Wander, Indulge & Fall in Love over 7 Days
"La vita è bella!" Italy—I mean, just saying the word instantly makes me picture a ridiculously handsome Italian guy flashing a charming smile, all fingertips pressed together in that classic Italian gesture as he says "Italia" in the most seductive accent. Honestly, there's something about Italians—they're hands down some of the best-looking people I've seen in all my travels. Add in those gorgeous coastlines, unbelievably pristine beaches, and that whole vibe... Southern Italy is pure bellissimo! It is also a country full of surprises.
A country surrounded by 6 nations -France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and two independent states—San Marino and Vatican City. The country is home to 3 active volcanoes—Etna, Stromboli, and Vesuvius. So you can literally explore a country that's on fire. Something that a lot of people don’t know about Italy is that it has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the world - 58 sites, ranging from ancient ruins to stunning cathedrals! Italy also has over 7,600 km of coastline. For such a small country, that’s just a never-ending stretch of beaches! From the glittering Amalfi Coast to the hidden gems of Calabria, you’re never too far from the sea.
So trust me, this place will have you saying ciao bella to your regular life and booking flights before you know it. Whether you're here for a solo adventure or a romantic getaway, I've got you covered. From where to stay, what to do, and where to eat—I'm going to give you all ‘the deets’ to make the most of your Italian escapade. Let’s explore the luxurious charms of Southern Italy!
Pizzeria da Italy
Day 1
Naples - The Heartbeat of Southern Italy
Welcome to Naples! Or as the locals say Napoli. There are no direct flights from India to Naples, so you’ll probably have to fly to Rome and then go onwards to Naples. The fastest and easiest way to reach Naples is take a high-speed train from Rome, which is a really scenic 1.5 hour journey.
Naples is a bustling city which is close to Amalfi & Sorrento, hence this itinerary is planned to get the most of Southern Italy without spending too much time just travelling.
Stay@Naples
For a taste of authentic Italian life, opt for hotels in the historic centre. This way, you’ll be just steps away from delicious street food and bustling local markets. Regardless, you’ll find fantastic hotels with great service in the city. Here are some of my recommendations:
Grand Hotel Parker's
Grand Hotel Vesuvio
Lhp Napoli Palace
Do@Naples
From the stunning views of the Bay of Naples to the echoing history of Pompeii, there’s no shortage of things to do.
After a leisurely morning, head to the Naples National Archaeological Museum. This museum is one of the most important archaeological museums in the world, where you can lose yourself in ancient history with artefacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum.
In the evening, take a leisurely walk along the seafront to admire the 15th century architecture of Castel dell’Ovo (The Egg Castle), an imposing fortress and former royal residence. The castle is connected to the mainland by a causeway that is over 330 feet (100 meters) long. Castel dell’Ovo is open daily and admission is free, so you can walk in whenever you want.
If you’d rather soak in the pulse of this charming city, then amble around Spaccanapoli, a narrow street that cuts through the heart of the city—bustling, chaotic, but always alive!
Ahh the streets <3
Castel dell’Ovo
Naples National Archaeological Museum
Eat@Naples
You can’t visit Naples without indulging in the world-famous pizza! But don’t stop there; explore local trattorias to savour other Neapolitan delights.
Day 2-3
Amalfi & Positano - Coastal Dreams in High-Definition!
A short drive or ferry ride from Naples southwards to the dramatic Amalfi Coast that looks like it’s straight off the cover of Condé Nast magazine! Prepare for winding roads with stunning coastal views that will make the journey one of the most memorable ones in your entire trip!
The Amalfi coast in South-West Italy glitters with azure blue waters, with villages and towns that are steeped in history and maritime heritage. Amalfi is a small quaint, ‘picture-postacard’ town with lots of streets and alleyways – and a surprisingly high number of stairs across the city. Positano is basically a village clinging to a cliff, with streets so steep you’ll wonder if you need hiking boots! But at the end of the day, it’s worth every step.
Stay@Amalfi & Positano
Il San Pietro di Positano
Hotel Santa Caterina
Villa Cimbrone
Do@Amalfi & Positano
With just a day to soak in Amalfi, start early at the stunning Duomo di Sant'Andrea—don’t skip the museum and the dazzling Cloister of Paradise, they’re worth every second. After that, let yourself get lost in the maze of narrow, charming streets in Amalfi's historic centre. Head uphill to the Rione Vagliendola neighbourhood, where you'll find the quirky Paper Museum, celebrating Amalfi's papermaking legacy.
If Museums are not up your alley but tangy alcohol is, take one of those Lemon Tours that showcase the legendary Amalfi lemon and sip on the crisp fresh limoncello with locals. Sfusato d'Amalfi or the Amalfi lemon is grown all across the Amalfi coastline and is so sweet that it can be eaten just like an orange- peel it, pop it, savour it!
The next day, take a bus from Amalfi to Positano, a cliffside village with pebble beaches, cute boutiques, and cafes where you can people-watch for hours—it’s the kind of place that puts you at ease. Don’t miss the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and its tiled dome which is the town’s crown jewel. And if you’re a history buff, check out the Villa Romana di Positano, also known as the "Pompeii of the Amalfi Coast" for its fascinating archaeological remains.
The coastal romance
Dripping gelato, under the Italian sun
Charming streets in the historic centre
Pro Tip@Amalfi & Positano
When you're picking up those famous Amalfi lemons, limoncello, or any lemony souvenirs, just make sure they have the I.G.P. logo. It's your guarantee that the lemons were locally grown and produced the traditional way.
Eat@Amalfi & Positano
Dining along the Amalfi Coast is an experience by itself. You’ll find fresh seafood, local pasta, and delicious gelato and desserts at every turn.
Day 3-4
Sorrento & Capri - A Love Letter to La Dolce Vita
An early morning ferry or a hydrofoil from Positano will take you westwards towards Sorrento from where you can also access the tiny island of Capri, where the glamorous vibe welcomes you with open arms. Even though Capri is barely 10.5 km2 , it has a few nice hotels, so you have the option of staying either in Sorrento or Capri.
Stay@Sorrento & Capri
Hotel La Palma, Capri
Excelsior Hotel Capri, Capri
Grand Hotel La Favorita, Sorrento
Do@Sorrento & Capri
Kick off your Sorrento day adventure at the chic Piazza Lauro—probably where you’ll start anyway. From there, stroll down Corso Italia until you hit Piazza Tasso, the heart of Sorrento. Before you move on, take a little detour up Viale Enrico Caruso and take in the jaw-dropping views of the ‘Valley of the Mills’ below—it’s one of those “wow” moments you’ll never forget!
If you want to do something ‘local and authentic’ there are many good cooking classes where you can learn the secrets of making pasta and tiramisu from locals in Sorrento.
The next day, take a boat tour to the island of Capri, visit the Blue Grotto and ogle at the glowing blue waters of this mystical sea cave. Hop over to the Gardens of Augustus and take in the sweeping views of the Faraglioni rocks—one of the most Instagram-worthy spots. If nothing else, just stroll through the charming streets filled with boutiques and cafes and let the colours, sounds, people and style of the South of Italy drench you completely.
Stepping into a postcard of paradise.
Sorrento’s slow charm
Cooling off with a zesty sorbetto
Eat@Sorrento & Capri
Both Sorrento and Capri have loads of cafes, restaurants, bars and fine dine places that can make your head spin. But let me make it easy for you with these recommendations:
Pro Tip@Sorrento & Capri
A must-visit for fashion and luxury lovers—Dior Café in Sorrento and Capri offers stunning coastal views with signature Dior décor. Do make reservations in advance, as walk-ins aren’t allowed, and access is only via boat! 🚤
Day 5
Matera - Ancient, Unforgettable, and a Little Wild
From Sorrento, take a 3.5 hours’ drive away from the coast to hit the quaint town of Matera. When I wandered through Matera, it felt like I had stepped into a real-life time machine. One of the most unusual places that I have seen in Italy—if not the entire globe- is
this ancient city with natural caves carved into the rock has been lived in since the Palaeolithic era! I highly recommend you don’t skip Matera if you are in Southern Italy – or for that matter anywhere in Italy.
Stay@Matera
Matera’s old town is like something out of a movie set—literally, parts of The Passion of the Christ were filmed here. The homes-and hotels- are actual caves carved into the rock, with facades slapped on to make them look like houses. It makes sense that the ancient city is known as the ‘Sassi’, which translates as ‘stones’. Just remember that these are mostly underground or cave dwelling, so while there is electricity and running water, there are no windows!
Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort
SassiSuite
Corte San Pietro
Do@Matera
The first thing to do is not forget to wear your running shoes or hiking shoes. Matera is built on 10 levels, there are lots of stairs and streets going either uphill or downhill.
Go visit the rock-hewn cave churches of Matera like the fascinating Chiesa Rupestre di Santa Maria di Idris.
One of the biggest reasons why you should stay overnight at Matera is to see the Sassi at sunset, when the whole city is lit up and looks absolutely ethereal! None of the photos I took have done justice to what it really looks – hundreds of city lights twinkling through the sand coloured montage of oddly stacked uneven buildings that look like they are a scene from the movie Dune2.
UNESCO World Heritage
Church of Santa Maria di Idris
Sassi Quarter at Sunset
Eat@Matera
From handmade pasta to the yummiest of pizzas to wholesome yet gourmet Mediterranean meals, Matera makes all your gluten dreams come true! Here are my top picks for restaurants in Matera:
Pro Tip@Matera
You HAVE to have gelato at Gusto Caruso. With over 20 flavours, this gelato here deserves its own pilgrimage!
Day 6
Alberobello & Polignano a Mare - Trulli Unique
From Matera, drive eastwards to Alberobello in the Apulia region, which is closer to the south-eastern coast of Italy. What makes this town unique is the highest concentration of trulli buildings in one place. Trulli is an ancient style of building houses without using mortar, where the stones are carefully laid in a conical pattern to make a roof that keeps rain out without needing any sealant. The story goes that without mortar they were not considered permanent structures and hence the residents could avoid paying taxes!
Stay@Alberobello & Polignano a Mare
You can choose to leave your bags in the car while you explore Alberobello, and then drive to Polignano a Mare and check in at a hotel there, or stay in Alberobello, drive to Polignano a Mare later and come back the same evening. Both places have amazing places to stay.
La Mandorla Luxury Trullo
Casale dei Fornici
San Lorenzo
Do@Alberobello & Polignano a Mare
The best way to explore Alberobello is by taking a walking Trullo tour. Wander through Alberobello’s whimsical trulli-style iconic stone houses. What I noticed immediately is despite looking so rustic the town was so clean and tidy.
When I went to the South of Italy, I preferred taking a quick lunch in Alberobello and then driving to Polignano a Mare which is just 45 minutes away.
Polignano a Mare is another enchanting town clinging to limestone cliffs with expansive coastal views and the unending Adriatic Sea. The town is so cute – it’s probably the cleanest, tidiest town I have been to. Houses have baskets or pots of flowering plants outside, the entrances and alleys are spotless, and buildings painted in pristine white are so clean I need my sunglasses to cut the glare!
Go visit the Ponte Borbonico of Lama Monachile, a spot for that postcard-perfect shot. Built by a big-shot family back in the early 19th century, this bridge is the ultimate sunset hangout. Under it is the access to the Lama Monachile Beach, which is one of the most unique beaches I have ever seen – a tiny beach with crystal-clear waters, dramatic cliffs and views of the most amazing sky that turns shades of purple and pink before sunset.
Polignano a Mare
Trullo tour
The beach of Lama Monachile Beach
Pro Tip@Alberobello & Polignano a Mare
Parking is a very big challenge in Polignano a Mare. You can park only within the white lines (free parking ) or the blue lines (paid parking). If you park anywhere else, your vehicle may get towed away.
Eat@Alberobello & Polignano a Mare
This is your last leg of your South of Italy vacation, so make the most of it by indulging in the finest wines, local delicacies and some true-blue gelato. Here are some of the places I think of and start drooling!
Have a relaxing, lazy dinner, and then retire for the night, because you need a good night’s rest to return to Naples the next day, and get all set for your journey onwards or back home.
They say that to travel is to fall in love, and Southern Italy is the kind of love that stays with you.
Whether you’ve swayed to the romantic charm of Capri, hiked the legendary cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, or immersed yourself in the history of Matera, Southern Italy flirtatiously beckons you to wander, indulge, and fall deeply, madly in love. Until next time, Buon viaggio!
