel dell’Ovo, the seaside castle on a peninsula in the Bay of Naples

• Visit the National Archaeological Museum and see relics of Roman history

Enjoy a free afternoon in Naples or add an excursion.

The Lost City of Herculaneum

Excursion (additional cost)

Bari Region2 nights

Day 4: Bari Region via Benevento & Castel del Monte

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Benevento and explore the historic city on a guided walking tour.

• View the Arch of Trajan and Church of Sant’Ilario

• Enter the Church of Santa Sofia and the Museum of Sannio

Then, continue on to the Bari region.

• Stop along the way for a guided tour of the UNESCO-protected Castel del Monte

• Step inside the 13th-century structure, which is known as a masterpiece of medieval military architecture

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Bari

Included meal: Breakfast

Explore the town of Bari with a local guide.

• Visit Bari Cathedral, built atop the ruins of an Imperial Byzantine church destroyed in 1156 by William the Wicked

• See the Old Town, the castle, Piazza Mercantile, and Piazza Ferrarese

• Visit the Basilica of St. Nicholas, which contains the remains of the bishop whose penchant for anonymous gift-giving inspired the legend of Santa Claus

Enjoy a free afternoon in the Bari region or add an excursion.

Monopoli & Ostuni Olive Oil Farm

Excursion (additional cost)

Lecce2 nights

Day 6: Transfer to Lecce & sightseeing tour

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Lecce, nicknamed “the Florence of the South,” to get to know the city on a guided sightseeing tour this afternoon.

• Marvel at the extravagant ornamentation of Lecce’s churches and monuments

• Visit Lecce Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and the Roman Amphitheatre

Please note: The sightseeing tour of Lecce may take place on the morning of day 7. Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 7: Free day in Lecce

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Lecce or add an excursion.

Otranto with Dinner & Wine Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Trulli Valley2 nights

Day 8: Trullli Valley via Ostuni

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Join your Tour Director and pay a visit to Ostuni’s picturesque cathedral and whitewashed Old Town homes.

Then continue on to the Trulli Valley. Sit down at one of the area's famous cone-shaped trulli homes for an included dinner featuring regional specialties.

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Alberobello

Included meal: Breakfast

A local guide leads a tour of Alberobello, where you’ll explore more of its UNESCO-recognized trulli, the iconic homes with symbols painted onto the roof to bring luck.

Enjoy a free afternoon in the Trulli Valley or add an excursion.

Puglia Agriturismo Cooking Class & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Amalfi Coast2 nights

Day 10: Amalfi Coast via Matera

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel through the scenic Apennine Mountains on your way to the Amalfi Coast, stopping along the way in Matera for a guided tour of the hilltop town.

• Visit the 9,000-year-old Sassi di Matera cave dwellings, including the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario and the chiese rupistri, or “rock churches”

• View Matera Cathedral, Palazzo del Sedile, and the Tramontano Castle, which has sat unfinished since the early 16th century

Day 11: Free day on the Amalfi Coast

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a free day on the Amalfi Coast or add an excursion.

Celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner this evening.

A Day on the Amalfi Coast

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 12: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Naples airport for your flight home or continue your adventure in Rome.

Extension to Rome

Only in Rome can you sip cappuccino at a cafe in front of the Pantheon, buy grapes at a centuries-old market, and have an audience with the pope—all in one morning. For a mix of spectacular art, grand history, and exuberant street life, no other city comes close.

Rome2 nights

Day 12: Guided tour of Rome

Included meal: Breakfast

Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a guided tour of the Eternal City.

• Soak up over 2,000 years of history in Imperial Rome, viewing the Arch of Constantine and the Arch of Titus

• Enter the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire

• Stop at the ruins of the Forum, once the setting of parades, elections, and trials

• Pass by Palatine Hill to see Circus Maximus, the stadium where ancient Romans raced chariots, and the Baths of Caracalla

Day 13: Free day in Rome

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a full free day in Rome or add excursions.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Iconic Sights: Vatican City

Excursion (additional cost)

Dinner with Tenors

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 14: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

133

4.7 average

Puglia- the time to go is now!

07/02/2019 by 18th time traveler Mary L.

A once impoverished and neglected area of Italy, Puglia was only waiting for the world to discover it. Still one of the least known and least touristed areas of the country, it has everything to offer. From sunshine, lemon and olive groves, to ancient cities just waiting for you to unlock their secr...

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Comprehensive view of Southern Italy

07/01/2019 by 2nd time traveler Gary M.

The tour guide Marianna was excellent. She kept everyone both informed and entertained. The tour was very well balanced and the local guides helped to give a good flavor of each area without sounding like a textbook.

Southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast

07/01/2019 by 2nd time traveler Anonymous

This tour was a wonderful blend of sightseeing, experiencing the Italian cuisine, and meeting new people. I traveled with a core group of seven but was amazed at how well our entire group of 27 meshed. I feel I have made friendships that will continue on after the tour and that I have experience...

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05/29/2019 by 6th time traveler Ann S.

This was another great tour from Go Ahead! Being my 4th tour with the company I kind of knew what to expect but our guide Alfredo made this trip even better than I expected. His personal touches put this tour over the top. My main reason for choosing this area is that my grandparents came to the US...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 05/29/2019

Dear Ann, A very warm welcome home! Thank you for ...

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05/14/2019 by 6th time traveler Kathy L.

We loved this trip! It exceeded our expectations. Our only complaint was the hotel in Salerno was so noisy due to a nightclub next store. Other then that it was vintage & had an amazing location. Very nice trip!

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Renaissance Naples Hotel Mediterraneo

This contemporary hotel is located in Naples. Guests enjoy a restaurant and bar, rooftop pool, and solarium. Nearby, you'll find Palazzo San Giacomo, ...

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Hotel Mercure Napoli Centro Angioino

This contemporary hotel is located in downtown Naples. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find Castel Nuovo, the Nationa...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 3 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and paved roads, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive and depart from Naples (or Rome on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

What should I pack for Southern Italy?

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Italy.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Southern Italy is often what diners think of when imagining Italian flavors—pasta with tomato sauces, olives and olive oil, zucchini, veal, and fish are all featured prominently on menus throughout the region.
In Puglia, the fertile countryside produces great quantities of olive oil, tomatoes, artichokes, fennel, peppers, and onions. The region’s simple cuisine exalts these natural ingredients alongside the abundant fresh seafood and local lamb and beef. Puglia is renowned for its homemade pasta, made from local durum wheat and often formed in unusual shapes such as the orecchiette (little ears). A hearty meal in Puglia is often finished with homegrown yellow or white melons, watermelons, or grapes.
For more authentic meals, try trattorias,small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like_grappa_ or limoncello.

Electricity & air conditioning

Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotel may provide hairdryers, irons and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on this tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.