Secret Southern Italy:

Day 1: Rome

You’ll check into our city-chic hotel at your leisure where you’ll find some Stellavision surprises waiting for you. Then we’re kicking things off in high style - with an aperitivo by some of Rome’s best bartenders. This is your first introduction to the celebrated Italian tradition of the aperitivo hour, but far from your last. And it’s not just about booze - throughout the trip you can expect regional snacks, meats and cheeses to pair with your classic cocktail, prosecco or refreshing mocktail. Welcome. A little walking tour from our favorite piazza through Rome’s Jewish Ghetto takes us to dinner where you’ll get to know our small group, Tour Guide and Photographer over a traditional Roman feast. Then the night is yours - but we’re furnishing you with the Stellavision guide to choose-your-own-adventure: our favorite evening walks and nighttime vistas as well as underground cocktail spots and wine bars.

Day 2: Rome

Look. We wouldn’t bring you to Rome without showing off the Eternal City. But at Stellavision, we take you behind the tourist barrier and introduce you to amazing women you’d never ordinarily meet. So we’re taking a walking tour through Rome’s most historic neighbourhood to learn how women figured into the capitol’s monuments and moments. The pace is slow as we hop from shaded nook to a coffee break overlooking one of the city’s best views, all the while telling you the stories of our feminist Rome and enjoying epic lookouts over the Capitoline Hill. After lunch you’ll have some free time in the afternoon (which we can help you plan) before we reconnect for a show-stopping moment. Internationally-acclaimed and Rome-based Soprano, Courtney Mills, has performed across the globe in leading opera houses. Tonight, we have the privilege of a private concert. (We told you we’d devote a moment to each of your senses!) Then, we’re rejecting a touristy dinner in favor of a Roman Dinner Party. A few of our friends will be joining us as we dine in the secret garden of a chic, women-owned restaurant tonight. Phew! We had to exceed the word limit just to share all that excitement!

Day 3: Matera

We cover quite a few miles to show you (and feed you) the variety that Italy has to offer! From regional pasta shapes to cultural traditions, this tour is all about experiencing the many incredible facets of Italy - especially the ones that tourists overlook in favor of the well-known destinations. So buckle up for a bit of a road trip in true Stellavision style. This morning we depart Rome (in our private, air-conditioned bus) and head towards the province of Basilicata. Where we would not make you wait ONE MORE moment before enjoying a quintessential trip-to-Italy experience: wine tasting. We’ll tour the vineyard of an accomplished, female vintner And while your tastebuds may take the lead, Elena will share the true art of wine tasting… which begins with your nose! You’ll sharpen your olfactory senses before having a show-cooking lunch in Elena’s wine cellars. A short drive later, we’ll arrive at our traditional Masseria hotel outside Matera before dusk - aka there will be time for you to enjoy the pool and the modern art installed alongside it. After a road-tripping day we’ll enjoy deluxe dinner at the hotel before a special evening activity under the night skies.

Day 4: Matera

After Rome & the road, you deserve some R&R! It’s time for that quintessential Italian pastime: prendere il sole - sunbathing and swimming. We’ve arranged a picnic lunch for you, poolside. As the day begins to cool off, we’re off for a gelato break (obviously) and to explore the third-oldest city in the world - Matera. And you will Never. See anything else. Like it. Described as ‘one of the most unique landscapes in Europe’, a local guide will take us through the Sassi, the town’s ancient cave complexes where you’ll encounter everything from religious frescoes and grottoes to modern art museums in the 2019 City of Culture (and location in the recent ‘James Bond’ film). We’ll sample a local Basilicata specialty over aperitivo in (and we can’t believe we’re typing this) a chic cave turned bar. Emerging from our cavernous cocktail, we’ll have a formal and delicious dinner al fresco, under the stars of the ancient town. Matera is otherworldly. It is quite literally pre-historic. And as the bells ring out over the quiet (no cars!) night, you’ll know you’ve experienced a part of Italy most tourists haven’t even heard of.

Day 5: Puglia

After yesterday’s cultural exploration, this morning we turn the focus to that other thing Italians do impeccably. Food. We’re crossing a provincial border to link up with Vito, the star of the Southern Italian cheese scene (yup, that’s a thing). We’ll have a hands-on demonstration and make our own burrata in his cheese caseificio (dairy), head to the historic forno (bakery) in time to partake in the day’s baking before gathering our treats (as well as some contributions from his nonna) to have a thoroughly instagrammable picnic lunch and cheese tasting in the forest of Altamura. After our culinary adventure we’ll check into our next hotel, located smack in the middle of the olive groves the region is famous for. One (optional) costume change later, we’re headed to la cittá bianca - the White City of Ostuni - for the night. One of the most stunning places in Southern Italy, we’ll take in the labyrinth of Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine architecture, the views to the sea and enjoy regional dishes for dinner at our favorite spot - best vibes in town.

Day 6: Puglia

After some heady road-tripping days, this morning starts slow. You’ll have time to sleep-in, have a morning swim in a pool overlooking the sea, use the hotel spa facilities or take a taxi to the charming local town of Locorotondo! After your free-time mattina, we’re taking you to the indulgent beach club. The time has arrived to acquaint yourself with the Adriatic Sea. Soft sand? Turquoise water? Absolutely. Four-poster beds and ordering gourmet snacks to your lettino?* That too! After many blissful swimming hours, we’ll head to a UNESCO World Heritage site to see the almost-offensively picturesque Trulli. These traditional structures are found only in Puglia and their ancient graffiti ties them not just to major world religions but runes and magic as well. What can we say? We love to see the inclusivity. After squeezing in every last drop of daylight, dinner tonight is in fine Italian summer form: family-style, home-cooked and late!

Day 7: Puglia

This morning we journey to the picturesque Pugliese town: Polignano a Mare. We’ll visit the best gelato shop, see the Poetic Staircase and take in one of Southern Italy’s most coveted views. Then you’ll have some free time to explore, take a dip from the iconic pebble beach or (pending your departure date) get that pre-flight Covid test. We meet back up in time to head out into the Adriatic Sea. Lunch is on board our private Catamaran boat. Your eyes will feast even more than your stomach as we explore the many coves and caves of the limestone coastline. Of COURSE we will drop anchor several times to swim in pristine, secluded spots, only reachable by boat. As day turns to dusk, we’ll get our land legs back for a super-special, final group dinner. Hovering over the ocean, we’ll dine at a delicious seafood restaurant. Savour the freshest catch (or non-fish options if you prefer), the Italian vino, the sea air and the newfound friends who share your memories of Southern Italy.

Day 8: Caserta & Rome

As we travel back to Rome, we’ll be making the ultimate road-trip pit-stop for pizza & a palace. Pretty epic, right? Deep in Campania, the region that invented the globe’s favorite food, we’ll be having lunch at the restaurant voted best pizza in the world - NBD. Dubbed the ‘Versailles of Italy’, we’ll next head to Reggia di Caserta where a local guide will be sharing its many secrets with us. On a road-trip you need to stop and stretch your legs. Well, we got you to the tune of 1200 rooms to explore! And the gardens are even more spectacular. (Don’t worry, we kid. We’ll be seeing the highlights and hitching a ride to the furthermost corner of the magnificent gardens.) As our last excursion comes to a close, we’ll return to Rome for fond farewells. We’re honestly tearing up a little already.

With a drop-off point in central Rome this evening, the tour will end. But from hotel recommendations and Stellavision rates to more tips to explore our hometown or beyond, we’re here to finesse your final day/s in Italy. Until next time, we’ll leave you with an effusive Italian goodbye: Ciao amici, ciao amori, tanti baci!!!