Southern Italy and Puglia Tour

Bari to Rome

We meet at the AJet counter in the international terminal of Sabiha Gökçen Airport, 3 hours before the flight. After check-in we board AJet special flight VF5541, departing at 06.00 for Bari. We land at 06.15 local time. Our waiting vehicle takes us to Rome, where a panoramic city tour begins on arrival.

With some 2500 years of history, Rome was the centre of one of the greatest civilisations and for centuries a seat of power, culture and faith. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with palaces, churches and basilicas a thousand years old, ancient ruins, monuments and fountains. Our tour takes in the Colosseum, where gladiators once fought, the Roman Forum at the heart of the ancient city, the Vittoriano monument, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna). After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Vatican and lakeside villages

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Castel Gandolfo, Nemi, Outlet and Vatican tour (85 Euro). The first stop is Castel Gandolfo, home to the papal summer palace and known for its views and gardens. Next is the village of Nemi on the shore of a volcanic crater lake, also called the strawberry village for its fresh strawberries, where we have free time to stroll and shop among its ruins and stone lanes. We then head to Italy's best-known outlet area, again with free time. The last stop is St Peter's Square in the Vatican, with its central obelisk and sweeping colonnade, and free time to visit the basilica and the square.

After a photo stop we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Naples on the bay

After breakfast at the hotel we travel to Naples. Naples, a port city on the Mediterranean in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, has a character all its own, with lively markets, traditional pizza and historic remains.

Afterwards, guests who wish can join the optional extra Pompeii tour (70 Euro). Buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 and uncovered centuries later, Pompeii preserves homes and traces of daily life in remarkable detail, a direct journey into Ancient Rome. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Amalfi coast escape

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento tour (120 Euro).

Along the Amalfi coast, even the smallest village is worth a stop. After Sorrento, Italy's romantic seaside town, we continue to Positano with its dramatic coastline and white and pastel houses. After the Positano visit we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Bari's seafront

After breakfast at the hotel we travel to Bari, where a panoramic city tour begins on arrival, covering the Teatro Margherita, the Lungomare Nazario Sauro seafront, Porto Vecchio, the new harbour, the town hall, the government palace and the column of justice. We then transfer to our hotel for free time.

Guests who wish can join the optional extra tour to Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (55 Euro). Set in Basilicata, Matera is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world, famous for the Sassi, its cave dwellings carved into the rock. Its stone lanes, historic churches and cave hotels have appeared in many films, including The Passion of the Christ, The Gospel According to St. Matthew, Mary and Wonder Woman. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Puglia's white towns

After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Guests who wish can join the optional extra Ostuni, Alberobello and Polignano a Mare tour (75 Euro).

The first stop is Ostuni, called the "White City" (La Città Bianca) for its whitewashed houses. Built on a hill, it is a maze of stone lanes, arched passages and medieval buildings. Next is Alberobello, on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its stone-roofed trulli and one of the most visited towns in Puglia, with narrow streets, souvenir shops and local restaurants. The last stop is Polignano a Mare, perched on high limestone cliffs with white houses and sea views.

After the tour we transfer to the airport. After check-in we board AJet special flight VF5542, departing at 20.15 for Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. We arrive at 00.25 local time, and our tour ends.