Italy Self-Drive Experience

Transcription

1 Italy Self-Drive Experience

2 Welcome to Italy Come and explore the south of Italy on this 8-day program. Travel south from Rome on the Autostrade del sole towards the Amalfi Coast. Here you can explore Pompeii, Sorrento and the Isle of Capri. Drive the Costiera Amalfatana, perhaps the most beautiful stretch of coast there is, with its corniche road winding around towering cliffs that slip into the sea. Explore Puglia- Italy s boot heel and the ancient gateway to the east. Probably the best way to travel independently in Italy is by a self-drive vacation as it allows you to stop whenever you want and see what you want- when you want.

3 Day 01: ROME, ITALY- POMPEII- AMALFI Travel south from Rome on the Autostrada del Sole heading towards the Amalfi Coast. Why not stop and explore Pompeii en route? This ancient city at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius was victim of the world s most famous volcano disaster and is Italy s top tourist attraction. Pompeii is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world as it provides a complete picture of the life in a Roman town. Explore the ancient streets and discover baths, basilicas, temples, theaters, private homes, the amphitheater and even the palestra where gladiators trained. After your visit, start driving along the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Amalfi Drive. Suggested overnight: Le Sirenuse Day 02: SORRENTO AND THE AMALFI COAST Occupying the southern side of Sorrento s Peninsula, the Costiera Amalfatana lays claim to being Europe s most beautiful stretch of coast, its corniche road winding around the towering cliffs that slip almost sheer into the sea. This is an incredible ride with some of the most spectacular stretches between Salerno and Amalfi. Sorrento lines the cliffs that look over the water to Naples and Mt. Vesuvius and basks in a mild climate that has attracted visitors since ancient times. Scenic bays with beach and harbor below, are reached by steps and narrow alleys, which offer majestic views of the coast, the surrounding hills covered with olive groves and citrus trees, and the crystal clear blue sea. After Sorrento, the road climbs to the Colli di San Pietro before descending into Positano. This once sleepy little fishing village has become a haven for painters, writers and artists and is one of the most picturesque towns on the coast. You will love the white

4 and pink Moorish houses set in lush gardens, descending in steep steps down the mountains to the bay. From here the show continues all the way to Amalfi, with one beautiful, colorful village after another, all perched along the coast. Amalfi is a beautiful place where history and legend are intertwined- it will make you believe the legend of Hercules falling in love with a beautiful nymph named Amalfi. When she died, she was buried in the most beautiful place in the world, giving it her name. And then there is the Isle of Capri. A ferry ride will be needed to reach the island, a service that is typically arranged by the hotels in the area. The Island of Capri is one of the most picturesque and visited locations in Campania. Its unique beauties were celebrated in ancient times and later published for the world in Homer's works: Odysseus (known in Latin as Ulysses) sailing past the island narrowly escaped the fate of those who hear the voices of the Sirens. Thus the island has a mythical charm, as well as its natural treasures, through the writings and legends of Ancient Greece. Its breathtaking landscapes and beauty stretch from the rocky caves around the island to the edge of the horizon, and has been an inspiration to poets, lovers and travelers throughout the centuries. Capri s craggy coast is studded with more than a dozen sea caves, most of them accessible and spectacular, but none as stunning as the Blue Grotto. This lagoon is haunted by a dazzling shifting turquoise blue. Small openings in the back of the cave admit daylight, which, reflecting on the limestone floor and walls creates a fantastical and magical atmosphere. It has attracted visitors and inspired awe from all who have seen its ancient limestone walls and learned of the history of this oceanic cave. The island of Capri is composed of two municipalities: Capri and Anacapri, each with their own administration and touch of regional rivalry. The latter is built on a high plateau, affording staggering views of sheer cliffs from dizzying vantage points. Suggested overnight: Le Sirenuse

5 Day 03: ALBEROBELLO Depart Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast and cross the boot of Italy, first to Basilicata, one of the least explored regions of Italy. A land of rock and mountains, of forests and meadows, this dramatic area spans Italy s instep with brief strips of coastline touching the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas. Potenza dominates the Basento Valley while Matera is hewn out of rock with its picturesque sassi, a conglomeration of almost completely abandoned dwellings, consisting of tiny houses packed together and steep narrow streets dating back to the 8 th century. The town has over 100 churches, some decorated in beautiful frescoes. Continue on to Alberobello, arriving late afternoon. Suggested overnight: Hotel dei Trulli Day 04: ALBEROBELLO Dedicate a day to exploring the town and its area. Alberobello is the trulli (limestone houses of drywall- mortar less- construction, a prehistoric building technique) capital of the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are over 1500 structures in the quarters of Monti and Aja Piccola. Climb the narrow streets and sneak a peek from the always-open doors to the inside of these unusual structures. In the modern part of town is the 16 th century Trullo Sovrano that has been converted into a museum illustrating the history of the trulli. Suggested overnight: Hotel dei Trulli

6 Day 05: SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO Depart from Alberobello and drive along the coast towards the little known towns of Barletta, Trani and Bitonto. Stop and visit the cathedral in Bitonto before continuing on to Trani- the Pearl of Puglia to see the magnificent port-side cathedral, one of the regions most photographed churches and seriously a good enough reason for visiting this charming town. The proximity of the sea with its reflected light and the austerity and luminosity of the stone make this one of the most unique churches in Italy. Another gem of Romanesque architecture is the Church of All Saints, dating from the 12 th century and built by the Knights Templar, who settled in Trani. Then, on to Barletta, about 13km northwest along the coast from Trani, for a visit to its cathedral, castle and so-called Colossus. The 12 th century Romanesque Cathedral is among the regions better-preserved examples of this style of architecture. The imposing waterside castle, one of Italy s largest. Whisper sotto voce in the cannon room, impressive in itself, and enjoy its strange stereophonic echo. Enjoy, too the display of Sicilian puppets and the castle s art collection, which included over 90 works by Barletta s famous son, Giuseppe De Nittis. Back in the town center is the Colossus, a chubby bronze Roman statue over 16 feet tall, cast in Constantinople in the 45 th century. Continue north to Manfredonia, entering the Gargano Peninsula and San Giovanni Rotondo. Suggested overnight: Hotel Villa Fontana

7 Day 06: SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO Dedicate this day to exploring this beautiful peninsula. The peninsula stretches out into the Adriatic Sea and is a land full of natural beauty and spirituality. There are picturesque villages spread along the coast and into the interior, in a backdrop of luxuriant woods and orchards. Vieste. The most popular seaside town on the promontory is a bright little place in the summer. The old town, with its whitewashed houses and winding medieval streets, offers a few sights of interest. Have a look at the Puglian-Romanesque cathedral and perhaps head up to the Chianca Amara, on which thousands were beheaded when the Turks sacked Vieste in the 16 th century. Nearby, at the town s highest point is a castle built by Frederick II, which is now occupied by the military. The tourist office can arrange a guided tour for you. The Umbra Forest, the lakes of Lesina and Varano, the imposing sanctuaries of San Michele and that of San Giovanni Rotondo, where the remains of Padre Pio lie, are the other main attractions of this area you may wish to explore. Suggested overnight: Hotel Villa Fontana Day 07: MONTESILVANO Depart San Giovanni Rotondo today and continue along the Adriatic Coast, entering Abruzzo. Abruzzo s wild mountainous terrain is breathtaking- from the forests of Parco Nazionale d Abruzzo in the south to the Gran Sasso d Italia, a massif of stark peaks capped by the Apennines highest mountain, the Crono Grande. The medieval towns of L Aquila and Sulmona are well worth visiting and the countryside is speckled with an array of castles and isolated hilltop borghi (cluttered towns and villages little changed over the centuries). Continue north towards Vasto and Pescara and into Montesilvano.

8 Suggested overnight: Hotel City Day 08: MONTESILVANO-ROME Cross the Apennine Mountains, perhaps via Sulmona, birthplace of classical poet Ovid. Sulmona is a charming little town, hemmed in by the mountains. The medieval town center is pristine and perfect for a stroll. Then cross into Lazio and perhaps stop in Tivoli before reaching Rome, ending your exciting driving tour of Italy.