Puglia Highlights Five days visiting all the highlights of Puglia; experience the best of this fascnating region Highlights Alberobello trulli conical houses Matera the cave town Locorotondo voted one of Italy s most beautiful villages Polignano a Mare perched above the Adriatic Ostuni known as the white town Lecce stunning baroque buildings A five day discovery of Puglia This five day package allows you to see the best of Puglia. From your base in the beautiful Valle d Itria you will be driven to see trulli in Alberobello, the famous baroque centre of Lecce, the whitewashed hill town of Ostuni. You will visit the town of Polignano a Mare, perced over the Adriatic. You will visit the fascinating town of Matera, with houses carved into the rock wall and cave churches covered with Byzantine frescoes. We organise the itinerary, accommodation, a driver to take you to all the destinations, and guided visits in Matera and Lecce. We provide detailed information on Puglia and the places that you visit. We also we provide on-call local support both before and during the trip. Puglia Highlights Price: 1290 per person *based on twin share, price is denominated in Euros ( ), exludes July/August * deposit is fully refundable (up until 45 days prior to start date) Martina Franca noble palaces Small Group Tours of Italy Puglia Amalfi Sicily
Puglia Highlights Five days visiting all the highlights of Puglia; experience the best of this fascnating region Accommodation During these days you stay in the Valle d Itria, the area famous for trulli houses. This area is dotted with charming towns such as Locorotondo and Martina Franca. The historic centres of these towns are lined with elegant baroque palaces of the noble families, evocative lanes amongst the whitewashed buildings, and piazzas with the traditional passeggiata in full swing each evening. You stay in what is known as a scattered hotel, this is a new concept that is becoming very popular in some Italian historical centres. With a central reception (& free wifi, rooms serviced daily, etc.), the rooms are in beautiful 18th century palazzi. The rooms are tastefully presented, spacious, with high vaulted ceilings and the ubiquitous limestone paving adding to the sense of history. For this week, you live amongst it. Staying in the historic centre of town also aligns with our responsible tourism charter, being supportive of local and historic initiatives. Here you can feel immersed in the local lifestyle, and it is easy to wander out in the evening for dinner and gelati. By the end of the week, you ll be greeting your neighbours with a buongiorno every morning!
Puglia Highlights Itinerary Day 1 Buongiorno Puglia! You will be picked up in Bari from your arrival point. Our driver will take you to the Valle d Itria, the area famous for trulli houses, where you stay for the next four nights. This area is dotted with charming towns such as Locorotondo and Martina Franca. The historic centres of these towns are lined with elegant baroque palaces of the noble families, evocative lanes amongst the whitewashed buildings, and piazzas with the traditional passeggiata in full swing each evening. Over the next few days you'll have plenty of time to explore the town at your own pace. Baroque details Day 2 Alberobello and Polignano A Mare You will be picked up and driven to your first stop, Alberobello. The picturesque Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a unique town with streets lined with 'trulli'. In fact it is known in Italy as the Capital of trulli. Trulli are small stone houses with a distinctive conical roof, built 300-400 years ago. You will be fascinated by the magical and fairytale atmosphere of this place. Lanes in the historic centre Your driver will then take you to the town of Polignano a Mare. Polignano a Mare is an impressive town clinging to a promontory suspended above the Adriatic s turquoise waters. Alberobello With a history spanning back to the 4th century BC as a Greek settlement, Polignano a Mare is a charming town centred around the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. The town was on the ancient Roman Trajan s Way, and you can still see the remains of this route. Polignano a Mare encircles a pebble beach, nestled in a cove between rocky cliffs. The beach is suitable for swimming. Polignano a Mare
Day 3 Lecce and Ostuni You will be picked up and driven to Lecce. Lecce is a city that flourished in the 17th century when extravagant and elegant baroque buildings were built by the ruling classes. The baroque style features ornate decorations covering the facades of churches and palaces. Santa Croce, Lecce In Lecce you will meet a local expert guide to have the key sights explained during your private two hour walking tour. The baroque style here is distinct from that in other parts of Italy, both stylistically and in the use of the beige coloured local stone. As well as the architectural and historical features, Lecce is an elegant town in which to indulge in more modern pleasures. There are many interesting boutiques and cafes, and the piazzas are full of life in this important southern Italian centre. Church interior, Lecce Your driver will then take you to the town of Ostuni, known as la città bianca (the white town). Ostuni is a cluster of whitewashed buildings perched on a hilltop overlooking the coast. Walking through the narrow streets of Ostuni is like being in a forgotten time, evocative and ancient, looking out over an expanse of olive trees. We advise keeping your camera at the ready! A courtyard in Lecce Ostuni
Day 4 Matera You will be picked up and driven to the town of Matera in the neighbouring Basilicata region. Visiting Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is like a step back in time. In fact this is one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in the world. The oldest cave dwellings go back to the Bronze Age. In Matera you will meet a local expert guide to have the key sights explained during your private two hour walking tour. The town consists of houses carved out of the rock face along the side of a steep ravine. Church, Matera Visit the 'sassi' cave area, and enter one of the typical houses built into the rock, showing the difficult existence in these conditions. Also visit a cave church hewn out of the rock, featuring Byzantine frescoes and with interesting histories as their usage has evolved and adapted to the conditions over the years. Inside a frescoed church, Matera Matera was used for the filming of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ - you'll see why it is so easy to imagine Matera as being completely removed from the modern age. Touring Matera Day 5 Arrivederci Puglia Today is your last day in Puglia, we organise private transfers for you to your departure point in Bari and bid you buon viaggio.