Italy’s Apulia

Cultural Stays

in Italy

On the next few pages, fi nd fi ve unique Cultural Stay tours in Italy that offer immersive experiences. Discover your home away from home among the pastel-colored villages of the Amalfi Coast or explore Greek temples in the shadow of Mt. Etna from your base in Sicily. Whichever you choose, you’ll have an insightful experience that features both highlights and lesserknown sites, as well as opportunities to meet with local people. Enjoy this special opportunity to delve deeper into a destination and discover its unique sense of place.

The one-week stay exceeded my expectations! The travel details were well-handled, allowing me to focus on the country. I met extraordinary people, was inspired by the sights, and delighted in all I learned. – Katherine M.

Amalfi Coast

Italy’s Apulia

A One-Week Stay in Polignano a Mare

9 days from $4,490 Includes $250 special savings No single supplement Special air rates available Oct. 5–13, Oct. 26–Nov. 3, 2022 & Apr. 26–May 4, May 17–25, Sept. 20–28, Oct. 11–19, 2023

Gaining new recognition, Italy’s southeastern Apulia (or Puglia) is a magical landscape of ancient towns with unique architecture, diverse cultural sites, and outstanding culinary traditions. Explore this region during a one-week stay in Polignano a Mare, at the Hotel Covo dei Saraceni, perched on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Adriatic.

Highlights Include

Unique Trulli and Sassi: In Alberobello, walk amid iconic trulli, the whitewashed limestone buildings with conical roofs found nowhere else in the world. Named European Capital of Culture in 2019, Matera (located in nearby Basilicata), is home to the rock-hewn cave dwellings known as sassi. Experience this unique town during a walking tour and visit a cave house and rock church. Both the trulli and sassi are World Heritage sites. Greek to Baroque Towns: Explore the presence of early Greeks and Romans at the archaeological site of Egnazia. Stop in Ostuni, with its white homes perched on the coastline, and take a tour of Trani, noted for its medieval

Trulli in Alberobello

fort, cathedral, and Jewish neighborhoods. And in Lecce, witness the town’s minutely detailed baroque architecture. Culture and Cuisine: Savor regional specialties and learn about culinary traditions at a family olive mill and local vineyard. Plus, hear about the rich cultural heritage, slowpaced lifestyle, and architecture of Apulia from local speakers. Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

David Price Williams (Oct. 5)–archaeologist. Charles Ingrao (Oct. 26) and Allen Fromherz (Apr.)–historians. Pedar Foss (May) and Rebecca Schindler (Oct. 11)–professors of classical studies. Stephen Clancy (Sept.)–art historian.