Overview – Southern Italy cultural journey

The Birth of Rome: A Southern Journey is a Southern Italy cultural journey designed for travellers who want to understand where Italian culture truly began. Starting in Sicily and travelling through Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia and Campania, this itinerary follows the traces of ancient Greek colonies, Roman expansion, medieval towns and vibrant regional traditions.

You’ll visit archeological icons like the Valley of the Temples, Paestum and Metaponto, wander historic centres from Palermo to Matera and Naples, and taste local specialties such as Sicilian cuisine, Calabrian bergamot, Lucanian bread, Apulian olive oil and buffalo mozzarella. Throughout the journey you stay in carefully selected 4-star hotels in central or scenic locations, with a mix of shared and private guided experiences that keep the trip immersive but not excessively “over-curated” – ideal for an entry-level premium product at €8,500 per person.

Best seasons for this Southern Italy cultural journey are March–June and September–October, when the climate is pleasant and sites are less crowded.

This itinerary can be beautifully combined or choose as an alternative with our Roman Thermal Baths Retreat and our Sicily Authentic Island Itinerary for a longer, fully immersive Italian journey.

Highlights

• Multi-region route through Sicily, Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia and Campania

• Handpicked 4-star hotels in central or scenic locations

• Guided visits to major archaeological sites: Valley of the Temples, Paestum, Metaponto, historic centres of Palermo, Matera and Naples

• Ferry crossing of the Strait of Messina and seaside stroll in Scilla

• Authentic food experiences: Sicilian welcome dinner, bergamot delicacies, olive oil tasting at a masseria, buffalo mozzarella farm visit

• Time in iconic towns: Palermo, Agrigento, Reggio Calabria, Gerace, Matera, Bari, Alberobello, Ostuni, Paestum and Naples

• Mix of small-group visits and select private guiding, keeping a balance between value and comfort

• Option to upgrade with 5-star hotels, helicopter tours and ultra-lux add-ons on request

Day-by-day – The Birth of Rome: A Southern Cultural Journey

(base version for the €8,500 “Signature Entry” level)

Days 1–3 – Sicily (Palermo & Agrigento) – 3 nights

Day 1 – Arrival in Palermo
Arrive in Palermo, where a private transfer takes you to your centrally located 4-star hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Sicilian specialties in a traditional restaurant, introducing you to the flavours of the island.

Day 2 – Palermo’s historic layers
Join a guided tour (small group or private, depending on date) of Palermo’s historic centre, with its unique blend of Norman-Arab architecture, baroque churches and lively markets. An optional visit to Monreale Cathedral can be arranged for those who wish to admire its golden mosaics.

Day 3 – Valley of the Temples
Travel towards Agrigento and visit the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples with a local guide, exploring some of the most impressive Greek ruins in the Mediterranean. At sunset, admire the temples glowing in the late-afternoon light. Return to Palermo or, for those who prefer, overnight in Agrigento can be arranged as an upgrade.

Days 4–5 – Sicily to Calabria (Reggio Calabria & Scilla) – 2 nights

Day 4 – Strait of Messina & Reggio Calabria
Cross the Strait of Messina by ferry and continue to Reggio Calabria. Visit the National Archaeological Museum to see the famous Riace Bronzes, masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture. Later, enjoy a seaside stroll in Scilla, a picturesque fishing town overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Day 5 – Gerace & bergamot flavours
Take a day trip to Gerace, a medieval hill town with Byzantine roots and panoramic views. Stroll through its narrow streets and visit its historic churches. During the day, enjoy a tasting of bergamot-based delicacies, discovering one of Calabria’s most distinctive products. Return to Reggio Calabria for the night.

Days 6–7 – Basilicata (Metaponto & Matera) – 2 nights

Day 6 – Metaponto & arrival in Matera
Travel north towards Basilicata, stopping in Metaponto to see the Tavole Palatine, evocative remains of an ancient Greek temple. Continue to Matera, where you check into your hotel and enjoy an orientation walk or evening at leisure.

Day 7 – Matera & the Sassi
Explore Matera’s Sassi cave dwellings on a guided tour, learning how people lived in these carved stone homes for centuries. In the afternoon, enjoy free time or join an optional artisan ceramics workshop (upgrade). In the evening, dine in a cave restaurant, experiencing Matera’s unique atmosphere.

Days 8–9 – Puglia (Bari, Alberobello & Ostuni) – 2 nights

Day 8 – Bari & Alberobello
Head into Puglia and visit Bari’s historic centre and the Basilica di San Nicola, an important pilgrimage site. Continue to Alberobello for a private or small-group tour of its iconic trulli houses, learning about their distinctive architecture. Overnight in Alberobello or nearby.

Day 9 – Ostuni & olive oil tasting
Depart for Ostuni, the “White City”, with time to explore its whitewashed lanes and scenic viewpoints. Later, visit a centuries-old masseria for an olive oil tasting, discovering traditional production methods and flavours. Return to your hotel in Puglia for the night.

Days 10–12 – Campania (Paestum & Naples) – 3 nights

Day 10 – Paestum & buffalo mozzarella
Travel to Paestum for a guided tour of its remarkably preserved Greek temples, surrounded by fields and countryside. Afterwards, visit a local buffalo farm for a buffalo mozzarella tasting and light lunch. Continue to Naples, where you check into your hotel.

Day 11 – Naples & Archaeological Museum
Enjoy a private or small-group tour of Naples’ historic centre, weaving through churches, palaces and lively streets. Then visit the National Archaeological Museum, home to spectacular collections from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Evening at leisure to enjoy Naples’ food scene independently.

Day 12 – Optional experiences & farewell dinner
Today you can choose between optional experiences (at extra cost), such as:

• A helicopter flight over Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples

• A cooking class with a local chef

In the evening, celebrate your Southern Italy cultural journey with a farewell dinner overlooking the Gulf of Naples.

Day 13 – Departure

After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Naples International Airport for your departing flight.

(Depending on flights and extensions, the programme can be stretched to a full 15-day journey.)

4. What’s included – Signature Entry level (€8,500 pp)

(You can adjust this list to match your exact costing; built to make sense for an €8,500 selling price with a healthy DMC margin.)

• Approximately 13 days / 12 nights accommodation in 4-star hotels in central or scenic locations

• Daily breakfast

• Welcome dinner in Palermo and farewell dinner in Naples

• Selected additional meals as per itinerary (e.g. buffalo mozzarella farm lunch, olive oil tasting, some regional tastings)

• Private airport transfers on arrival (Palermo) and departure (Naples)

• Ferry crossing Strait of Messina

• Ground transportation between regions by comfortable train or shared/private minivan, depending on group size and date

• Guided visits (small group or private, depending on day) to:

  • Palermo historic centre

  • Valley of the Temples (Agrigento)

  • Archaeological Museum in Reggio Calabria (Riace Bronzes)

  • Metaponto (Tavole Palatine)

  • Matera Sassi

  • Alberobello trulli

  • Paestum temples

  • Naples historic centre & Archaeological Museum

• Food & wine experiences:

  • Bergamot delicacies tasting in Calabria

  • Olive oil tasting at a masseria in Puglia

  • Buffalo mozzarella tasting at a local farm near Paestum

• Support from our local DMC team throughout the journey (booking management, local assistance, 24/7 emergency contact)

5. Not included

• International flights to/from Italy

• Some lunches and dinners, to leave flexibility for personal exploration

• Optional experiences (helicopter flights, private cooking classes, artisan workshops, extra tastings, hotel upgrades)

• City taxes (to be paid locally, as required)

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

• Personal expenses, tips and any services not explicitly mentioned under “What’s included”

6. Practical information & pricing

• Duration: Approx. 13 days / 12 nights (extendable to a full 15-day journey)

• Regions visited: Sicily, Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia, Campania

• Best season: March–June & September–October

• Type of trip: Cultural discovery, archaeology, food & wine, slow travel

• Pace: Moderate – regular walking on uneven ground at sites

• Ideal for: Culturally curious travellers, couples, small groups, repeat visitors to Italy

Pricing

• From €8,500 per person, based on double occupancy and a minimum of 2 travellers

• Single supplements, small-group quotes and tailor-made departures available on request

• Upgrades to 5-star or boutique luxury hotels, more private guiding and ultra-lux experiences (helicopter, after-hours access, academic expert guides) can be added as optional extras