Tailormade tour Amalfi Coast, Basilicata & Puglia fly-drive tour Italy

Upon your arrival in Naples, pick up your hire-car and begin this touring holiday with a short drive to the Amalfi coast. Exchange the uproarious noise and lively activity of the anarchic Naples for the peaceful serenity of the colourful towns of the Amalfi Coast, often built high onto the rocky coastline. Your hotel in the white seaside town of Amalfi, the Hotel Santa Caterina, is situated conveniently near to the centre of town. Enjoy this enviable location by taking a wander to explore all Amalfi has to offer, or merely spend your days poolside, soaking up the rays in fragrant and beautiful surroundings. At the centre of town lies the Piazza Duomo, so called because at the top of the 57 stone steps that dominate the piazza is the Duomo di Sant’ Andrea Apostolo. The exterior of Amalfi’s cathedral is in the Italian Byzantine style, but the interior is predominantly Baroque. Venture down into the crypt to see where the bones of Saint Andrew are kept, before wandering around the tranquil Chiostro del Paradiso and looking around the museum. Take in the magnificent views across Amalfi from the atrium before heading back down into the town. Walk from Amalfi to nearby Ravello via the trail through the Valle delle Ferriere nature reserve. You will pass waterfalls, climb old stone steps, cross bridges, wander through forests, and observe serene abandoned buildings, before you reach the small picturesque village of Ravello. Alternatively, appreciate the nature within the town of Amalfi itself by walking along the river on the Valle dei Mulini Amalfi. For a taste of the Amalfi history, visit the Paper Museum, which houses the last paper mill used in the area, or walk around the Piazza dei Dogi, formerly known as the Piazza dei Ferrari due to the abundance of blacksmiths that used to line the square. Visit the Antichi Arsenali, the old shipyards, for a tour of Amalfi maritime history, and in the evening view the Amalfi Musical under the arched stone ceiling of one of the shipyards. Wander up between the towering white houses of the Vagliendola, or learn the history of the famous Amalfi lemons at the Museo dell’ Agricoltura. Nearby Conca dei Marini, built on a promontory, is the site of the famous and beautiful Emerald Grotto, a half-submerged cave, accessible by boat, in which the waters glow green. Experience the Amalfi Coast’s Saracen history in the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Atrani, or visit Cetara to try some of the local tuna and anchovies. From Positano, the home of original and colourful boutique dresses, take a boat trip to the Isles of li Galli to see the tall towers that defended against the Saracens. Other excursion and sightseeing possibilities include the islands of Capri and Ischia, and the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Spend your evenings on one of the natural terraces back at the Hotel Santa Caterina, overlooking the deep blue waters.

Leave Amalfi after breakfast and drive southeast to the next stop on this touring holiday. On the way south you can visit the Greco-Roman remains at Paestum. Enter the Basilicata region of southern Italy and arrive in the small hilltop village of Maratea; a rural, traditional Italian village, it is protected from mass-tourism by its size and location. On the Costa di Maratea, this village is another excellent point from which to appreciate the Italian coast. Your hotel, the Locanda delle Donne Monache, was once the home of the Visitandine nuns. The building’s religious heritage can still be read on the shape and design of its exterior. With it central location and elevated position, guests can enjoy an excellent perspective of this traditional town with its winding streets and terracotta roofs. The real charm of Maratea comes with being acquainted with the flow of its little streets and lanes, its dilapidated archways, and hidden grottoes, or by dining in one of the small outdoor cafés that line the edges of the Piazza Buraglia. Dotted along these winding streets are a total of 44 churches, all of which offer valuable insight into the town’s religious history. The most striking of these churches, however, is the Chiesetta del Calvario, with its many attractive frescoes and depiction of the Virgin Mary. Avid explorers will uncover the crumbling houses and overgrown lanes that hark back to an older Maratea, thus far untouched by any form of modernisation. Drive closer to the shore to Maratea Porto to have dinner in a harbourside café or restaurant, before observing the art displayed on the harbour streets. Further along a coastline dotted with ruined defensive castles, you will find the smaller beaches of Fiumicello and Castrocucco, perfect for a relaxed afternoon’s excursion on one of your three days in Maratea. Head to Santa Caterina to go scuba-diving with the local Centro Sub Maratea, or trek up the Mt. San Biagio in the Cliento National Park to reach the statue of the Redeemer. This statue, reaching 22m high, is reminiscent of the Redeemer on Mt. Corcavado in Rio de Janeiro, but the Maratea depiction is distinctly more joyful, youthful, and appears to be more dynamic in stance. Maratea hosts a festival in the month of May dedicated to San Biagio, while the summer months bring with them a wide range of events: from Jazz concerts and food tastings. You may, therefore, want to plan your trip to make the most of these unique, local traditions. Other possible day trips include excursions to the beautiful hilltop village of Rivello or to the remains of the Roman town of Grumentum, with its still discernible amphitheatre and temples.

Before leaving Basilicata and entering Puglia, stop off at Matera on your way across inland Southern Italy. Famous for being a cave-settlement with a scandalous past involving disease and poverty, Matera has now been reclaimed by its former residents and its cave-houses nurtured into habitability. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it remains one of the most perfectly preserved troglodyte settlements in Europe. Your third destination on this touring holiday, however, is Il Melograno, a charming hotel just outside the town of Monopoli, located in the heart of the country-side about five kilometres from the sea. Combining modernity with rustic simplicity, this hotel blends in perfectly with the picturesque surroundings of olive groves, fig trees and traditional farms. Once a traditional Italian masseria, this building has been lovingly restored to its former glory, with the addition of a luxurious spa hidden behind a citrus grove. The diverse and fragrant flora at this hotel cast a colourful light onto the pastel tones of each of the rooms. Ascend the local stone staircase to reach the quaint restaurant which overlooks the pool terrace through wide open arches. Guests can spend time relaxing at the hotel or on their seasonal beach club or explore the Puglian countryside where typical sights include mediaeval castles and small villages of white-washed houses. A 15-minute drive along the coast will bring you to the fishing village of Savelletri di Fasano. The main attraction of Savelletri is its harbour and promenade, on which you will find the rustic beach club, Lido Ottagono. This is the perfect point from which to enjoy the sea and explore the coves. We highly recommend taking the time to sit in one of the harbourside cafés and sample the Italian gelato. On a more sombre note, the village’s Archeolido is worth a visit, comprised of a sprawling necropolis, a museum, and various archaeological sites around the town that are still being investigated. For a taste of the local produce and cuisine, seek out the many local cheese farms and olive oil mills, or go Soul Running through the Trulli Hills and try the Primitivo wines. The town of Selva di Fasano is only a short drive away and offers a chance to connect with the Puglian landscape and tradition. Within the town the buildings are built in the Trulli architectural style, with pointed roofs. Its streets are lined with olive, carob, almond, and oak trees, as well as vines, arbutus, and mastics. It is also home to the largest wild animal zoological park in Europe. Surrounded by a varied and beautiful landscape, seek out the natural caves that punctuate the mountainsides, especially the S. Elia cave and its magnificent stalactites. From high up on the hillside you get a fantastic view across the Fasano Valley, and the small nearby villages. The hot springs of Torre Canne are very close by, as is the village of Alberobello, a somewhat fantastical image with its low white houses with circular pointed roofs, and narrow winding paved streets. In the evenings, return to your hotel to dine at the traditional restaurant.

Depending on the time of your flight, perhaps take the time before going to the airport in Bari to explore the grander, metropolitan side of Puglia. Tour the city streets, discovering the architectural gems, such as the cathedral and Pinacoteca. Perhaps even wander up to the old town to wander around the maze-like streets. Afterwards at the airport, return your hire-car for your return flight to London.