Embark on a Journey Through Southern Italy’s Kingdom of the Sun®
Our Kingdom of the Sun® experience is one of our signature journeys. It has been designed to showcase some of the most beautiful and interesting destinations in Southern Italy that are still not widely known, but which, as drivers and guides for over two decades, we believe are truly remarkable. We do not want you to feel rushed during your time with us; we want you to feel this part of the country in the way we live it.
In a moment when the world can feel unsettled and fast-moving, this is a journey that gently returns you to something more grounded. Here, travel is not rushed or performative, but guided through the rhythms of daily life, alongside local hosts, professional driver-guides, and those who call these regions home.
From Puglia to Basilicata and Calabria, where our journey began over 25 years ago (read about it in Our Story section), each moment unfolds with intention: unhurried mornings, long meals, quiet landscapes, and genuine human connection. It is, in many ways, a return to simplicity, to authenticity, and perhaps most of all, to a feeling that is increasingly rare in travel today, the sense of being welcomed, understood, and completely at ease.
Discover some of the extraordinary destinations that shape our Kingdom of the Sun® journey through Southern Italy.
In a Changing World, Southern Italy Can Still Feel Like Home for the Soul.
The Kingdom of the Sun® journey is a seamless passage through Italy’s deep south, connecting Calabria, Basilicata, and Puglia into one continuous and meaningful story. It is not simply where you go, but how you move, what you feel, and who you meet along the way.
Highlights of these Regions & This Remarkable Journey
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Private Transportation & Local Guides from start to finish of the trip
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Incredible Accommodations throughout Puglia, Basilicata, and Calabria with sea-view rooms where applicable. Options to start in Naples / Amalfi Coast & Extend to Sicily.
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Iconic cities in Puglia & Basilicata including Alberobello, Polignano a Mare & Ostuni and the Itria Valley with winery visits near Locorotondo, Martina Franca and Fasano
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Matera: A Living UNESCO World Heritage site with private guide and central accommodations where you will step into one of Italy’s most extraordinary landscapes of ancient cave dwellings and layered history.
- The Untouched Coastlines of Basilicata & Calabria where you will discover Praia a Mare, Maratea, Diamante and many other small towns which are still wild and deeply restorative.
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Culinary Experiences Rooted in Place
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Enjoy authentic tastings and meals shaped by local traditions and ingredients.
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Intimate, Guided Travel
- Custom Experiences for individuals, groups or families.
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Expert driver-guides & local hosts.
The Origins of the Kingdom of the Sun® journey, started 25 years ago in a small town on Calabria’s coast called Praia a Mare.
For me, this feeling began over 25 years ago, in a small seaside town called Praia a Mare, in Calabria—long before Italy Vacation Specialists as a company ever existed. I arrived there as an English teacher just out of university with very little money, not even knowing quite what to expect, only to wake up one morning to the sound of the sea and a view that would quietly change the course of my life.
What I discovered there was not just beauty, but a way of living that resonated with me. Days shaped by the rhythm of the coast, conversations that unfolded without urgency, and a sense of community that made even a stranger feel known. It was in this part of Italy, the Mezzogiorno, that I first understood that travel is not about moving through places, but about being received by them. Read the article in the Appetito Magazine here.
Perhaps this is why, in a changing and uncertain world, Southern Italy still feels like home. It offers something that is increasingly rare: a sense of steadiness, of warmth, of belonging. Not manufactured, not curated, but simply lived.
It is this feeling that inspired the creation of our Kingdom of the Sun® experience—a journey shaped not only by destinations, but by the people, the landscapes, and the quiet moments that stay with you long after you return.
It is particularly difficult to get around southern Italy by train. The Amalfi Coast, Matera and many of the coastal towns are not accessible by train at all and parking can be a nightmare. Make sure to know the ins and outs of transportation in these regions before you travel. Read more in our Italy Magazine.
READ ABOUT ALL OF THESE DESTINATIONS IN DETAIL ON THE DEDICATED CALABRIA & CEDRI RIVIERA SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE & GET IN TOUCH WITH LOCALS IN ITALY WHO KNOW THE DESTINATIONS INSIDE & OUT.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR UNIQUE PROGRAMS, INCREDIBLE PROPERTIES & TRAVEL SOLUTIONS IN SOUTHERN ITALY INCLUDING THE AMALFI & CILENTO COAST
To truly understand Southern Italy, especially in regions like Calabria and its largely undiscovered hillside and coastal hidden towns, we know first hand, how complicated visiting some of these hidden gems truly is. These are places that must be experienced through the people who know the geography, the language and the time-table. These are places that do not reveal themselves easily to the casual traveler for they are not shaped for tourism. Perhaps this is what makes them so beautiful. There is no mass tourism in many of these places and are still largely but for life as it has been lived for generations. With local hosts and knowledgeable driver-guides, doors open quietly, leading to villages, family kitchens, and coastal roads that would otherwise remain unseen. In Calabria in particular, where authenticity remains beautifully intact, the experience becomes less about visiting and more about being received. It is within these moments, shared conversations, unplanned discoveries, and the gentle rhythm of daily life, that Southern Italy begins to feel not like a destination, but like a place you somehow already know.
DISCOVER WAYS WE CAN HELP IMPROVE YOUR TIME IN ITALY, SICILY & MALTA
Speak directly with an Italy-based IVS expert and get clear, personalized advice before you plan another step.
100% Free
15 Minute Consultation
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[NOW] with a Local Expert!
We have local offices all over Italy including Rome & the Amalfi Coast Discover how our Dedicated Team can Help & Support Your Next Trip to Italy.
With local offices throughout Italy, including Romeand the Amalfi Coast, our dedicated team provides travel advisors with a trusted, on-the-ground partner across the country. Our structure allows us to manage complex, multi-region itineraries with consistency and precision, eliminating the gaps that often arise when working with multiple independent suppliers.
From initial planning through to execution, we coordinate every detail, including transportation logistics, timing, and regional transitions, ensuring that each component of the journey flows seamlessly into the next. Our network of professional, English-speaking driver-guides, local hosts, and regional operators works as one unified team, maintaining clear communication and a consistent level of service throughout.
For travel advisors, this means having a single, reliable point of contact who understands both the expectations of your clients and the realities on the ground in Italy. It allows you to offer more complex and meaningful itineraries with confidence, knowing that every movement is supported, every detail is managed, and every experience reflects the level of care your clients expect.
Journey Through Italy & Greece with Ease: Let Our Expertise Turn Your Dream Trip into Reality
1️⃣ Timing means everything in Italy & Greece when you are planning a vacation!
Nowadays, you can go online and book hotels, trains, tours, and activities without having to interact with a single person! However, what ends up happening in so many instances is that you’re treated as a number once you get here. Not only are you guessing in many instances about the neighbourhood and the property, there’s nobody there to help you in the event that anything goes wrong. We take the guesswork out of the process by customizing your itinerary, selecting the most beautiful and appropriate accommodations given your budget. Our relationships with the venue owners themselves makes a huge difference for how you are received upon arrival. Often, complementary upgrades are given as a result of our relationships which span in some instances nearly 2 decades!
2️⃣ Stress-Free Transportation including Ferries, Transfers, Helicopters & Private Yachts
Navigating Greece and Italy’s transport system can be tricky. Trains, ferries, taxis, and buses don’t always run on time, and rental cars in big cities can be a nightmare. We arrange private transfers, chauffeured vehicles, and smooth connections so your family can travel effortlessly between destinations.
3️⃣ Private & Truly Small Group Experiences
Crowded group tours can be exhausting, especially in the heat. We provide exclusive, private and truly small group experiences designed for absolute comfort, and an overall better experience.
4️⃣ Travel for Humans by Humans who have Local Knowledge & Handpicked Recommendations. Check out our dedicated website
Not only can finding restaurants be stressful, so can knowing where to go shopping. In many areas stores in Italy and Greece are not open all day. Sometimes entire towns shut down from 1:00-5:00 PM. Our team knows how to avoid the pitfalls of travel here, so you don’t run into problems you wouldn’t otherwise.
5️⃣ 24/7 Local Support in both Italy and Greece During Your Trip & Emergency Assistance
When unexpected issues arise—missed trains, lost luggage, or medical concerns—our on-the-ground team is just a phone call away. Unlike online booking platforms, we provide real-time assistance to ensure your trip stays smooth and stress-free.
With Italy Vacation Specialists & GreeceVisits, you’re not just booking a trip—you’re gaining trusted local support, expert guidance, and a stress-free Italian adventure tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Let us handle the details so you can relax, explore, and create lifelong memories together! 🇮🇹✨
TRIP ADVISOR’S 2025 Traveller’s Choice Awards
We were thrilled to have received Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice Award and we were both delighted and surprised to have received the Best of the Best Award.
What we do isn’t easy because of the incredible coordination and numerous logistical factors on the ground in Italy we need to account for.
We do what we do with all of our heart and because we are passionate about Italy.
Thank you for your continued support and you can read a number of recent reviews online.
CONNECT WITH OUR TEAM IN ITALY & GREECE TODAY!
EMAIL US FOR A FAST RESPONSE:
team@italyvacationspecialists.com
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https://www.italyvacationspecialists.com/book-your-free-consultation.html
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