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Hidden Treasures of Southern Italy 2026
9 days from Naples to Alberobello Area
Tour Description:
Although Italy is full of wondrous gems across “the boot,” some of its greatest treasures are hidden closer to its heel. In the Apulia region, known for its centuries-old farmland, whitewashed towns, and miles of scenic coastline, the water is bluer, the produce is fresher, and the pace is delightfully slower. This Undiscovered tour of Southern Italy invites you to kick back and live la dolce vita as you travel from heel to ankle, vineyard to grove, and clifftop to cave. From colorful Naples to the stunning 90-million-year-old caves of Castellana, you will experience Southern Italy’s hottest sights—and coolest. At a special wine tasting at the Manduria wine museum, you’ll raise your glass to the many highlights of “the heel,” including its castles and conical houses, ancient ruins and fresh ricotta, and its eternal sunshine and sunny disposition.PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Naples so you can plan your day your way.
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Dates & Pricing
Start Dates Listed Below are US departure dates, please verify specific dates with your Pavlus Travel Planner
| Sunday 19 Apr 26 — Tuesday 28 Apr 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,589 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 03 May 26 — Tuesday 12 May 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,689 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 10 May 26 — Tuesday 19 May 26 | Starting at $3,119 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 17 May 26 — Tuesday 26 May 26 | Starting at $3,119 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 24 May 26 — Tuesday 02 Jun 26 | Starting at $3,069 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 31 May 26 — Tuesday 09 Jun 26 | Starting at $3,069 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 07 Jun 26 — Tuesday 16 Jun 26 | Starting at $3,069 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 14 Jun 26 — Tuesday 23 Jun 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,689 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 23 Aug 26 — Tuesday 01 Sep 26 | Starting at $2,499 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 30 Aug 26 — Tuesday 08 Sep 26 | Starting at $3,119 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 06 Sep 26 — Tuesday 15 Sep 26 | Starting at $3,119 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 13 Sep 26 — Tuesday 22 Sep 26 | Starting at $3,119 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 20 Sep 26 — Tuesday 29 Sep 26 | Starting at $3,119 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 27 Sep 26 — Tuesday 06 Oct 26 | Starting at $3,119 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 04 Oct 26 — Tuesday 13 Oct 26 | Starting at $3,119 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 11 Oct 26 — Tuesday 20 Oct 26 | Starting at $2,969 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 18 Oct 26 — Tuesday 27 Oct 26 | Starting at $2,769 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingSpecial Features Included in this Tour: • Guided city drive in Naples• Globus Choice excursions in Naples − included in your tour with your choice of a guided walk through the vibrant Spanish Quarter plus a complementary sfogliatella pastry, or a guided walk to see highlights of Naples including a visit to the Santa Chiara Monastery• Guided walking tour of Matera features a visit to a Casa Grotta (cave house)• [LF] Primitivo wine museum visit plus tasting• Guided walking tour in Lecce includes Duomo and Santa Croce Basilica• Visit Ostuni • Guided walking tour in Alberobello includes a visit to a Trullo (traditional stone conical-roof hut)• [LF] Guided visit to the Castellana Grotte underground cave system• Guided walking tour in Bari features the Old Town and San Nicola’s Church• [LF] Local specialty cooking demonstration • Local olive oil tasting
MEALS
MEALS ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 ARRIVE IN NAPLES, ITALY
Welcome to Naples! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Dinner
DinnerDay 2 NAPLES
Spend your day your way in Naples Your Southern Italian adventure begins with an orientation drive of Naples, a vibrant city oozing in character and culture. Explore more of the city with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
Naples Hidden Gems
Discover more of Naples on a walking tour featuring the Piazza del Gesù Nuovo with its Baroque masterpiece namesake church, the historical street Spaccanapoli, dividing the old town in two, and the Santa Chiara Monastery complex including a visit to the stunning cloisters decorated with hand-painted majolica tiles.
Spanish Quarters Sights & Bites
Explore an authentic showcase of Neapolitan culture in the Spanish Quarter. Your Local Guide shares stories on a walk along the maze of narrow streets lined with traditional ground-floor dwellings. Look for the collection of iconic murals on Vico Totó and be treated to Naples' beloved sfogliatella ¿ delicate layers of pastry wrapping a decadent ricotta filling.
Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 3 NAPLES–MATERA
Hidden Gem Drive into the hilly region of Basilicata to reach Matera, one of the oldest towns in the world. Join a Local Guide on a fascinating walk to see the historic center with its complex of “Sassi” houses built into the local caves and visit one of the Casa Grotta (house caves). Enjoy free time in the late afternoon and evening. (B,D)
174 mi / 280km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Matera is a city like no other, entirely carved out of the rocky slopes of a mountain in the Basilicata region and has been extended over millennia. Explore with a Local Guide to reveal the secrets of this unique city that also served as the setting for many famous films, including Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of Christ” and the James Bond 007 film, “No Time to Die.”
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 4 MATERA–MANDURIA–LECCE
Cultivating Culture A scenic drive into Apulia, the charismatic region with the longest coastline, that forms the heel of Italy’s “boot”. [LF] Enjoy an interesting visit to the Primitivo wine museum to learn about the local production, followed by a tasting. Continue to Lecce for free time.
(B) 106 mi / 170km
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Wine holds a significant cultural and historical importance in Italy, making it one of the world's leading wine-producing countries. The Italian wine culture is deeply intertwined with the country's regional diversity. The Primitivo grape is the primary grape variety cultivated in the Manduria region, and it is known for producing robust and full-bodied red wines with rich fruit flavors. Its name derives from the tendency of the grape to mature early
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 5 LECCE
Sweet Strolls in Apulia This morning, discover why Lecce is often referred to as the “Florence of the South” when you follow your Local Guide for a walking tour of Lecce’s beautiful historic center, rich in Baroque architecture. Visit the Duomo with its distinctive bell tower and the Basilica of Santa Croce that took over 200 years to complete Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening, time to browse at leisure and sample some of the region’s delicious specialties. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM Stroll around Lecce to take in the vibrant and bustling atmosphere. Wander the narrow streets of golden sandstone looking for hidden Piazzas, or, relax in a wine bar and indulge in a glass of local rosé and views of the carved baroque churches the city has to offer around each corner
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 6 LECCE–OSTUNI–ALBEROBELLO AREA
Stone Houses Visit Ostuni, a stunning white hilltop town. Explore the charming streets and admire the views before [LF] savoring an olive oil tasting and light lunch of local specialties. Once in Alberobello, join your Local Guide for a walking tour through the Trulli-lined streets, including an interior visit of a Trullo (traditional conical-roof house) to discover how people live there.
(B,L) 75 mi / 120km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The iconic round houses (Trulli) date back hundreds of years. These Trulli, constructed of dry stone and cone-shaped roofs, include the oldest structures built in the 16th century and were used as grain storage or residences. Made without cement in the masonry techniques of the day, these whitewashed homes were easily disassembled to avoid property taxes when the collectors came calling! Today, you can stroll the streets lined with Trulli houses to see their conical rooftops decorated with symbols such as a cross, heart, astronomical symbol, or the evil eye
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 7 ALBEROBELLO AREA: EXCURSION TO CASTELLANA GROTTE
Stalactites & Stalagmites A short drive this morning to Castellana Grotte. Descend underground for a fascinating guided visit and walk through some of the most suggestive caves. Return to the hotel and enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
31 mi / 50 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT The Grotte di Castellana is one of the largest cave systems in Italy, stretching for over two miles. The underground tunnels are a natural marvel with stunning geological formations illuminated in a rainbow of hues as the sun moves through the sky
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 8 ALBEROBELLO AREA: EXCURSION TO BARI
Old Town and Old Saint Nicholas Drive to the vibrant port city of Bari and meet your Local Guide for a walking tour of Bari Vecchia, the city’s oldest district, including a visit to the Basilica of San Nicola. Later, [LF] enjoy a cooking demonstration of local specialties, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
81 mi / 130km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Bari combines historical charm with modern amenities, culinary tradition, and cultural attractions. The city's markets, such as the Mercato Coperto, offer a vibrant showcase of fresh local produce and culinary delights. A major point of interest is the Basilica di San Nicola that holds the relics of Saint Nicholas who was the inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 9 ALBEROBELLO AREA
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Nearest airport is Bari) (B)
Accommodations
Accommodations| Naples | Matera | Lecce | Alberobello Area | Alberobello Area |
Starhotel Terminus
First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Piazza Garibaldi 91 Napoli Italy
The Terminus hotel offers a 4 star retreat from everyday life in the midst of lively Naples. It is located in a strategic location just steps from the metro L1 stop Garibaldi, which offers easy transport to reach the main attractions of the city.
First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Piazza Garibaldi 91 Napoli Italy
The Terminus hotel offers a 4 star retreat from everyday life in the midst of lively Naples. It is located in a strategic location just steps from the metro L1 stop Garibaldi, which offers easy transport to reach the main attractions of the city.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
