Curated Road TripsCurated Road Trips
    111 Activities

    A Fabulous Week Exploring Italian Culture From North to South by Car

    A Fabulous Week Exploring Italian Culture From North to South by Car
    Starts from

    Lugano

    Transportation

    By Car

    Guidance

    Self-Guided

    Activities

    111

    Duration

    7 days

    Length

    1278 mi

    Guide details

    Starts from

    Lugano

    Transportation

    By Car

    Guidance

    Self-Guided

    Duration

    7 days

    Length

    1278 mi

    • History and Culture
    Map preview
    TCS Roadtravel

    TCS Roadtravel

    • Drive down the most picturesque roads in Italy.
    • Visit some of Italy’s stunning UNESCO sites.
    • Learn more about the country's historical origins.
    • Spot small architectural treasures spread among northern and southern Italy.
    • Travel through flavours, colours, and smells of Italian gastronomic heritage.
    Get in your car and drive between northern and southern Italy via the centre to discover Italian culture, admiring luscious sights that will evoke special sensations in you.
    During this road trip, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the roots of the land of Italy, visiting some of the oldest and most mysterious places on the Italian peninsula, where culture was born. You’ll have outstanding experiences as you discover the secrets of quintessential musical craftsmanship and sleep in a trullo, the typical stone houses found only in Alberobello, not to mention the myriad gastronomic journeys that will delight your palate in every region of Italy you’ll visit.
    This route will be an epic adventure designed in detail, with the purpose of making you feel unrivalled thrills and taking you on a journey where you’ll enjoy not only Italian culture, but also breathtaking, unforgettable natural landscapes At the end of the week, the only thing you’ll want to do will be to start all over again from the beginning!
    Compare different car rental companies conveniently online via the TCS car rental platform. Whether in Switzerland or abroad, whether on holiday or on business trips. With TCS, you remain mobile and flexible and benefit from the best rental car offers, including many advantages and services.
    Book Car Rental Now

    Categories

    Get in your car and drive between northern and southern Italy via the centre to discover Italian culture, admiring luscious sights that will evoke special sensations in you.
    During this road trip, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the roots of the land of Italy, visiting some of the oldest and most mysterious places on the Italian peninsula, where culture was born. You’ll have outstanding experiences as you discover the secrets of quintessential musical craftsmanship and sleep in a trullo, the typical stone houses found only in Alberobello, not to mention the myriad gastronomic journeys that will delight your palate in every region of Italy you’ll visit.
    This route will be an epic adventure designed in detail, with the purpose of making you feel unrivalled thrills and taking you on a journey where you’ll enjoy not only Italian culture, but also breathtaking, unforgettable natural landscapes At the end of the week, the only thing you’ll want to do will be to start all over again from the beginning!
    Compare different car rental companies conveniently online via the TCS car rental platform. Whether in Switzerland or abroad, whether on holiday or on business trips. With TCS, you remain mobile and flexible and benefit from the best rental car offers, including many advantages and services.
    Book Car Rental Now
    TCS Roadtravel

    TCS Roadtravel

    • Drive down the most picturesque roads in Italy.
    • Visit some of Italy’s stunning UNESCO sites.
    • Learn more about the country's historical origins.
    • Spot small architectural treasures spread among northern and southern Italy.
    • Travel through flavours, colours, and smells of Italian gastronomic heritage.

    Travel itinerary

    Northern Italy’s Hidden Treasures
    13 Activities

    Day 1

    195 mi1 mi

    Northern Italy’s Hidden Treasures

    Start your route by driving from Lugano to Emilia-Romagna via Lombardy to discover the hidden gems of northern Italy. On your way, you’ll encounter UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the stunning cathedral in Modena, and learn about the ancient art of violin making. All enriched by gastronomic itineraries to introduce you to the refined flavours of these places.
    Evocative Medieval Villages of Emilia-Romagna
    15 Activities

    Day 2

    146 mi3 mi

    Evocative Medieval Villages of Emilia-Romagna

    Today, your journey will lead you through some of the best-preserved medieval villages in Emilia-Romagna and beyond. You’ll have the chance to admire Bologna from a unique viewpoint and to learn about the fascinating autonomous state of San Marino in detail. You’ll also discover the roots of ancient Roman culture and its culinary traditions.
    Art and History Between Marche and Umbria
    13 Activities

    Day 3

    200 mi2 mi

    Art and History Between Marche and Umbria

    Today, you’ll drive through hilly and country landscapes that dot two central regions of Italy: Marche and Umbria. You’ll admire Urbino, the "ideal city" and centre of the Italian Renaissance, from an exceptional location, and then immerse yourself in the "mad" history of Gubbio. You’ll then arrive in the so-called “splendidissima" Spello and, finally, have the chance to sleep in a wine barrel. A day full of unforgettable emotions and flavours.
    Unique Gems Between Abruzzo and Molise
    13 Activities

    Day 4

    276 mi2 mi

    Unique Gems Between Abruzzo and Molise

    Today will be dedicated to discovering places of great cultural and historical interest in these two fascinating regions. First of all, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, part of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy association, and today an example of sustainable tourism development. You’ll then drive along the famous Costa dei Trabocchi, from San Vito Chietino, a place whose beauty inspired D'Annunzio, to Termoli, with its charming and "narrow" historic centre. Finally, you’ll visit Ferrazzano, the "Sentinel of Molise", where houses are joined together in an ancient intricate embrace to protect themselves from the cold winter wind. Sleeping in a renovated old mill will be a fitting end to the day.
    The Wild Lands of Basilicata
    12 Activities

    Day 5

    237 mi1 mi

    The Wild Lands of Basilicata

    Today, you’ll begin to encounter the flavours, smells, and colours that Basilicata has to offer. You’ll drive down scenic roads surrounded by unique natural sceneries such as the calanchi (badlands), enjoy the incredible panorama of the Lucanian Dolomites, and immerse yourself in the primordial culture of this land by sleeping in the Rabatana, the first human settlement in the entire region. You’ll also savour the wholesome and honest flavours that this wild land lavishes generously on its inhabitants.
    Rare and Unique Sites Between Matera and Alberobello
    21 Activities

    Day 6

    122 mi4 mi

    Rare and Unique Sites Between Matera and Alberobello

    Today's route will bring you in contact with incredible wonders of southern Italy, appreciated all over the world and declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You’ll drive between Basilicata and Puglia, visiting the world-famous Matera, as well as losing yourself among rock churches and ancient landscapes. You'll move on to Altamura to taste one of the best breads in Italy and will end your day sleeping in a trullo, the typical Alberobello stone houses that can only be found in this area. There’ll also be plenty of opportunities to sample the distinct flavours and km0 raw materials of these regions.
    Scents and Colours of Puglia
    24 Activities

    Day 7

    87 mi3 mi

    Scents and Colours of Puglia

    Today, you’ll conclude your epic route through Italy, stopping at some of the most distinctive and iconic places in Puglia. You'll have the chance to dive into the culinary traditions of southern Italy while having lunch at an authentic masseria and will walk through the narrow streets of ancient towns that overlook the sea, guardians of Italian traditions unchanged by time.
    Map preview
    Curated Road Trips

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