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Pricing and Dates

Best of Puglia (9 Day Tour)

Vacation Code: BOP6D2019
9 Days and 8 Nights
13 Meals: (8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinners)

Tour Description > View Itinerary

A vacation in the southern part of Italy is something you don’t want to rush. The diversity and the authenticity of the culture as well as the magnificent sights, sounds, flavors, and people that you experience here need to be savored.

This 9-day tour of Puglia, which is at the heel of Italy’s boot, takes you through whitewashed hill towns, age-old farmlands, and miles upon miles of Mediterranean coastline. The trip starts in Alberobello, and ends in Lecce, which is called the Florence of the South. You will enjoy not only the historic sights of this southern region of Italy but also the great local cuisine, unique artwork, and the natural beauty of your surroundings.

 

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Itinerary


ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

Day 1: Bari
Day 2: Bari – Trani – Castel Del Monte – Alberobello
Day 3: Alberobello – Matera
Day 4: Alberobello – Locorotondo – Ostuni – Lecce
Day 5: Lecce – Otranto – Dinner at Masserie Le Stanze
Day 6: Lecce – Gallipoli
Day 7: Lecce – Martina Franca – Lunch at Masseria Zona Fasano – Bari
Day 8: Bari – Polignano – Monopoli
Day 9: Bari


Day 1: Bari (Dinner)



Your tour of Puglia starts with your arrival at Bari in the morning.Meet your tour guide at the hotel and off you go on a tour to discover the beauties of Bari. In the afternoon you’ll reach its historical center, known as “Bari Vecchia”, and learn interesting information about Bari’s past as well as the history of its main monuments.

Walk down little alleys and find yourself in tiny little squares inside the walls, until you reach the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Nicholas, that contains the relics of Saint Nicholas, and the Castello Svevo (or Swabian Castle) built in the XII century by Norman King Roger II and later restored by Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire. From inside the castle one can enjoy a beautiful view (entrances not included). After the visit, Piazza Mercantile is worth a visit: the Colonna della giustizia (or Column of justice) stands out right in the middle. It is thought to have been used as a pillory. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight is in Bari.


Day 2: Bari – Trani – Castel del Monte – Alberobello (Breakfast & Dinner)



After breakfast, you will head to Trani. Known as “Perla di Puglia” (or the pearl of Puglia), Trani is a medieval town located 53 kilometers (that’s 33 miles) south of Bari. Its Jewish district and the majestic Cathedral will be yours to admire. The latter was built using a local stone, a calcareous tuff characterized by its color, an extremely light almost-white pink.

In the afternoon, the next monument will be Castel Del Monte, the most amazing castle built by Frederick II. It is protected as a World Heritage Site. Its geometric design is unique: it is an octagonal prism with an octagonal tower at each corner. Many mysteries are still unresolved, including the real purpose of the castle.

After Castel del Monte, Alberobello is the next stop, the “città dei Trulli”, also protected as a World Heritage Site. Trulli are dry stone huts with a conical roof originally built for storage purposes. They were also permanent dwellings and are called casedde by locals (or little houses). Alberobello is a gem, a true fairy tale place in the heart of Puglia. You will spend night in a dream hotel,an “albergo diffuso” (one of the network of scattered hotels), and get the chance to sleep in a trullo. Dinner is included. Overnight is in Alberobello.


Day 3: Alberobello – Matera (Breakfast, & Dinner)



After breakfast, a bus will be waiting in a parking lot adjacent to the hotel (200 meters from the Trulli). It will take you to Basilicata, a border region. Welcome to Matera, its capital, “la città dei sassi” (literally the city of the stones), Italy’s own version of Cappadocia in the south of Italy. European Capital of Culture 2019, Matera is a UNESCO Heritage site.

Take your time to admire the sassi from different perspectives. These cave dwellings inhabited since the Paleolithic period make for the monumental historical center and are connected by a maze of quaint little alleys, which will make you feel like you are catapulted in a real-life nativity scene. The sassi are visually reminiscent of ancient sites near Jerusalem, and so they were a setting to many Christian-themed films, including The Gospel According to St. Matthew (Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1964), The Passion of the Christ (Mel Gibson, 2004), and Ben-Hur (Timur Bekmambe- tov, 2016). A visit to Matera Cathedral is a must. You will return to Alberobello in the evening. Dinner and overnight are in the trulli in Alberobello.


Day 4: Alberobello – Locorotondo – Ostuni – Lecce (Breakfast & Dinner)



After breakfast you will leave Alberobello by coach and reach Locorotondo. This town, which has a population of 14,000, is known for its circular shape (hence the name which means “round place”), and it’s fine wines. After a visit here, your next stop will be Ostuni, which is located to the east of Locorotondo

Here in Ostuni, you will have more free time to explore another one of the many “white towns” in the region, with free time for lunch, shopping and the tasting of several local products. Here you will also find one of the world’s finest olive oils, which you can enjoy with a tasting. All of these free-time activities you will be doing at your own expense.

Later in the afternoon, you will depart to Lecce, which is in the heart of the Salento region. Lecce is located to the southeast of Ostuni. Here you will have dinner and will be spending the night.


Day 5: Lecce – Otranto – Dinner at the Masseria Le Stanzie (Breakfast & Dinner)



After breakfast you will take part in a 3-hour guided tour of the city. This is where you will find out more about Lecce, the historical sites in it, and its history in general. Some of the sites you will expect to see on the morning of this day in Lecce include the town center, the 12th century Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and the Piazza del Duomo.

Called “the Florence of the South,” Lecce has strong Messapian roots, an ancient and mysterious people living in this area before the Romans. Today, it welcomes visitors with its magnificent baroque architecture, which blazes on the portals of its palaces and on the facades of the many churches that line the streets inside the city’s three ancient gates: Porta Rudiae, Porta San Biagio and Porta Napoli.

After the morning tour of the city, transfer to Otranto, where you will have free time to explore on your own. Here you can enjoy lunch at one of the local cafes, enjoy the historic buildings that show a hint of Greek, Roman, and Turkish cultures, and gaze in wonder at the blend of all these unique cultures in the buildings found around the old quarters of the town.

You should also make it a point to see the iconic Otranto Cathedral where the bones of 813 martyrs are displayed in a glass case behind the altar. You should not miss seeing the marvelous mosaic floor of the cathedral, which is said to rival the well-known mosaics of Ravenna in richness and significance.

In the early evening reach Supersano, which is a town located to the west of Otranto. Here you will have dinner at the “Masseria le Stanzìe.” You will also be rewarded with a tour around this ancient farm, learn more about the history and culture of Puglia, and see how homemade pasta is made. You can also choose to visit the medieval tombs that are part of the farm. Dinner here will be typical meals and products from the region. After dinner you will travel by coach back to Lecce where you will spend the night. Overnight in Lecce.


Day 6: Lecce – Gallipoli (Breakfast)



Day 6 is dedicated to Gallipoli, one of the most touristic and cosmopolitan destinations in the Salento. Gallipoli has Greek origins and is now a summer location preferred by young people who are attracted by its nightlife as well as beautiful wild beaches whose dunes and pine tree parks are paradise! You will have free time to discover the center of Gallipoli, the walls, and the port that shelters amazing yachts. In the afternoon, you will return to Lecce and still have time to enjoy the evening. Overnight is in Lecce.


Day 7: Lecce – Martina Franca – Lunch at Masseria Zona Fasano- Bari (Breakfast, Lunch)



After breakfast, we’ll head back to Bari driving through the “Murge plateau” with its unique landscape. You’ll get to see Martina Franca, an elegant Baroque village full of churches, noble buildings, and squares perfect for a stage setting. The urban focal point is Piazza Plebiscito, the Cathedral, the Du- cal Palace and the Torre dell’Orologio. Free time here. We’ll continue driving in the Valle d’ Itria, a rural area full of olive trees and vineyards. You’ll enjoy lunch in a masseria where food and excellent extra virgin olive oil are produced from organic farming. A tasting of those products is included.

In the afternoon, there will be some free time and then a short drive will take you to Bari. Overnight is in Bari.


Day 8: Bari – Polignano – Monopoli (Breakfast)



After breakfast, we’ll set off to two of the most prominent coastal places of Puglia: Monopoli and Polignano a Mare. We’ll start from Monopoli, a fortified citadel overlooking the sea. Getting lost in the intricate little streets of Monopoli is an almost mystical experience. From its port, just like a number of other Apulian ports, the crusaders left Puglia in the Middle Ages to reach the Holy Land and free it from the Muslims. A rich commerce with Constantinople flourished and this is why a marked oriental atmosphere can be felt here. The second stop is Polignano a Mare, hometown to Domenico Modugno, Italian singer-songwriter who co- wrote the world-known song Volare (nel blu, dipinto di blu). Polignano was built on the peak of a cliff, and therefore its coastline is characterized by coves, small bays and inlets. Lama Monachile is one of them, known for its crystal-clear waters and rugged cliffs all around. Free time for some shopping or an aperitivo in the main square. You will return to Bari after the visit. Overnight is in Bari.


Day 9: Bari (Breakfast)



Enjoy your final breakfast as you take your last pictures of Puglia. Transfer back to Bari airport according to your flight information (not included). End of Services. Ciao!

The tour includes:

  • Transportation by deluxe motor coach
  • Multilingual tour guide and escort
  • Accommodation at the hotels
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Visits as per itinerary
  • 1 piece of luggage and 1 carry on per person with porterage
  • Taxes and fees
  • 24 hour emergency hotline

The tour does not include:

  • Transfers to/from Bari airport or train station
  • Tips
  • Drinks and extras at the hotel
  • Everything that is not mentioned in “The tour includes” section
  • Extra luggage may incur an additional fee

Pricing and Dates

Departure Date Double Single Triple Reservation Deposit
Apr-26-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
May-17-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
May-24-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Jun-07-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Jun-21-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Jul-12-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Jul-19-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Aug-23-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Sep-06-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Sep-20-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Sep-27-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Oct-04-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Oct-18-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Oct-24-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00
Nov-04-2024$ 3200.00$ 33600.00$ 3200.00$ 300.00

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