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Southern Italian Heritage Tour: Campania to Puglia

Duration: 12 days
Group size: 14-28
Reviews: 2

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Connect with your heritage in the “boot heel” of Italy.

This trip to Southern Italy, created in collaboration with Ancestry®, is an invitation to step back in time. Begin in Naples, the cultural heart of Campania. Discover the charms of Puglia, from coastal Bari to lovely Lecce to untouched Alberobello. Then, soak in the scenery of the Amalfi Coast, exploring your genealogy and uncovering your family story along the way.

Your tour package includes

AncestryDNA® kit
Pre-trip family history review with AncestryProGenealogists®
10 nights in handpicked hotels
10 breakfasts
5 dinners with beer or wine

Included highlights

Special AncestryProGenealogists® sessions
National Archaeological Museum
Bari
Castel del Monte
the Basilica of St. Nicholas

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An expert specializing in tours of this
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Day-by-day itinerary

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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! Transfer to your hotel and get settled in, then get an introduction to Italian genealogy and the ways you will be tracing your heritage with your genealogist from AncestryProGenealogists®. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travelers this evening.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Naples & Caserta

Included meal: Breakfast

This morning’s guided sightseeing tour introduces you to the highlights of Naples, the capital of the Campania region.

• 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

This afternoon, travel to the provincial capital of Caserta for a guided tour.

• Enter the 18th-century Caserta Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site

• Explore the palace gardens, which were inspired by the grounds of Versailles

Bari2 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

Get to know 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 Bari or add an excursion.

Monopoli & Ostuni Olive Oil Farm

Excursion (additional cost)

Lecce2 nights

Day 6: Lecce via Polignano a Mare

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel along the coast of Italy’s “boot heel” today. Then, arrive in Lecce and explore the city nicknamed “the Florence of the South” on a guided sightseeing tour.

• 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

Spend a free day in Lecce or add an excursion.

Villages of Salento

Excursion (additional cost)

Trulli Valley2 nights

Day 8: Trullli Valley via Ostuni

Included meal: Breakfast

Pay a visit to Ostuni’s picturesque cathedral and whitewashed Old Town homes. Then, continue on to the Trulli Valley.

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Alberobello & cooking lesson

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A local guide leads a tour of Alberobello, where you’ll explore the town's UNESCO-recognized trulli. These iconic limestone dwellings often have symbols painted onto their roofs to bring luck.

Tonight, visit an agriturismo, or farm stay, for a taste of traditional southern Italian cuisine. Learn to make generations-old recipes, including fresh pasta and focaccia bread with olive oil. Then, enjoy a three-course meal of local specialties and wine.

Amalfi Coast2 nights

Day 10: Amalfi Coast via Matera

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel through the scenic Apennine Mountains en route to the Amalfi Coast, stopping along the way in the Basilicata region for a guided tour of the hilltop town of Matera.

• 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

Spend a free day exploring the Amalfi Coast on your own or add an excursion.

Tonight, your genealogist from AncestryProGenealogists® shares a summary of all you’ve learned about Italian heritage. Then, celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner.

A Day on the Amalfi Coast

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 12: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport in Naples for your flight home.

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Reviews

5 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Ancestry

06/24/2019 by 2nd time traveler Anonymous

The genealogist should have been more professional. When doing a presentation, you get to the room 30 minutes before time and set up. On both occasions there were problems causing the presentation to be delayed.

Go Ahead Tours replied on 06/24/2019

Dear Traveler, Thank you for your feedback. The ge...

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In Search of Family History

06/20/2019 by 7th time traveler Lenore K.

Southern Italy is very different than Northern Italy, weather was just beautiful, sunshine every day This was an extremely memorable trip, going to the places where me Grand Parents grew up. The group was small, which was a plus; and our tour guide Hana was marvelous, she was knowledgeable, and re...

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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.

Grand Hotel Salerno

This modern hotel is located on the Gulf of Salerno. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, gym, and roof terrace. Nearby, you’ll find local restaurants, the Ga...

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Hotel Covo dei Saraceni

This unique hotel is located in Polignano a Mare. Guests enjoy a restaurant, spa, and panoramic terrace. Nearby, you'll find the historic center of Po...

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Hilton Garden Inn Lecce

This unique hotel is located in downtown Lecce. Guests enjoy an outdoor rooftop pool, panoramic city views, and a restaurant with terrace and garden. ...

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Best Western Premier Hotel Royal Santina

This modern hotel is located in near Termini station. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a minibar, and laundry center. Nearby, you'll find Museo Nazionale Roman...

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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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Grand Hotel la Chiusa di Chietri

This elegant countryside hotel is located in Alberobello. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and spa. Nearby, you’ll find the Castellana Caves and tradit...

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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

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About your Heritage Tour

This tour was created in collaboration with Ancestry®, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics. Ancestry® harnesses the information found in family trees, historical records, and DNA to help people gain a new level of understanding about their lives.
As part of your tour package, you’ll receive an AncestryDNA® kit within one month of booking your trip. Please complete the simple test as soon as possible to receive your DNA results.
Prior to your tour, we will contact you to schedule your 5-hour pre-trip family history review with AncestryProGenealogists®.
A genealogist from AncestryProGenealogists® specializing in Italian research will accompany your group and provide unique genealogical and heritage insight throughout the entire trip.
Ancestry® offers customized ancestral home visits during and after the main trip for an additional cost. With these, one of the AncestryProGenealogists® staff will accompany you to the exact town or village in Italy where your own specific ancestors lived. If you’re interested in an ancestral home visit, ask about organizing one during your pre-trip family history review.

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 at least 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 in and depart from Naples. 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 withGo 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.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, and 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 local 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 uses 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 and purchasing an international data plan.

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/CAD 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.
Your genealogist from AncestryProGenealogists® will not be expecting a tip.

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.

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