The soothing aroma of orange and lemon citrus will drift through the streets of Sorrento in the morning, overtaking the fragrant sea breeze. Fishers will return to shore and anchor their colorful boats in the marina before bringing their fresh catch of the day to market. You will travel around the Bay of Naples to reach the captivating and excavated city of Pompeii, which was buried under nearly 20 feet of pumice and ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The peak of the active volcano continues to loom over the city in the distance and is visible from the top row of the Large Theater. The stadium seating could hold up to 5,000 spectators and remains in use during the summer for shows that are connected to the Son et Lumière festival. Your guide will introduce you to the fabulous history that can be unveiled in the preserved daily lives of the Roman city at the that is embodied in the Stabian Baths. A colonnaded palestra surrounds a swimming pool and leads to the visible stoves that were used for heating water. You will find air-ducts on the floor and walls where the pools were heated.

In Herculaneum, you will find the preservation of the city in the magma that entombed the buildings, protecting vases, furniture, and the integrity of villas in a town that was once populated by upwards of 6,000 people. The scent of rich soil remains prevalent amid the ruins that rise against the backdrop of the wading sea. The Sacello degli Augustali acted as a shrine and connected to the Cult of Augustus. A marvelous fresco retains its vibrant color, depicting the hero Hercules on Olympus with Juno and Minerva in addition to an image of Hercules as he fights an Etruscan deity.

The buttery aroma of sfogliatelle will overtake the dining room of your hotel in the morning, drifting from the delicate, flaky pastries with a shell shape that is stuffed with citrus cream. You will venture out of the charming, seaside setting of Sorrento for a day of exploring the fabulous history and gorgeous scenery of the legendary Amalfi Coast with your private driver. The 25-mile roadway hugs the shoreline and overlooks the sapphire splendor of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The aromas of lemon groves will roil over the fragrant sea breeze as you reach the town of Amalfi. The enchanting ambiance derives from the former prestige of the maritime powerhouse before its naval defeat by Pisa in the 12th century.

The luxuries of the past shimmer in the main piazza where small cafes set out tables and chairs in view of the 62 steps that lead to the cathedral’s antique portico. Majolica tiles adorn the façade of the 13th-century bell tower and soar above the elegant bronze doors. The magnificent doors were designed in Syria in the 11th century during the height of trade between the Republic of Amalfi and the Byzantine Empire. In the afternoon, you will return to Sorrento for a private cooking class that will offer secret insight into the pleasures of making traditional Margherita pizza. You will indulge in delicious flavors of local wine as your private chef introduces you to the fresh, seasonal ingredients that are used to craft the savory sauce before sampling the creamy texture and milky flavor of buffalo mozzarella, which will deliciously top your fresh dough.

In the morning, you will have a private transfer to the Naples Airport for a scenic helicopter flight over the Tyrrhenian Sea that will have you land on the legendary island of Capri, which is known for its beauty that has enchanted the likes of Roman emperors and Hollywood starlets alike. The bordering cliffs of the island reach upwards of 200 feet above sea level and offer dramatic views beneath the looming summit of Mount Solaro at 1,929 feet above sea level. The helicopter ride will take you soaring through the sky and will provide elaborate panoramas of the picturesque villages, and iconic Faraglioni sea stacks rise from the blue-green water.

While on Capri, the island will be yours to discover at your preferred pace. You can stroll up the ancient 500 steps that were craved by the Phoenicians, visit the town of Anacapri to view the majolica-tiled floor of the church that depict the story of Adam and Eve, or wander along the cobbled lanes of Capri Town between the boutique shops and restaurants that fill with the aromas of fresh espresso. Villa San Michele hosts a private collection of a wealthy doctor, displaying Roman, Egyptian, and Etruscan antiques beside 20th-century masterpieces. The tranquil gardens will remind you of an antique palace with elaborate views, which are framed by pergolas that are draped in vines and illustrious marble statues.

You will venture by private transfer to the fascinating city of Matera in the morning, where you will uncover the hidden jewel of the Basilicata region. Your guide will greet you upon your arrival in the city and will introduce you to the splendor of a city that has not been inhabited for more than 7,000 years. The preserved, medieval architecture crowns the plateau of the gorge and shines with golden hues from the local, quarried stone. You will traverse the remarkable sassi for which the city has become famous, and you will follow your guide through the cave-dwellings that were used by locals as recently as the 1960s.

Beneath the foundations of the elegant Duomo, you will discover the rows of former dwellings that overlook the rugged pockmarked walls of the cliffs that lead to the Sasso Caveoso neighborhood. Many locals have returned to the caves, turning the rustic interior into lavish restaurants or chic hotels, but a museum also offers a glimpse into the life of the caves with a replica of a home that depicts a single room with a bed, table, and kitchen that often held entire families.

You will continue to the region of Puglia and the fairytale structures of Alberobello known as Trulli. White cylindrical homes support conical rooftops that resemble the homes of ferries as they shimmer in the sunlight, they are responsible for the storybook ambiance of Puglia. The design dates back to the 18th century and provides a unique aesthetic to the landscape with the charismatic roofs that rise above the cobbled lanes amid the waving palm trees. The sporadic hoots of terracotta whistles ring out from ceramic shops, and locals linger in neighborhood bars, sipping wine, snacking on almond cookies, and enjoying their time as the day passes.

At breakfast, the enticing aroma of a short-crust pastry, which is known as pasticciotti stuffed with custard, will fill the dining room and will be accompanied by the decadent scent of frothy cappuccino. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and will be eager to introduce you to the magnificent history of the Salentine peninsula, beginning in Lecce. The Baroque architecture will capture your imagination as a distinct characteristic of the Southern city that is embodied in the decorative gargoyles, columns, and gremlins that peer down on you from the surrounding structures. Cafes set out chairs and tables along the walkways throughout the city center where locals can enjoy long lunches of purpu alla pignata, which is braised octopus that is seasoned with garlic, oil, tomato, parsley, and chili pepper.

The 2nd-century Roman amphitheater hides in the city center and is surrounded by apartments where locals dangle their laundry on clotheslines outside of their windows. You will explore the beauty of the city that is symbolized in the Basilica di Santa Croce and where the Baroque design boasts an allegorical feast for the eyes with detailed statues of sheep, dodos, cherubs, and beasts. You will continue to the seaside town of Otranto, where the calm turquoise water of the Adriatic Sea laps against colorful fishing boats and the whitewashed walkways of the marina.

Restaurants will fill with the aromas of olive oil and grilled calamari that has been drizzled with lemon juice. You can take your time, strolling along the stone walkways around the defensive walls of the Aragonese castle or admiring the rose window of the majestic cathedral. The fascinating architecture of the religious center contains 700 square feet of mosaics, featuring the Tree of Life with branches that spread across the majority of the artwork around signs of the Zodiac, images of a game of chess, and references to Scandinavian, Greek, and Persian mythology.

You will arrive by private transfer to the collected villages that create the greater town of Maratea, which is scattered across the tranquil, rugged coastline of Basilicata and overlooks the sapphire waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The luscious vegetation will fill the air with the aromas of blossoming flowers and sea spray with tiered gardens that accentuate the soft-spoken beauty of art nouveau architecture. The statue of Christ the Redeemer crowns the dramatic summit of Monte San Biagio at 2,044 feet above sea level. You can venture into the Grotto delle Meraviglie, which is the Cave of Wonders, to view the impressive highway of caverns that are decorated with dripping stalactites and soaring stalagmites that have formed naturally over time.

The heart of town offers panoramic views over the coastline and a stunning view of homes that date back to the 13th century and that line the two main piazzas and narrow winding lanes. Small shops display authentic artisan foods and specialty crafts among the famous 44 churches that are hidden among the hilltops. After exploring the town at your own pace, you can relax in a photogenic piazza and revel in the outstanding colors of sunset as the sun sweeps across the horizon.

You will arrive in Taormina by private transfer and settle into the comforts of your luxury hotel in the chic and elegant resort town that overlooks the Ionian Sea. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and lead you on a marvelous private tour of the town’s fascinating history that will take you through the charming cafes, aromatic gelateria, and past the funicular, before reaching the exceptional Greek Theater. The ancient landmark was first constructed in the 2nd century BC with a diameter that reaches over 357 feet long.

The top row will provide you with a gorgeous panoramic view of the coastline to the interior island landscape with the captivating peak of Mount Etna that rises in the distance at 10,991 feet above sea level. A narrow strip of sand connects the shoreline to the nature preserve of Isola Bella, where the placid water shines various shades of green and blue. Locals swim in the warm, clear sea where you can dip your toes in and enjoy the refreshing Mediterranean temperature.