3 days, 2 nights
Apulia and Sassi of Matera Mini Escorted Tour
Discover Southern Italy’s wonders from Sorrento to Rome, exploring caves, charming villages, baroque cities, coastal gems, and ancient stone dwellings on an unforgettable, expertly guided journey.
Your Adventure Starts Here
This is a starting point. Change the nights, choose the style of hotel, add the experiences you want. Your planner takes it from there.
Stop 1Sorrento
Sorrento
Your journey from Campania to Apulia begins with a 7:30 a.m. pickup in Sorrento. Travel by coach to the Castellana Caves, one of Puglia’s most remarkable natural attractions since their discovery in 1938. On a 3 km guided route, you’ll descend up to 60 meters underground to admire stalactites, stalagmites, fossils, stone canyons, and extraordinary rock formations.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Sorrento
Shore excursions, guided tours, food and wine, and day trips, matched to Sorrento.
Day by day in Sorrento
Your journey from Campania to Apulia begins with a 7:30 a.m. pickup in Sorrento. Travel by coach to the Castellana Caves, one of Puglia’s most remarkable natural attractions since their discovery in 1938. On a 3 km guided route, you’ll descend up to 60 meters underground to admire stalactites, stalagmites, fossils, stone canyons, and extraordinary rock formations. After a short lunch break at leisure, continue to Locorotondo, a charming hilltop village with a circular old town and distinctive “cummerse” houses, where you’ll enjoy a wine tasting in a local cellar. The day continues in Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO‑listed trulli, unique conical stone dwellings found only in this region. In the evening, travel on to Noci, check in at your hotel, and enjoy an included dinner and overnight stay.
Stop 2Noci
Noci
After a savory breakfast buffet, head to Lecce, whose rich baroque architecture has earned it the nickname “Florence of the South.” On a guided tour, you’ll admire the ornate façade of Celestini Palace, the statue of St. Oronzo, the 2nd‑century Roman amphitheater, and the Basilica of Santa Croce with its elaborate Corinthian columns.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Noci
Shore excursions, guided tours, food and wine, and day trips, matched to Noci.
Day by day in Noci
After a savory breakfast buffet, head to Lecce, whose rich baroque architecture has earned it the nickname “Florence of the South.” On a guided tour, you’ll admire the ornate façade of Celestini Palace, the statue of St. Oronzo, the 2nd‑century Roman amphitheater, and the Basilica of Santa Croce with its elaborate Corinthian columns. Continue to Gallipoli, a lovely seaside town with a lively fishing harbor and deep historical roots. Enjoy free time for a relaxed lunch, perhaps overlooking the Mediterranean and sampling Puglian specialties. In the afternoon, travel to Ostuni, known as the “white town” for its whitewashed houses and pale stone buildings. Wander its narrow streets, soak up the atmosphere, and pause for a coffee while watching everyday life unfold. After a day filled with beautiful sights, return to your hotel in Noci for dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 3
NOCI, MATERA, SORRENTO or ROME
After breakfast, depart for Matera, a city that may be one of the earliest human settlements in Italy. Here, the Sassi, ancient cave dwellings carved directly into the rock, create a unique landscape that has earned UNESCO World Heritage status and international fame. As you explore the Sassi districts, you’ll recognize views used as backdrops in films such as “The Passion of the Christ,” “The Nativity Story,” and “The Gospel According to St. Matthew.” There will be time for a snack during the visit before you begin the return journey via the Pompeii area. The tour concludes with drop‑off by bus in either Sorrento or Rome, marking the end of your Apulia and Basilicata adventure.
Why plan with Trips 2 Italy?
Designed around you by Italian-born planners
Guides, drivers and boats for your party alone
Hand-selected hotels in every destination
Local English-speaking guides who know their city
Met at the airport, private transfers throughout
Testimonials
Hear from travelers who have planned Italy with us
They took the time to understand our preferences and designed an itinerary that was comfortable, personalized, and enjoyable. They offered thoughtful recommendations while never being pushy.
We missed our connecting flight in Munich. I had just got through customs and was looking up the number to call when Trips 2 Italy called me. They told me exactly what to do and they already knew what flight we had been rebooked on.
Ready to make it yours?
Send us this adventure with your changes. An Italian-born planner builds the first full draft and calls you to walk through it.
Or call 1-866-464-8259
Questions travelers ask
Is transportation arranged for us?
Transportation is arranged as part of the itinerary, with vehicle and train transfers as the itinerary requires. Every connection is planned for you, so you can focus on the scenery instead of the logistics.
Who is this trip designed for?
It suits travelers who want Italy arranged by experts, with guided experiences balanced by free time to explore on your own.
Can the itinerary or hotels be adjusted?
Yes. Nothing here is fixed. Your travel consultant can add nights, change hotel categories, or swap experiences so the trip matches your wishes and your budget of time. A minimum of 2 travelers applies.
What time of year should we plan this vacation?
The package is available all year around on request. Spring and fall offer mild walking weather and lighter crowds at the major sights, summer brings long lively evenings, and winter rewards travelers with quieter museums and festive streets.