A Taste of Southern Italy - Naples, Matera & Salerno 
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August 30 - September 8,  2024
Sold out - Waiting list available
​Join us for the memories to last a lifetime.
9 days and 8 nights in sunny southern Italy.
​Trip includes air, hotels, breakfasts daily and so much more!!!
Italy in September... the hordes of summer tourists are gone and the weather is perfect with average daily highs around 80 degrees. We'll spend three nights in the in the beautiful seaside city of Salerno, three nights in the ancient cave riddled city of Matera, and two nights in Naples in the heart of the city. A little off the normal beaten track. From our hotel in Naples you'll be able to explore all the city has to offer, and from our base in Matera we can visit the nearby beachtown of Polignano a Mare and quirky Alberobell. And from Salerno we'll have easy access to the towns along the Amalfi Coast. 

$ 3499  includes roundtrip airfare, all air taxes and fuel surcharges*, all transfers in Italy, three nights the Grand Hotel Salerno with views of the coast and marina,  three nights in Hotel Sassi in the heart of the ancient city of Matera, and 2 nights in Naples at the 4 star NH Napoli Panorama Hotel with breakfasts daily, visits to the historic towns of Potenza and Benevento enroute to Matera, and a pre-departure meeting in Easton before we go.  We'll also be offering an optional daytrip to Pompeii from Salerno and another to visit the picturesque seaside town of Polignano a Mare on the Adriatic Sea and the town of Alberobella, known for its trulli, whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. 
Price is per person based on double occupancy. A $699 single supplement applies to solo travelers. Round trip transportation from Easton to the airport is available for an additional charge. Airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges are included but subject to change until time of ticketing.
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If you've ever wanted to visit Italy this is your chance. You won't find a better value!! Especially since September is the end of high season... the weather is warm but not too hot and the towns are in full swing. The culinary experiences in this part of the world are to die for and the bottle of house red wine you just ordered with your dinner is probably as good as you've ever tasted!  

Salerno is a great base to explore the area. Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, it's a well kept secret... an authentic Italian alternative to her more touristy sister city, Sorrento, with restaurants, shops, and easy access to the towns on the Amalfi Coast. Catch the ferry to Amalfi or the train to Paestum. Our hotel overlooks the beachfront with the marina, train station and the historic city center all within easy walking distance. 

Naples hasn't been a traditional toursit destination in the past, but it's been rising on the international tourist radar for a few years now, and with good reason. The historical center is one of the most authentic and unique places in Italy, in spite of being quite rough around the edges—maybe because of it.  With piazzas and palazzos around every corner, there’s always outdoor seating where you can enjoy an Aperol Spritz (or several) and people watch for hours. Italy's third largest city is home to the Naples Archeological Museum,  loads of gorgeous architecture, and don't forget the Pizza!! 

Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world with a history dating back over 7000 years. It's known for it's cave dwellings (sassi) and winding cobblestone streets, and we'll be staying right in the heart of it.  in 2019 the city was recognized as a European Capital of Culture.
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Explore - We'll also be offering a couple optional group tours with English speaking guides and private transportation. 

From our base in Salerno you can visit the famous ruins of Pompeii. Truly on the most amazing places in Italy. 

​From Matera we'll  visit the picturesque seaside town of Polignano a Mare on the Agean Coast with plenty of free time to have lunch and explore, then onto the town of Alberobella, known for its trulli, whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. 
Itinerary

Day 1 Friday August 30 – Our  Aer Lingus flight EI104 departs JFK at 4:55 pm and arrives in Naples on Saturday morning after a brief layover in Dublin. 

Day 2 Saturday August 31 – After landing in Naples, our private coach will take us to our hotel in Salerno. Free Day to explore the sights and sounds of our home for the next three nights. Overnight in the Grand Hotel Salerno 

Day 3 Sunday September 1 - Free Day. Maybe take the train south to visit Paestum on the coast with some of the best preserved ancient Greek temples in the world. Or take a quick train ride north to Sorrento, or a ferry to one of the towns along the Amalfi Coast? It's up to you. Overnight in the Grand Hotel Salerno.

Day 4 Monday September 2 - Free Day. Optional tour to Pompeii. Pompeii needs no introduction. A Roman seaside resort town frozen in time when Mt Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.  Overnight in the Grand Hotel Salerno.

Day 5 Tuesday Spetember3 – After breakfast at the Hotel we’ll head over to Matera with a stop in Portenza for some free time to explore and get some lunch (not included)  along the way. It's a very beautiful and often overlooked city where we can experience a real slice of southern Italian life. Overnight in the Hotel Sassi.

Day 6 Wednesday September 4 - Free day to wander the cobblestone alleyways of Matera. Lots of nooks and crannies and cafes. After the day trippers leave we'll have the place to ourselves. Overnight in the Hotel Sassi.

Day 7 Thursday September 5 - Free Day. Optional day trip to Polignano a Mare, a beautiful town perched on the Aegean Coast where we'll have some free time for lunch and wandering. Our second stop is Alberobella with their dome shaped trulli homes. Overnight in the Hotel Sassi.

Day 8 Friday September 6 - After breakfast we'll say good-bye to Matera and board our private coach to the historically rich city of Naples. Along the way well drive through some beautiful scenery in the Lucanian Dolomite mountains and make a lunch stop in charming and seldom visited town of Benevento. Overnight in The NH Panorama Hotel in Naples. 

Day 9 Saturday September 7 - Free day – After breakfast at the Hotel we'll have a free day to check out the sights and sounds of the City. What to do? Wander the city. Soak it up. Check out the Naples Archeological Museum where all the artifacts from Pompeii are on display! We'll be in the heart of the city within walking distance to most major sites. Naples is the birthplace of pizza and you can eat it all day long! Overnight in the 4 star NH Panorama Hotel in Naples

Day 10 Sunday September 8 - After a leisurely breakfast we'll say our Good-byes and board our private motorcoach to Naples airport. Our Aer Lingus flight EI451 departs Naples at 11:40 AM and arrives in Dublin at 2:15 pm. Our connecting flight EI107 departs at 4:45 pm (after time for a couple of quick Guinnesses) and we should arrive at JFK airport at 7:20 PM and be back in Easton Sunday night.