DISCOVERY OF PUGLIA Small Group Tour: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Bari - Matera - Alberobello⌄

   Benvenuto! Welcome to Apulia! We depart Bari to begin our full-day journey and visit a vineyard in Basilicata wine country. The vineyard’s stunning Crypt of the Original Sin has frescoes dating back to the ninth century and we will have a short guided tour of the crypt. Afterwards, we enjoy lunch with locally-sourced food paired with wine produced at the vineyard. Following lunch, we arrive in the heart of the incredible UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera and start our walking tour. We will explore the narrow streets that wind their way through the Sassi to discover the ancient homes and churches carved from tufa rock. After our tour, we have a one-hour drive to Alberobello where you will spend the next two nights sleeping in a traditional “trullo”. The Trulli of Alberobello, thanks to their unique characteristics and historical significance, are one of Puglia’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Enjoy a free evening to relax or explore Alberobello at night. Your GoinItaly tour leader will recommend restaurants to savor more regional specialties and wine. Included Meals: Lunch with Wine

   Meals: Lunch: We visit a vineyard where we will have an included lunch paired with a selection of local wines.

   Overnight: Overnight in a "trullo", a conical, stone-roofed limestone building unique to Alberobello.

2. 2Walking Tour of Alberobello - Cooking Class⌄

   After breakfast, we meet our expert local guide to start our in-depth walking tour of Alberobello followed by some free time to explore, shop, and enjoy lunch.

   Meals: Breakfast · Dinner: Included group dinner at a farm, after the Cooking Class. Wine is included.

   Overnight: Overnight in a "trullo", a conical, stone-roofed limestone building unique to Alberobello.

3. 3Martina Franca - Lecce⌄

   Depart Alberobello for a short drive to a Masseria (dairy farm) in Martina Franca, for a cheese-class hands on, to discvoer the secret to make mozzarella & burrata. Included lunch, with wine.

   After lunch, we transfer to Lecce, the artistic and cultural capital of Puglia. Upon arrival in Lecce, we settle into our centrally located hotel before meeting our expert local guide for a walking tour to discover the architecture, culture, and history of Lecce. Lecce will be our base for the next three nights.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: Lunch is a selection of cheese, cold cuts, bread, and tomatoes. All sourced locally and from the farm. Wine is included.

   Overnight: Five-star hotel located in the heart of Lecce's historical center.

4. 4Otranto - Lecce⌄

   Today we drive to Otranto, the heel of the Italian boot, and visit a cathedral famous for its magnificent Tree of Life mosaics. Enjoy a stroll around Otranto with some free time to explore or shop for local handicrafts. We then drive to a restaurant renowned for serving fresh seasonal local produce to complement wines from their own vineyard. Return to Lecce and free time to further explore the historical center of Lecce on your own. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: Four-course lunch at a restaurant renowned for fresh seasonal local produce to complement wines from their own vineyard.

   Overnight: Five-star hotel located in the heart of Lecce's historical center.

5. 5Galatina - Gallipoli - Lecce⌄

   In the morning we drive to one of Puglia’s hidden gems in Galatina: the extraordinary 14th-century Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

   We drive for 30 minutes and arrive in Gallipoli, “beautiful town” in Greek, where we visit a stunning cathedral and the Frantoio Ipogeo – an ancient underground olive mill carved from stone. Enjoy an included lunch in Gallipoli’s historical center at an osteria that specializes in seafood. Return to Lecce and enjoy a free evening to dine and drink at your own pace. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: An included lunch at a local seafood restaurant in Gallipoli.

   Overnight: Five-star hotel located in the heart of Lecce's historical center.

6. 6Ostuni - Polignano a Mare - Bari⌄

   We depart Lecce today and drive to Ostuni, “La Città Bianca,” one of the most beautiful hilltop towns in all of Italy. Stroll through a maze of narrow streets with a visit to a small museum exhibiting the 25,000-year-old fossilized remains of Delia, “La Donna di Ostuni.” We then arrive at a restaurant located in a 15th-century Aragonese donjon with panoramic views for a gourmet lunch. In the afternoon we visit a family-run olive oil business to learn more about olive oil production in the Puglia region. Here we have an opportunity to taste different types of olive oil and purchase local products at their small shop.

   Afterward, we drive to Polignano a Mare and visit the charming historical center. We will try the famous coffee invented here, Caffè Speciale di Polignano a Mare, and view a statue of Domenico Modugno, the composer, and singer of Volare. Short drive to Bari and check in to our hotel. Free evening to further explore the nearby bars and eateries. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: We will have an included gourmet lunch at a restaurant located in a 15th-century Aragonese donjon with panoramic views.

   Overnight: Four-star hotel located within a short walking distance of Bari's Old Town.

7. 7Castel del Monte - Trani⌄

   After breakfast we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Castel del Monte for a guided tour of the Swabian Castle. Known for its octagonal shape, the Castel del Monte is a masterpiece of medieval architecture.

   Short drive to Trani to check the Cathedral of Trani, built on the edge of the sea, and an option to have lunch at a restaurant. We then return to our hotel in Bari. Farewell group dinner at a restaurant where we will enjoy a delicious hearty meal and raise one last toast to our Puglian adventure. Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

   Meals: Breakfast · Dinner: Included dinner at a seafood restaurant.

   Overnight: Four-star hotel located within a short walking distance of Bari's Old Town.

8. 8Bari⌄

   This morning take breakfast at your leisure. Your tour leader can assist you with additional tours, post-tour accommodation, and transfers. Included Meal: Breakfast

   Meals: Breakfast