15 Nights / 16 Days
Hear the caverns of the past echo across Italy, Greece, and Turkey as you uncover the secrets of their most enchanting and unique landscapes. Go beneath the shimmering surface of a typical Mediterranean voyage as delve into the history of one of the world’s oldest cities in Matera, traverse the volcanic plains of Santorini, and reveal the mystical wonders of Cappadocia. Filled with mystery, scenic delight, and captivating gems, the subterranean discoveries of this trip will make you feel like you’ve been living in a cave!
- 3 Nights in Puglia
- 1 Night in Lecce
- 2 Nights in Matera
- 1 Night in Athens
- 3 Nights in Santorini
- 1 Night in Istanbul
- 3 Nights in Cappadocia
Day 1 – Arrival
Welcome to the south of Italy, a paradise of Mediterranean charm and Apulian delight. Upon arrival at Bari Airport, a private transfer will whisk you off towards the coast, where the whitewashed embrace of Monopoli awaits. Once checked into your hotel of choice, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure among the cobbled lanes and stately façades of this historic port town, where an air of historic elegance meets the enchanting breeze of the Adriatic Sea.
Day 2 – Polignano a Mare, Cisternino & Ostuni
Unveil Puglia’s unique allure as you follow the coastal currents and sun-kissed hills to three of its most beguiling towns. Discover the melodic origins of “Volare” in Polignano a Mare, where houses cling to cliffs above a sapphire sea. Feel the potent kick of a caffè speciale, infused with lemon zest and almond liqueur, before venturing inland and indulging in a taste of sizzling bombette in Cisternino, courtesy of local butchers. With senses ignited, refresh with some traditional iced coffee in luminous Ostuni, the “White City,” whose glowing façades and labyrinthine alleys shimmer like a mirage on a sun-kissed day.
Day 3 – Ostuni & Olive Oil Tasting
Venture beyond Ostuni’s whitewashed charms as you explore the essence of Apulia in a town whose lime-painted façades once offered both shade and protection from illness. Witness its crisscrossing arches stand the test of time and carry the past into the present, before descending into the world of olive cultivation at a historic masseria, where gnarled trees tell stories older than of any city they surround. There, sample drops of liquid gold with a guided olive oil tasting, paired with rustic friselle and sun-cured olives, with each bite revealing the region’s enduring devotion to the land.
Day 4 – Transfer from Monopoli to Lecce
Bid farewell to the coastal calm of Monopoli as you journey inland toward Lecce, a baroque jewel nestled in the heart of the Salento Peninsula. En route, watch the landscape transform from olive groves to golden stone, slowly unraveling the artistic splendor ahead. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel of choice and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Whether sipping a glass of Salento rosé or admiring Lecce’s masterfully carved façades aglow in the afternoon light, the city invites you to slow down and savor its soulful elegance.
Day 5 – Tasting Tour in Lecce
Today, you shall reveal exactly why Lecce has been called the Florence of the South! From the grand Cathedral to Santa Croce, step into a world of baroque curves and culinary charms as you wander through sunlit piazzas and limestone lanes where every turn reveals a honey-hued masterpiece and scrumptious taste of tradition. Whether sipping a silky caffè leccese with golden pasticciotto or enjoying a glass of Salento wine with savory bites like puccia and rustico, each flavor is a story, each square a stage for architectural poetry, and every moment is a glimpse into the soul of Salento.
Day 6 – Transfer from Lecce to Matera
Leaving Lecce’s baroque splendor glistening in rearview, today will see you journey inland toward one of Italy’s most esoteric destinations. As your private transfer carries you from the sun-drenched shores of Puglia to the ancient heart of Basilicata, witness Matera’s stone dwellings emerge from the earth like whispered memories across everlasting plains. Once in the city, check into your hotel of choice and prepare to descend into a city carved in time, where every cave holds a secret and every shadow echoes with ancient life.
Suggested Property: For a truly immersive stay in Matera, enjoy boutique comforts within ancient cave dwellings at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, a captivating 4-star property that is as intriguing as it is accommodating.
Day 7 – Matera Walking Tour
Experience 9,000 years of history as you explore the spellbinding city of Matera, a living monument etched into the cliffs of time. Accompanied by a local guide, dive into one of the oldest cities in the world as you wander the maze-like Sassi, ancient cave dwellings inhabited since the Paleolithic era, where life once unfolded in tandem with earth and stone. Step inside rock-hewn churches, admire an authentic 1950s cave home, and uncover the ingenious systems of water and survival that sustained this subterranean world. End your day gazing across a landscape so striking, that it even stood in for Jerusalem in the acclaimed motion picture ‘The Passion of the Christ‘.
Day 8 – Flight from Bari Airport to Athens
From the historic cliffs of Matera to the cradle of Western civilization, today you trade the storied gems of Italy for the ancient marvels of Greece. Following a private transfer to Bari Airport you will catch a brisk flight to Athens. Upon arrival, a private driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel of choice, where, upon checking in, the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure. Whether dining in the glow of the Acropolis or roaming the streets of Plaka, prepare to walk in the steps of Gods, bask in mythical splendor, and become a part of something wondrous.
Day 9 – Morning Acropolis Tour and Flight to Santorini
Trace the eternal presence of philosophers and statesmen beneath the watchful gaze of the Parthenon, as you reveal one of Greece’s most iconic monuments at the top of the Acropolis. Once filled with the spirit of democracy and marble-clad ideals, leave behind the majesty of Athens as you head to Athens Airport, for your short flight to the Cyclades, where the volcanic jewel of Santorini awaits. Upon arrival, check into your hotel of choice and let the island’s sun-drenched cliffs take your breath away with a new, dramatic perspective, one where ancient fire meets timeless beauty.
Suggested Property: Renowned for its cave-house architecture, a stay in a Santorini cave hotel is a must; and the five-star hospitality of Canaves Ena invites you to do so in the most luxurious and refined of ways.
Day 10 – Traditional Villages of Santorini Walking Tour
Pull back the curtain of picturesque sunsets and white-washed perfection as you reveal Santorini at its most genuinely soulful. Become a local for a day as you venture from Pyrgos to Megalochori, where cave houses, crumbling mansions, and forgotten crafts reveal a stirring way of life that exists beyond the spotlight. Reveal the island’s layered legacy by either savoring volcanic wines at a family-owned estate, delighting in a meal at a local restaurant, or diving into its rich heritage with its musical traditions. Wherever this day takes you, each moment will bring you closer to the true character of Santorini: quiet, textured, and timelessly enchanting.
Day 11 – Cruise Around the Scenic Caldera
Get a front row seat to Santorini’s renowned volcanic landscapes as you sail around its breathtaking caldera, a geological wonder carved by nature at its most daring and inspired. Witness the island’s dramatic cliffs rise out of the Aegean blue as you glide past the uninhabited shores of Aspronisi and let the lighthouse of Akrotiri guide you along to the Indian Rock, on your way to the colorful sands of the Red and White Beaches, which will beckon you for a swim and some snorkeling. With a traditional meal prepared onboard, simply soak in the staggering views and let the island’s elemental beauty unfurl before you, one wave at a time
Day 12 – Santorini to Istanbul
Bid farewell to the volcanic elegance of Santorini as you head to Istanbul, the meeting of point of cultures, empires, and curiosity. Upon arrival in Istanbul Airport, a private transfer will take you to your hotel of choice in the vibrant heart of Europe’s intercontinental Mecca. Once checked in, step into a world where time is layered with the eternal air of magical dynasties as you head on a guided tour of the Old City, where the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, the serenity of the Blue Mosque, and the vibrant maze of the Grand Bazaar reveal centuries of splendor and devotion.
Optional Experience: Unwind like royalty with a traditional hammam, where steam and serenity reign supreme.
Day 13 – Istanbul to Cappadocia
Leave Istanbul’s imperial domes behind and descend into the dreamscape of Cappadocia, where history isn’t just remembered, it’s carved into the land itself. After a short flight, a private transfer will take you to your enchanting cave hotel nestled within the region’s surreal terrain. With the rest of the day at leisure, allow Cappadocia’s quiet grandeur to wash over you amid the echoing silence of ancient valleys and watch the sun set over honeycombed hills, where wonder sleeps just beneath the surface.
Optional Experience: Spend the evening observing the meditative elegance of a Whirling Dervish ceremony, a symbolic dance that embodies peaceful grace and fervent devotion.
Suggested Property: Cappadocia is renowned for its authentic cave hotels, with Argos in Cappadocia offering an especially mesmerizing blend of luxury and traditional atmosphere for a truly unforgettable stay in the region.
Day 14 – Hot Air Balloon & Cappadocia’s Ancient Secrets
If an early morning poses no obstacle to your sense of discovery, welcome this day aboard a hot air ballon as you float over Cappadocia’s unique plains and witness them unfold in the gentle rays of the rising sun. Then, delve into Cappadocia’s subterranean past by descending into the depths of Kaymakli Underground City, where entire communities once found refuge in stone-carved labyrinths. Back on the surface, embrace the frescoed silence of Soganli Valley, explore the serene halls of Keslik Monastery, and admire the elegant Seljuk architecture in Taskinpasa, before heading to Mustafapasa where grand Greek mansions and the Monastery of St. Nicholas complete this rock-carved tapestry of Turkish heritage.
Day 15 – Arabian Nights in Cappadocia
Write your own Turkish fairytale by setting off on a sunrise or sunset camel ride across the rose-tinted valleys of Red, Güllüdere, and Meskendir, watching them reveal their otherworldly beauty shrouded in the glow of dawn or the spell of dusk. Come evening, descend into an enchanting cave restaurant for a Turkish Night Show, where folk dances and vibrant music set the stage for a cultural feast. With hearty cuisine and flowing local wine, let the night unfold like a living fable carved in stone.
Day 16 – Departure
As your journey through ancient cities, volcanic marvels, and cavernous wonders comes to an end, it’s time to return to the surface. After a relaxing breakfast, a private transfer will be waiting to take you to Kayseri Erkilet Airport for your flight to Istanbul, from where you will catch your departure flight home; the echoes of hidden chambers and sun-drenched coastlines still heard in the distance.
