sell12 Day Best of Southern Italy 2026

WEDNESDAY - You will board your overnight flight to Rome, off to Italy on the adventure of a lifetime!

THURSDAY - Benvenuti a Roma, the Eternal City! We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Rome airport to your hotel at scheduled times. Your Perillo representative will be waiting for you at the airport to greet you.

Tonight, you’ll meet your tour leader for a welcome drink and orientation in the hotel. Then the night is yours—ask for some local dinner tips and head out to find your first bowl of pasta or Roman pizza!

FRIDAY - After a delicious breakfast, enjoy a panoramic drive through Rome: see the Forum, Circus Maximus, and the Jewish Quarter.

Then, step inside the legendary Colosseum. Step inside the arena where gladiators once battled wild beasts for the entertainment of roaring crowds and the judgment of the Emperor. Feel the echoes of ancient glory and imagine the drama that once unfolded beneath your feet.

History, drama, and stunning views—this is Rome at its most unforgettable.

The remainder of the day and evening is yours to enjoy as you please. Ask your tour guide for a recommendation or venture out and explore the local restaurants in Rome! Be sure to try a “Suppli’”, a Roman delicacy, which is a fried ball of rice filled with tomato sauce, meat, and melted mozzarella.

SATURDAY - This morning, get ready for an unforgettable journey into the heart of art, history, and religion as you visit the smallest—and one of the most extraordinary—countries in the world: Vatican City!

Explore the Vatican Museums, marvel at the Sistine Chapel, and visit St. Peter’s Basilica.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy! Wander Rome’s timeless streets, treat yourself to a creamy gelato, or do some shopping in the city that blends ancient wonders with modern flair. As the sun sets, the evening takes you to the charming district of Trastevere for dinner. With its cobblestone lanes and lively trattorias echoing with music and laughter, Trastevere is the Italy you’ve always dreamed of—authentic, romantic, and unforgettable.

SUNDAY - In the morning, you are off to Sorrento. You’ll stop along the way for a tour of Pompeii.

Imagine…a city perfectly preserved as it was on that fateful day 2,000 years ago, when ash and lava literally stopped it in its tracks. You’ll see the tragic fossils of people attempting to escape along with children and dogs.

After visiting Pompeii, you’ll continue to Sorrento and you’ll have some free time to enjoy before dinner in your hotel tonight.

MONDAY - In the morning, you will take a ferry to the world’s most enchanting island, Capri.  You will enjoy a private boat tour around the island (weather permitting). We’ll cruise by the magnificent Faraglioni, Capri’s iconic rock formations which tower above the Mediterranean Sea.

Later, you will visit one of the lesser known but equally beautiful sea caves, the Grotta Bianca. Following this visit, you’ll have free time to explore the island on your own or take advantage of a special optional excursion with your tour leader.

In the afternoon you return to Sorrento where you can relax before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant.

TUESDAY - This morning, get ready for a journey from the stunning cliffs of Sorrento to the sun-drenched shores of Puglia, as you head toward Bari—the vibrant capital of Italy’s “heel.”

But first, you’ll make a stop in one of Italy’s most mesmerizing and ancient cities: Matera. A place like no other, Matera feels like stepping into another time—its dramatic stone landscape and cave dwellings carved into the cliffs have earned it the nickname “the second Bethlehem.” It's no wonder this hauntingly beautiful city was chosen as the backdrop for Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.

You’ll have free time to wander its winding alleys, explore the ancient sassi (stone homes), and enjoy lunch in one of its atmospheric cafés or trattorias.

In the afternoon, continue your journey through the heart of southern Italy as you arrive in Bari, a lively coastal city rich with history, charm, and culture. After checking into your hotel, get ready for a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

*Please be sure to wear comfortable sneakers today as there will be uneven surfaces and many steps*

WEDNESDAY - In the morning, you will explore the city of Bari. Your tour starts from the Swabian Castle (outside visit), and continues towards the famous “Orecchiette Street”, where guests will be able to enjoy watching ladies making homemade pasta.

Next, you will have a quick visit to the Cathedral and then the Basilica of St Nicholas, built over the tomb of Saint Nicholas.

In the afternoon, you will have a little taste of a specialty of Bari – focaccia: a specialty bread with ancient origins.  After your tour, you’ll have some free time to enjoy a drink or coffee on your own.

In the evening, you’ll be able to enjoy a dinner on your own – be sure to try the orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe, a specialty in the Puglia Region.

THURSDAY - This morning, you’ll say goodbye to Bari and travel to Lecce but first you’ll stop in one of the most unique cities in Italy: Alberobello. This town is known for its distinctive small conical houses made from dry stone, called “Trulli” and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique architecture and cultural significance. Visit the iconic Trulli houses of Alberobello with guided sightseeing and time to shop. Continue to Lecce, known as the “Florence of the South,” for dinner out at a local restaurant and an overnight stay.

FRIDAY - Enjoy a walking tour of Lecce’s baroque heart: Porta Napoli, Duomo Square, Santa Croce, and the Roman Amphitheater.

You’ll have some free time to explore —try a pasticciotto (a shortcrust pastry from Puglia filled with a silky, lemon-scented custard) or the renowned “Caffè Leccese” (iced coffee with almond liqueur). B

This afternoon and evening will be free for you to enjoy as you please. This amazing city has many options – be sure to ask your tour leader for some restaurant recommendations.

SATURDAY - This morning, get ready to explore one of Puglia’s most captivating coastal gems— Otranto!

Walk the old town, visit the cathedral with its stunning mosaic. As you wander the narrow, cobbled streets, you’ll feel the layers of history surrounding you.

On the way back to Lecce, but on the way, you’ll stop at a traditional olive oil farm for a flavorful experience. Puglia is famed for producing some of the finest olive oil in the world, and here you’ll get a hands-on introduction to the region’s “liquid gold.”

This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure—, explore Lecce’s baroque beauty by night, or simply unwind with a glass of local wine.

SUNDAY - In the morning, you will head to Brindisi airport for your flight home.

While you say “arrivederci” to Italy, you will surely be taking home a piece of it with you….and maybe some wine too! Arrivederci Italia!