SOUTHERN ITALY AND THE AMALFI COAST VENTURE INTO SOUTHERN ITALY on an expedition inspired by National Geographic Traveler’s September 2011 article “The Towns Italy Forgot.” In Puglia, the peninsula that comprises Italy’s “heel,” discover whitewashed villages surrounded by ancient olive groves. Then visit the rugged landscapes of Basilicata and the famous sassi, or cave dwellings, of Matera. Cap off your adventure by exploring the gorgeous Amalfi Coast and the stunning ruins of Pompeii. EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS
• Stay in a unique hotel housed within the carved grottoes of Matera. • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Alberobello, dotted with more than 1,500 beehive dwellings called trulli. • Hike among the extraordinary rock churches in Basilicata and the hillside villages of Amalfi. • Go on an insider’s tour of Pompeii with a local guide.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPERT Born and raised in the south of Italy, Massimo Bassano has traveled, taught, and photographed extensively in his native country. Massimo photographed the article that inspired this expedition, “The Towns Italy Forgot,” for the September 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler. His acclaimed book The Color of Silence detailed the 12 weeks he spent in a little-known Italian monastery, and his work has appeared widely in European publications as well as in National Geographic Traveler and on the National Geographic website. Massimo will enhance this expedition with his infectious enthusiasm, knowledge, and love for the region. MASSIMO WILL ACCOMPANY ALL DEPARTURES.
38
I T I N E R A RY
| 10 DAYS
DAYS 1 AND 2 U.S./BARI, ITALY
Depart on an overnight flight to Bari, the capital of Italy’s picturesque Puglia region. Transfer to our hotel, housed in one of the beautiful masserie, or fortified farmhouses, for which Puglia is renowned. Settle into your room and enjoy free time to explore this fabulous hotel and its waterfront before our welcome reception and dinner this evening. MASSERIA TORRE COCCARO (D) DAY 3 VALLE D’ITRIA
Spend the day in the Valle D’Itria, traveling through landscapes of brick-red earth, silvery olive trees, and trulli—the fairy-tale-like stone dwellings found in this region. Wander past elegant mansions in the baroque village of Martina Franca. Explore Alberobello, a World Heritage site scattered with more than 1,500 trulli, which offers insight into this mysterious form of architecture that dates back to prehistoric times. (B, L, D)
DAY 4 LECCE
Travel to the town of Lecce, known for its elegant baroque architecture and the Roman amphitheater that remains visible under the present-day piazza. Enjoy free time to explore the town and stop for lunch on your own. Tonight, gather for a tasting of local wines followed by a feast of Puglia’s most typical dishes. (B, D) DAY 5 PUGLIA/BASILICATA
Visit the archeological site of Egnazia, where digs continue to reveal Bronze Age and Roman ruins. Then take a walk with a local naturalist among the picturesque olive groves that stretch in every direction of Puglia. Some of the groves contain trees that date back a thousand years and are protected by regional law. After lunch, journey to the mountainous region of Basilicata, where our destination is the extraordinary hill town of Matera. This World Heritage site features at its core a cluster of sassi (literally the “stones”), ancient dwellings and caves carved out of the soft rock face by prehistoric settlers and inhabited until the 1950s. Our remarkable
Above: Sea and sky set off the colorful geometry of stacked houses in Positano on the Amalfi Coast.