DAYS 1 – 3

Upon your international arrival in Italy on Day 2, connect to Brindisi, where you’ll be transferred to your luxury hotel in Lecce, the “Florence of the South.” Meet your fellow travelers for a festive welcome cocktail party and dinner at the hotel. The next morning, embark on a privately guided tour of the wonders of Lecce including the castle of Emperor Charles V, Sant’Oronzo Square, the Roman amphitheater, the Basilica of Santa Croce and the lovely Piazza Duomo. Then journey out into the countryside and enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at a winery in the heart of the Primitivo wine district.

Patria Palace Hotel, Lecce

DAYS 4 & 5

En route to Monopoli, explore the fabulous mountainside ghost town of Matera, ancient “city of stones.” Its cave dwellings have been inhabited since the Paleolithic era. Continue to the 2,000-year-old city of Monopoli, a lovely port town on the shores of the Mediterranean. The next day, visit the trulli in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its stunning collection of unique white stone houses with conical roofs. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue your day of immersion in Puglia’s lovely town of Martina Franca. Reach its striking Old City through Baroque gates in ancient stone walls. Once inside, discover tiny, winding streets and placid piazzas.

Il Melograno Hotel, Monopoli

DAYS 6 & 7

After a brief stop to visit the seaside cathedral of Trani, continue to vibrant Naples. Dinner this evening is at one of the city’s most famous seafood restaurants, situated at the base of a stunning castle. The next morning, embark on a tour of the city, with stops for panoramic views of Mount Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri. After a guided tour of the Archaeological Museum, continue to Perugia, the heart of Umbria.

Grand Hotel Vesuvio, Naples & Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia

DAYS 8 – 10

Begin your exploration of Umbria with an in-depth tour of Perugia. In Assisi, marvel at the ancient frescoes of Basilica di San Francesco. While in the magnificent hilltop town of Torgiano, take a tour of the Wine & Olive Museum. Take some time to explore the Spoleto’s Roman ruins, impressive Duomo and lovely Ponte della Torre. Then enjoy a private wine tasting and lunch of Umbrian delicacies in Spello.

Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia

DAYS 11 & 12

On your way to Rome, stop in the medieval town of Orvieto. Then visit the breathtaking cathedral and marvel at the Duomo, one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Italy. This evening, take a private panoramic tour of the Eternal City in a vintage Fiat 500. On Day 12 you will be taken to the airport for your flight home or on to your next destination.

St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Patria Palace Hotel
Lecce, Italy

Right at the heart of the historical centre and opposite the monumental Santa Croce's Basilica, the Patria Palace brings back to life a XVIII century aristocratic mansion, the D'Anna-Petrarolo Palace. Sumptuously refurbished by artists and craftsmen, the palace has been embellished with frescoes and Art Deco frills. Each of the 67 rooms and suites at the Patria Palace Hotel is unique, personalised with original decorative painting and frescos. The Deluxe rooms have a splendid view above the rose window of the Baroque Basilica of S.Croce, or lean on the characteristic Piazzetta Riccardi. Each room is unique. The Standard rooms have an old city view

Il Melograno
Monopoli, Italy

A 17th century “Masseria” or fortified farmhouse, Il Melograno was built originally as a defense against Saracen and Byzantine invaders. Today, after an impeccable restoration, it is a luxurious five star Relais & Chateaux hotel, nestled in a sea of olive trees bent by breezes from the Adriatic and gnarled by the passing centuries. Located 5 miles from Il Melograno property, near the ruins of ancient Egnazia, is the Le Tamerici Beach Club—a relaxing large sandy beach. The hotel offers a complimentary scheduled shuttle service for your convenience. On site features include an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool, spa and beauty facilities and a business center.

Flanked by olive trees dating back to biblical times, the Ristorante Il Melograno specializes in the Apulian version of the much acclaimed Mediterranean cuisine. Puglia is renowned for its vast variety of dishes based on local vegetables and hand made pastas unique to the region. The olive oil is pressed from olives grown on the estate, and many of the seasonable vegetables come from the hotel garden.

Each of the 31 rooms is nestled around the central piazza, and has been individually furnished with antiques under the care of the owner Camillo Guerra, an art and antique dealer. All of the rooms are air-conditioned and feature satellite TV, in-room safe, mini bar and hairdryer.

Grand Hotel Vesuvio
Naples, Italy

The end of the nineteenth century brought with it profound changes to the city's town planning. The government began action to renovate the most deprived areas of Naples and to construct the sea-front from scratch. This exciting atmosphere of urban renewal also attracted a Belgian financier named Oscar du Mesnil, who was in Naples with his wife. He was so fascinated by the city that he decided to construct a hotel on the new sea-front to do justice to the beauty of the site. "Grand Hotel du Vesuve" was duly constructed in 1882.

Hotel Brufani Palace
Perugia, Italy

This 5 star hotel with restaurant in Perugia is famous for its refined dishes of regional cuisine, with the addiction of a touch of creativity, realized by the skilled hands of an experienced chef. The Hotel Brufani Palace’s 94 rooms and suites have a unique atmosphere thanks to the period furnishings, frescoes, precious fabrics and white marbles. The Penthouses are particularly atmospheric with their beamed ceilings and period furniture. All rooms have spectacular views of the valleys of the Umbria region or over the roofs of the Medieval city.

St. Regis Grand Hotel
Rome, Italy

Built in 1894 as the first deluxe hotel in Rome, the 5-star St. Regis Grand is within walking distance of the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Via Veneto. Upon reopening in mid-December 1999, after an extensive restoration and renovation, the St. Regis Grand reclaimed its status as the finest hotel in Rome and one of the best in the world. This honor has been reemphasized by recently being named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2002 Gold List.

You can enjoy a unique dining experience at the restaurant Vivendo, nominated by Zagat as the number one restaurant in Rome, and the Gold Key award winner for design and decor. The private wine cellar, Di Vino, selected to be depositaire de l’enotheque Dom Perignon, offers private dining with regional and international menus enhanced by a wide selection of wines to complement each course.

The St. Regis Grand features luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites in an eclectic combination of Empire, Regency and Louis XV styles. Every guest room has a unique hand painted fresco depicting a Roman scene installed above the beds’ headboards, and features Murano glass chandeliers and Hermes bathroom amenities.

Yvonne Buheiry

The Baroness Yvonne Buheiry Daller von Fleschenberg has been escorting travelers for over 20 years. She is conversant in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and some Arabic. Yvonne specializes in Western and Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Travel Dates: September 30, 2012