Italy and Greece Combo: From Salento to Mani Along the Mediterranean

Begin your day the right day, with a homemade breakfast under the awning as you look out onto your hotel’s beautiful garden. Tummy full, head into Lecce for a private tour of this incredible Baroque city whose limestone buildings have been carved with an ornate flamboyance. Afterwards, learn more about the traditional art of Apulian cartapesta (papier-mâché) at a traditional workshop. Here, you’ll make your own figurine to take home as a reminder of your trip to this artistic city.

Around 20-minutes’ drive from Lecce, Galatina is a place where you can deepen your knowledge of southern Italy’s Baroque architecture by visiting buildings such as the Church of the Saints Peter and Paul. As you wander the streets of the town, you’ll notice how its doors and balconies have benefited from the know-how of the region’s stonemasons. Galatina’s most impressive monument, however, is undoubtedly Basílica de Santa Catarina de Alexandria: built at the end of the 14th century in a Romanesque and Gothic style, it’s adorned with splendid frescoes and reminiscent of the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi. Finally, Galatina lays claim to the creation of delicious pasticciotto: pastry filled with cream. What better way to end a day of sightseeing than with a coffee and one of these delicious Apulian treats.

Today, you’ll hop back in the car and drive on to Noci, a charming town where you’ll spend three nights in another masseria. When you arrive, spend some time relaxing by the swimming pool, playing tennis or heading out on a gentle bike ride before a delicious dinner made with local ingredients.

Noci is the perfect base for exploring some of this region’s best-known sites. From here, head to Alberobello to marvel at the many traditional trulli houses, or spend the day in the beautiful whitewashed city of Ostuni. The Itria Valley is also nearby, where you can visit towns like Martina Franca for more incredible Baroque buildings. Locorotondo is arguably one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, and finally Ceglie Messapica is a pretty place to lose yourself in the streets of the old town and enjoy picturesque piazzas. You’ll have two full days to make your way between towns and villages enjoying traditional architecture, beautiful landscapes and delicious food. If you like, we can arrange for you to take a guided tour of Alberobello’s trulli and enjoy a tasting of local specialities.

Today you’ll drive back to Bari to return your hire car. You’ll spend the night in the city centre not far from some of Bari’s highlights. This city has a lot to offer, including the impressive ramparts of the Norman castle, the Bari Cathedral, the Basilica San Nicola, and the elaborate 1920s Palazzo Mincuzzi. While you’re here, we can arrange for you to tour the city by rickshaw before honing your Italian cooking skills at an orecchiette-making class.

Today you’ll say goodbye to Italy and hello to Greece. You’ll be privately transferred to the airport for your flight to Athens which takes just over one-and-a-half hours. When you land, we’ll arrange another private transfer to your hotel in the city’s Plaka district. You’ll spend two nights here with a view of the Acropolis in a relaxing space that’s the perfect place to unwind after a day in the exciting capital.

To the north of the Acropolis, the Athenian and Roman agoras contrast and complement each other. The development of the first began in the sixth century BC as a religious, political and commercial gathering place. At the turn of the first century, a second was built: the Roman Agora. After taking a private tour of both agoras today, you’ll head to Plaka with your guide to explore its cobbled streets, traditional tavernas and local shops. This charming area has adapted to the modern age without losing its traditional spirit.

Pick up your next hire car today and hit the road to the Peloponnese, which takes just under three hours. You’ll spend the night in the fortified town of Mystras, a few miles northwest of Sparta. Your hotel’s traditional-style buildings are surrounded by olive and orange trees, while a swimming pool, spa and jacuzzi are yours to take advantage of after the journey. If you’d prefer to spend the rest of the day exploring, we can arrange for you to take a private tour of Mystras, Sparta and the Olive Oil Museum. This evening, enjoy an excellent Mediterranean dinner at one of the onsite restaurants.

You’ll drive on to Areopoli today, about an hour away, where you’ll spend three nights in a comfortable hotel just north of the town that overlooks the bay of Limeni. Spend some time cooling off in the pool before dinner at the restaurant whose dishes are inspired by this southern Greek region.

Your final two days in Greece are free for you to spend enjoying the beauty and traditions of the Mani peninsula. As you make your way between hilltop villages and olive-covered hillsides, you’ll notice Mani’s characteristic towers. These stone constructions give the region an austere beauty, though in good weather its slopes are covered in wildflowers. For a different atmosphere, head to the Cave of Vlychada to admire impressive curtains of stalactites in atmospheric silence. If you’d like to spend some time soaking up the beauty of the Med, we can arrange for a sea kayaking trip in the Gulf of Messenia.