Enchanting Southern Italy: Self-Launched Edition
8 days · Southern Italy
Back-Roads Touring charges £2,650
No-markup version: ~£785 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Ditch the guided group and explore the sun-drenched south of Italy on your own terms — same iconic stops, same authentic experiences, a fraction of the price. From the chaotic beauty of Naples to the clifftop villages of the Amalfi Coast, ancient Pompeii, the island of Capri, and the baroque grandeur of Caserta, this self-launched itinerary covers it all. You'll book local buses and ferries instead of private coaches, find boutique guesthouses and B&Bs dripping with Italian charm, and self-book cooking classes, wine tastings and guided site tours via GetYourGuide. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Naples
Naples
Fly into Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP) and take the Alibus shuttle (€5, ~25 mins) to the city centre. Check into your hostel or B&B in the Spaccanapoli or Quartieri Spagnoli area — both are central, atmospheric and walkable. Spend your first evening soaking up the energy of the city: stroll along the waterfront at Lungomare, grab a margherita pizza at a historic pizzeria (Da Michele or Sorbillo are legendary), and have an Aperol Spritz at a streetside bar. Tonight is yours to settle in.
🚌Alibus from Naples Airport to city centre, €5
🛏Hostel or B&B in central Naples — e.g. Spaccanapoli Rooms or similar (~£30-45/night)
- →Take Alibus shuttle from Naples Airport to city centre (~€5)
- →Check in to hostel or B&B in Spaccanapoli or Quartieri Spagnoli
- →Evening stroll along Lungomare waterfront
- →Pizza dinner at a historic local pizzeria (budget ~€10-15)
Naples City Tour → Pompeii → Santa Maria di Castellabate
Naples / Pompeii / Santa Maria di Castellabate
Start the morning with a self-booked walking tour of Naples including entry to the extraordinary Cappella Sansevero (tickets ~€8, book online). Join a GetYourGuide walking tour of Naples' historic centre (~£15-20) or explore independently using a map. After lunch, take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples Centrale to Pompeii Scavi (€3.20 each way, ~40 mins) and join a guided tour of the ruins — GetYourGuide offers skip-the-line entry + guide for ~£25. In the late afternoon, take a SITA bus or pre-booked shared transfer south towards Santa Maria di Castellabate (~2 hrs). Check into a small guesthouse or agriturismo by the sea.
🚌Circumvesuviana train Naples–Pompeii (€3.20 each way); SITA bus to Santa Maria di Castellabate (~€5-8)
🛏Guesthouse or agriturismo in Santa Maria di Castellabate (~£35-50/night)
- →Self-guided or GetYourGuide walking tour of Naples historic centre (~£15-20)
- →Visit Cappella Sansevero (book tickets online, ~€8)
- →Circumvesuviana train Naples → Pompeii Scavi (€3.20 each way)
- →Guided tour of Pompeii ruins via GetYourGuide (~£25 incl. entry)
- →SITA bus or shared taxi south to Santa Maria di Castellabate
Paestum Temples, Mozzarella Farm & Cooking Class → Minori
Paestum / Minori
Head north by local bus to Paestum (~30 mins, €2-3) to explore some of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. Entry to the archaeological site is ~€12. On the way or nearby, stop at a local buffalo farm for a mozzarella tasting experience — farms like Tenuta Vannulo offer tours and tastings (~€5-10). In the afternoon, book a traditional Italian cooking class in the region via GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences (~£45-60 pp, lunch included). Then transfer east along the coast to Minori on the Amalfi Coast, which will be your base for the next four nights. A budget guesthouse or B&B in Minori is excellent value compared to more touristy Amalfi or Positano.
🚌Local bus Paestum–Santa Maria di Castellabate (~€3); SITA bus or ferry to Minori (~€5-10)
🛏Guesthouse or B&B in Minori (~£35-50/night) — base for next 4 nights
- →Local bus to Paestum (~€2-3 each way)
- →Guided walking tour of Paestum archaeological site (GetYourGuide ~£15, entry ~€12)
- →Mozzarella tasting at local buffalo farm (~€5-10)
- →Traditional Italian cooking class with lunch via GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences (~£45-60)
Ravello, Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone & Limoncello Tasting
Ravello / Tramonti / Minori
Take the SITA bus from Minori up the winding coastal road to Ravello (~15 mins, €1.30) — one of the most beautiful hilltop towns in Italy. Visit the stunning Villa Rufolo (entry ~€7) with its terraced gardens dropping into the sea, then walk across town to Villa Cimbrone (entry ~€8) for breathtaking Infinity Terrace views. Afterwards, seek out a local lemon grove in the hills between Ravello and Tramonti — many offer free or low-cost tours with limoncello tasting (book via GetYourGuide ~£10-15, or arrange locally). Return to Minori by bus in the late afternoon and explore the town's backstreets for dinner at one of its honest, unpretentious trattorias.
🚌SITA bus Minori–Ravello (€1.30 each way)
🛏Guesthouse or B&B in Minori (included in base — ~£35-50/night)
- →SITA bus Minori → Ravello (€1.30 each way)
- →Visit Villa Rufolo gardens (entry ~€7)
- →Visit Villa Cimbrone and Infinity Terrace (entry ~€8)
- →Lemon grove visit with limoncello tasting (~£10-15 via GetYourGuide or local arrangement)
- →Wander Minori's streets for an independent dinner
Day Trip to Capri
Capri / Minori
An early start to catch the ferry from Amalfi or Salerno to Capri (ferry ~€20-25 each way, ~1 hr from Salerno). Once on the island, take the funicular up from Marina Grande to Capri Town (€2.50) and explore the famous Piazzetta, the Gardens of Augustus, and the clifftop lanes. For a budget-friendly highlight, join a shared boat tour around the island, visiting sea caves and swimming spots (shared group boat tours ~£25-35 via GetYourGuide — far cheaper than private). If you want to visit the Blue Grotto, tickets are ~€15 entry plus a rowing boat fee (~€13). Have an aperitivo at a seafront bar before catching the return ferry. Dinner back in Minori.
🚌Ferry Salerno/Amalfi–Capri return (~€40-50); funicular €2.50 each way
🛏Guesthouse or B&B in Minori (~£35-50/night)
- →Ferry Amalfi/Salerno → Capri (€20-25 each way, book via Caremar or SNAV)
- →Funicular up to Capri Town (€2.50 each way)
- →Explore Piazzetta, Gardens of Augustus and clifftop lanes
- →Shared boat tour around the island with swimming stops (~£25-35 via GetYourGuide)
- →Optional: Blue Grotto visit (~€28 total with rowing boat)
- →Aperitivo at a seafront bar before return ferry
Positano, Amalfi & Ceramic Decorating Class
Positano / Amalfi / Minori
Take the SITA bus westward along the SS163 coastal road to Positano (~40 mins, €1.30) — an unmissable stop with its stacked pastel houses tumbling down to the sea. Wander the steep lanes, browse boutiques, and take in the views from the beach. Head back east by bus or ferry to Amalfi town: visit the spectacular Duomo di Sant'Andrea (free entry to the exterior, ~€3 for the crypt), browse the historic Arsenal Museum (free), and explore the piazza. In the late afternoon, join a ceramic decorating class in Minori or Vietri sul Mare — book via GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences (~£30-40). Return to Minori for dinner.
🚌SITA bus along Amalfi Coast (€1.30 per leg); ferry Positano–Amalfi option (~€8)
🛏Guesthouse or B&B in Minori (~£35-50/night)
- →SITA bus Minori → Positano (€1.30, ~40 mins)
- →Explore Positano: beaches, lanes, viewpoints
- →SITA bus or ferry Positano → Amalfi (~€1.30-8)
- →Visit Amalfi Cathedral / Duomo di Sant'Andrea (exterior free, crypt ~€3)
- →Visit the Arsenal Museum in Amalfi (free)
- →Ceramic decorating class in Minori or Vietri (~£30-40 via GetYourGuide)
Maiori, Cetara, Vietri sul Mare & Lazy Day in Minori
Maiori / Cetara / Vietri sul Mare / Minori
A more relaxed day exploring the less-touristy eastern end of the Amalfi Coast. Take the SITA bus east from Minori to Maiori (10 mins, €1.30) — a wider, quieter beach than most on this coast. Stroll the seafront and admire the grand 19th-century buildings. Continue by bus to Cetara (~15 mins, €1.30), a tiny fishing village famous for its anchovies and colatura di alici (anchovy sauce). Grab lunch at a local restaurant — order the fresh anchovies and red tuna. Continue to Vietri sul Mare for ceramic shopping — the town is Italy's ceramic capital with dozens of artisan boutiques. Return to Minori by bus and enjoy 'il dolce far niente' — the sweetness of doing nothing — on the beach or terrace. Final dinner at a family-run trattoria.
🚌SITA bus along coast (€1.30 per leg throughout the day)
🛏Guesthouse or B&B in Minori (~£35-50/night)
- →SITA bus Minori → Maiori (€1.30, ~10 mins)
- →Wander Maiori seafront and historic buildings
- →SITA bus Maiori → Cetara (€1.30)
- →Lunch of fresh anchovies and red tuna in Cetara (~€15-20)
- →SITA bus Cetara → Vietri sul Mare (€1.30)
- →Browse ceramic boutiques in Vietri sul Mare
- →Return to Minori for beach time and final group dinner
Royal Palace of Caserta, Falanghina Wine Tasting & Farewell in Naples
Caserta / Sant'Agata de' Goti / Naples
Check out of your Minori accommodation and travel north by SITA bus and train toward Caserta (~2-2.5 hrs total, connecting in Salerno). Visit the awe-inspiring Royal Palace of Caserta — Italy's answer to Versailles — with its 1,200 rooms, grand staircases and spectacular gardens (entry ~€14, book online). From Caserta, take a local bus or taxi (~30 mins) to the medieval hilltop town of Sant'Agata de' Goti for a Falanghina wine tasting paired with seasonal dishes at a local winery — book via a local enoteca or GetYourGuide (~£35-50 including food). Finally, transfer to Naples by train (Caserta–Naples Centrale, ~40 mins, €4.20) for your onward journey home. Salute!
🚌Bus + train Minori–Salerno–Caserta (~€8-12); local taxi to Sant'Agata (~€5-10); train Caserta–Naples (€4.20)
🛏N/A — final day, depart from Naples
- →SITA bus Minori → Salerno, then train to Caserta (~2-2.5 hrs, ~€8-12 total)
- →Visit Royal Palace of Caserta and gardens (entry ~€14, book online)
- →Local bus or taxi to Sant'Agata de' Goti (~€5-10)
- →Falanghina wine tasting with lunch at local winery (~£35-50 per person)
- →Train Sant'Agata/Caserta → Naples Centrale (€4.20, ~40 mins)
Self-launched vs. Back-Roads Touring
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Back-Roads Touring | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£785 | £2,650 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,865 per person (70%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Back-Roads Touring-style trips? Check them out here.~£785
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Enchanting Southern Italy: Self-Launched Edition cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £785 per person for 8 days in Southern Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Back-Roads Touring?+
Yes — Back-Roads Touring charges around £2,650 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £785 — a saving of roughly £1,865 (70%) per person.
How long is the Southern Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Southern Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, foodie, slow-travel trip through Southern Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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