From the Bay of Naples to the whitewashed coast of Puglia — this journey through southern Italy is a perfect blend of history, flavor, and sunlit charm.
Drive at your own pace, explore ancient ruins and hilltop villages, and end your trip by the turquoise waters of the Adriatic.
Castellammare di Stabia – Where Your Italian Story Begins
You land in Naples, pick up your rental car right at the airport, and head south along the coast — a short and scenic 40-minute drive to Castellammare di Stabia.
This charming seaside town is your first taste of authentic southern Italy: palm-lined promenades, cafés overlooking the bay, and the faint scent of lemon trees in the air. Locals stroll the Lungomare Garibaldi at sunset while Vesuvius rises in the distance.
Spend two nights here to unwind and recover from your flight.
From here, it’s an easy day trip to Pompeii, only 20 minutes away. Walk the cobblestone streets of the ancient city, frozen in time beneath the ashes of Vesuvius, and imagine daily life as it was two thousand years ago.
If you have time, drive or take a short hike up Mount Vesuvius for a panoramic view of the entire bay.
In the evenings, enjoy dinner by the marina — perhaps fresh seafood and a glass of Falanghina wine — as the sky turns pink over the water.
Sorrento – The Gateway to the Amalfi Coast
From Castellammare, the road curves along the cliffs to Sorrento, your base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.
Settle in for four nights in this lively yet elegant town — full of lemon-scented lanes, family-run trattorias, and sweeping sea views.
Sorrento is perfectly located for day trips by ferry or car:
- Capri: Just 25 minutes by ferry. Spend the day wandering through chic boutiques, visiting the Blue Grotto, or sipping limoncello in the piazza.
- Amalfi & Positano: Cruise along one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines — pastel villages clinging to cliffs, beaches tucked into coves, and endless Mediterranean views.
- Ravello: A short drive or tour from Amalfi, known for its gardens and music festivals.
Back in Sorrento, enjoy slow evenings overlooking the Bay of Naples. Watch the sun set behind Capri from the Villa Comunale gardens, or take a cooking class to learn how to make perfect gnocchi alla sorrentina.
Matera – A Night Among the Stones
Leaving the coast behind, you drive east into Basilicata — a land of hills and history.
In about 3.5 hours, you’ll reach Matera, one of Italy’s most extraordinary cities.
Carved entirely from stone, Matera’s ancient cave dwellings (Sassi di Matera) glow gold at sunset and tell stories that span millennia.
Spend one unforgettable night here — stroll through candlelit alleyways, dine in a restaurant built into the rock, and wake up to a view that feels like stepping back in time.
Alberobello – The Village of Trulli
From Matera, continue east for about 1.5 hours into the heart of Puglia, where olive groves stretch to the horizon.
Here lies Alberobello, a fairytale village of white trulli houses with conical stone roofs, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Spend two nights here exploring at your own pace.
Visit nearby Locorotondo and Martina Franca, two of Puglia’s prettiest hill towns, and sample local specialties like burrata, orecchiette pasta, and primitivo wine.
At sunset, the trulli glow softly under the evening sky — it’s pure magic.
Polignano a Mare – The Adriatic Finale
Your final stop is Polignano a Mare, a picture-perfect coastal town perched dramatically above turquoise cliffs.
It’s a short 40-minute drive from Alberobello, and the perfect place to end your southern Italian journey.
Stay five nights here to relax and explore.
Swim in the famous Lama Monachile cove, wander through narrow white streets filled with poetry written on the walls, and enjoy long seaside lunches with fresh seafood and chilled rosé.
If you’re in the mood for a short adventure, visit Monopoli or the caves of Castellana Grotte nearby.
Evenings are for slow strolls along the promenade and watching cliff divers leap into the sea at sunset — pure southern Italian joy.
When it’s time to go home, Bari Airport is just a 45-minute drive away. Return your car and board your flight — your suitcase full of sunshine, your heart full of Italy.
Practical Information
Best time to travel:
April to October – when the weather is warm, the sea is calm, and vineyards and olive groves are at their best.
Getting around:
- Naples → Castellammare di Stabia: 40 minutes by car.
- Castellammare → Pompeii: 20 minutes.
- Castellammare → Sorrento: 40 minutes along scenic coastal roads.
- Sorrento → Matera: 3.5 hours by car.
- Matera → Alberobello: 1.5 hours.
- Alberobello → Polignano a Mare: 40 minutes.
- Polignano → Bari Airport: 45–50 minutes.
Car rental:
Pick up your car at Naples Airport and return it at Bari Airport.
Roads are well-maintained and signposted. Highways are easy to navigate, but the Amalfi Coast roads are narrow and winding — take your time and enjoy the views.
A package tour and a linked arrangement offer travellers different booking processes but provide the same protection under the Package Travel Act, ensuring customer rights and peace of mind during the trip.
