Magical Apulia region - 6 Days (Small Group)

Arrival in Bari on your own. In 14:00 Meet our Tour Leader in your hotel in Bari, the main city of Puglia, and from here start our tour to discover this wonderful region. Walking tour in the afternoon to learn about the city's history and its most relevant monuments. Walk through the charming narrow alleys of the old city center, admire the Basilica of San Nicola where the remains of Saint Nicholas of Myra are preserved and the Norman-Swabian Castle, a 12th century fortress built by Roger the Norman and rebuilt by Frederick II of Swabia. Be amazed by the astonishing view that you can enjoy from the fortress (admission fee for the Castle at own expense). After the visit, reach Piazza Mercantile where you will see the ancient Column of Justice. Dinner and overnight

Breakfast at the hotel, 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 characterised by its colour, 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 the 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

Enjoy 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 and overlooks. 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 Bekmambetov, 2016). A visit to Matera Cathedral is a must. You will return to Alberobello in the evening. Dinner and overnight are in the trullo in Alberobello.

Breakfast in the "square" of the scattered hotel (consider 200 mts from the Trulli. Leave Alberobello by coach and reach Locorotondo. Enjoy some free time to visit this small town that is part of the “white towns” of Puglia. Board on the coach again and travel to Ostuni: located between the “Trulli” region and Salento, overlooks the coastal plain rich of ancient olive trees. Free time at your disposal to explore another “white town” with free time for lunch, shopping and tasting of several local products like the world’s famous Ostuni olive oil (all at your own expenses). In the late afternoon, get again on board of the coach and reach Lecce in the heart of the Salento region. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a 3 hour guided visit of the city, learn the history of Lecce, visit the old town center, the 12th century Cathedral, the Basilica of Sant Croce and Piazza del Duomo. After the visit, board on the coach and leave Lecce. You will reach Otranto where you will have some free time at your disposal for lunch. Spend the afternoon visiting the wonderful city of Otranto at your pace. Over the centuries, the city has been invaded by an impressive number of populations, amongst the others we can find traces of Greek, Roman and Turkish cultures. Wander around the old quarters to see how these cultures have blended together. Don’t forget to visit the iconic Cathedral where the bones of 813 martyrs are displayed in a glass case behind the altar. See its marvelous mosaic floor which rivals the well-known mosaics of Ravenna in its richness and significance. In the early evening, reach Supersano where you will have dinner at the “Masseria le Stanzìe”. Visit this ancient farm, learn about the history and culture of Puglia. See how homemade pasta is made and visit the medieval tombs that are part of the farm. Dinner with typical meals and products from the region. In the night, travel back to Lecce. Overnight.

Breakfast is at the hotel. And this is the end of our services.

Option to book extra nights.

Goodbye and we Hope to see you again on your next visit.

Arrivederci!