Why Travel to Southern Italy? | Albatross Tours

Why Travel to Southern Italy? | Albatross Tours

Southern Italy may not contain as many world-renowned attractions as the country’s central and northern regions, but don’t be fooled. The “bottom of the boot” has created its own reputation for being one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean. 

Far away from the crowds of Venice, or the leaning tourists of Pisa, this sun-dappled detour includes places like Naples, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Puglia, and the Aeolian Islands. 

If you’re visiting southern Italy in the hopes of tasting the glitz and glamour that Milan and Rome can bring, you may be disappointed. The locals themselves will tell you that southern and northern Italy have distinct cultural differences - the south comparing more closely to the laid back nature of Greece.

With this in mind, let us walk you through the world of southern Italy, and see if we can’t compel you to pay a visit. 

The Highlights

Naples

For lovers of art, architecture and archaeology, Naples is sure to excite. The first is satisfied by Museo d’Arte Contemporanea Donnaregina - a contemporary art museum that opened in 2005 and has since welcomed over 100,000 visitors.

Budding architects will be wowed by the 13th-century Naples cathedral, along with the the Royal Palace and a majority of the city’s other buildings! 

But there may be no more famous site around Naples than Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii. Archaeologists, eat your heart out. Excavations continue until this very day. 

The Amalfi Coast

Travelling further down the southern shores of Italy, you’ll find Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. This is the Mediterranean at its very finest. 

Where cliffs meet sea, you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches, restaurants, and lookouts in Italy - if not the world!

Try Villa San Michele or Ristorante Pizzeria Giardiniello to experience the best of these attractions. 

Puglia

Centuries of conquest and culture shift have made their mark on this southeastern coastline, adding yet another stop on Italy’s extensive itinerary. 

Castles, cathedrals and caves show signs of the melting pot this region has become, where Mycenaean Greeks and various Italian tribes collided all those years ago. 

To escape Italy’s many “places to be”, this is the place to be.

Things to Know Before You Go

Locals appreciate attempts to speak Italian. Western culture hasn’t permeated southern Italy as deeply as in the north, so locals maintain a stronger connection to their heritage. This means speaking English is far less common and you may confront a few language barriers without a phrasebook or Google Translate handy. 

While native English speakers are not frowned upon, attempting Italian will be more appreciated as this makes it easier on the locals.

Southern Italy is not a busy place, nor is it very fast paced. If you think you can cram a bunch of activities into a short space of time, you may want to reconsider. The region and culture is almost designed to be soaked in slowly. The public transport may run late and the service may seem a bit lax, but if you take it in your stride you’ll enjoy it all far more. 

Let Albatross Take the Reins

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the breadth of southern Italy, or the culture that comes with it, allow Albatross to organise it all with a 17-day tour. 

Our Deep South & Sicily Tour has all you could ask of southern Italy and more, so get in touch to book now as space is limited on these small group tours.