A journey across southern Italy, from sea to sea

To fully appreciate the beauty and architectural uniqueness of Ostuni, it's worth taking a step back to take in the view. From Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, the city reveals its dazzling white walls. From its promontory, at an altitude of 715 feet, Ostuni overlooks plains covered with olive trees, vineyards and fig trees, just a few miles from the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The city's whitewashed houses and religious buildings draw the eye–the landscape seems entirely focused on the city.

A backdrop to cinematic works by Italian director Pasolini as well as James Bond, the streets and cave dwellings sassi of Matera form an astonishing film set. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, the sassi and its churches carved into the rock form an architectural ensemble comprising more than a thousand dwellings, all harmoniously integrated into this limestone landscape. Monasteries, individual houses and small shops coexist with caves and towering rocks. Abandoned in the 1950s, the city of Matera has since reinvented itself and is undoubtedly worth a trip in itself.

Though the traditional expression is 'See Naples and die,' a more accurate version might perhaps be 'See the Bay of Naples and die,' as the city boasts what is arguably one of the world's most beautiful coves. Reaching higher ground is a chance to gaze upon its teeming streets, the Mediterranean's changing colors at dawn and dusk, and the silhouette of the towering–yet ever-threatening–Mount Vesuvius. Castel Sant'Elmo is one of the best vantage points for admiring this ancient city.

Beyond the picture-postcard prettiness looms history... and mystery. Sorrento's industrious mills of old have now become enthralling, vegetation-covered ruins. The former site of Vallone dei Mulini, located near the city, is an unexpected hideaway of suspended time, where nature has reclaimed the site from human activity, leaving a magical atmosphere to reign among these rocky walls.