Arrive at Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport or Bari Centrale and take a short taxi or shuttle to your hotel in the old town (Bari Vecchia) to drop bags and refresh. Begin your first taste of Apulia with a leisurely walk to the Basilica di San Nicola — admire its Romanesque façade and crypt, and linger as local devotees and clergy move through the candlelit interior.
Wander the labyrinthine lanes of Bari Vecchia, watching artisans roll orecchiette by hand in doorways and popping into the Museo Archeologico or the Cattedrale di San Sabino for more local history. Stop for a late lunch at a trattoria like Osteria Le Arpie or La Uascezze for fresh seafood and focaccia barese, then stroll down to the bustling Lungomare Nazario Sauro to enjoy sea breezes and views of the Adriatic.
As dusk falls, explore the atmospheric Castello Svevo from outside or join a guided evening visit if available, then settle at a seaside restaurant for a relaxed dinner of grilled fish and regional wines. Finish with a passeggiata along the illuminated seafront — gelato in hand — and soak up the friendly bustle of Bari's nightlife before an early night to recover from travel and prepare for tomorrow's full day of highlights.
Return to the Basilica di San Nicola for a deeper look at its crypt and treasury, then cross to the nearby Cattedrale di San Sabino to compare their Romanesque interiors and admire fresco fragments and the impressive rose window. Afterwards, stroll over to the 12th-century Castello Svevo for a guided tour (or explore the ramparts independently), where the sea-facing battlements and exhibits reveal Bari’s medieval and maritime past.
Walk a short distance to Bari’s Museo Archeologico e Pinacoteca to see stone artifacts and local paintings, then enjoy a long lunch at a seaside trattoria such as La Tana del Polpo or Al Pescatore, sampling orecchiette alle cime di rapa and fresh Adriatic seafood. Spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the modern Murat quarter for boutique shopping and pause at Piazza Mercantile to sip espresso while watching daily Italian life unfold.
As evening falls, return to the Lungomare Nazario Sauro for a leisurely passeggiata along the palm-lined seafront, stopping for gelato at a café with views of the harbor. Reserve a table at a well-regarded restaurant like Terranima or Ristorante Bianco for dinner of grilled fish and local wines, then finish the night with a short walk through the illuminated alleyways of Bari Vecchia to absorb the lively atmosphere before bed.
Set out after an early breakfast in Bari for the 1-1.5 hour drive or regional train/bus to Alberobello, arriving as the town wakes to avoid the largest crowds. Wander the Rione Monti and Aia Piccola districts to admire the iconic trulli roofs up close, visit the Trullo Sovrano (the only two-storey trullo) and the Trulli Museum, and pause for a coffee and a slice of pasticciotto in a shaded piazza.
Head west toward the coast to Polignano a Mare for lunch perched above the sea — try seafood at Grotta Palazzese if you booked well in advance, or choose one of the cliffside trattorie like Ristorante Il Bastione for fresh fish and local wines. After lunch, stroll the dramatic Lungomare and Lama Monachile beach, peer into sea caves from the balcony viewpoints, and, if weather allows, take a short boat excursion (departures from the Marina) to see coastal grottoes and the town’s limestone cliffs from the water.
Return to Bari in the early evening with time to refresh, then enjoy a relaxed dinner back in Bari Vecchia—choose a family-run osteria such as La Tana del Polpo or Trattoria Il Pescatore to sample more Apulian specialties like orecchiette alle cime di rapa and grilled octopus. Finish with a gentle passeggiata along the Lungomare Nazario Sauro or a gelato in Piazza Mercantile, reflecting on the contrast between inland trulli villages and the Adriatic cliffs you explored today.
After breakfast in Bari, check out and board your train or private transfer for the scenic southbound journey toward Naples and the Sorrentine Peninsula; if traveling by train, change at Bari Centrale and Naples Centrale, enjoying coastal glimpses along the way. Arrive in Sorrento around midday and settle into your hotel near Piazza Tasso or the Marina Grande, then take a short orientation walk to admire the lemon-scented lanes and artisan shops that make Sorrento so charming.
For your first Sorrento afternoon, descend to Marina Grande for a relaxed seafood lunch at Ristorante L'Antica Trattoria or Marina Grande’s seaside eateries, followed by a visit to the Correale di Terranova Museum to see local art and panoramic terraces. Afterwards, stroll the elegant Corso Italia and the layered Villa Comunale gardens for wide views over the Bay of Naples, and pop into a limoncello shop to sample this classic local spirit.
As dusk falls, enjoy an aperitivo in Piazza Tasso before a sunset dinner at a terrace restaurant such as Terrazza Bosquet or Il Buco (reservations recommended) where you can savor fresh pasta, seafood and regional wine. Finish the night with a gentle passeggiata through Sorrento’s historic center, stopping for gelato or a final limoncello while planning your Amalfi Coast explorations tomorrow.
After breakfast in Sorrento, set off along the scenic SS163 for the short drive to Positano, stopping at viewpoints (Nocelle/Montepertuso) to photograph the cascading houses and glittering sea. Arrive mid-morning and wander the steep lanes from Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta down to Spiaggia Grande, browse boutique shops for linen and sandals, and enjoy a cappuccino at a cliffside café while watching the ferry traffic below.
Continue your coastal drive to Amalfi, pausing in picturesque Praiano or at the Fiordo di Furore for a quick seaside photo—then arrive in Amalfi for lunch at a trattoria near Piazza del Duomo, trying scialatielli ai frutti di mare and a slice of local lemon cake. Afterward, visit the striking Duomo di Sant'Andrea and its cloister (Chiostro del Paradiso), explore the Museo della Carta to learn about Amalfi’s papermaking heritage, or take a short boat trip from the marina to view the coastline and sea caves from the water.
As the afternoon wanes, relax with an aperitivo on a terrace overlooking the harbor before driving or taking the ferry back toward Sorrento, savoring sunset light on the cliffs. Back in Sorrento, choose a seaside restaurant such as Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890 or a casual osteria in Marina Grande for dinner, finishing the night with a gelato and a peaceful passeggiata through Piazza Tasso—reflecting on a day of iconic Amalfi Coast views and coastal flavors.
After breakfast in Sorrento, take the short, scenic drive or ferry-and-bus up to Ravello and begin your morning at Villa Rufolo, wandering its terraced gardens and climbing to the belvedere for sweeping views of the Amalfi coastline that inspired Wagner. From there, stroll a few minutes to Villa Cimbrone to linger on the famous Terrace of Infinity and sip an espresso while photographing the dramatic sea vistas and carved stone balustrades.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local trattoria such as Villa Maria or Ristorante Cumpa' Cosimo, sampling fresh mozzarella, scialatielli or a lemon-infused fish dish, then spend the afternoon relaxing—browse artisan shops along Via Roma, visit the peaceful Duomo di Ravello with its medieval cloister, or find a shady spot in the gardens to read and soak up the panorama. If you prefer active relaxation, join a short guided walk on a nearby coastal path (the Sentiero dei Limoni or trails toward Minori) to see lemon groves and view the coast from new angles.
As dusk falls, reserve a table at a terrace restaurant such as Rossellinis or Ristorante Palazzo Avino for a sunset dinner paired with local Campanian wines, letting the twilight soften the cliffside views. Finish the night with a gentle passeggiata through Ravello’s quiet lanes—perhaps catching an intimate concert if available at Villa Rufolo—or enjoy a final limoncello under the stars before returning to Sorrento.
Catch an early hydrofoil from Sorrento’s Marina Piccola to Capri to beat the crowds, then head first to Marina Grande and hop a small launch or join a boat circle to the Blue Grotto — time your visit for calmer seas so you can glide through the grotto’s low entrance and see the otherworldly blue light. After the grotto (or if the grotto is closed), take the funicular or a short taxi up to the Piazzetta to enjoy a coffee and people-watching in Capri’s lively heart.
Spend the afternoon exploring Anacapri: take the scenic chairlift from Piazza Garibaldi up to Monte Solaro for panoramic views of the Bay of Naples, then wander Villa San Michele’s gardens and museum to see Axel Munthe’s collection and terraced views. Return to Capri town to stroll the Gardens of Augustus and Via Krupp, browse artisan shops for sandals and limoncello, and if time allows, take a private boat tour around the island to admire the Faraglioni sea stacks and hidden coves from the water.
As evening approaches, return to Marina Grande and enjoy a seaside dinner at Ristorante da Paolino or Il Riccio (if pre-booked) savoring fresh seafood and island specialties while watching the sunset over the Tyrrhenian; alternatively, choose a terrace in the Piazzetta for a final aperitivo. Take a late hydrofoil back to Sorrento under the stars, reflecting on the island’s dramatic cliffs and luxe island charm as you prepare for your transfer to Naples in the days ahead.
After breakfast in Sorrento, check out and take the Circumvesuviana train or a private transfer to Naples, arriving at Napoli Centrale before noon; stow luggage at your hotel near Spaccanapoli and begin with an espresso in Piazza Municipio. From there, walk into the historic centre to visit the Cappella Sansevero to marvel at the Veiled Christ and its astonishing sculpture work, then continue along Spaccanapoli to glimpse lively street life, artisan shops and churches such as Santa Chiara.
For lunch, savor an authentic Neapolitan pizza at the legendary L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele or Sorbillo, then explore the nearby Naples National Archaeological Museum to see finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum that tie into your upcoming day trip. After the museum, wander the maze of alleys around Via dei Tribunali sampling sfogliatella at a pasticceria and visit the Duomo di San Gennaro to learn about the city's patron saint and the famous blood miracle.
As evening falls, stroll the waterfront promenade at Via Partenope for sunset views of Castel dell'Ovo and Vesuvius, pausing for an aperitivo at a seafront bar before dinner. Dine at a trattoria in the Spanish Quarter or the elegant Chiaia district—try seafood pasta or ragù alla Napoletana—and finish with a passeggiata through the illuminated historic streets, soaking up Naples’ vibrant energy and preparing for your Pompeii excursion tomorrow.
Leave Naples after an early breakfast and take the Circumvesuviana train or a private transfer to Pompeii, arriving as the gates open to beat the heat and crowds; begin at the Forum, wander the House of the Vettii and the Villa of the Mysteries, and listen for stories of daily Roman life preserved in ash. A guided route will bring alive plaster casts in the Amphitheatre and the bakeries along Via dell'Abbondanza, linking the artifacts here with the archaeological highlights you viewed at Naples’ museum earlier in the trip.
After a light lunch near the Porta Marina, continue uphill to Mount Vesuvius — either by shuttle and a short hike or private transfer — and follow the crater rim trail to peer into the smoking caldera while enjoying sweeping views over the Bay of Naples and the patchwork of towns below. Pause for photos and a rest at the visitor centre, where short exhibits explain the volcano’s geology and the 79 AD eruption that reshaped this coastline, tying together your Pompeii exploration with the living landscape around Naples.
Return to Naples in the early evening and freshen up before dinner; celebrate the day with classic Neapolitan fare—perhaps seafood pasta or a slow-cooked ragù—at a trattoria in Spaccanapoli or along Via Partenope with Vesuvius visible across the bay. Finish with a passeggiata through the historic centre or a gelato on Piazza del Plebiscito, reflecting on the powerful contrasts between ancient ruins and the still-active volcano that frames this region.
Savor a relaxed final Neapolitan breakfast—espresso and sfogliatella—at a beloved pasticceria on Via Toledo, then take a last stroll through Spaccanapoli to pick up any remaining souvenirs from artisan shops and stop at the Duomo di San Gennaro to offer a quiet moment of thanks before you leave. If time allows, pop into the Museo Cappella Sansevero for one more glimpse of the Veiled Christ or visit the underground Napoli Sotterranea for a short guided tour that reveals another layer of the city's history.
After checking out, head to the waterfront and enjoy a leisurely lunch along Via Partenope with views of Castel dell'Ovo—choose a seafood trattoria for one final plate of pasta alle vongole or frittura di mare—then collect luggage and make your way to Napoli Centrale or the airport, allowing extra time for traffic. If your schedule permits, stop by the Naples National Archaeological Museum to revisit a favorite exhibit or grab a bottle of local limoncello and a few pastries to take home for the journey.
For departures later in the evening, treat yourself to a farewell aperitivo on a terrace overlooking the bay as the sun sets behind Vesuvius, reflecting on the contrasts of your trip from Bari’s Adriatic charm to the dramatic Tyrrhenian coast. Otherwise, safe travels—whether at the airport or train station—carry with you the flavors, sights and lively spirit of southern Italy until your next return.