Magic Italy (10 Day Tour)
Tour Description > View Itinerary
The perfect introduction to Italy’s most beautiful destinations, this is the first of our Magic Italy tour. You’ll travel the length of this uniquely diverse country, and have the opportunity to explore all the most beautiful and intriguing parts of Italy, from vibrant cities like Rome and Bari to rolling countryside, a magical stay at a Trulli in Puglia and the breathtaking coastal scenery of the Amalfi region.
Magic Italy gives you a balanced blend of sightseeing, guided touring, and leisure time. Ideal for all travelers who want to visit Italy, but don’t want to do it alone. Whatever your experience level, from novice visitor to seasoned traveler, we’ll make your Italy tour relaxed and enjoyable, ensuring that you get to visit every destination on your wish list with total peace of mind. From beginning to end, all of our Magic Italy tour have been designed with you in mind. Contact us today and start planning a trip to Italy that will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime!
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Itinerary
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Day 1: Rome
Day 2: Rome
Day 3: Rome – Pompeii – Sorrento
Day 4: Sorrento – Capri – Sorrento
Day 5: Sorrento – Bari
Day 6: Bari – Trani, Castel del Monte – Alberobello
Day 7: Alberobello – Matera
Day 8: Alberobello – Locorotondo – Ostuni – Lecce
Day 9: Lecce – Otranto – Dinner at the “Masseria L’Uliveto – Lecce
Day 10: Lecce
Day 1: Rome
Welcome to Italy! Get ready to embark on an unforgettable experience. 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 (breakfast)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and depart at approximately 7:30 am for a walking tour of Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica and jump the lines! No stress to reach the area: upon arrival at Vatican City, your guide will lead you into the museums where you will visit one of the most important art collection in the world.
Admire the beautiful spiral stairway, the gallery of tapestries and geographical maps, before arriving at the famous Sistine Chapel. The tour also includes the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica.
After lunch, meet the group by the Colosseum for an afternoon guided tour. The Romans built an empire of truly gigantic proportions. The testimony of its greatness is still visible in the places where the city was built, more than 2772 years ago, by the legendary twin brothers Romulus and Remus.
To see it with your own eyes, join us and our professional guide on this 3- hour-tour: we’ll provide you with a pocket radio receiver and earphones, and let you access the Colosseum skipping the long line. You’ll walk inside the Flavian Amphitheater, seeing the places where the Ancient Romans used to watch a variety of events, such as gladiatorial shows or staged animal hunts, and you’ll learn more about the way Romans used to enjoy their leisure time.
You’ll stroll around the Palatine Hill, the place where Rome was founded and where Roman emperors used to live: the view is spectacular from here, so get your camera ready for some perfect shots from above! You’ll also reach the Roman Forum, the pulsating heart of ancient Roman life, to see some very
well preserved ruins of that time: let the tour guide take you back in time and try to imagine how it was like to be a Roman citizen.
Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure exploring more sites, eating gelato, or hobnobbing with the friendly locals.
Day 3: Rome – Pompeii – Sorrento (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and depart at approximately 7:00 a.m. Departure by coach heading south crossing the regions of Lazio and Campania. Once you reach the town of Pompeii, you will have lunch with the real Neapolitan pizza! After lunch, you will enter into one of the most important archaeological sites in the world: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Pompeii, with Skip the Line entrance and a guided tour. Visit the haunting ruins of Pompeii, traveling back in time to the tragic days in 79 AD when the silent Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted, covering the prosperous Roman city in deadly volcanic ashes and poisonous gases, leaving this prosperous city crystallized until our days. You’ll learn how people lived at that time, visiting houses and “bars” of the time, admiring frescoes and mosaics to imagine how rich and prosperous was the city before the dreadful day. After the visit, you will drive along the Sorrentine Coast, arriving in Sorrento for dinner (dress code: jacket for men) and an overnight in your new hotel.
After a delicious dinner, you’ll turn in for the evening.
Day 4: Sorrento – Capri – Sorrento (Breakfast, Dinner)
After breakfast, get ready for an exciting excursion to the island of Capri: one of the most exclusive summer destinations of the Mediterranean! Depending on weather and sea conditions, you will admire the dreamy Blue Grotto on a small rowboat. Afterward, free time for lunch (lunch not included) and then roam the island at your own pace. Once back on the mainland, return for dinner and your last overnight in Sorrento. Dinner included.
Day 5: Sorrento – Bari (Breakfast, Local Food Experience & Dinner)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before leaving Sorrento. After breakfast, board the bus that will take you on an unforgettable journey to Bari, the vibrant heart of Puglia. The journey continues through Campania, a region renowned for its rich history and unique flavors. As you approach Puglia, the landscape changes, introducing you to the vast expanses of olive groves and vineyards that are characteristic of this land. Along the way, we will make a delightful stop at a local artisanal dairy, where you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich dairy traditions of Puglia. You will be warmly welcomed and guided through a tour that unveils the secrets of traditional cheese-making, showcasing the true treasures of the region’s gastronomy. The tour will conclude with a tasting of typical products, accompanied by fresh bread and extra virgin olive oil, offering an authentic taste of Puglia’s flavors. Upon arrival in Bari, the capital of Puglia, check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, start a walking tour to discover the city’s history and its most important monuments. Stroll through the charming narrow alleys of the old city center, admire the Basilica of San Nicola, where the remains of Saint Nicholas of Myra are preserved, and the Norman-Swabian Castle, a 12th-century fortress built by Roger the Norman and rebuilt by Frederick II of Swabia. Be amazed by the astonishing view that you can enjoy from the fortress (admission fee for the Castle at your own expense). After the visit, reach Piazza Mercantile, where you will see the ancient Column of Justice. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 6: Bari – Trani – Castel del Monte – Alberobello (Breakfast & Dinner)
After breakfast, you will head to Trani. Known as “Perla di Puglia” (or the pearl of Puglia), Trani is a medieval town located 53 kilometers (that’s 33 miles) south of Bari. Its Jewish district and the majestic Cathedral will be yours to admire. The latter was built using a local stone, a calcareous tuff characterized by its color, an extremely light almost-white pink.
In the afternoon, the next monument will be Castel Del Monte, the most amazing castle built by Frederick II. It is protected as a World Heritage Site. Its geometric design is unique: it is an octagonal prism with an octagonal tower at each corner. Many mysteries are still unresolved, including the real purpose of the castle.
After Castel del Monte, Alberobello is the next stop, the “città dei Trulli”, also protected as a World Heritage Site. Trulli are dry stone huts with a conical roof originally built for storage purposes. They were also permanent dwellings and are called casedde by locals (or little houses). Alberobello is a gem, a true fairy tale place in the heart of Puglia. You will spend night in a dream hotel,an “albergo diffuso” (one of the network of scattered hotels), and get the chance to sleep in a trullo. Dinner is included. Overnight is in Alberobello.
Day 7: Alberobello – Matera (Breakfast, & Dinner Cooking Class)
Matera will be the destination for today. After breakfast, in the “square” of the scattered hotel (consider 200 m from the Trulli), the coach will take you to this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit and learn the history of the “Sassi di Matera” (Stones of Matera), caves that have been used as houses for over 9.000 years, that are part of the historic center of the city. Admire the Romanesque Cathedral that overlooks the city, its beautiful “Campanile” (Bell Tower) and enjoy the amazing view of the “Sassi”. Transfer back to Alberobello in the late afternoon. Your day isn’t over yet! A surprise awaits you: get ready to personally experience a cooking class where you’ll
prepare a traditional local dish. Once the class is over, enjoy a typical Puglian dinner.
Day 8: Alberobello – Locorotondo – Ostuni – Lecce (Breakfast & Dinner)
Breakfast in the “square” of the scattered hotel (consider 200 mts from the Trulli. Leave Alberobello by coach and reach Locorotondo. Enjoy some free time to visit this small town that is part of the “white towns” of Puglia. Board on the coach again and travel to Ostuni: located between the “Trulli” region and Salento, overlooks the coastal plain rich of ancient olive trees.
Free time at your disposal to explore another “white town” with free time for lunch, shopping and tasting of several local products like the world’s famous Ostuni olive oil (all at your own expenses). In the late afternoon, get again on board of the coach and reach Lecce in the heart of the Salento region. Dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Lecce – Otranto – Dinner at the Masseria L’Uliveto (Breakfast & Dinner)
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a 3 hour guided visit of the city, learn the history of Lecce, visit the old town center, the 12th century Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce and Piazza del Duomo. After the visit, board on the coach and leave Lecce. You will reach Otranto where you will have some free time at your disposal for lunch. Spend the afternoon visiting the wonderful city of Otranto at your pace. Over the centuries, the city has been invaded by an impressive number of populations, amongst the others we can find traces of Greek, Roman and Turkish cultures. Wander around the old quarters to see how these cultures have blended together. Don’t forget to visit the iconic Cathedral where the bones of 813 martyrs are displayed in a glass case behind the altar. See its marvelous mosaic floor which rivals the well-known mosaics of Ravenna in its richness and significance. In the early evening, reach Maglie where you will have dinner at the “Masseria L’Uliveto”. Visit this ancient farm, learn about the history and culture of Puglia. Dinner with typical meals and products from the region. In the night, travel back to Lecce. Overnight.
Day 10: Lecce (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel and end of services. Not ready to go home yet? Having too much fun exploring magnificent Italy? Your travel specialist will review all the options available to you at the end of the trip, including an extended opportunity to explore the country or the option of spending an extra night in Rome. If you must go, you’ll head to the airport for your return home. Remember, we are always eager to help you create the travel experience you desire, so don’t hesitate to ask if you’d like to keep your travel options open!
Hotel Accommodations :
*4 star hotel pricing available
Additional Information
The tour includes:
- Transfer from Rome airport to hotel
- Transportation by deluxe motor coach
- Multilingual tour guide and escort
- Accommodation at the hotels
- Meals as per itinerary
- Guided visit with entrance tickets to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Church
- Guided visit with entrance tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatin Hill
- Tour of Pompeii with “Skip the Line” and a lunch with an authentic Neapolitan pizza and 1 drink included.
- Visit of the Blue Grotto in Capri
- See the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES of Castel Del Monte, Alberobello and Matera!
- Locorotondo and Otranto: Certified “BORGHI”
- Sleep in one of the world famous “Trulli”
- Cooking Class Experience
- Luggage service: 1 piece of luggage per person
- Taxes and fees
- 24 hour emergency hotline
The tour does not include:
- Transfers to/from airport
- Tips
- Drinks and extras in hotel
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums not included in the itinerary
- Everything that is not mentioned in “The tour includes” section
- Extra luggage may incur an additional fee
- Rome Hotel Taxes (6 euros per person per day) to be paid directly to hotel
- Sorrento Hotel Taxes (3.50 euros per person per day) to be paid directly to hotel
- Bari Hotel Taxes (3.50 euros per person per day) to be paid directly to hotel
- Lecce Hotel Taxes (2 euros per person per day) to be paid directly to hotel
Pricing and Dates
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