Undiscovered Italy

Explore Italy’s Alluring South

DATES

October 6-17, 2024

PRICE

$6,390 per person, excluding flights

OPTIONAL EXTENSION 

Taormina, Sicily  |  October 17-20

Dear Travelers,

Elizabeth and I are excited to offer you a new tour to Italy.  Although it is new to us, our son, Adam, has led this tour numerous times and raves about the experience, and we will be joining him this fall to preview it just for you! 

Adam writes, “On this off-the-beaten-path itinerary to the exotic sites of southern Italy, I have personally selected each hotel, set every menu, and chosen each experience from my years spent exploring this unforgettable region. From sailing to sleepy fishing islands to making pizza with a local pizzaiolo, 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.”

Along the way, I will be sharing with you morning reflections on the Core Convictions of the Apostle Paul.  And each evening we will set aside time for vespers surrounded by magnificent scenery and sunsets.  Come prepared for a time of spiritual renewal. 

We hope you will join us on this truly unforgettable experience!  Along with Adam, Elizabeth and I will be hosting this “limited and by invitation only” travel experience.  We’re looking forward to a wonderful time of fellowship with you. 

 David & Elizabeth Sparks

Go off the tourist-track on a immersive experience through Italy’s exotic south

• 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 water buffalo farm & dairy
• Marvel at golden artifacts and amazingly preserved temples left by the Ancient Greeks
• Stay in an ethereal 16th c. countryside masseria and join the proprietress in her countryside kitchen

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
After a cultural orientation to life in Southern Italy, we begin our exploration of larger-than-life Naples on foot. Passing along the seaside promenade and through the grandiose Piazza del Plebiscito, we visit the Royal Palace, where the Bourbon rulers once lived. We then try Naples’ legendary espresso and sweets at a famous 150-year-old cafe before continuing through the grandiose Galleria Umberto and a jaunt through the colorful and lively Spanish Quarter. We then visit the sumptuous church of the Gesu Nuovo before enjoying a pasta lunch with the famous Neapolitan ragù. From here, return to the hotel or explore Naples' historic center further on your own. In the evening, we walk along the waterfront to a sea-facing restaurant for our first authentic Neapolitan pizza. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Cruising the Bay of Naples to the Islands of Procida and Ischia (weather permitting)
On this unforgettable day, board a private yacht and set off into the Gulf of Naples to visit two picture-perfect islands. First, dock at the small, colorful island of Procida and enjoy a seafood lunch with beautiful views of the pastel buildings trickling down the hillside towards the water. Continue to the thermal island of Ischia, famous since Roman times for its curative powers, and dock in the charming harbor of Sant’Angelo with its chic boutiques and cafes. Adventurous travelers can continue to a nearby coastal cove where locals flock for the curative powers of the underground volcanic activity that heats the seawater to intense temperatures. 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, unlike anywhere else on the planet.

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 by raising a herd of 600 water buffaloes to produce the highest quality buffalo mozzarella, yogurt, and gelato. After a explanation of the production process, Filippo will show us his water buffalo before a tasting of the unbelievably fresh and flavorful cheeses.

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 enjoy two unforgettable 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 together in a deconsecrated cave church 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 hauntingly 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 expulsion and reinhabitation of the caves of Matera before enjoying the sweeping views from the church of Santa Maria de Idris. In the afternoon, explore Matera on your own by visiting the Baroque Duomo, hiking through the river gorge to hidden cave churches, or simply wandering the dreamlike streets of this ancient city. (B)

3 NIGHTS IN A COUNTRYSIDE MASSERIA

Explore Puglia—the rustic heel of Italy’s boot—in an ethereal masseria—a fortress-like countryside estate—that has been beautifully restored to its 16th c. glory. Experience the traditional Puglian lifestyle as we bake bread with the proprietress, participate in the seasonal harvest, and learn to dance the pizzica.

Day 8 - Countryside Masseria, Bread Making
Today we leave Matera and head to Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, where we check in to our countryside masseria, a uniquely Puglian version of a fortified 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,D)

Day 9 - Olive Oil Harvest
On this unforgettable day, delve into the most ancient and important activity in Puglia: the olive harvest. Join the family team at a nearby estate to harvest olives by hand before gathering our olives and taking them to the family's mill. After seeing the oil-making process in action, deposit your olives at the mill, see the oil making process in action, and taste the freshly made oil. After a relaxing afternoon at the masseria, we enjoy a local wine tasting and masseria dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Grotagglie Pottery Workshop, Pizzica Music Night
Our final day has us visiting small Grotagglie, which has been the ceramics capital of Italy for centuries. After touring a local workshop, we have the opportunity to purchase the uniquely designed artisanal works. In the evening, we gather together at our masseria 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 - Fly to Rome for return flight home / begin Sicily Extension
Transfer to the Brindisi airport. For those not going on the extension, fly to Rome and spend an evening at the Rome airport Hilton in anticipation of your return flight home the following morning. For those going on the Sicily extension, fly to Sicily and enjoy three luxurious nights in stunning Taormina.

OPTIONAL POST TOUR EXTENSION

TAORMINA, SICILY

A luxury stay in Sicily’s most grand destination

If you'd like more information about this tour, please contact your tour host directly:

Adam Sparks | 214-493-3027 | Adam@FootstepMinistries.org