Rome to Sorrento & Puglia - 10 days

Rome to Sorrento & Puglia - 10 days

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Rome to Sorrento & Puglia - 10 days

10 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in Lecce, Italy

Visiting: Rome, Pompeii, Capri, Bari, Trani, Matera, Locorotondo, Otranto, Lecce

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 25

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 10-day journey from Rome to Sorrento and Puglia, exploring Italy's rich history and stunning landscapes. Begin in Rome with a visit to Vatican City, marveling at St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Discover the ancient ruins of Pompeii and the enchanting island of Capri. Travel through the picturesque regions of Campania and Puglia, visiting Bari's historic sites, the mysterious Castel del Monte, and the unique Trulli houses in Alberobello. Experience the cave dwellings of Matera, the whitewashed towns of Locorotondo and Ostuni, and the Baroque splendor of Lecce. Enjoy guided tours, local cuisine, and a special farewell dinner in Maglie.

Highlights

  • Vatican City - Visit St Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican's museums

  • Pompeii - Discover the history and tragedy of the famous eruption and learn about the lives of those who lived there

  • Capri - Discover the famous Blue Grotto sea cave and explore the island at leisure

  • Bari - Enjoy a guided tour of the Puglia region's capital city, including the Basilica of San Nicola and Piazza Mercantile

  • Castel del Monte - See this ancient UNESCO-listed fortress, which is octagonal in shape and shrouded in mystery

  • Alberobello - Spend two nights in a Trulli, a traditional conical-shaped house made from local Italian limestone

  • Matera - Explore the historic centre of the city, Sassi di Matera, known for its cave dwellings carved into a river canyon

  • Lecce - Join a guided tour of 'Florence of the South' to see the Baroque architecture of the Old Town and Piazza del Duomo

Itinerary

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Day 1: Rome

Location: Rome

Accommodation Name: hotel

Welcome to Rome. On Arrival at the airport, you will be collected and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 2: Vatican City

Location: Rome

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Rome - Vatican City - Rome. Today we explore Vatican City, home to the Pope and technically an independent country - another one you can tick off your list!





Departing the hotel after breakfast, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican's museums and galleries with 'skip the line' tickets. Take in the Gallery of Tapestries, the beautifully decorated frescoes of Raphael's Rooms, and of course, the Sistine Chapel. We can also admire the stunning St Peter's Basilica from the outside. This iconic landmark dominates the Vatican and is one of the largest Christian churches in the world, as well as being the pinnacle of Renaissance architecture. It is allegedly where Saint Peter was buried and titans of Italian design including Donato Bramante and Michelangelo had a hand in its creation. The tour ends in St Peter's Square, and the rest of today is at leisure in Rome.

Day 3: Pompeii

Location: Pompeii

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rome - Pompeii - Sorrento. Setting off from Rome at 7:00, we head south, passing through Lazio and Campania to reach Pompeii. We have an included lunch here, where you can try some authentic Neapolitan pizza before our tour of UNESCO-listed Pompeii.





In the year 79 AD, the residents of Pompeii, a prosperous and sophisticated Roman city, were going about their day. Suddenly and without warning, the normally quiet Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the city in up to 6 metres of ash and pumice. Whilst many Pompeiians escaped, approximately 2,000 people were buried and perished. The ash perfectly preserved the city, and on our guided tour we will see some of the surviving artifacts, mosaics and buildings, and will find out more about the eruption and what life was like in the city before this fateful day.





After our tour of Pompeii we head along the picturesque Sorrentine coast to Sorrento, where dinner is included - please dress smartly as it is a formal dinner!

Day 4: Capri

Location: Capri

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Sorrento - Capri - Sorrento. Today we explore the beautiful and exclusive Mediterranean island of Capri. Weather permitting, we will visit the Blue Grotto sea cave by row boat. You can enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before there is free time to explore the island. Capri was a summer home for the Roman emperor Augustus and today is popular with celebrities. After our visit, we return to Sorrento for the night.

Day 5: Bari

Location: Bari

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sorrento - Bari. Today we make the drive south and east through Campania to Puglia, and the regional capital of Bari. On the way, we make a stop at an artisan dairy, where we enjoy a guided tour. Learn the art of traditional cheese making and enjoy a tasting session including freshly baked bread and extra virgin olive oil.





Arriving in Bari, there is time to freshen up at the hotel before our guided sightseeing tour. Starting in the afternoon, we take a walking tour through the city's narrow alleys to highlights including 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 (admission not included). We also visit the Piazza Mercantile, home to the 16th century Column of Justice. After our tour, the evening is at leisure, with dinner included at the hotel.

Day 6: Trani

Location: Trani

Accommodation Name: Trulli

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Bari - Trani - Castel del Monte - Alberobello. After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Bari by coach and travel to Trani, known as the 'Pearl of Puglia'. We'll explore the vibrant Jewish Quarter and see the historic 12th-century cathedral, made from beautiful white stone.





After our stop in Trani we continue to Castel del Monte, a 13th-century citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This octagonal castle features on the Italian one-cent coin and is shrouded in mystery, as its exact historical purpose remains unknown.





Our final destination today is Alberobello, best known for its traditional conical houses made from local limestone - these are called Trulli. The village has a fairy-tale feel and our hotel tonight sees you sleeping inside an unusual Trulli - a unique experience! Dinner is included.

Day 7: Matera

Max Roma

Location: Matera

Accommodation Name: Trulli

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Alberobello - Matera - Alberobello. We visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site today with a day trip to Matera. The historic centre of this city is known as Sassi di Matera and is unique due to the large number of cave dwellings that were carved into the canyon created by the Gravina River, around 9,000 years ago! In this long history, Matera has been occupied by Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, and many other groups.





Many of the caves are still used today, as houses, pubs, hotels, and other businesses. We'll enjoy sightseeing with a local guide to take in the best of the cave dwellings. And we will also see the Roman Catholic cathedral which overlooks the city. We then transfer back to Alberobello for dinner. However, you will be doing the cooking! You enjoy a personalized cooking class where you will prepare a traditional local dish. Enjoy another night in your magnificent Trulli.

Day 8: Locorotondo

Location: Locorotondo

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Alberobello - Locorotondo - Ostuni - Lecce. Today we visit two of the iconic 'white towns' of Puglia. Our first stop is Locorotondo, a town of around 14,000 people perched on a hill. There's free time to explore this small town and enjoy the view over the surrounding countryside, including the Trulli pointing upwards.





Then we reach Ostuni, a coastal town popular with Italian tourists in summer. Ostuni is known for its ancient olive trees as well as its whitewashed buildings - many of the trees have been carbon-dated and are known to be more than 3,500 years old. Despite this age, they still produce the famous Ostuni olive oil. If you find a restaurant for lunch, you are sure to be served dishes that use this delicious local product!





After visiting these two towns, we reach Lecce, in the heart of the Salento region. Dinner is included tonight.

Day 9: Otranto

Location: Otranto

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Lecce - Otranto - Maglie - Lecce. This morning we enjoy a 3-hour guided sightseeing tour of Lecce with an expert local guide. Known as the 'Florence of the South' thanks to its treasure trove of Baroque architecture, highlights of our tour include the historic Old Town and the 12th-century cathedral. We also see the beautiful Basilica di Santa Croce and Piazza del Duomo, the city's main square.





After our tour we depart for Otranto, a city known to have been ruled at times by the Greeks, Romans and Turks. Because of this, Otranto has a wonderfully diverse mix of cultures, and there is free time to explore the town and find somewhere for lunch. We recommend visiting the iconic cathedral to see its well-preserved mosaic floor, and the bones of 813 martyrs eerily displayed behind the altar.





As it is the last evening of our tour, a special dinner takes place tonight in the town of Maglie. We will be dining at Masseria L’Uliveto, a rustic farm and restaurant that is Puglia at its finest. Learn more about the food and history of the region before enjoying a dinner made using the finest local produce. Then it's back to Lecce for the final night of our trip.

Day 10: Lecce

Location: Lecce

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our tour ends this morning in Lecce, after a final breakfast and check out.

What's Included

  • Meals

    9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 7 dinners including a special farewell dinner at Masseria L’Uliveto in Maglie.

  • Accommodation

    7 nights in 4-star hotels and 2 nights in a boutique Trulli in Alberobello.

  • Tour Leader

    Escorted by an English-speaking Italian tour leader with specialist guides for some sightseeing.

  • Transportation

    Transportation by deluxe coach with Wi-Fi and audio headsets.

  • Airport Transfer

    Airport arrival transfer on day 1.

  • Guided Sightseeing

    Guided sightseeing with local guides in Vatican City, Pompeii, Bari, Matera, and Lecce.

  • Skip the Line Tickets

    ‘Skip the Line’ tickets to the Vatican.

  • Blue Grotto Visit

    Visit to the Blue Grotto in Capri (weather permitting).

  • Dairy Visit

    Visit to a dairy and light lunch outside Bari.

  • Cooking Class

    Cooking class in Alberobello.

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What's Not Included

  • International Flights and Visas

    International flights and visas are not included.

  • Departure Transfer

    Departure transfer is not included.

  • Additional Meals and Drinks

    Additional meals and drinks unless specified are not included.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees not mentioned in inclusions are not included.

  • Tipping

    Tipping is an entirely personal gesture.

  • City Tax

    City tax of €1 - 6 per person per night (tax varies by city), to be paid directly to the hotel at check-in/out.

    It is recommended to pay your city tax when checking in or in the evening during your stay to save time on check out.

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort with transportation by deluxe coach equipped with Wi-Fi and audio headsets, including an airport arrival transfer on day 1.

Accommodation

Enjoy 7 nights in 4-star hotels and 2 nights in a boutique Trulli in Alberobello, offering a unique and comfortable stay throughout your journey.

Age Policy

No minimum age. Children under 6 travel free

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 7 nights in 4-star hotels and 2 nights in a boutique Trulli in Alberobello.

  • Is there a tour guide provided throughout the trip?

    Yes, the tour is escorted by an English-speaking Italian tour leader with specialist guides for some sightseeing.

  • What meals are included in the tour package?

    The tour package includes 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 7 dinners, including a special farewell dinner at Masseria L’Uliveto in Maglie.

  • What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

    Transportation is provided by a deluxe coach with Wi-Fi and audio headsets.

  • Are airport transfers included in the tour?

    Yes, an airport arrival transfer on day 1 is included.

  • Are there any special tickets or passes included in the tour?

    Yes, 'Skip the Line' tickets to the Vatican are included.

  • Is the tour conducted exclusively for On The Go travelers?

    No, the touring is operated in conjunction with other tourist groups, not solely On The Go. You will join travelers who booked through other operators for sightseeing each day, some staying in different hotels, and spend your evenings at leisure.

  • What is the maximum group size for this tour?

    The maximum group size on this tour is 15 travelers.

  • Is there a cooking class included in the tour?

    Yes, there is a cooking class in Alberobello where you will prepare a traditional local dish.

  • Are there any additional costs not covered by the tour package?

    Yes, additional costs not covered include international flights and visas, departure transfer, additional meals and drinks unless specified, entrance fees not mentioned in inclusions, tipping, and city tax of €1 - 6 per person per night, to be paid directly to the hotel at check-in/out.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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