Coast to Coast: Puglia to Campania

Italy is largely surrounded by sea and is home to some of the loveliest small beaches and coastline as a consequence. The Pugliese people are thought by many to be the nicest people in Italy and it is here that we begin our story, learning how to cook like a local, drink like a local and go at the pace of a local: slowly. Whilst the Italians may speak at a rate of knots, for everything else, particularly eating, they like to take their time. After our sojourn in Puglia, we leave for Campania, a region known by the Romans as ‘Felix Campania’, or ‘Happy Campania’, because it was where they came to holiday. Nowadays most famous for its Amalfi coast and limoncello, it remains the place that everyone comes to holiday and equally, remains happy, no doubt helped in no small measure (pun intended), by the flowing limoncello. Buone vacanze!

 

Puglia

Day 1 Puglia Seaside

Today you will be whisked away to your hotel where there is time to check in, relax, perhaps enjoy some time by the pool before we head out to dine on some of the foods for which Puglia is well-known. (D)

Day 2 Lecce & Pugliese Cookery Class

Today we head off to visit the Florence of the South: Lecce. Here we will have a guided visit including tastings of the typical Pugliese snacks as we walk around the city. Lunch and the early afternoon are free, and then we return to our hotel for some relaxation before heading out for a Pugliese cookery class. (B, D)

Day 3 Caves,Trulli Houses & Olive Oil Tasting

The Grotte de Castellane are a geographical wonder and we head here this morning, ready to be impressed by the huge stalagmites and stalactites. We then head over to the Alberobello to see the Trulli houses, possibly Puglia’s most famous site. Lunch includes an olive oil tasting (Puglia produces over 40% of Italy’s olive oil production) and then the afternoon is at your leisure. This evening we head off to sample local Pugliese wines, with some local cuisine to help soak up the effects. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Beaches & ‘La Città Bianca’

Today we are off to visit some of the loveliest beaches and small towns around Otranto, then return via Ostuni where we will stop for a wander and to enjoy some aperitivi.  Dinner this evening is in a nearby town. (B, D)

 

Campania

“Travelling – it leaves you speechless and then turns you into a storyteller.”

(Ibn Battuta)

Day 5 Matera to Sorrento

This morning we visit Matera to see, among other things, the Sassi (cave like dwellings) for which it is so well known. Matera is also the European Capital of Culture in 2019. We will have a guided tour, stopping for the typical Italian breakfast of cappuccino and cornetto, and then will finish with our final Pugliese lunch before continuing on our way to Sorrento. Dinner is at one of the many great fish restaurants in this area. (B, L)

Day 6 Private Sail to Capri & a Pizza-Making Lesson

Today we head out on private boats, complete with alcohol and picnic, to enjoy the island of Capri and the green/blue waters for which she is so well known. Having spent the day at sea, we then make our way to an agriturismo where we shall learn about mozzarella making, for which this area is famous, and where we won’t sing for our supper, but we will make our own pizzas. The pizza Margherita was named after Queen Margherita in honour of her visit to Naples in 1889. (B, D)

Day 7 Naples & Herculaneum

“Vedi Napoli e poi muori.” or “See Naples and Die.” (Goethe)

It was thought that you could see the city of Naples and then die happy that you had seen the most beautiful place in the world. This morning’s visit to the great city includes a stop at one of her most famous cafes where we will sample some of her sweet treats, along with the ubiquitous cappuccino. We then will enjoy lunch with a view, before heading over to Herculaneum to visit the ancient site. This evening you are at your leisure. (B, L)

Day 8 Sorrento, Amalfi & Positano

This morning and for lunch you have free time in Sorrento. Enjoy shopping in her little streets, perhaps get some sandals made or enjoy a gelatofrom the famous Primavera gelateria. We then head out to visit the lovely towns of Amalfi and Positano, where we will also enjoy an aperitivo or two with a view. Dinner will be out in Positano. (B, D)

Day 9 Departure

Time to say ‘Ciao ciao’ Italia, or ‘Arrivederci’, until we write our next travel story together. (B)

Included in this trip: