Southern Lights: Rome, Sorrento, Capri & Puglia 2026
Tour Essentials
11 breakfasts, 6 dinners, plus 2 memorable local food experiences in Puglia
Tour Details
This is the kind of journey Italy Touring loves to present: a tour with real breadth, but also real value. Rather than showing you only one corner of Southern Italy, Southern Lights combines some of the country’s most iconic coastal and cultural destinations into one well-paced itinerary, so you can experience the elegance of Rome, the beauty of Sorrento and Capri, and the deep local character of Puglia in a single trip.
The first half of the tour introduces you to the classic southern coastline. You begin in Rome with time to settle in before travelling south to Sorrento, where lemon-scented streets, sea views and laid-back sophistication set the tone. From there, you enjoy a full-day excursion to Capri, with the chance to visit the famous Blue Grotto if conditions allow. This section is intentionally scenic and restorative, giving you a taste of Southern Italy’s glamour before the journey shifts into something more regional and immersive.
The second half is where the tour really shows its depth. After a smooth rail connection into Bari, you begin discovering Puglia’s distinct personality: Romanesque churches, whitewashed hill towns, fortified seaside centres, farm-to-table food traditions and three outstanding UNESCO sites. You’ll walk the old streets of Trani, stand before the enigmatic geometry of Castel del Monte, wander the trulli of Alberobello, and explore the unforgettable cave city of Matera. As the days unfold, the itinerary becomes even more rewarding, with time in Locorotondo, Ostuni, Lecce, Otranto, Martina Franca and Monopoli, plus meaningful local experiences including a masseria dinner and a hands-on cooking class with lunch.
This is not a “surface-level” combination tour. It is carefully layered to give you famous places, but also substance: food, craft, history, landscapes, and enough time in each area to feel you’ve genuinely travelled through Southern Italy rather than just passed through it.
Inclusions
- Transfer in from Rome airport to hotel
- 11 nights accommodation
- 11 breakfasts, 6 dinners
- Full-day excursion to Capri
- Blue Grotto visit in Capri (weather permitting)
- Transfer from Sorrento hotel to Caserta station
- High-speed train from Caserta to Bari (2nd class)
- Transfer from Bari station to hotel
- Guided visit of Bari
- Shuttle to Castel del Monte
- Entrance fees included: Casa Grotta (Matera), Otranto Cathedral, and churches of Lecce
- Dinner in a masseria
- Cooking class and lunch at Masseria Montenapoleone
- Transfer to Bari airport on departure day
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Rome
Welcome to Rome! Arrival in Rome, meet with our driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free at your leisure.
Overnight stay.
Day 2: Rome (B)
After breakfast, enjoy the rest of the day to explore Rome at your own leisure or join one of our selected tours! Whether you explore iconic landmarks or hidden gems, every corner of the Eternal City offers unforgettable memories.
Overnight stay.
Day 3: Rome > Sorrento (B, D)
After breakfast, depart at 7:00 am by coach, crossing Lazio and Campania, and drive along the scenic Sorrentine Coast to Sorrento.
Upon arrival, explore the charm of its picturesque streets, artisan boutiques, and historic churches. Enjoy a free afternoon or join an optional excursion to the stunning Amalfi Coast.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel (jacket required for men) and overnight stay.
Day 4: Sorrento > Capri > Sorrento (B, D)
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day excursion to Capri, one of the Mediterranean’s most glamorous islands. Weather permitting, visit the enchanting Blue Grotto by rowboat.
Afterward, enjoy free time for lunch (not included) and to explore the island at your leisure. In the afternoon, return to Sorrento.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5: Sorrento > Bari (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure or join an optional excursion to Pompei. At the scheduled time, meet your driver at the hotel and transfer to Caserta, where you will board your train to Bari.
Upon arrival at Bari station, meet your driver for your included transfer to the hotel.
Check in at the hotel and enjoy your overnight stay.
Day 6: Bari (B, D)
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and meet our Tour Leader for a morning tour of Bari, the main city of Puglia. Visit the old city center, including the Basilica of San Nicola and the Norman-Swabian Castle, with its breathtaking views (Castle entry at your own expense). Continue to Piazza Mercantile and see the ancient Column of Justice.
After the visit, you’ll have free time for lunch. While not included, we recommend enjoying a meal at a typical local restaurant in the city center or trying some delicious street food.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Bari >Trani > Castel del Monte > Alberobello (B, D)
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel before departing from Bari by coach to reach Trani, known as the ‘Pearl of Puglia.’ This medieval town is one of the most remarkable cities in Southern Italy, featuring art, monuments, a Jewish quarter, and the stunning white stone Cathedral. In the afternoon, visit Castel Del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 13th century by Roger the Norman.
This octagonal structure is surrounded by a mystery. Continue to Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its “Trulli,” cone-shaped houses built in the 14th century. The town, once covered by an oak forest, offers a fairytale like atmosphere. Arrive at your hotel for a welcome toast with local white wine and Apulian taralli.
Dinner included.
Overnight stay.
Day 8: Alberobello > Matera > Alberobello (B, D)
After breakfast, the coach will take you to Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the “Sassi di Matera”, ancient caves that have been used as homes for over 9,000 years and are part of the historic center.
Explore the Romanesque Cathedral, with its stunning Campanile (Bell Tower), and enjoy the amazing view of the Sassi.
Afterward, return to Alberobello in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: Alberobello > Locorotondo > Ostuni > Lecce (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Alberobello by coach and head to Locorotondo, a small town part of the “white towns” of Puglia. Enjoy free time to explore. Next, travel to Ostuni, located between the “Trulli” region and Salento, overlooking the coastal plain with ancient olive trees.
Enjoy free time to visit this “white town,” with options for lunch, shopping, and tasting local products like the famous Ostuni olive oil (at your own expense). In the late afternoon, board the coach to reach Lecce, in the heart of Salento.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Lecce > Otranto > Dinner at a Masseria > Lecce (B, D)
After breakfast, enjoy a 3-hour guided visit of Lecce, exploring the old town center, the 12th-century Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and Piazza del Duomo. Then, board the coach to Otranto, where you’ll have free time for lunch. In the afternoon, explore Otranto at your own pace.
The city has witnessed Greek, Roman, and Turkish invasions, leaving traces of each culture. Wander the old quarters to see this blend. Don’t miss the iconic Cathedral, where the bones of 813 martyrs are displayed behind the altar, and its marvelous mosaic floor, rivaling Ravenna’s.
End your day with dinner at Masseria L’Uliveto in Maglie, learning about Puglia’s history and culture.
Day 11: Lecce > Martina Franca > Cooking Experience & Lunch at a Masseria Zona Fasano > Monopoli > Bari (B, L)
After breakfast, we’ll head to Bari, driving through the unique landscape of the Murge plateau. Visit Martina Franca, an elegant Baroque town with churches, noble buildings, and Piazza Plebiscito. Explore the Cathedral, Ducal Palace, and Torre dell’Orologio before free time to wander.
Next, drive through Valle d’Itria, a rural area full of olive trees and vineyards, to Masseria Montenapoleone, where you’ll learn to make traditional Pugliese cuisine like focaccia, orecchiette, and cavatelli, paired with local wines.
Afterward, enjoy lunch with the dishes you’ve made, using organic local ingredients.
In the afternoon, visit Monopoli, a fortified citadel by the sea, before heading to Bari for the overnight stay.
Day 12: Bari (B)
Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, take advantage of any last-minute free time for shopping or sightseeing.
Transfer to the airport is included.
End of our services.
Tour Highlights
- Rome airport transfer and relaxed start in the Eternal City
- Sorrento stay with time to enjoy the coast properly
- Full-day Capri excursion with Blue Grotto visit (weather permitting)
- High-speed rail connection from Campania to Puglia
- UNESCO sites: Castel del Monte, Alberobello and Matera
- Puglia’s celebrated white towns: Locorotondo and Ostuni
- Guided visits in Bari, Lecce and key cultural sites along the route
- Dinner in a masseria for a more authentic rural Puglian experience
- Cooking class and lunch at Masseria Montenapoleone
- Included entrances to Casa Grotta, Otranto Cathedral and churches in Lecce
Accommodation
Accommodation is arranged in quality 4-star hotels chosen to support a multi-region itinerary without compromising comfort. The route uses trusted bases that make the journey feel seamless while still giving you access to the character of each destination.
- Rome: Hotel St. Martin (4-star) or Hotel Diana Roof Garden (4-star)
- Sorrento: Grand Hotel Vesuvio (4-star)
- Bari: Excelsior Hotel Bari (4-star)
- Alberobello area: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri (4-star)
- Lecce: Hotel Delle Palme (4-star) or Hotel Mercure President (4-star)
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
Moderate: expect regular walking in historic centres, archaeological areas, steps, cobbled streets and some longer touring days.
Exclusions
- City tax (payable directly at hotels)
- Drinks with meals
- Castle entry in Bari
- Optional excursions not included in the tour price
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
General Notes
- Combo Tour – Larger Group Tour
- During peak season, Blue Grotto access can be restricted by weather, queues or capacity; alternatives may be suggested
- This itinerary combines different touring styles and may involve different tour leaders along the way
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
Gallery
Explore Amalfi Coast, discover more of Basilicata, Lazio travel guide or browse all Italy tours
Ready to travel?
Tell us about your plans and our team will get back to you with everything you need to know about Southern Lights: Rome, Sorrento, Capri & Puglia 2026.
- We respond within 1 business day
- Your details are kept completely private
- Happy to speak by phone
- Australia-based team, Italy experts
Lake Como with Bernina Express
A private Lake Como escape with a full-day Bernina Express experience to St Moritz, combining alpine scenery, flexible free time, and comfortable lakeside accommodation.
Local Tour of Puglia 2026
UNESCO-listed Alberobello and Matera, baroque Lecce, and Adriatic coastal gems. Enjoy a locally hosted small group week in Puglia with guided day tours, hidden villages, and authentic regional experiences.
Italian Lakes Discovery Tour 2026
Explore Northern Italy’s Lakes on a 9-Day Small Group Tour!
Piedmont Small Group Tour 2026
Experience Piedmont through historic cities, vineyard landscapes and exceptional food and wine, designed for travellers who appreciate culture, flavour and refined Italian living.
