The beauties of the great South Italy

Departure is an exciting time for many travellers. It marks the beginning of an adventure. Today you will start to be part of a community, which will give you a rewarding travel experience. You will have the opportunity to turn a simple trip into an opportunity for personal growth, cultural enrichment, Globest welcomes you to BARI. After your welcome at the airport, we will head to the hotel to present the rich and exciting program of the week. Typical dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will leave for Trani, known as the “pearl of the Adriatic” for its beauty. We will visit the port, beating heart and most characteristic place of Trani. We will then reach Barletta city rich in history, culture and natural beauty for a walk in the historic center to the famous Colossus, huge bronze statue of a Roman emperor over 4 meters high. From here we will continue to Castel del Monte. After lunch we will go up with a local shuttle to the castle of Frederick II, singular fortress of the thirteenth century with octagonal plan, surrounded by eight towers in turn octagonal, located on a hill of the Murge and built in 1240 for Frederick II of Swabia, dominating the surrounding plain (entrance included). Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we will leave for Bari, the “Eastern Gate”, for its important port on the Adriatic Sea. Bari has managed to preserve much of its architectural, historical and cultural heritage. Together with a local guide we will discover Bari Vecchia, walking through the narrow alleys, white houses and clothes, and walking in an intricate maze of streets to admire historic buildings, romantic views of the sea and ancient churches. In this area, we will also walk along via Arcobasso (or Via Orecchiette) where we will admire the local women while they prepare fresh pasta such as “strascinet” (orecchiette), “fascinet” (fusilli lisci), cavatelli or hats of the priest. Lunch in Bari. In the afternoon we will leave for Alberobello. Also known as “the city of trulli”, typical white stone houses with conical roofs, UNESCO World Heritage. We will visit the «Trullo Supremo» with its 12 rooms (entrance included). Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will leave (without a guide) for Matera, a small jewel carved in the mountains where time seems to have stopped, and the surrounding landscape seems to be that of a painting. Matera is famous for its ancient houses carved in the limestone, dating back to prehistoric times, called Sassi, which were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993.Today, these houses have been restored and transformed into hotels, restaurants and shops, and offer visitors a unique experience of living in the ancient city.
Visit of a cave house (entrance included). Lunch in Matera and continuation towards Calabria. Meeting with the local guide at the hotel in the area of Vibo Valentia. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will visit Tropea, the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, it is a charming seaside resort capable of surprising and enchanting built on the edge of a promontory that reflects itself in the crystal clear sea of the Costa degli Dei. The historic centre is splendid. Lunch and continue to Pizzo Calabro, an ancient fishing village perched on a tuff promontory along the Costa degli Dei. Walk in the old town. Tasting of the famous homemade ice cream from Pizzo: «il Tartufo», hazelnut ice cream with a heart of melted bitter chocolate, all covered in chocolate powder! Return to hotel; dinner and overnight.

After breakfast in the hotel we will leave for Gerace, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, perched on a cliff with an incredible view of the Ionian Sea and the territory of Locride, where you can breathe a medieval air. Transfer by train from the coach parking lot to the cathedral of Gerace A/R included. Lunch during the visit. Continuation to Serra San Bruno, a small mountain village in the heart of the Parco delle Serre, surrounded by dense beech, fir and oak woods famous for the Certosa, the first monastery of the order of the Carthusians. The Charterhouse is a place of silence and prayer, where monks live in seclusion and follow an austere and rigorous rule. It is not possible to visit the interior of the monastery, but you can access the museum of the monastery (entrance included), which tells the history and life of the monks through photos and objects. Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast in hotel and departure for Reggio Calabria, one of the most beautiful cities of Calabria, lying on the strait of Messina and tip of the boot of Italy. Visit of the Falcomatà promenade, one of the most beautiful seasides walks in Italy, the Aragonese Castle and the National Archaeological Museum that houses the Bronzes, found in the seabed of Riace (from which the Bronzes of Riace). In the afternoon departure for Pentidattilo, a small ghost village that rises perched on the cliff of Mount Calvary that resembles in the shape of a cyclopean hand with five fingers, and from which derives the name of the village in Greek. Continue to Scilla, one of the most beautiful and famous villages on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, perched on a picturesque and panoramic rocky promontory overlooking the sea. Visit of the small seaside village of Chianalea, called the Venice of the south, characterized by the houses that emerge directly from the rocks close to the sea, one next to the other. Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and departure for Lamezia Terme. City born recently from the union of several municipalities, has a considerable importance from the agricultural, commercial, industrial and infrastructural point of view for its central position. It boasts a lively and renowned cultivation of the olive tree from which the Lametia DOP oil is produced and of the vine from which the Lamezia DOC wines are obtained. We will visit a renowned winery where we will taste wines and enjoy a typical lunch. In the afternoon we will take the road to the area of Naples. Accommodation in hotel; dinner and overnight.

On this day of return, nostalgia for the places visited and enthusiasm for returning home mix. We will accompany you to the airport to help you with the boarding logistics. Today we close a chapter and open a new one, we will say goodbye, but you are part of our community, you will carry with you the promise of new future adventures even more extraordinary. While you wait for your flight, reflect on the extraordinary experiences you have experienced during your journey: from delicious dishes to natural wonders discovered along the way. You will prepare to face the daily routine with new energy. Good return home.