Route
This adventure takes you to the southernmost tip of Italy. You start in Calabria at Tropea, travel via Reggio di Calabria to Matera in Basilicata, and end in Apulia, with the Valle d'Itria and Salento as your base.
Pace
You travel at a leisurely pace and with complete freedom. The distances are limited and with a rental car you can choose where to stop. There is time to sit on a terrace, go for a swim in the sea or explore the city.
Highlights
The coast around Tropea, a boat trip along the Costa degli Dei, local flavors in Zungri, Reggio di Calabria, and Matera, the trulli of Alberobello, Ostuni, and Martina Franca, Castel del Monte, Bari, and Trani, Polignano a Mare, Lecce, Otranto, and Gallipoli.
Accommodation
You will stay in carefully selected hotels that suit each region. In Calabria, you will stay by the sea, in Matera in the middle of the Sassi, and in Apulia in locations that offer easy access to both the inland and the coast.
Profile
For travelers who enjoy variety between sea, countryside, and cities, like to travel independently, and value strong locations and good addresses.
Day 1: Arrival in Calabria – Tropea
You fly directly to Lamezia Terme, where you pick up your hire car. From here, you drive along the coast to Tropea, a charming town towering high above the sea. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is free. Walk towards the historic centre, find a terrace with a sea view or head to the beach to get into the southern rhythm right away.
Day 2: Boat trip along the Costa degli Dei
Today you will discover the Calabrian coast from the water. During a private boat trip, you will sail past caves, rock formations and quiet bays that are only accessible by boat. There will be time to swim and snorkel in the clear water or simply stay on board and watch the landscape glide by. The skipper will share stories about the coast and its hidden spots along the way. In the afternoon, you will return to Tropea.
Day 3: Zungri & Calabrian flavours
You leave the coast and drive inland towards Zungri. Here you will discover a lesser-known part of Calabria, with cave dwellings carved directly out of the rocks. During the walk through the village, you will get a good impression of rural life in the past. This is followed by a culinary experience in the countryside. You will learn how to make fileja, a typical Calabrian pasta that is rolled by hand. Lunch consists of your own creation, complemented by local products such as cheeses, meats and vegetables from the region. In the afternoon, you will visit a nearby vineyard, where you will learn more about local grapes and wine styles.
Day 4: Reggio di Calabria
Today you will drive south along the coast to Reggio di Calabria. The city is located directly opposite Sicily and has an elegant appearance. In the National Archaeological Museum, you can admire the Riace bronzes, impressive statues from Greek antiquity. After the museum, you will stroll along the promenade, a wide boulevard lined with palm trees and overlooking the sea. In the afternoon, you will visit the bergamot museum, where you will discover how this citrus fruit plays an important role in perfumes, gastronomy and local traditions. In the evening, you will drive back to your hotel.
Day 5: Drive to Matera
You check out and leave Calabria behind. The drive takes you through Basilicata to Matera, where the landscape becomes increasingly rugged. Together with a guide, you explore the Sassi, two neighbourhoods full of rock dwellings, churches and stairways that have been inhabited for thousands of years. You walk past carved houses and viewpoints over the Gravina gorge. In the evening, you will spend the night in a hotel in the middle of the Sassi, where the silence and the setting create a special atmosphere.
Day 6: Matera - Valle d'Itria
After breakfast, you will continue towards Apulia. Along the way, the landscape changes into an open setting of olive groves and low stone walls. In the Valle d'Itria, you will check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the area or simply stay put and enjoy the view and tranquillity.
Day 7: Alberobello, Ostuni & Martina Franca
Today you will explore the heart of Apulia. In Alberobello you can stroll among the iconic trulli, while Ostuni will surprise you with its white houses and views of the sea. In Martina Franca you will discover a more elegant, baroque townscape with quiet squares and narrow streets. Between visits, there will be time to have lunch or take a short detour through the countryside.
Day 8: Castel del Monte, Trani & Bari
You will drive to Castel del Monte, the mysterious octagonal castle of Emperor Frederick II that towers above the landscape. Then you will head to Trani, where the Romanesque cathedral seems to stand almost in the sea. In Bari, you end the day in the old town, where daily life takes place in small streets and squares around the Basilica of Saint Nicholas.
Day 9: Polignano a Mare & Monopoli
The Adriatic coast takes centre stage. In Polignano a Mare, you can walk above cliffs that plunge steeply into turquoise waters. Then drive to Monopoli, with its lively harbour and historic centre that invites you to stroll around. If you prefer to see the coast from the sea, opt for a boat or catamaran trip today, passing caves and rock formations.
Day 10: Lecce & Otranto
You continue your journey to Salento. Lecce surprises with its rich Baroque architecture and lively squares. You walk past churches and facades bathed in warm, golden stone. Then you drive to Otranto, where you visit the cathedral with its impressive mosaic floor. The old town is right by the sea and is ideal for a quiet evening stroll.
Day 11: Santa Maria di Leuca & Gallipoli
You follow the coast to Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet. The cliffs and views make this an impressive stop. Later, you will drive on to Gallipoli, a walled city that lies like an island above the water. The old town revolves around fishing boats, markets and small restaurants. A nice place to end the trip.
Day 12: Return home
After breakfast, you will check out and drive to the airport. The hire car will be returned, but the southern rhythm will linger for a while.
Frequently asked questions about the Calabria, Basilicata and Apulia tour
Do you need a hire car for this trip?
Yes, a rental car is necessary for a tour of Calabria, Basilicata and Apulia. You will travel along coastlines, inland and to smaller villages such as Zungri, Alberobello and Otranto, which are difficult to reach by public transport.
When is the best time to travel for a tour of Calabria, Basilicata and Apulia? #####
The best time to travel around southern Italy is from May to June and from September to October. During these months, the temperatures are pleasant, the sea is warm enough for swimming, and cities such as Matera and Lecce are less crowded.
What makes this tour different from a standard Apulia tour?
This tour of southern Italy combines not only Apulia, but also Calabria and Basilicata. You will discover Tropea and the Costa degli Dei, stay in the Sassi of Matera and end up among the trulli and Baroque towns of Apulia. More regions, more variety and less classic routes than on a standard Apulia trip.
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