BELLA PUGLIA BY RAIL Journey past whitewashed cathedrals, secluded coastal coves and olive-studded groves as you travel through Puglia, the jewel of Italy s Adriatic coast. With the seaside resort of Savelletri as your base, take in the Baroque splendour of Lecce, ancient cave dwellings of Matera and charming historic centres of Trani and Polignano a Mare as you explore Italy s sunny south. This document aims to give you all the information that you require for a smooth and comfortable trip to Italy. Please take the time to read this dossier to familiarise yourself with all the aspects of our tour. It includes important information such as flight details, visa requirements and travel insurance. Your included meal guide: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner DAY 1: UK to Savelletri D Depart London on your scheduled flight to Bari. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in nearby Savelletri, which will serve as the base for your exploration of Puglia and the glittering Adriatic coast. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in this lively seaside resort before re-joining your group for tonight s welcome dinner. DAY 2: Savelletri to Trani B After breakfast, board your train bound for Trani, a port town that charms visitors with its apricot-coloured buildings and atmospheric fishing harbour. This morning s half-day walking tour takes you along cobbled streets to the Trani Cathedral, nestled on the water s edge and commanding spectacular sea views. Stroll onward to the Monastery of Santa Maria di Colonna. Admire its attractive interior then enjoy time at leisure to explore the town before a picturesque train journey carries you back to Savelletri. DAY 3: Savelletri B Today is at leisure, giving you time to explore Savelletri and its surrounds at your own pace. Why not wander through the town centre, past women preparing fresh pasta, or take in the ruins of nearby Egnazia and its archaeological museum. Alternatively, take an optional excursion (at a fee) to the city of Ostuni and explore its whitewashed old town. DAY 4: Savelletri to Polignano a Mare and Locorotondo B Today s full-day tour starts with a visit to the town of Polignano a Mare where elegant, old buildings perch on limestone cliffs overlooking the emerald waters of the Adriatic. Walk along seaside paths to the port, taking in the historic landmarks of the old town and the dramatic Benedictine church of Abbazia di San Vito. In the afternoon, travel inland to Locorotondo and Alberobello to visit the unique trulli houses of the region, famed for their conical roofs. Return to Savelletri in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure. DAY 5: Savelletri to Matera B Explore one of Puglia s most fascinating sites as you journey to Matera and its UNESCO-listed historical centre, Sassi. Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and today s walking tour takes you past ancient dwellings which are little more than caverns dug into the rocky slopes. Walk amongst ruins, visiting the 14 th century Matera Cathedral and the fresco-covered cave church of Cripta del Peccato Originale before returning to your hotel. DAY 6: Savelletri to Lecce B A scenic train ride through the Italian countryside takes you to the city of Lecce, nicknamed the Florence of the South for its wealth of grand Baroque architecture. Embark on a half-day walking tour through the delightful historic centre, stopping to visit its most notable structures - Basilica di Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo and Duomo di Lecce. A leisurely train ride carries you back to Savelletri for the afternoon. DAY 7: Savelletri B/D Enjoy a day at leisure to relax or take in the last sights of the area before tonight s farewell dinner. DAY 8: Savelletri to the UK B After breakfast, transfer to Bari Airport for your return flight to the UK or continue on to your chosen extension. 1
BELLA PUGLIA BY RAIL TOUR DOSSIER ACCOMMODATION DETAILS & MAP Hotel information Savelletri (7 nights) Address: Via della Scogliera, 1-72010 Savelletri di Fasano, Brindisi Contact number: 0039 080 482 9006 Accommodation All accommodation features an en suite bathroom, air-conditioning and TV. Mercury Holidays has visited and inspected all of the accommodation to ensure that they meet the high standards of service which we require for our clients. Mercury Holidays has visited and inspected all hotels to ensure that they meet the high standards of service which we require for our clients. If the hotels detailed are not available, alternatives will be used of a similar standard. Final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent in a document, along 1 Number of nights Matera Trani Italy Polignano a Mare Locorotondo 7 Savelletri Adriatic Sea Meals Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch and dinner where applicable will be taken in local Italian restaurants or your hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. Rail Coach Lecce ON YOUR ARRIVAL On your arrival in Bari you will be met by a representative from our local agent in Bari, Little Italy Tours, holding a sign displaying: Mercury Holidays. The Mercury Holidays/ Little Italy Tours representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any queries. However, if you need to contact Little Italy Tours during your stay the details are: Little Italy Tours Piazza Municipio, 9 Terracina (LT) 04019, Italy, P.I. 02305120590 Contact number: 0039 0773 700062 Emergency contact information Little Italy Tours - Mr. Cristian Amuro Mobile Number: 0039 3382973972 WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR Visas A visa is not required for your trip to Italy. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity. Insurance We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote WK830 for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking. Health and Vaccinations It is your responsibility to check any health & vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in sufficient time before your departure. Sources of information include: www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa. org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic. Physical Accessibility This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves climbing of steep stairs and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties. Tour Guides This is an escorted tour, meaning you will have the services of an English-speaking guide during each excursion and transfer ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. Tipping Tipping is completely at your discretion. Tips are accepted in the local currency; however, it is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency that you only pay with notes, as coins cannot be exchanged. Group Size The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 15 and the maximum will be 40. In the unlikely event there are fewer than 15 passengers booked on your tour date, you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable. Currency Exchange The currency in Italy is the Euro ( ). We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any meals where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, drinks and snacks. Approximately 300-400 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour. Please also bear in mind that there will be several shopping opportunities throughout your tour. Credit Card Information As normal practice you will be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card you may be asked for a cash deposit. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels. Itinerary Changes The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the travelling times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions. 2
BELLA PUGLIA BY RAIL TOUR DOSSIER WHAT TO PACK Sunscreen, insect repellent and hat Waterproof lightweight jacket Sunglasses Ruck sack or light bag per person Comfortable walking shoes Lightweight clothing (jeans are not recommended) Sweater Swimwear Camera and charger A plug adaptor - the electricity supply is 230V. You will need a two pin round plug adaptor in Italy Lightweight/travel towel Binoculars Personal toiletries Personal first aid kit containing travel pills, rehydration powder, plasters, stomach settlers, antiseptic creams, aspirin etc Your initial flight is to Bari Airport with British Airways (BA), departing from London Gatwick South Terminal. IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. Baggage Allowance Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage plus 1 item of hand luggage not exceeding in size and 1 personal item such as a handbag, briefcase or laptop case. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your e-ticket receipt. Should you wish to take additional luggage, you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. Airport Extras If you wish to arrange airport car parking, lounges or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313. WEATHER AND CLIMATE Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below. Average temperature: Savelletri 3
ROME CITY STAY EXTENSION If you have not yet booked this fabulous extension, there is still time to do so. Please contact 0843 224 0723 Wander into the Colosseum and enter the Vatican City to gaze up at Michelangelo s intricate frescoes that adorn the Sistine Chapel s ceiling. Enjoy the outdoor cafes that fill picturesque piazzas and sample the delights of Roman cuisine as you experience Italy s magnificent capital. This document aims to give you all the information which you will require during your extension to Rome. Hotel (3 nights) Your stay in Rome will take place at the following hotel: 4H Ludovisi Palace Hotel on Bed & Breakfast. Situated in an elegant, old building in the upscale Via Veneto area, this hotel is well-located for exploring Rome with the gardens of Villa Borghese, shops of Via Condotti and bars of Via Veneto within easy reach. Rooms are air-conditioned/ heated and feature en suite facilities, hairdryer, bathrobe and slippers, telephone, minibar, safe, Wi-Fi connections and tea-making facilities. Hotel Information Address: Via Ludovisi, 43, 00187 Roma RM, Italy Contact number: 0039 06 4202 0396 Any alternative hotels or board basis will have been confirmed at booking. Please speak to our reservations department if you are unsure. Please note: the hotels listed are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent in a document, along Tour guides Your stay in Rome is not escorted by a tour guide. All internal transfers are included; please note that your transfers and train journey from Bari to Rome are not escorted by a guide. You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, and any additional meals, snacks or drinks you may wish to have. Please note This extension in Rome will take place at the end of your main tour. Average temperature: Rome 4H Ludovisi Palace Hotel Please note: Final hotel and flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. 4
SAVELLETRI BEACH STAY EXTENSION If you have not yet booked this fabulous extension, there is still time to do so. Please contact 0843 224 0723 Complete your stay with extra time in the fishing port of coastal Savelleteri. Explore tranquil beaches and archaeological sites or go further afield on day trips to nearby Pugliese towns. This document aims to give you all the information which you will require during your extension in Savelletri. Hotel (3 nights) Your stay in Savelletri will take place at the following hotels: on Bed & Breakfast (2 dinners included). Set on Savelletri s main promenade, the Hotel La Sorgente offers a range of guest facilities including a private rocky beach and an attractive swimming pool overlooking the sea. Comfortable rooms are well-equipped with en suite facilities, a TV, safe (at a fee), hairdryer and free Wi-Fi. Hotel Information Address: Via della Scogliera, 1-72010 Savelletri di Fasano, Brindisi Contact number: 0039 080 482 9006 Please note: the hotels listed are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent in a document, along You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs and laundry plus any meals and drinks that are not included. Tour Guides Your stay in Savelletri is not escorted by a tour guide. All internal transfers are included. Please note This extension takes place after your main tour. Any alternative hotels or board basis will have been confirmed at booking. Please speak to our reservations department if you are unsure. Average temperature: Savelletri Please note: Final hotel and flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. 5