Tours Albania - The Evia School

SOUTHERN ITALY

As is true of almost anywhere in Italy, the south is full of artistic, architectural and archaeological wonders, so on any trip one has to make choices as to what to see and what to pass by. This itinerary focuses mainly on southern Italy as Magna Graecia, the territory colonised by the Greeks from the 8th century onwards. In pursuit of the ancient Greeks we will visit Cumae, the legendary home of the Sibyl, Neapolis, over the remains of which modern Naples sprawls, the three temples of Paestum and the one of Metapontum, once the home of Pythagoras. Along the way we will take in the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the villas of Oplontis and Stabiae, as well as fitting in a quick visit to Tiberius’ villa on Capri. The second half of the trip will have more of a Norman theme as we explore some of the astonishing cathedrals they built in Puglia and visit the peculiar hunting lodge of Frederick II, the Castel del Monte. In Basilicata we’ll stay in the extraordinary troglodyte town of Matera and visit Venosa, the birthplace of the Roman poet Horace and the resting place of the crusader Robert Guiscard. And along the way, of course, there will be plenty of time to eat, swim and relax.

Day 1 Fly to Naples. Stay in Miseno, the headland above the port where the Roman imperial fleet was based and from where Pliny the Younger watched the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79.

Day 2 Drive into Naples to explore the historic centre, visiting the Archaeological Museum and the undergound aqueducts. Have dinner on Lake Avernus, one of the entrances to the Underworld. Visit the Solfatara, a steaming caldera at sea-level, and ancient Cumae, the legendary home of the Sibyl. Stay in Miseno.

Day 3 Drive around the bay of Naples to visit Herculaneum, Oplontis, the opulent palace of Nero’s wife, Poppaea, and the secluded Villae Stabianae. Stay above Sorrento.

Day 4 Take the ferry to Capri, visit Tiberius’ Palace and take a small boat round the island. Return to the mainland in the evening and stay above Sorrento.

Day 5 Vist Pompeii in the morning. Drive south-east visiting the monastery at Padula, the temples and museum at Paestum and the ancient site at Metapontum, once the home of Pythagoras. Stay in the rock-hewn town of Matera.

Day 6 Explore the houses and churches of Matera, then drive north via Gravina to the port town of Trani in Puglia. Stay in Trani opposite the magnificent Norman cathedral.

Day 7 Visit the battlefield of Cannae, where Hannibal famously defeated the Romans, and Frederick II’s extraordinary octagonal hunting lodge, the Castel del Monte. Stay in Trani.

Day 8 Drive west to visit the hill town of Melfi and the archaeological museum in its castle. Have lunch in Venosa, the birthplace of the Roman poet Horace and burial place of the Norman knight, Robert Guiscard. Visit the remains of the Roman town and the abbey. In the afternoon drive back to Naples and fly out.

Get in touch if you’d like to discuss or plan this tour at info@theeviaschool.com