Overview
Our driver will meet you in Naples at a place of your convenience, the hotel, station or airport. From there, you will drive south.
The tour begins with a drive along the gorgeous Cilento coast, stopping in Paestum to stretch your legs while you visit Italy's most impressive Greek temples. Spend the evening in the luxury of Basilicata's only 5-star hotel, enjoying incredible views out over the Tyrrhenian Sea while you relax on your private balcony.
Over the next couple of days, explore the surrounding area, the town of Maratea, the nearby Cave of Wonders, visit the monumental statue of Christ the Redeemer which looks down on the hotel, take a boat trip along the coast and visit a nearby island.
Transferring to Matera, your tour will take you through the mountains known as the Lucanian Dolomites, where you will visit two of Italy's most beautiful villages and have the opportunity to take the 'Flight of the Angels' between them!
In Matera, see the incredible transformation the town has made in the last 60 years, from one of Italy's poorest towns, described in 1950 by the then Prime Minister as 'a national disgrace', to a European Capital of Culture in 2019. Wander freely amongst the caves, caved from the face of a ravine, where the townsfolk once lived in abject poverty, and which have, in more recent times, been a source of inspiration to artists and film-makers alike.
With special permission, a private guide will take you to Craco, a town with an equally tragic past. Due to the delicate nature of the town, no more than 35 people at a time can enter this ghost town that was hastily abandoned following an avalanche.
The tour will finish in Puglia, where you can take the train back to Naples or you may decide to explore another incredible region of the Italian south.
The tour begins with a drive along the gorgeous Cilento coast, stopping in Paestum to stretch your legs while you visit Italy's most impressive Greek temples. Spend the evening in the luxury of Basilicata's only 5-star hotel, enjoying incredible views out over the Tyrrhenian Sea while you relax on your private balcony.
Over the next couple of days, explore the surrounding area, the town of Maratea, the nearby Cave of Wonders, visit the monumental statue of Christ the Redeemer which looks down on the hotel, take a boat trip along the coast and visit a nearby island.
Transferring to Matera, your tour will take you through the mountains known as the Lucanian Dolomites, where you will visit two of Italy's most beautiful villages and have the opportunity to take the 'Flight of the Angels' between them!
In Matera, see the incredible transformation the town has made in the last 60 years, from one of Italy's poorest towns, described in 1950 by the then Prime Minister as 'a national disgrace', to a European Capital of Culture in 2019. Wander freely amongst the caves, caved from the face of a ravine, where the townsfolk once lived in abject poverty, and which have, in more recent times, been a source of inspiration to artists and film-makers alike.
With special permission, a private guide will take you to Craco, a town with an equally tragic past. Due to the delicate nature of the town, no more than 35 people at a time can enter this ghost town that was hastily abandoned following an avalanche.
The tour will finish in Puglia, where you can take the train back to Naples or you may decide to explore another incredible region of the Italian south.
Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival in Naples
1
Where we Visit :
Naples,
Paestum,
Maratea
Arrival at Naples airport where you will be met by one of our English-speaking drivers.Driving along the beautiful Cilento Coast, stopping to visit the beautiful Greek temples at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Paestum.
Stay in the luxury of Santavenere, Basilicata's only 5-star hotel located in Maratea.
Meals :
Not applicable
Day
2
Maratea & Monte San Biagio
2
Where we Visit :
Maratea,
This morning, visit Maratea town on your own. Explore the tiny streets, visit some of the 44 churches and relax with a cappuccino in Piazza Buraglia, the main square.In the afternoon, hike or drive up to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the world's fifth largest Christ statue, which stands on Monte San Biagio looking down on the town and enjoy more incredible views from the top.
Evening of leisure and overnight in Maratea.
Meals :
Breakfast
Day
3
Private Boat Tour of Dino Island
3
Where we Visit :
Praia a Mare,
After breakfast, take a private boat trip out to nearby Dino Island. The boat will take you inside some of the island's many tiny sea caves where, weather allowing, you can jump off the boat and go swimming.
The tour will take you along the wonderful coastline, where you can visit sea caves, swim in the clear waters, snorkel or dive to enjoy the area's rich fauna and stop at the lovely beaches you pass on the way. The tour will end at the hotel's private port.
Overnight in Maratea.
The tour will take you along the wonderful coastline, where you can visit sea caves, swim in the clear waters, snorkel or dive to enjoy the area's rich fauna and stop at the lovely beaches you pass on the way. The tour will end at the hotel's private port.
Overnight in Maratea.
Meals :
Breakfast
Day
4
The Lucanian Dolomites
4
Where we Visit :
Basilicata,
This morning, check out of the hotel after breakfast, when the driver will pick you up.
Today's drive will take you through the Regional Gallipoli Cognato Park, also known as the Lucanian Dolomites, because of the extraordinary mountain range that runs through central Basilicata. The arid wilderness is a strong contrast to the sea of Maratea, but no less stunning and home to numerous species of birds and wildlife.
Visit Campomaggiore Vecchia, one of Basilicata's two ghost towns, abandoned since an avalanche in 1885.
The mountains are also home to 2 of Italy's most beautiful villages: Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, hidden in the mountains, a harmonious balance of Medieval architecture and nature. If you are feeling adventurous, you can take the zip-line, or 'angel flight' as it's known in Italian, between the 2 villages.
At the end of the end, arrive in Matera and the 4-star MH Matera Hotel.
Today's drive will take you through the Regional Gallipoli Cognato Park, also known as the Lucanian Dolomites, because of the extraordinary mountain range that runs through central Basilicata. The arid wilderness is a strong contrast to the sea of Maratea, but no less stunning and home to numerous species of birds and wildlife.
Visit Campomaggiore Vecchia, one of Basilicata's two ghost towns, abandoned since an avalanche in 1885.
The mountains are also home to 2 of Italy's most beautiful villages: Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, hidden in the mountains, a harmonious balance of Medieval architecture and nature. If you are feeling adventurous, you can take the zip-line, or 'angel flight' as it's known in Italian, between the 2 villages.
At the end of the end, arrive in Matera and the 4-star MH Matera Hotel.
Meals :
Breakfast
Day
5
Matera
5
Where we Visit :
Matera,
Spend the day visiting the wonderful 'sassi' of Matera at your own pace.
Until recently, this was one of Italy's poorest towns where the impoverished and illiterate population lived in homes excavated from the rocks, well into the 20th century. Today, thanks to the careful, sensitive development of tourism, the ancient town is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site, inspiration to artists and film makers and a joy to visit as it prepares to be a European Center of Culture in 2019.
Evening and overnight in Matera.
Until recently, this was one of Italy's poorest towns where the impoverished and illiterate population lived in homes excavated from the rocks, well into the 20th century. Today, thanks to the careful, sensitive development of tourism, the ancient town is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site, inspiration to artists and film makers and a joy to visit as it prepares to be a European Center of Culture in 2019.
Evening and overnight in Matera.
Meals :
Breakfast
Day
6
Craco and Wine Tasting
6
Where we Visit :
Matera,
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your driver for your visit to Craco with a local guide.
Craco is one of Italy's most famous ghost towns; having suffered for years due to soil erosion, the town was hastily abandoned in 1963 following a devastating landslide. As you walk the streets heading for Torre Normanna, the town's highest point, you will see signs everywhere of this speedy evacuation. The stories of the fate of the townspeople who could not return home make this a special and emotional visit to a unique part of Basilicata.
Before leaving Basilicata, we will visit a winery to discover some of the secrets of wine production in this mountainous region.
End the day in Bari, Puglia, where you will spend the night at the 5-star Boscolo Hotel on the sea front.
Craco is one of Italy's most famous ghost towns; having suffered for years due to soil erosion, the town was hastily abandoned in 1963 following a devastating landslide. As you walk the streets heading for Torre Normanna, the town's highest point, you will see signs everywhere of this speedy evacuation. The stories of the fate of the townspeople who could not return home make this a special and emotional visit to a unique part of Basilicata.
Before leaving Basilicata, we will visit a winery to discover some of the secrets of wine production in this mountainous region.
End the day in Bari, Puglia, where you will spend the night at the 5-star Boscolo Hotel on the sea front.
Meals :
Breakfast, Wine Tasting
Day
7
Departure for Naples
7
Where we Visit :
Bari,
This morning, visit the old town center of Bari before you take the train back to Naples.
Meals :
Breakfast
Map
Inclusions/Exclusions
Tour Highlights and What's Included
- Daily Buffet Breakfast
- Wine Estate Visit
- Private transfers with an English-speaking driver
- 4 and 5-star accommodation
- Private guides
- Private Boat Trip
What's Not Included
- Everything not clearly specified under “rates includeâ€.
- Food and beverages not mentioned in the program
- Gratuities of any type
- International fights
- Local City Hotel Tax Paid Directly to Hotel
Pricing & Availability
Please contact us today by either phone or email for assistance with this booking.
Email : team@italyvacationspecialists.com
Toll Free : 1-866-779-2565
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