Southern Italy is a sun-drenched mosaic of volcanic drama, chalk-white towns, and hypnotic coasts. From the Roman heart of Naples to Puglia’s limestone coves and Calabria’s "Coast of the Gods," this region rewards both beach lovers and history hunters. Expect cliffside villages, olive oil so fresh it tastes peppery, and water the color of a kingfisher’s wing.

Across 42 days, you’ll base in three places for easy logistics: Naples (with Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast), Monopoli (for Polignano a Mare and the Valle d’Itria), and Tropea (for Capo Vaticano and the Aeolian Islands). Your wife gets languid beach days; you get big-ticket sites, hikes, and a volcano or two—including a Vesuvius climb and optional Stromboli-by-night.

Practical notes for July: heat is intense midday; plan swims and shaded lunches then. Reserve key sights, ferries, and beach clubs in advance. Trains connect major hubs, but a rental car is very handy in Puglia and Calabria. Naples is vibrant—stay street-smart as you would in any big city. The reward: unforgettable food, layered history, and endless sea.

Pre‑Departure (Optional): Auckland Warm‑Up Ideas

If you’re departing from Auckland and want one last mini-adventure before the long-haul flight, here are a couple of light, sunny options that fit the beach-and-outdoors vibe.

• Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour — Black sands, fern-filled paths, and Tasman surf make a perfect “last dip.” Book on Viator

  

• America’s Cup Sailing on Waitematā Harbour — Trim a racing yacht or relax with skyline views; a breezy way to unwind before your flight. Book on Viator

  

How to Get There (Auckland → Naples, July)

Route ideas: AKL → NAP (or FCO) via Asian/Middle Eastern hubs. Premium Economy in peak July typically runs ~USD 2,600–3,600 return, 26–32 hours total travel with 1–2 stops. Check and compare with flexible dates.

• Search flights: Omio (flights to/from Europe)

Naples & Sorrento (Campania)

Naples is a city of palaces and pizza, Caravaggio and coffee, volcano views and seaside castles. It’s noisy, delicious, and deeply historic—Rome’s southern cousin with an edge. Sorrento, across the bay, is your gentler launchpad for beach clubs and Amalfi Coast days.

Why base here: Climb Vesuvius, roam Pompeii and Herculaneum, eat canonical pizza, and hop to Capri, Ischia, or Amalfi villages. Mix busy mornings with lazy afternoons by the sea.

Days 1–5: Naples City & Vesuvius

• Vesuvius hike: Ride to the trailhead at ~1,000 m; final crater path is ~30–45 minutes on pumice gravel. Go early for cooler temps. Book crater slot in advance; wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
• Pompeii: Allocate 3–4 hours; prioritize the Forum, House of the Vettii, Villa of the Mysteries, and the Amphitheater. Herculaneum is smaller but exquisitely preserved—pair on a second day.
• Naples Old Town: See the Veiled Christ at Sansevero, the Greek-Roman streets (Decumani), and Underground Naples. Stroll Spaccanapoli at twilight and the seafront near Castel dell’Ovo.
• Beaches & swims: For a quick dip, Gaiola and Marechiaro in Posillipo (rocky, scenic). Better beach days await in Sorrento/Amalfi.

Days 6–10: Sorrento & Amalfi Coast

• Sorrento beach clubs: Peter’s Beach or Leonelli’s—expect €20–45 per lounger/umbrella in July. Marina Grande is a colorful fishing cove with casual seafood lunches.
• Amalfi Coast day: Early bus/boat to Positano and Amalfi; swim at Fornillo or Marina Grande; take the bus up to Ravello (Villa Cimbrone gardens) for views that live in memory.
• Path of the Gods: A half‑day cliffside hike from Bomerano towards Nocelle above Positano; start early, hats and 2L water minimum. Bus back down.

Days 11–14: Islands & Food

• Capri or Ischia: Capri for dramatic cliffs, the chairlift to Monte Solaro, and (if seas are calm) the Blue Grotto; Ischia for longer sandy beaches (Maronti) and thermal parks (Negombo or Poseidon).
• Archaeology day: Add the Naples Archaeological Museum to connect the mosaics and frescoes you saw at Pompeii.

Where to stay (mid‑range/APT): Browse hotels and apartments in Naples and Sorrento: Hotels.com Naples | VRBO Naples | Hotels.com Sorrento | VRBO Sorrento

Getting around: Trains, buses, and ferries are plentiful—compare times and prices on Omio (trains) and Omio (ferries).

Eat & drink (handpicked):

• Pizza canon: 50 Kalò (for a masterclass in dough), L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele (old-school, expect a queue), and Sorbillo Lievito Madre al Mare (sea views).
• Seafood: Trattoria da Emilia (Sorrento Marina Grande; spaghetti alle vongole), Osteria Il Gobbetto (Naples; homestyle), and O’ Munaciello (fried seafood and sfogliatella nearby).
• Coffee & sweets: Gran Caffè Gambrinus (historic espresso and babà), Casa Infante (gelato), and Poppella (fiocco di neve pastry).

Monopoli (Polignano a Mare & Valle d’Itria, Puglia)

Base yourself in Monopoli’s honey-stone old town with sandy coves steps away, then hop to Polignano’s cliff-framed Lama Monachile and the trulli towns inland. The Adriatic here is glass-clear; mornings are for towns, afternoons for beach umbrellas.

Why base here: Best mix of beach and classic Puglia day trips—Alberobello, Ostuni, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, and a doable Matera day.

Days 15–18: Settle & Swim

• Monopoli coves: Cala Porta Vecchia, Porto Ghiacciolo (by the abbey), and Cala Paradiso—family-friendly with lidos offering loungers (~€20–35 pair in July).
• Polignano a Mare: Early visit for photos at Lama Monachile; later, grab seafood panini at Pescaria and an evening passeggiata with gelato on Via Roma.

Days 19–23: Valle d’Itria Circuit

• Alberobello: Trulli lanes in the morning; duck into lesser-visited Aia Piccola quarter to avoid crowds.
• Ostuni: The “White City” glows at sunset—wander the cathedral quarter and terrace bars.
• Locorotondo & Martina Franca: Whitewashed balconies and Baroque palazzi; easy half-day duo.
• Torre Guaceto Reserve: Wild, sandy dunes and shallow water; bring supplies (limited services).

Days 24–28: Matera or Salento Teaser

• Matera day trip: Walk the Sassi cave districts, peek into rupestrian churches, and appreciate how this former cave city became a UNESCO jewel.
• Beach splurge: Book a day bed at Coccaro Beach Club (Savelletri) for pampered seaside, or keep it local at Lido Santo Stefano by the castle.

Where to stay: Hotels.com Monopoli | VRBO Monopoli | Hotels.com Polignano a Mare | VRBO Polignano a Mare

Eat & drink:

• Seafood institutions: Osteria Perricci (Monopoli fisherman’s joint; octopus and crudo), Il Guazzetto (pasta with scampi), and Trattoria da Enzo (classic Pugliese plates).
• Polignano picks: Pescaria (tuna tartare panini and fried seafood), Mint Cucina Fresca (vegetarian; seasonal), and Grotta Palazzese is famed for its cave setting if you want a special-occasion splurge.
• Cafés & sweets: Caffè del Corso (Monopoli) for morning espresso; Caruso Gelateria (Polignano) for pistachio and almond granita.

Naples → Monopoli (travel, morning departure): High-speed train Naples → Bari Centrale ~3h15–3h40, then regional train Bari → Monopoli ~30–40 min; ~€30–€60 total depending on advance purchase. Compare on Omio (trains). If you rent a car in Bari, pick up near the station and drive 40 minutes to Monopoli.

Tropea & the Costa degli Dei (Calabria)

Tropea sits on a sandstone cliff with a postcard church on an outcrop and turquoise water below. This is Calabria’s most photogenic coast—wide beaches, low-key lidos, and the spice of ’nduja in the air. Offshore, the Aeolian Islands tempt with a live volcano.

Why base here: Long, lazy beach days for the soul; optional boat trips to Stromboli at sunset for your adventurous streak. Capo Vaticano’s coves are among Italy’s clearest waters.

Days 29–33: Tropea Town & Beaches

• Spiaggia di Tropea: Rent loungers (€18–35 pair in July) or bring towels for free sections; late afternoons are golden.
• Clifftop stroll: Sunset views from Belvedere; visit Santa Maria dell’Isola and wander the lanes of the old town for aperitivo.

Days 34–38: Capo Vaticano & Coast Hopping

• Capo Vaticano: Grotticelle and Praia i Focu by boat—think snorkeling over luminous sand and sea caves.
• Pizzo: A sweet detour for tartufo gelato and a castle linked to Joachim Murat; compact and lively.

Days 39–42: Aeolian Adventure (Weather‑Permitting)

• Stromboli by night (optional): Evening boat from Tropea with views of the Sciara del Fuoco; some tours allow guided crater hikes (regulations vary with volcanic activity—check locally). Take a light jacket and motion-sickness precautions.
• Recovery day: One last beach day on Tropea’s main strand or a half-day sail along the Costa degli Dei.

Where to stay: Hotels.com Tropea | VRBO Tropea

Eat & drink:

• Sea-view meals: Pimm’s Restaurant (fresh fish, terrace views), and Ristorante Lido Azzurro (feet-in-the-sand lunches).
• Calabrian flavors: Try ’nduja on bruschetta, fileja pasta with swordfish and aubergine at Il Convivio, and local white wines (Zibibbo secco, Greco Bianco).
• Cafés & gelato: Bar Vittoria on Piazza Ercole for espresso; Gelateria Tonino for classic pistachio and fig.

Monopoli → Tropea (travel, morning departure): Train Monopoli → Lamezia Terme (via Bari/Salerno) ~5–6.5 hours, then 1 hour regional to Tropea; ~€35–€80 depending on service. Compare on Omio (trains). Driving is ~4.5–5.5 hours (tolls + fuel).

Dining & Beach Club Cheat Sheet (July)

• Beach chairs run roughly €18–45 per pair with umbrella in peak season; reserve on weekends.
• Lunch rhythms: 1–3 pm is prime; dinner rarely before 8 pm. Book popular spots (Positano, Polignano) a few days ahead.
• Local musts: Pizza Margherita in Naples, delizia al limone in Sorrento, raw seafood and orecchiette cime di rapa in Puglia, and ’nduja in Calabria.

Logistics & Budget Tips (Budget ~50/100)

• Transport: Use high-speed trains between hubs (Omio), ferries for islands (Omio), and consider a rental car in Puglia/Calabria for beaches and hill towns.
• Stays: Apartments via VRBO often include kitchens and cut costs; mix in a couple of sea-view hotels via Hotels.com for special nights.
• Heat strategy: Sightsee early, beach/siesta midday, towns at dusk. Hydrate and pack reef-safe sunscreen.

Suggested 42‑Day Block Outline

• Days 1–14: Naples & Sorrento (Vesuvius, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Capri/Ischia).
• Days 15–28: Monopoli base (Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Ostuni, Torre Guaceto, Matera).
• Days 29–42: Tropea base (Capo Vaticano, Pizzo, optional Aeolian Islands/Stromboli).

To book trains, buses, and ferries across Europe, compare schedules and prices on Omio (trains), Omio (buses), and Omio (ferries). For flights to/from Europe, use Omio (flights).

Six weeks in Southern Italy gives you both momentum and rest: beach days that blur into bliss, and bucket-list moments like standing on Vesuvius’ rim or drifting under Polignano’s cliffs. You’ll leave sun-kissed, well-fed, and full of stories that smell faintly of sea salt and lemons.