Undiscovered Italy

Travel off the tourist track into Southern Italy as we explore ancient cultures and marvel at this exotically beautiful and unexpected side of Italy. On this unique itinerary designed specifically for the Texas Exes by the husband and wife team of Sofia Travel, you’ll enjoy personal attention and engaging teaching as you stay in an extraordinary cave hotel in the 10,000 year old city of Matera; marvel at Greek-era temples and the amazing ruins of Pompeii; sail to hidden, picture-perfect islands; and make your own handpicked olive oil in the Puglian countryside. Complete your journey with three nights in stunning Taormina, Sicily.

See the full itinerary and reserve online here: https://www.sofiatravel.org/texasitaly2023

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 & harvest olives at a Roman era mill

Itinerary:

Day 1 and 2 – Depart USA, Arrive Italy
Day 3 – Explore Naples, pizza making class
Day 4 – Private cruise to the islands of Procida and Ischia
Day 5 – Pompeii, Naples Archaeological Museum
Day 6 – Buffalo Mozzarella Factory, Paestum, Arrive Matera
Day 7 – Matera
Day 8 – Ceramics Workshop, Countryside Masseria
Day 9 – Olive harvest and oil mill tour
Day 10 – Lecce, Pizzica music night
Day 11 – Depart / Sicily Extension