Soul of Southern Italy

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Lecce

Arrive in Bari, meet your ACIS Tour Manager and drive to south to historic Lecce, tucked in the heel of Italy's “boot.” Take an orientation tour of this remarkable city, noted for its many fine examples of 17th-century Baroque architecture.

Day 3: Lecce

The day's excursion begins with a walking tour of Lecce, led by an expert local guide. More than 2,000 years old, Lecce sometimes is famous for its trove of grand Baroque buildings and monuments, including the striking Church of San Giovani Battista and a sunken Roman amphitheater. Then you'll head for the medieval city of Otranto, a gem on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. A tour of this impressive fortified city includes a stop in the eerie Otranto Cathedral, with its mysterious floor mosaic—experts still ponder the meaning of its imagery—and an altar made largely from the bones of Christian martyrs slain by the Ottomans in a 1480 massacre.

Day 4: Sorrento

We're on the move today, starting with a stop in the town of Alberobello for a look at some truly unique architecture, the Trulli—clusters of whitewashed houses featuring distinctive, conical-shaped roofs fashioned from thin pieces of limestone. Journey on to picturesque Sorrento. Renowned for its citrus groves, the Sorrentine peninsula separates the Gulf of Naples from the Gulf of Salerno. You may want to take an evening stroll around the charming Piazza Tasso after dinner.

Day 5: Sorrento

Board a high-speed hydrofoil to cross the Bay of Naples to Capri, the Island of Dreams. Upon arriving on the island, take the funicular past subtropical gardens to the main square. There is time to wander through the narrow lanes and shop in the tiny artisan stores that line the square. (Prior to March 15, an excursion to Naples will be substituted for the visit to Capri.). Return to the mainland to explore a working mozzarella farm and learning first-hand about how this creamy cheese is made, from ingredients to production to taste. Mangia!

Day 6: Rome

A scenic drive takes you along the breathtaking coastline to Pompeii where a local guide provides commentary as you explore this town that was preserved under 23 feet of volcanic ash by the eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Then it's on to Rome, called the Eternal City because the ancient Romans believed that no matter what empires rose and fell, Rome would endure forever.

Day 7: Rome

Today's panoramic drive of the city is a great introduction to the many phases of Roman history. Our local expert accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. The best part is that these are timed entrances, meaning you'll breeze right by the long lines facing other tourists. Continue with your guide inside the iconic and historic Colosseum (your timed reservation again ensures no waiting in line) and learn the many stories of this nearly 2,000-year-old Roman landmark that's considered one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world. You'll also get to spend time in the adjoining Roman Forum, the social, political and commercial hub of the Roman Empire. Spend your final evening abroad practicing the fine Italian art of the passeggiata with an evening stroll around the Piazza Navona.

Day 8: Departure

Depart for the USA.



Optional Extensions and Extra Nights:

Enhance your European experience with a two-night extension from Rome to Florence via train, including sightseeing and the Accademia.