A PERSONAL INVITATION

Dear past and future travelers,

For over thirty-five years, our family-led, boutique group tours have been centered around one guiding principle: personal attention. On this off-the-beaten-path itinerary to the exotic sites of southern Italy, my wife Blake (UT ‘08) and I have personally selected each hotel, set every menu, and chosen each experience from our years spent exploring this unforgettable region. From sailing to sleepy fishing islands to harvesting and making our own olive oil to staying in the stunning cave-city of Matera, we want to share a new side of Italy with you that most travelers don’t get to see. More than anything, we want you to experience Italy as our guests, with the kind of hospitality that comes from traveling with friends. We hope you will join us on this truly unforgettable experience!

Adam & Blake Sparks

FROM LIVELY NAPLES TO THE RUSTIC PUGLIAN COUNTRYSIDE

• Make authentic Neapolitan pizza from scratch with an expert local chef • Stay in Stone Age cave dwellings carved into the cliffside of unforgettable Matera • Sail through the bay of Naples to the hidden thermal islands of Procida & Ischia • Explore haunting Pompeii and visit the world’s greatest archaeological museum • Hear engaging lectures on topics from Italian culture to the Bourbon dynasty • Enjoy the sea view from your hotel along Naples’ picturesque harbor promenade • Taste fresh buffalo mozzarella at a historic farm & make bread with a Puglian chef • Marvel at golden artifacts and amazingly preserved temples left by the Ancient Greeks • Stay in an ethereal countryside masseria, participate in the olive harvest, and make your own olive oil

ITINERARY

4 nights in naples

One of the planet’s truly legendary cities, Naples is awash in history. From our waterfront hotel in Naples’ most elegant neighborhood, we’ll explore this unofficial capital of Southern Italy with its world-famous cuisine, opulent grandeur, and larger-than-life culture.

Day 1 and 2 - Depart USA, Arrive Italy
Arrive Naples and transfer to our hotel on Naples’ famous car-free seaside promenade, the lungomare. Check in to our hotel for four nights and enjoy the views from your room of the Bay of Naples and the beautiful Castel dell'Ovo. In the evening, we gather together along the water for a welcome reception and our first dinner together as a group. (D)

Day 3 - Explore Naples
Naples is a world unto itself. Founded over 3,000 years ago, Naples prospered during the 16th-18th centuries to become one of the greatest cities of Europe. Our exploration of Naples begins with a cultural orientation to life in Southern Italy followed by a visit to the grandiose Piazza del Plebiscito. Then, see Caravaggio’s final painting and other Renaissance canvases at the Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano before a short walk through the amazingly vibrant Spanish Quarter. After a group lunch at a restaurant specializing in their marinara sauce, we tour the remarkably opulent Church of Gesù Nuovo. After an afternoon at leisure, we gather together for an unforgettable dinner: a pizza making class with a local pizzaiolo. Sample the unique local ingredients and learn the techniques that make Neapolitan pizza the best in the world before making, cooking, and enjoying your creation. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Cruising the Bay of Naples to the Islands of Procida and Ischia
On this unforgettable day, we board a private boat and set off into the Gulf of Naples to visit two picture-perfect islands. After a guided tour of the Neapolitan coastline with its millennia old history, we dock at the small, colorful island of Procida and enjoy a seafood lunch and the beautiful views of the pastel buildings trickling down the hillside towards the water. We continue to the thermal island of Ischia, famous since Roman times for its curative powers, and dock at the amazing Aragonese Castle, where we tour the verdant compound and marvel at the beautiful panoramas over the sea. Return to Naples for dinner and overnight. (B,L)

Day 5 - Pompeii, Naples Archaeological Museum
Today, we visit the world’s greatest archaeological site: Pompeii. We begin at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, which houses the major finds from Pompeii and the neighboring cities preserved by the explosion of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Marvel at magnificent bronze and marble statues, amazingly preserved frescoes, and numerous items from everyday life that testify to the impressive advances of Roman Civilization. After lunch, head to Pompeii and begin a walking tour of this expansive ancient town. Stand in the Forum with Mount Vesuvius in the background, explore ancient bath houses, walk into Roman homes, enter an ancient bordello, and see the plaster casts of ancient Romans who perished in the erruption. (B,L)

2 nights in matera

Matera is like a dream. Carved into the side of a gorge during the Stone Age, Matera is one of the world’s longest continually inhabited cities. Stay in an unforgettable, restored cave hotel as we explore this haunting stone city, Europe’s 2019 Capital of Culture.

Day 6 - Buffalo Mozzarella Factory, Arrive Matera
Depart Naples and visit the countryside farm of Filippo Morese, who, after nine generations and three centuries, continues his family tradition of raising water buffaloes for the production of buffalo mozzarella. After watching the remarkable mozzarella production process, Filippo will show us his water buffalo before a tasting of the unbelievably fresh and flavorful cheese, yogurt, and even gelato.

We then continue to one of the oldest and best preserved archaeological sites of Italy, the Greek temples of Paestum. Founded by Greek settlers over 2,500 years ago, this sprawling ancient city is most famous for its three remarkable Doric temples, the best preserved on the planet.

We then delve deep into the Italian countryside as we travel through the Basilicata region for two nights in the dreamlike city of Matera. The hundreds of caves that dot the hillside of Matera have been inhabited since the Stone Age, and we will continue the tradition at our unforgettable boutique cave hotel. In the evening, we gather in the main cave, a deconsecrated former chapel, for a candlelight dinner in an unforgettable setting. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Matera
Wake up to the stunning views of the Gravina River gorge from your hotel terrace before setting off on a walking tour of this uniquely beautiful city. We begin at the 1,200 year old cave church of Santa Lucia alle Malve with its 12th century Byzantine style frescoes. We then learn about the radical 20th century inhabitation and depopulation of Matera’s caves before enjoying the sweeping views from the church of Santa Maria de Idris. After lunch, take an optional visit to Matera’s modern sculpture museum and continue exploring Europe’s 2019 Capital of Culture at leisure. (B)

3 nights in a COUNTRYSIDE MASSERIA

Explore Italy’s rustic heel in an ethereal masseria—a fortress-like countryside estate—beautifully restored to its 16th c. glory. Experience the traditional Puglian lifestyle as we harvest olives from 2,000 year old trees, bake bread with a local chef, and learn to dance the pizzica.

Day 8 - Grottaglie, Countryside Masseria, Bread Making
Today we leave Matera and head to Puglia via the town of Grottaglie, famous as the ceramics capital of Italy. After touring a multi-generational ceramics workshop, we continue to our countryside masseria, a uniquely Puglian version of a countryside estate. Beautifully restored by the Di Lauro family to its 16th c. glory, this dreamlike setting provides the perfect base for exploring Puglia and delving into Southern Italian country life. After arrival, we join the proprietress and head chef in her kitchen to learn the art of Puglian bread making. In the evening, we enjoy dinner al fresco, making use of the masseria’s own produce, olive oil, and wine. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Olive Harvest and Olive Oil Mill
Today we join the millennia-old tradition of harvesting olives in the Puglian countryside. After learning the techniques and harvesting olives by hand, we gather our olives and head to a local mill where we watch our olives get turned into oil. After a farmhouse lunch, our oil will be ready to take home. In the evening, visit a local wine resort for an elegant wine tasting and dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Lecce, Pizzica Music Night
Our final day on the main tour has us visiting Baroque Lecce, known as the Florence of the South. After visiting the ornately carved Basilica of Santa Croce and main square with its excavated Roman amphitheater, we enjoy free time to explore this romantic city. After returning to our masseria, relax with spa treatments or a bike ride through the countryside. In the evening, we gather together for a celebratory final dinner and are treated to a show by local musicians and dancers who teach us how to do the traditional pizzica dance. (B,D)

Day 11 - Depart / Sicily Extension
Transfer to Brindisi for a return flight home, or continue with four luxury nights on the island of Sicily.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT ON THIS TOUR

We'd love to travel with you! 

If you'd like more information about this tour, please contact us or give us a call at (214) 493-3027.