Memories of childhood history lessons vaguely call forth such names as Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Paestum, yet, all too frequently, the urge to visit these jewels is lost in the misconception that southern Italy is an uninteresting destination. This could not be further from the truth as Southern Italy offers fascinating archaeological sites, gorgeous coastlines, medieval walled villages, beautiful sand beaches, marvelous hilltowns, and some of the most unusual sights in Italy. Many visitors who venture south from Rome are amazed to discover that the Emerald Grotto on the Amalfi Coast rivals the Blue Grotto of Capri and that the Greek ruins of Paestum outshine many found in Greece, and they are haunted by the mysterious town of Alberobello.
Recommended Pacing: Spend a minimum of three nights in Rome. Then, choose one town along the Amalfi Coast and stay for a minimum of five nights so that you will have time to make an excursion to Capri. Your next stop, Maratea, does not have much sightseeing but is a perfect place to relax for a couple of nights. The final destination is near the 'heel' of Italy. Choose one place to use as your home base in Apulia and plan to spend at least three nights so that you will have time to explore this remote, beautiful part of Italy.
This itinerary makes a circle of the south in order to suit the travel needs of a wide selection of tourists. Follow the entire route or select the portion best for you since this itinerary is particularly suitable for the traveler who wants to take only a segment. For instance, the journey from Rome to Brindisi is a favorite one for the lucky tourists on their way to Greece, while the west coast is a popular drive for the tourist who wants to visit Sicily and then return to Rome by air or ferry. Most popular of all is the segment from Rome to the Amalfi Drive. This itinerary allows you to custom-tailor your journey and gives you tantalizing sightseeing along the way.
