Unique Exploration of Italy: Rome, Matera, Monopoli Tour

The morning sun will flicker through your windows this morning. With a cup of bold Italian coffee in hand, you will welcome the new day. Beating the tourist rush, you will head to the sanctified Vatican City. The world’s most beloved works of art and architectural wonders riddle the hallowed city grounds. You will bear witness to these awe-inspiring wonders, whether it be casting your eye upon Michelangelo’s greatest work on the roof of the Sistine Chapel or standing in the courtyard beneath St. Peter’s Basilica’s elaborately decorated dome.

They say that Rome was not built in a day, and you will see the proof today as you flip through the city’s history on a guided tour of Ancient Rome. You will feel this history seeping from the travertine limestone pillars of The Colosseum as you peer up at the colossal world wonder. Inside, you will stand in the very place Roman soldiers tirelessly battled while civilians cheered from the amphitheater’s looming stands. This afternoon, you can continue to Palatine Hill to admire more architectural marvels and trace the origins of Ancient Rome through the legends, Romulus and Remus.

Beyond being a destination full of historic landmarks, Rome is inherently linked to Italy's culinary heritage. Today, you will treat your taste buds to the city’s finest collection of culinary delights along the cobblestone streets of the Trastevere neighborhood. A leisurely stroll under the sun will lead you along quiet alleys and down narrow roads lined with colorful restaurant balconies. The decadent aromas of supplí, which are fried risotto balls filled with mozzarella cheese, and Trapizzino, Rome’s answer to the calzone, will guide you to cushioned seats for an authentic taste tour of the city.

You will wake up on your final morning in Rome to the sounds of the city coming to life, from the chattering of groups of townsfolk beneath your balcony to the shuffling of feet along the street. You can enjoy your final few moments in the mesmerizing city because you will soon be collected by your private driver and transferred to Matera. During your relaxing trip, you may take the opportunity to appreciate the Italian countryside that stretches between Matera and Rome.

A deep sense of spirituality and humble authenticity shrouds Matera, a charming city woven into the rocky outcrop on which it sits. Besides being a welcoming destination that brims with antique charm, Matera’s Sassi district along The Murgia National Park is it’s pièce de résistance. It is here that you will step onto the paths that have been tread by ancient Neolithic communities and into the cave dwellings people have inhabited since they were discovered. The caves-turned-homes are a mind-blowing display of the power of nature.

Today marks the midpoint of your vacation, and you will transfer to Monopoli in the morning to see more of this beautiful country. You will make two stops before reaching Monopoli. The first stop will be at the fascinating city of Bari, where your guide will usher you to prominent architectural attractions and Bari’s gorgeous seafront promenade. Your second stop will be in Polignano a Mare, which is a pleasant town poised on the banks of the Adriatic coast. From lookout points, you may gaze across the incredible blue seascape that stretches endlessly in front of you.

Italian cuisine is absolutely delicious, but few people are aware of the distinct nuances and subtle differences that set the country’s culinary history apart from other nations. Today, you will delve into this heritage with a coveted chef at a lovely Masseria, an Italian farmhouse. You will learn the secrets behind a few of Italy’s signature dishes before tucking into your marvelous creations and sipping on exquisite local wines accompanied by a grand view of the rolling hills. Scenes of Locorotondo’s flower-flanked streets and Martina Franca’s dazzling palaces will conclude your adventurous day.

After breakfast, you will transfer to Alberobello for a guided tour of the town and its surroundings, which will be complete with a visit to a local cheese farm. Alberobello is a bewitching destination adored for its whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs that spread across the wooded hillside. It is a magical community where life seems peaceful and undisturbed. In the afternoon, you will visit an Alberobello cheese farm for an enchanting tour in the hills. After indulging in an assortment of fresh and aged cheeses, sweet pastry desserts, and full-bodied wines, you will return to Monopoli completely satisfied.

You will have come to notice that many of Italy’s towns boast the same stunning whitewashed palette as one another. This hypnotizing characteristic, at least for the medieval city of Ostuni, was done to brighten up the dark cobblestone streets of the 17th Century. The decision was a huge success as Ostuni’s charm emanates from the quiet passages and narrow corridors that weave between the cityscape’s white walls and blanket the hillside. You will traverse these little pathways to the top of Ostuni, where the rose window and symmetrical facade of the Archbishop's palace share heavenly views of the region.

Your last full day in Italy will be spent exploring two more spellbinding cities that are steeped in history and shrouded in mystery. You will transfer to Lecce with your driver and guide to capture images of its alluring churches, witness its wonderful monuments, and appreciate its Baroque Roman theaters. Your afternoon will be spent in the town of Otranto and will present the splendid blend of history and modernity that sweeps across its districts. You can wallow in your final few moments here with your toes gently dug into the soft sand before returning to Monopoli later in the evening.

With every second well spent and a plethora of images to commemorate your experiences, you will board your plane at Bari International Airport and return home feeling blessed to have visited such a breathtaking destination.