Curious Traveler s Tour of Puglia May 20-June1, 2018 Life is a hint of magic and great pasta! ~ Federico Fellini Sunday, May 20, 2018 Flights leave Dallas for Brindisi. Monday, May 21 Marilisa and I will be there to greet you at Brindisi airport. This is a small local airport and we will soon gather everyone together and lead you to our coach which will take us to the charming Hotel Palazzo Papaleo in the pretty seaside town of Otranto. Time to relax and enjoy the views and a walk around the town before we dine overlooking the ocean on the rooftop restaurant of the hotel.
Tuesday, May 22 Explore the castle and the town during the morning. After a lazy lunch and a nap we will take a drive down the dramatic coastline visiting the pretty attractive villages and enjoying the vino in this unspoiled part of Italy. As the sun sets we will dine at a favourite restaurant. Wednesday, May 23 This morning a walking tour of Lecce will show us the secrets of this baroque town. In the afternoon we will visit local wineries so that can discover your favourite Puglian wines made from the notorious Primitivo and Negramaro grapes- for the rest of this tour you will know which wine you prefer to drink! Thursday, May 24 This morning we take the coach to the charming town of Galatina. Enjoy the dramatic murals of the old church and admire the way of life in this quaint town. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon we will explore this coast - the island of Rabbits, the Ionic beaches of Salento and the fishing village of Porto Cesareo. Enjoy a calm evening glass of vino before returning to Otranto for our final dinner in this part of Puglia.
Friday, May 25 Today we leave the Otranto and drive inland to the historic town of Matera. We will break the journey at Grottaglie, to stretch our legs and to visit the Castello Episcopia, once the Palace of Bishop of Tarranto and now a Museum of Fugolino/Faenza ceramics. The ceramics are unique to the area. They have been created by the Fasano family since 1623. You will be fascinated by the unique cavern and wood-burning ovens where the Faience is fired. If you are looking for unique pieces to bring back as souvenir, this is the place to do so. After lunch we continue to Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The site has been chosen as the city of culture for Europe in 2018. In Matera you ll spend a lot of time in caves. Walking through passages and steep staircase we will plunge into a magical world that doesn t quite feel real. We have two days here to be shown around the cave dwellings of this town and/or to shop in the variety of artisanal shops. I counted at least 6 different tempting Gelato shops in this town!! Matera is the third continuously inhabited town in the world. For centuries its people have lived in Sassi, houses carved in and from the rock face! It s not the easiest place to reach which is why it has managed to remain relatively unknown, especially to foreign tourists.
We are staying in the amazing Albergo Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita. This remarkable hotel is carved out of the ancient caves of Matera. Simply living in this unique hotel is an experience in itself. It is very dramatic and very comfortable. Saturday, May 26 Such an exciting day to day as we venture into this town and learn of its roots and enthralling history. I know that you will be as intrigued as Marilisa and I. Remember you will need good comfortable walking shoes for this tour. Sunday, May 27 Our drive today will return us to the Adriatic coast by way of Putignana, a town made famous by its carnival, one of the most famous in Italy. The town is famous for its ceramics and is certainly the place to buy unique souvenirs. For the final four nights we will be staying at a Masseria, a traditional fortified farm typical of Puglia. Masseria have been in operation since1500. The Masseria Il Frontoio is now a unique hotel located in the countryside near Ostuni and surrounded by the gorgeous landscapes of thousand-year-old olive trees. The family waits to give you a true Puglian welcome and to share with you their customs, culture and a balance of the ancient and modern. This Masseria is that corner of Italy you have always dreamed of experiencing. All the rooms tell the stories of a past marked by the seasons and the sea. You will love the details and the comfort of the rooms, and this is just the beginning. We will tour the Masseria, relax in the pool and enjoy our surroundings before a delicious sunset dinner.
Monday, May 28 After a lazy and relaxed breakfast in our delightful surroundings join the group on a visit to the White town of Ostuni. The town is proud of its miracles. All will be revealed in its charming gothic Cathedral. This will be a relaxed time exploring the boutiques and souvenir shops selling local olive oil, Salentino sandals and much more. The most fun is to dive down that narrow side street and get lost and found as did the ancient invaders. Enjoy a delightful, shaded, lunch as the Adriatic Sea laps against the rocks at the Borgo Egniaza. This evening we visit the town of Alberabello so that we may experience the picturesque UNESCOprotected World Heritage Site of Trulli. Here you will see the unique Trulli houses with their conical shaped roofs. The Trulli houses are built in a maze of narrow streets. Since we had our main meal at lunch at Borgo Egniaza we will direct you to local restaurants or street vendors where you can buy the dinner that suits your taste. Tuesday, May 29 For those who wish, this morning is our opportunity to learn the secrets of making the Orecchiette pasta, the typical Pugliese meal. After a splendid lunch you may wish to spend this afternoon taking it easy at the Masseria or to spend more time exploring the area. Dinner at Polignano a Mare - a favourite, romantic restaurant overlooking the sea and the perfect setting for a memorable dinner.
Wednesday, May 30 Today we set out to explore the phenomenal limestone Grotte di Castellana. These caves are famous for their beautiful unusually coloured stalagmites. You will be supplied with a warm coat to wear but once again have good walking shoes for this visit as the path is uneven. Return to the Masseria for our final dinner a very special celebration. Thursday, May 31 Sadly, this morning we make tracks for Brindisi Airport for the 11.15 flight to Rome. Your choice as to how to pass the day. We can arrange for you to spend the night at the elegant QC Termaroma Spa and resort at Fiumicino approx $250.00 per night. Friday, June 1 Fly back to DFW on the 9.15am flight. ALTERNATIVELY, please let us know if you wish to visit another part of Italy. We are here to help you. Prices include all lodging, breakfast and dinner, except where noted. Plus all Entrances and Guide fees Double Occupancy $6090.00 per person Single Room Supplement $907.00 per person