The Culture and Antiquity of Southern Italy: A Journey Through Time and Tradition

Your driver will be waiting for you at the Bari Airport and will escort you to your hotel in Monopoli. After settling into your hotel, you’ll enjoy a stroll in the historic center.

Monopoli, a charming coastal town in Puglia, Italy, is renowned for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and authentic atmosphere. Situated on the Adriatic Sea, 40 kilometers from Bari, it features a historic center of narrow streets, whitewashed buildings, and piazzas.

The medieval Castle of Charles V and the Baroque Cathedral of Maria Santissima della Madia highlight its cultural heritage. Monopoli’s Old Port bustles with fishing boats, while nearby sandy beaches like Cala Porta Vecchia provide serene escapes.

Celebrated for its seafood, traditional cuisine, and festivals like the Feast of the Madonna della Madia, Monopoli blends history, charm, and tranquility.

Explore sea-view streets, hidden caves, and dine inside a breathtaking seaside grotto.

Your driver will pick you up at your accommodations and accompany you to the nearby town of Polignano al Mare.

Polignano al Mare, a seaside town dramatically perched atop a cliff overlooking the sea, offers a breathtaking blend of natural beauty and historic charm. Begin your exploration by admiring the historic Marquis Arch, a testament to the town's rich heritage. Continue with a visit to the Cathedral, where you can appreciate its architectural beauty and historical significance.

As you wander through the enchanting narrow alleys, you'll discover the charm and character that define this coastal gem. In addition to its picturesque streets, Polignano al Mare is renowned for its stunning coastal areas, including a variety of accessible sea caves. Among these, the Turquoise Cave and the Pigeons Cave stand out, offering mesmerizing views and a unique perspective of the town's natural wonders.

You’ll then enjoy a memorable dining experience at the renowned Grotta Palazzese (reservations made, cost not included). Situated in a magnificent cave setting, this restaurant offers an unparalleled atmosphere and exquisite cuisine.

A private boat tour through sea grottos, scenic cliffs, and historic seaside towns.

You’ll meet your private skipper at the nearby port and begin your boat tour of the caves that form the coastline. The route includes Grotta delle Rondinelle, Cala Paura, Grottone, and the Statue of Domenico Modugno.

You'll pass Lama Monachile, the Red Bull Cliff Diving balcony, Santo Stefano Bastion, Archbishop's Cave, Palazzese Grotto, Favale Grotto, San Pietro and Paolo Grotto, Grotto Ardito, Column of Hercules, Cave of the Nuns, Rock of the Hermit, Cala Sala, Cave of the Pigeons, and Pozzovivo Cave.

Continue towards Monopoli to visit the Sella Cave and Cala Incina, with a swim stop near Cala Corvino. You’ll stop at the Monopoli port and enjoy a stroll in the historic center, before returning to Monopoli by boat.

Discover the “White City” before continuing to the baroque heart of Puglia.

Your driver will accompany you to your hotel in Lecce. On the way, you will stop in the captivating town of Ostuni for a visit.This captivating town boasts historical and architectural gems. The Gothic-Romanesque Ostuni Cathedral offers panoramic views, while the Old Town’s whitewashed alleys reflect rich history.

Explore the medieval Castello di Ostuni, grand Porta Nova, charming Porta San Demetrio, and vibrant Piazza della Libertà. Visit Museo di Ostuni and churches like San Francesco and San Pietro for deeper cultural insights.

After lunch at a selected local restaurant (not included), you’ll continue your journey to Lecce, the “Florence of the South.”

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you on a leisurely walking tour through the city center, showcasing the fusion of Florence's elegance and Lecce's Baroque style in its squares, monuments, and churches.

You’ll see the Porta Napoli obelisk, with its distinctive dolphin and crescent moon engravings, and admire the Palazzo dei Celestini alongside the ornate façade of the Church of Santa Croce, a masterpiece of Lecce’s Baroque architecture. Along the way, you’ll learn about a former noble residence turned casino, adding local flavor and historical intrigue.

Your tour continues to Piazza Duomo, a unique square completely enclosed by stunning buildings—a perfect backdrop for memorable photos. It concludes in Piazza Sant’Oronzo, where the city’s patron saint overlooks the square from atop a Roman column that once stood on the ancient Via Appia.

Your driver will pick you up at your accommodations and accompany you to the town of Alberobello. You’ll visit the Trulli, traditional Apulian houses that are an extraordinary example of dry-stone construction, featuring conical or pyramid-shaped roofs. The oldest Trulli date back to the 14th century.

Make sure to taste the famous local bread while enjoying lunch at a traditional trattoria. Afterwards, your driver will accompany you to your hotel in Matera.

Your guide will pick you up at your accommodations and accompany you on a tour of this unique city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Carved out of rock, with its medieval and Baroque areas, you’ll learn about Matera’s incredible history, dating back to the 10th millennium BC.

You’ll explore the Sassi area, a remarkable complex of cave dwellings carved into the mountainside. Once evacuated in 1952 due to poor living conditions, the Sassi now houses museums like the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, featuring period furniture and artisan tools. Nearby, you’ll visit rock-hewn churches such as St. Lucia alle Malve, known for its evocative 13th-century frescoes. (3 hours)

After the tour, you’ll have time to explore Matera on your own—browsing local shops, cafés, family-run restaurants, and artisan workshops that contribute to the town’s vibrant and timeless charm.

Your day begins in Matera, where your private driver will whisk you away to one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological wonders—Pompeii. With your expert private guide, you’ll explore the remarkably preserved streets, villas, shops, and even ancient graffiti that offer a vivid window into daily life in ancient Rome. Stroll through opulent courtyards once home to noble families, peek into bustling “fast food” stalls frequented by everyday citizens, and uncover the stories that bring this once-thriving city to life—all frozen in time beneath the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius.

After your immersive tour, the journey continues up the volcanic slopes for a well-earned indulgence: a private lunch and wine tasting at a family-owned vineyard. Here, you’ll savor rustic Neapolitan cuisine and sip wines cultivated in the mineral-rich soil of the volcano, all while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of the bay below. As the afternoon draws to a close, your driver will escort you to Naples, where the day concludes in this historic and vibrant city. With the Your Own Italy Advantage, every detail is seamlessly curated to blend history, culture, and culinary delight into an unforgettable experience.

Begin your exploration of Naples at the hilltop Museo di Capodimonte, home to one of Italy’s most remarkable collections of Renaissance and Baroque art. As you stroll through its grand galleries, you’ll encounter masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, and El Greco, offering a visual feast that sets the tone for the vibrant city below.

After lunch in the birthplace of pizza—where you’ll enjoy a slice of the city’s culinary pride—it’s time to experience Naples in all its gritty, unforgettable glory. Your guide will lead you on a spirited walk through the city’s historic center, weaving through narrow alleys alive with flapping laundry, roaring Vespas, and the raw energy that makes Naples so unique. From bustling markets to hidden churches and neighborhood piazzas, this immersive tour captures the heart and soul of a city that’s as bold and flavorful as its cuisine.

Your guide will meet you at your accommodations and accompany you to the nearby Naples Archeological Museum where you will delve into the rich art and cultural heritage of the ancient world. You’ll explorec Greek and Roman statues, frescoes, mosaics, and artifacts. Gain profound insights into the excavated treasures from Herculaneum and Pompeii, the renowned Farnese Collection, and the intriguing Gabinetto Segreto, unraveling the mysteries and significance of these historical marvels.

As you bid farewell to Italy, you carry with you not just memories of breathtaking landscapes, exquisite cuisine, and timeless history, but also the warmth of newfound friendships. Your driver will ensure a smooth journey to the airport, giving you plenty of time to make your flight. Though your adventure may be coming to an end, Italy salutes you with a heartfelt “Arrivederci!”—until we meet again.

Now that you’ve traveled with Your Own Italy, you’ll always have friends eager to welcome you back whenever you long for the beauty, flavors, and magic of this incredible land once more.