Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Culture and Culinary Treats A Romantic Trip to Southern Italy

The Amalfi Coast, Puglia

Starting from between £4490 to £7165 per person for 10 days depending on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

Itinerary Highlights

  • Visit the captivating island of Capri by boat
  • Hike along the picture-perfect Path of the Gods
  • Hone your culinary skills with an authentic cooking class in the Puglian countryside
  • Discover Lecce and learn about its Baroque buildings alongside a local guide
Soak up the sun in southern Italy on this ten-day getaway that takes you from the achingly beautiful Amalfi Coast to pretty-as-a-picture Puglia. Enjoy scenic sea walks, saltwater swims and plenty of delicious food and wine on this tranquil trip for two.

Toast to your romantic couple’s retreat with wine and dinner on your first night in the charming village of Praiano on the Amalfi Coast. While here, take a tour of the island of Capri, tuck into fresh seafood, hike the famed Path of the Gods trail and spend an afternoon lounging by the hotel pool. Next, discover the UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera, one of the world’s oldest human settlements.

The second half of your amorous adventure takes you to Puglia, the ‘heel’ of Italy’s ‘boot’, a region renowned for its exceptional food. Try your hand at making Puglian cuisine in a couple’s cooking class, explore Puglia’s picturesque valleys and tour the beautiful Baroque city of Lecce. It doesn’t get more romantic than this...
Sassi in Matera - Italy © Mi.Ti. / Fotolia.com
Sassi in Matera - Italy © Mi.Ti. / Fotolia.com
Amalfi Coast - Italy © Getty Images/iStockphoto
Amalfi Coast - Italy © Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sculpture - Italy © Mi.Ti. / Fotolia
Sculpture - Italy © Mi.Ti. / Fotolia
Amalfi Coast - Italy © Olivier Romano
Amalfi Coast - Italy © Olivier Romano
Traditional house - Alberobello - Italy © Alberto Maccari/stock.adobe.com
Traditional house - Alberobello - Italy © Alberto Maccari/stock.adobe.com
Vietri sul Mare - Salerno  - italy © Kreolina/Fotolia
Vietri sul Mare - Salerno - italy © Kreolina/Fotolia
Uggiano La Chiesa - Puglia - Italy © Olivier Romano
Uggiano La Chiesa - Puglia - Italy © Olivier Romano

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Passports at the ready: your romantic trip to southern Italy begins today. Start your trip in style as you speed through security and sip a celebratory glass of champagne in the airport lounge before your two-and-a-half-hour flight to Naples.

Once you touch down in this sunny city, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel near the quiet village of Praiano on the Amalfi Coast, an hour-and-a-half drive away.

Get settled into your romantic room and soak up the views before heading to the hotel restaurant for some mouthwatering Italian dishes (accompanied by the finest local wines, of course).

What better way to kick off your couple’s trip than a romantic tour of Capri? After a tasty breakfast, take a 30-minute private transfer to the Amalfi port to board your boat to Capri. Along the way, stop at hidden coves to swim, snorkel and explore the caves.

Once you’ve reached the captivating island of Capri, enjoy a delicious lunch at a beachside restaurant before wandering along its picturesque Neapolitan streets. After soaking up the afternoon sun, return to your hotel for a delicious evening meal and an early night – you deserve it after your busy day.

We've left today free for you to explore Praiano at your own pace. We recommend going for a hike along the Path of the Gods, an iconic coastal trail from Bomerano to Nocelle. After a short private transfer to the starting point, begin the four-hour hike, marvelling at the stunning sea views with every step.

Once you’re suitably shattered, travel back from Nocelle to the hotel by bus for a late afternoon dip in the pool and a laze on the sun loungers. If you’re feeling fancy, why not treat yourself with a trip to the spa – what better way to round up day three of your romantic getaway?

After filling up with a tasty breakfast, you'll be transferred to Salerno, a one-and-a-half-hour drive away. From here, collect your trusty hire car and begin the two-and-a-half-hour drive to your hotel in Matera.

On arrival in Matera – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's longest inhabited human settlements – check in and settle into your hotel for the night. Come evening, head to the restaurant for an authentic Italian meal before calling it a night.

It’s time for the second part of your luxury couple's trip to begin. This morning, hop in the car for a one and a half hour drive to Puglia’s picturesque coastline.

Once you arrive at your elegant hotel – your home for the next three nights – settle in and spend the afternoon soaking in your seaside surroundings. As the day draws to a close, indulge in some traditional Puglian cuisine: orecchiette con cime di rapa (pasta with turnip greens) is always a winner.

It wouldn’t be a couple’s trip with some romantic R&R, so we've left today free for you to enjoy at leisure. Take the time to slow down and appreciate your laid-back surroundings: explore one of the nearby beaches, swim laps in the pool or book yourself in for a treatment for two in the spa. Bliss.

As the sun dips below the horizon, head to an Italian seafood restaurant to sample some deep-sea delicacies. Spoilt for choice? Our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend their favourite local spots.

After a relaxing day yesterday, today’s all about exploring. While Puglia is chock-full of postcard-perfect spots, we recommend heading further inland to visit some of the region’s hidden gems.

First up on the list is Locorotondo, one of Italy’s most enchanting villages, set in the Itria Valley. Spend some time wandering the winding cobbled lanes, stopping for a cappuccino overlooking the captivating countryside. Next, drive ten minutes to Martina Franca, celebrated for its Baroque architecture and iconic music festival. Finish your morning off with an early lunch in Alberobello, known for its UNESCO-protected trulli (cone-shaped limestone buildings).

If you’re not too tired after your busy day, spend the evening at an authentic cooking class. Puglia is responsible for producing the majority of Italy’s olive oil and durum wheat, so you’ll be working with top-notch produce as you learn how to make (and eat) traditional Puglian recipes with an expert chef.

Today, pack your bags and drive south along the coast to the beautiful Baroque city of Lecce, where you'll be staying for the next two nights. The journey only takes an hour and a half, so you'll have plenty of time to explore this afternoon.

As you wander around the ‘Florence of the South’, soak up the vibrant atmosphere, visit historic hotspots and stroll through the plentiful piazzas before settling in an authentic Pugliese restaurant for a bite to eat.

It might be the final day of your romantic trip to southern Italy, but the fun isn’t over yet. This morning, head out on a private tour of Lecce’s standout spots alongside a local guide. The city is best known for its beautiful Baroque buildings, and you’ll explore its highlights, including the magnificent Cattedrale di Lecce, the Basilica di Santa Croce, the Sant’Oronzo Column and the sunken Roman amphitheatre.

Worked up an appetite with all that walking? Your guide will take you to sample some pasticciotto, a local specialty consisting of fluffy pastry filled with either ricotta cheese or egg custard. With full tummies, return to your hotel this afternoon for a final few hours of relaxation and a good night's sleep, ready for your journey home tomorrow.

Sadly, today is the final day of your romantic trip to southern Italy. Enjoy a chilled morning and a final Pugliese lunch before driving half an hour to Brindisi Airport, where you’ll drop off your hire car. Savour one final tipple in the airport lounge before boarding your three-hour flight back to the UK.

Why visit Italy with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Italy

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

You might also like

Estimated Price

Dependent on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

The prices shown here are merely a guide, as all of our trips are entirely tailor-made. Tailor-made travel involves multiple moving parts, and prices can vary hugely depending on the season of travel, the lead time before the proposed travel date (last minute deals are pretty much a myth), availability, your choice of accommodation and any additional activities you want to include. That means the only exact price will be the one we quote you, which we can adapt to suit your budget. The estimated starting cost for this trip is between £4,490 and £7,165 per person. The average starting price for this trip is £5,735 per person.

100% tailor-made holidays

Understanding Your Needs

Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday

Personalisation

We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities

Our Services

All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges