GOING DOWN TO THE SEA, THE AMAZING BEAUTY OF ITALY

Arrival at Rome airport. Private chauffeured transfer by minivan to our hotel accommodation near Castel Gandolfo or near Frascati, in B&B treatment.
Lunch at leisure. Free time to relax in the beautiful venue.
Welcome dinner at our Hotel.

Breakfast at our hotel. Today you will be guided towards a panoramic tour along the Roman Castles and their culinary traditions, Castelgandolfo (summer residence of the Pope), Ariccia, Genzano, Nemi. We will stop in a typical “Fraschetta” in Ariccia a gourmet stop where you will have the chance to taste the mouth-watering “Porchetta” and local wine.
In the afternoon we will pass through Genzano and Velletri for a photographic stop.
In Genzano you will have the chance to see the first IGT bread in the world, with all its secrets, in the oldest bakery of the small village. Our last stop will be in Nemi, a real jewel with a lake.
In Nemi you will walk through the narrow streets and taste syrups made with the famous strawberries of Nemi.
Back to our Hotel in Castel Gandolfo or Frascati with free time for dinner.
Overnight at our Hotel.

Breakfast at our hotel and check out.
Private chauffeured transfer by minivan from our Hotel to Riviera di Circe in the south of Rome.
We will visit the enchanting sea villages of Sabaudia, Terracina, San Felice Circeo, Sperlonga and Gaeta.
A lovely day dedicated to taste, art and nature.
Arrival in Gaeta or Formia or Sabaudia. Check in in a 4 star hotel, in B&B treatment.
Dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at our hotel. Departure for a boat tour around Isole Pontine.
Boarding in Formia on hydrofoil or another fast boat to Ponza.
Meeting with the local guide to visit this island.
Electric cars are available if you prefer. After the tour we will sail on private boat for a two hour tour of the coast Island reaching Isola di Palmarola.
In Palmarola Island there are few traces of man. The island is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world for its wild and uncontaminated landscape. The only trace of human presence is discernible in cave dwellings and in the remains of an ancient Cistercian monastery.
Light lunch on board (water and wine included).
Back to Formia. Dinner at leisure, overnight stay.

After breakfast in our hotel check out and departure to the lands of Cilento.
Arrival in San Marco di Castellabate and check in at our hotel .
San Marco is part of the municipality of Castellabate, in the heart of the National Park of Cilento.
Before arriving at the hotel stop to visit Paestum, a fascinating place considered the door of Cilento area.
Paestum is recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It was built by the Greeks in 600 BC and initially was given the name of Poseidon -it was dedicated to the god of the sea Poseidon (or Neptune for Romans). The Romans developed a seaport in the city and they erected a temple.
After Paestum we will visit Agropoli. The historical centre of the village -accessible by a large gate dating back to the seventeenth century- still retains much of the ancient centre and the defensive walls. Enjoy a visit of the Aragonese Castle of Agropoli, a medieval fortress built in order to protect the town. The castle stands in a strategic position from which it was possible to control all the territory around.
Back to San Marco di Castellabate. Dinner at leisure, overnight stay.

Breakfast at our hotel and tour of the fabulous sea of Cilento. We will visit the Cilento area, through all the coast villages, Marina di Pisciotta, Ascea, Palinuro, Marina di Camerota.
In Marina di Pisciotta, a small village of the Cilento coast, we will learn about an ancient technique of fishing and preservation of anchovies.
This technique that was developed around the Mediterranean sea at the time of the ancient Greeks. Here survives thanks to a group of six fishermen who still carry on this ancient tradition.
The menaica anchovies are fished between April and July, the fishermen go out at dusk placing their goals.
The peculiarity of this technique are the goals, called “menaica”, that manages to select only the largest anchovies. The anchovies are immediately processed and preserved in salt.
In Marina di Camerota you will enjoy a unique experience: take part in a Lamparata just after the sunset under the moonlight. The Lamparata is an ancient fishing technique. Leave the port of Marina di Camerota on board of a fishing boat equipped of a powerful lamp (lampara) directing light on water. After a signal the goal is thrown into the sea.
All the fishes will be grilled on the closer bay and served with local wine, all in a very nice atmosphere. Or just take a boat tour to learn about the sea and this beautiful coast.
The shores of Marina di Camerota and Capo di Palinuro will have no more secrets. The team that will lead the tour consists of real “old sea dogs” that will describe every corner, telling myths and legends, a perfect day on the authentic Italian sea.
Back to San Marco di Castellabate.
Dinner at leisure, overnight stay.

Breakfast at our hotel, check out and early departure towards Matera.
Lunch at leisure.
Stop in Altamura to visit the most ancient oven in this town.
The Antico Forno is dated 1423.
One of the oldest in Altamura, it is used to produce the famous local bread classified since 2005 as PDO “Protected Designation of Origin”.
Arrival in Matera and hotel check in.
Dinner event in a typical restaurant .
Overnight stay at our Hotel in Matera.

Breakfast at our hotel and guided visit of the Rione Sassi (cave houses, rocky churches where time seems to stop, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List).

Departure in the early afternoon for a three-hour tour to discover the small villages and their amazing landscape characterized by calanchi -singular hill shaped by weather and time.
Tursi amazes you with its beauty and uniqueness. Founded by the Arabs, it was built with sandstone along a steep slope overhanging the clay hills.
Walk through the small alleys with stunning panoramic views on the calanchi. Aliano, where Carlo Levi, the author of “Christ Stopped at Eboli,” spent his exile. Through the places described in the novel you will recognize the authenticity of a rural and pastoral tradition never extinguished.
Walk along the alleys described in “Christ Stopped at Eboli” and stop at the “house with eyes”. Craco, a rural village abandoned by its inhabitants after a strong earthquake, it is today a ghost village on a clay hill dominated by an imposing Norman tower. It captivates everyone for its extraordinary beauty.
Back to ourr Hotel in Matera, time to relax, free time for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast and check out from our Hotel.
At 11.00 am transfer to Fasano or Monopoli. Check in at our hotel. Transfer to Gioia del Colle area for a tasting / light lunch in a wine cellar producing Primitivo wine.
Some grape varieties in Apulia -including Primitivo variety- were probably introduced in the eighteenth century by the Benedictines, who found favourable climate and soil conditions for growing grapes.
Stop in Polignano a Mare where you can find one of the most famous Italian ice cream shop.
Check in in your hotel Accomodation for the overnight stay . dinner at leisure.

Breakfast at your hotel.
free time to enjoy the sea
free time for shopping
Lunch at leisure
Dinner in a typical Restaurant with sea view
Overnight stay in your hotel

Breakfast at our hotel and departure to Lecce .
Arriving in Lecce check in at our hotel .
Meet the local guide for a visit of the wonderful city of Lecce.
Lecce will surprise you with its baroque influences, Piazza Duomo –the main square-, the narrow streets, the cathedral and the bell tower. Gastronomic stops in town to try la rustica (confection of puff pastry with different ingredients), pasticciotto leccese and ice coffee with almond’s milk.
Lunch at leisure and free afternoon to stroll around Lecce, discovering the ancient artisanal laboratories.
Dinner event based on local orecchiette handmade pasta.
Enjoy the dinner while listening to a local Pizzica music . Overnight stay at your hotel.

Breakfast at our hotel. Departure for a guided visit of Castel del Monte, Puglia’s symbol and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The castle was built directly on a rocky bank and it is well known for its octagonal shape.
Eight octagonal towers are inserted on each of the eight corners. Lunch at leisure.
In the afternoon guided visit of Bari, the biggest city in Puglia. Back to Lecce, dinner at leisure and overnight stay.

Breakfast at our hotel in Lecce and departure for the beautifully city of Otranto, real pearl of the Adriatic sea, famous for the white colour of the houses that matches with the blue of the ski. The town is full of churches with wonderful mosaics, interesting castles which offers a panoramic view and a long walk on the sea with very nice views. Lunch at leisure. Visit of the lively city of Gallipoli, a little nice jewel. Back to Lecce, dinner at leisure and overnight stay.

Breakfast at our hotel in Lecce and check out. Today you will leave quite early to discover another authentic part of Italy, the Lucania Dolomites. We will cross Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, two of the most beautiful villages in Italy, where we will assist to the “angel flight” -a 1550m traverse between two mountains.
In the evening dinner based on local cavatelli .
Transfer to Vietri sul Mare.
Check in at your hotel Accomodation overnight stay.

Breakfast at our hotel in Vietri sul mare and check out.
Morning at leisure in Vietri sul Mare.
In the afternoon transfer to Fiumicino Airport in Rome.
Overnight stay in an hotel near the Airport.

Breakfast at our hotel and transfer to the Airport according to your flight.
End of the services and say Good bye Italy !