A journey through Southern Italy
This trip is for those who want to experience more of Southern Italy without rushing. Over eight nights, you combine coastal life in Sorrento with the unique atmosphere of Matera and the small-town charm of Alberobello. Three different places, three different moods – all in one journey.
You start by the sea, continue inland and finish among Apulia’s iconic white houses. A road trip that lets you experience both the well-known highlights and the unexpected along the way.
Sorrento – coastal life and easy-going excursions
Your journey begins in Sorrento, a lively yet relaxed town overlooking the Bay of Naples. It’s easy to settle into holiday mode here. Days are perfect for walks along the waterfront, long lunches at small local restaurants and sea views with Mount Vesuvius as a backdrop.
Sorrento is also an excellent base for day trips. From here, it’s easy to visit Capri, the Amalfi Coast or Pompeii – but it’s just as nice to stay in town and enjoy the slower pace. In the evenings, people gather in squares and at outdoor cafés, often with local dishes on the table and a glass of limoncello to finish the meal.
After three nights by the coast, it’s time to head inland.
Matera – a city carved into stone
From Sorrento, the journey continues to Matera, about a 3.5-hour drive away. Here, the scenery changes completely. Matera is known for its ancient cave dwellings, the Sassi di Matera, where houses, churches and narrow streets are carved directly into the rock.
Matera is best explored on foot. Wandering through its winding paths gives you a strong sense of the city’s layers of history and everyday life through the centuries. In the evening, the atmosphere shifts as lights illuminate the cliffs, creating a calm yet vibrant feeling throughout the city.
Two nights is just the right amount of time to explore Matera without feeling overwhelmed.
Alberobello – Apulia’s white signature
The journey then continues to Alberobello, around 1.5 hours away. Once again, the scenery changes. The town is famous for its trulli – small white stone houses with conical roofs, clustered closely together.
Alberobello is quieter and more compact, making it an ideal final stop. Days here are all about strolling, taking long breaks, enjoying local food and letting time slow down. Many trulli are still homes, while others house small shops, cafés and museums.
It’s a place that doesn’t require much planning – it’s best experienced simply by being there.
The road between destinations
The distances between the destinations are ideal for a road trip:
- Sorrento → Matera: approx. 250 km, around 3.5 hours by car
- Matera → Alberobello: approx. 70 km, around 1.5 hours by car
Along the way, the landscape shifts from coast to countryside, and many travellers choose to make short stops for lunch or coffee.
Practical information
Flights: Fly into Naples and return home from Bari (or back to Naples if that suits your plans better).
Transport: A rental car is recommended for flexibility between destinations and spontaneous stops along the way. Car rental is not included and is best booked before departure.
Pace: The itinerary is designed to offer variety without feeling rushed – each destination gets its own time and rhythm.
A journey that gives you more
Sorrento, Matera and Alberobello each show a different side of Southern Italy. Coast, stone-carved cities and small-town life – all combined in one trip. Perfect for those who want to experience more, while travelling at a pace that truly feels like a holiday.
A package tour and a linked arrangement offer travellers different booking processes but provide the same protection under the Package Travel Act, ensuring customer rights and peace of mind during the trip.
