Southern Italy Itinerary: 5 Days in Rome & Apulia

NH Collection Roma Centro is located in the Prati district, between the Vatican and Castel Sant’Angelo, offering easy access to Rome’s historic landmarks. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TVs, and private bathrooms that include a bath, shower, and hairdryer. Guests can enjoy both international and local cuisine at the 324 Lounge Restaurant, which features fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The hotel is close to Piazza del Popolo, Via del Corso, and the shopping area of Via Cola di Rienzo, making it a great base for exploring the city.

Take the tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with no queue at all! No stress to access the Vatican: your professional guide will take you inside and accompany you in a memorable visit to one of the most important art collections worldwide. Admire the numerous halls of the museum, including the spiral staircase, the beautiful Raphael’s rooms and their famous paintings, before entering the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s masterpiece. On your way out from the Sistine Chapel, you will go inside St. Peter’s Basilica through an exclusive access skipping long lines. The tour wouldn’t be complete without a walk in St. Peter’s Square, the open space before the basilica, redesigned by G. L. Bernini, an architectural masterpiece of the Baroque age. Your day continues with a visit of Castel Sant’Angelo, originally built as the tomb of Roman Emperor Hadrian, was later converted into a military fortress, the Pope’s residence, a Renaissance-era prison, and then finally into a museum to preserve the history of Rome. Built in 135 AD, the castle now houses Hadrian’s tomb, Papal apartments, and several magnificent works of art including paintings, sculptures, pottery, frescoes, murals, and more. Choose this tour if you would like to enjoy a professional guided tour to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and Castel Sant’Angelo with skip the line access thanks to a special agreement we have. Tour ends at Castel Sant’Angelo area. 

Hotel Excelsior Bari offers accommodation located in the heart of the capital of Puglia, Italy. Accommodation options comprise 146 comfortable rooms and suites, each with air conditioning, a hairdryer, a safe, a TV with Sky channels, free Wi-Fi and a direct-dial telephone. Guests can conveniently enjoy meals at the on-site restaurant. Additional amenities include a bar and a gym.

Experience the vibrant soul of Bari through its flavors on this private street food walking tour through the city’s historic Old Town (Bari Vecchia). Led by a knowledgeable local guide, this tour is a delicious journey into the heart of Puglian cuisine and culture.

As you wind through the city's narrow alleys and lively squares, you'll stop at beloved local spots to sample some of Bari’s most iconic bites:

• Warm, crusty focaccia barese fresh from the oven
• Golden panzerotti filled with melted mozzarella and tomato
• Crispy sgagliozze (fried polenta squares)
• Crunchy, savory taralli, a true regional favorite

One of the highlights? Watching local women hand-roll orecchiette pasta right outside their homes—an unforgettable glimpse into Bari’s living culinary traditions.

Your tour ends on a sweet note, with a taste of a pasticciotto, a scoop of artisanal gelato, or a sip of limoncello or local wine, depending on what’s in season and available that day.

This is more than just a food tour—it’s a flavorful, authentic experience of Bari’s rich culture and warm hospitality.

Hotel Delle Palme is located in Lecce, Italy, and is within walking distance from Porta San Biagio and the city centre. The hotel also features a selection of air-conditioned rooms equipped with a safe deposit box, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. The hotel also features a breakfast room located on the ground floor and an on-site restaurant where guests can relax and enjoy a delicious meal.