Authentic Apulia Self-Drive from Naples

In the morning, pick up your car rental at Naples airport or the Napoli Centrale Rail Station then head to Mount Vesuvius for a nature walk through history, geology and nature. Spend some time enjoying the wonderful sweeping views over century-old crops and traditions including a light lunch on the slopes of Vesuvius. Expected arrival late in the afternoon in Salerno area. Overnight in Salerno area.

After breakfast, depart for Matera, one of the oldest cities in the World, dating back to the Paleolithic period. Known as the Citta dei Sassi (the City of the Stones), a Unesco World Heritage Site, a complex of cave houses carved into the mountain. The architecture of the Sassi di Matera (the Stones of Matera) tells of man's ability to perfectly adapt himself to the environment. Ride in a traditional Ape Calessino vehicle through the alleys of the city. Optional excursion(s): Street Food tour, Tour of the Hill-side rock Churches
Overnight in Matera.

Depart for Alberobello to discover the Trulli, hundreds of white cone-shaped limestone constructions, which point their pinnacles to the sky. The "Casa Pezzolla" Territory Museum displays furnishings and tools that recreate life in the Trulli as it was in the past. Stop for tasting wine and local products. Continue to admire the blinding splendor of Locorotondo, suspended between dream and reality. The white of the limestone envelops everything and acts as a dazzling backdrop to the baroque architecture in local stone. Not to miss the Gnumeredde Suffuchete, lamb meat rolls, cooked for a long time in terracotta pans. Optional experience(s): Alberobello tour with olive oil tasting. Overnight in Locorotondo.

After breakfast, discover Ostuni, the White City, with its medieval village rich of narrow streets and houses, in a maze as a reminiscent of an Arab kasbah. Walk the old city, with its picturesque views of alleys, steep stairways, courtyards and small squares overlooked by white houses embellished with geraniums, craft shops, typical restaurants and small stores. The fifteenth-century Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral stands at the centre of the village. Continue for a boat trip from Santa Maria di Leuca in the blue sea of Puglia. Optional experience(s): Ostuni walking tour with local guide. Overnight in Nardo.

Today, enjoy a day at leisure exploring the historic city or relaxing on the beach. The city of Nardo is located in the Salento, on the eastern part of Apulia. Like most of southern Italy, the city has a rich history of Greek, Arab and Spanish influence. The seaside is a wonderful resort town with sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, grottos and lagoons. Optional experience(s): Lecce bike tour, Visit to the villages of Specchia and Presicce, Visit to Otranto.

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for Manduria, the Land of the Messapi and the renowned Primitivo of Manduria Doc wine. Not to miss a visit to the Wine Museum, including a wine tasting. Continue to the Itria Valley, characterized by charming villages, historic towns, wooded slopes, vineyards and mile after mile of olive groves and the intriguing ‘trulli’ houses that dot the countryside, which gives the region an almost fairytale atmosphere. Optional experience(s): Visit to the Castellana Caves, Trekking in the Bosco delle Pianelle Nature Reserve, Visit to the Pastini winery, E-bike tour of the Itria Valley. Overnight in Polignano a Mare.

After breakfast, explore Polignano a Mare, a medieval village perched at the top of a high and jagged coast, the birth town Domenico Modugno, one of the fathers of the Italian pop music, author and performer of songs such as "Volare". Polignano has a fascinating historic city full of Arab, Byzantine, Spanish and Norman traces, such as the remains of the four defense towers that surrounded the ancient part of the town. In the afternoon, continue to Bari, the capital of the Apulia region. Take a walk through the labyrinth maze of side lanes and houses of the old city, now completely restored. Optional experience(s): Walking Tour of Polignano a Mare, Street food Tour of Bari, Bari bike tour.