Puglia, Italy’s Undiscovered Heel
- 8 Days
- From : Brindisi
- To : Brindisi
- Tour
- Guide : English
- Minimum age : 12 Years Old
* This product requests separate payment. Promotion code or coupon from Ticket Here is not applicable.
Join this eight-day TUI Tour to discover and explore Puglia: an unforgettable experience through Italian culture, history and flavours. Wander through the alleys of Martina Franca; visit Alberobello, and discover why this stunning architecture was so popular in the past and how the Trulli were built. Marvel at the one of a kind ancient town of Matera. Visit Lecce, the pearl of the Apulian baroque; and Otranto, with its beautiful Cathedral. Explore the old city of Bari, and learn how to make orecchiette, the local home-made pasta.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Alberobello: universally-known as the capital of the ‘Trulli’, famous worldwide for their beauty and unique characteristics, and represent one of the most extraordinary examples of Italian folk architecture.
Martina Franca: known for its Baroque architecture and the music festival of the Itria Valley, one of the three major towns surrounding the Valle d’Itria.
Lecce: the most beautiful city in Puglia, the Baroque masterpiece of southern Italy. Sometimes described as the ‘Rome of the South’, with a long history of rich architecture and art.
Matera: one of the most interesting, unusual and memorable tourist destinations in Italy, it is a town famous for its extensive cave-dwelling districts, the ‘sassi’.
Trani: a town located in the proximity of Castel del Monte, whose jewel is represented by his church that overlooks the Adriatic Sea and one of the most splendid Romanesque cathedrals.
Bari: combines seaside charm and historical appeal. A major cruise port, the University City is also known for its old town, which boasts churches, picturesque courtyards, and other tucked-away gems.
Otranto: a picturesque town of Puglia, famous for the Cathedral, whose mosaic floor of the 2nd century will delight you.
What’s included?
TOUR GUIDE:
- Operated with English-speaking TUI tour-escort throughout the itinerary
- Operated with English-speaking local guide for the visits to Bari and Matera
ACCOMMODATION:
- 7 nights’ accommodation
MEALS:
- 7 Breakfasts
- 1 Lunch (self-made pasta dish at the cooking demonstration)
TRANSPORT:
- Arrival and departure shared transfer in an air-conditioning bus from/to Brindisi Airport
- Shared transportation in an air-conditioning bus throughout the tour
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary: Martina Franca walking tour, Alberobello walking tour, Olive oil mill visit including tasting (Day 2); Lecce city tour, Otranto city tour (Day 3); Matera City tour, full-day (Day 4); Trani city tour, Bari city tour, Pasta making with the locals (Day 6); Ostuni city tour, Mozzarella Cheese Factory visit including tasting (Day 7)
OTHER:
- Meet & Greet
- Welcome cocktail
- Porterage In/Out at the hotel
- Flight check-in assistance at the airport
- Audioguide (Day 2-7)
- 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day (Day 1-8)
Exclusions
- Tour-escort assistance during the night
- Entrance fee to the monuments
- Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)
- Domestic nor international flights
- City tax not included, payable on the spot
- Any visit not mentioned in the program
- Porterage and gratuities
- Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
- Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
- Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.
Please note
- We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons.
- Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
- No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1, 7 Alberobello:
- Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Colle del Sole or similar 4*
Cancellation policy
- Once ordered, this tour cannot be cancelled or refund or amended at any circumstances.
Day 1 : ARRIVAL BRINDISI – ALBEROBELLO (72km – 1hr)
Upon landing at Brindisi Airport, make your way to the arrivals hall, where a representative will meet you. You will then be transferred to the hotel, where you can settle in before a welcome meeting in the afternoon with the group and the tour escort.
Overnight in Alberobello.
Day 2 : ALBEROBELLO – MARTINA FRANCA – ALBEROBELLO (30km – 40 min)
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel and departure towards Martina Franca, the small baroque town in the Itria Valley where the vegetation is rich. Visit the historical centre and admire Porta di Santo Stefano, frescoed rooms of the Palazzo Ducale, Basilica of Saint Martin, Piazza Plebiscito and some characteristic side alleys. After the orientation walk, there will be free to join the weekly local market. In the afternoon back to Alberobello. After a nice walk through this fairy-tale town (Belvedere, Chiesa Sant’Antonio the only Trullo-church in the world, Trullo Siamese ancient twin Trullo, Largo Martellotta, central promenade) you will have some time to mingle with the locals in one of the numerous coffee or wine bars or to explore typical handmade fabrics and artisan crafts in some of the shops in the historic district. Stroll through the Old Town, which of the thoroughfare Via lndipendenza / Largo Martellotta divided becomes. On one side is the tourist Rione Monti, with Trulli lined streets, most Trulli house with shutters Souvenirs, with typical dishes, pretty ceramics and Linen. After this tour, follow to visit an olive oil mill with olive oil tasting (included). This is a small producer which is also a member of the Slow Food Organization which focuses its actions on preventing the disappearance of local food traditions and cultures and protects biodiversity. In the afternoon, return to the hotel, to relax and unwind.
Overnight in Alberobello.
Day 3 : ALBEROBELLO – LECCE – OTRANTO – ALBEROBELLO (325km – 4hr)
Have a tasty breakfast at the hotel and depart towards Lecce. Today you will discover the baroque city also called ‘The Florence of South’ because of the baroque architectural style visible in the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce, Piazza Duomo, palaces, and cloisters. Lecce has ancient roots testified in Piazza Sant’Oronzo, in the remains of a Roman Amphitheatre and then the Castle of Charles V, Palazzo Sedile, Porta Napoli, Porta Rudiae, Palazzo dei Celestini, the obelisk. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon visit to Otranto. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.
Overnight in Alberobello.
Day 4 : ALBEROBELLO – MATERA – ALBEROBELLO (137km – 2hr)
Charge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel and departure to Matera, one of the most important highlights of the area in the region Basilicata. Enjoy the breath-taking views of the panoramic itinerary through the “Sassi: the baroque quarter Il piano’, the ‘Sasso barisano’ and its cave dwellings, the hilltop quarter Civita, the ‘Sasso caveoso’ and its ancient settlements. Numerous restaurants and trattorias offer enchanting surroundings for your lunch break, suggesting “amaro” a tonic bitter liquor (famous in Basilicata), limoncello a homemade lemon liquor and wine produced in the Vulture mountain area (not included). Typical products are also cured meats and pickled or preserved in oil vegetables.
Overnight in Alberobello.
Day 5 : ALBEROBELLO
In the morning, indulge in a delicious breakfast at the hotel. This day is at your own leisure to discover this medieval town at your own pace.
Overnight in Alberobello.
Day 6 : ALBEROBELLO – TRANI – BARI – POLIGNANO A MARE – ALBEROBELLO (219km – 3hr)
In the early morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel and shortly after departure towards the north of Puglia. Arrival in Trani, a town located in the proximity of Castel del Monte, whose jewel is represented by his church that overlooks the Adriatic Sea and one of the most splendid Romanesque cathedrals. The town was flourishing during the 11th century and its port was well placed for the Crusades. Afterwards, the tour will continue to the capital and pulsing heart of the region Puglia: Bari, a modern metropolitan city which still preserves its ancient origins. The medieval city bears architectonical and historical riches like the Saint Nicholas Church, Saint Sabinus Cathedral and the Swabian castle, features wide and beautiful Piazzas (such as Piazza Mercantile and Piazza del Ferrarese) and quaint side roads combining Mediterranean flair with oriental charm. The tour will go then to the historical centre where you will meet the local people and learn how to make orecchiette, the local home-made pasta, and discover all the secrets of the traditional local recipe making pasta by themselves. You will also taste their own homemade pasta drinking a glass of Genuine Primitivo red wine (included). The day ends with Polignano a Mare, a rocky outcrop, overlooking the Adria Sea, known for its marine caves, historical centre, remains of Roman Empire, including the bridge of Lama Monachile on the Via Traiana. Enjoy the variety of flavours and the unique taste of ice creams (included).
Overnight in Alberobello.
Day 7 : ALBEROBELLO – OSTUNI – CISTERNINO – ALBEROBELLO (70km – 1.5hr)
In the morning, have breakfast at the hotel and departure towards Ostuni, which goes by the title “the white town”, a charming hilltop town overlooking the surrounding landscape with its endless ancient olive groves. Whitewashed buildings intricate with marvellous alleys, medieval arches, wide piazzas and enchanting views of the coastal plain make for the unique appeal of this town, and a mix of Greek and Arabic influences are the make-up of its truly Mediterranean flair. In the old town, remarkable relevance are Piazza della Libertà and column of Saint’ Orontius, characteristic side roads and one of the highlights is the oddly shaped façade of the 15th-century cathedral Santa Maria Assunta. Around midday, free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon you will continue to Cisternino village, to join the Mozzarella factory visit. A visit to mozzarella cheesemakers which has a small and sustainable production in the area and which represent a consortium of small producers which put great attention to a responsible process.
Overnight in Alberobello.
Day 8 : ALBEROBELLO – DEPARTURE BRINDISI (72km – 1hr)
After one last breakfast at your hotel, bid farewell to Puglia, as you hop onto a comfortable transfer to Brindisi Airport, where you will catch your flight to your following destination. We hope the memories of this trip will stay with you for a lifetime.