PUGLIA ART TOUR
Day 1 - ARRIVAL IN BARI
Meeting at the Airport of Bari and transfer by private coach to the hotel in Bari. Free time.
Day 2 - ALBEROBELLO AND POLIGNANO A MARE
After breakfast, departure to Alberobello, in the Murge area. Free visit of this ancient village famous for the Trulli houses. The Trulli of Alberobello are the traditional white dry stones huts with corbelled roofs: in the past a shelter for the farmers of the area, now an important attraction (UNESCO Heritage) for the tourists coming from all over the world. Time at leisure.
In the afternoon (or at lunchtime) departure to Polignano a Mare.
The village of Polignano a Mare is probably one of the most photographed places in Puglia thanks to its white houses perched atop the most dramatic limestone cliffs.
Time at leisure for a walk among the atmospheric narrow streets, to go down to the small shingle beach, or simply staring at the blue of the Adriatic Sea.
Back to Bari.
Welcome dinner in a restaurant of the city center.
Overnight in Bari.
Day 3 - BARI
After breakfast, encounter with your local guide and guide visit of the city center of Bari. Bari is the capital of Puglia Region and combines seaside charm with historical appeal. The guide will make you have a walk in the hearth of Bari – “Bari Vecchia” -, and visit the stunning, white lime-stone Basilica of San Nicola: its crypt still contains the remains of St. Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of sailors, travelers, and children (he’s the “original” Santa Claus!).
Time at leisure in the afternoon.
Dinner Free.
Overnight in Bari.
Day 4 - CASTEL DEL MONTE AND TRANI
After breakfast, departure by bus to Castel Del Monte. Once arrived at the Castel del Monte, you will take a shuttle bus that takes you up to the hill where you meet the guide and visit the huge 13th–century castle “Castel del Monte”. At the end of the visit, departure to Trani: time at leisure in the small city known for its picturesque seaport and the historic cathedral of Saint Nicholas, the Cathedral on the Sea.
Dinner free.
Overnight in Bari.
Day 5 - ALTAMURA AND MATERA
After breakfast, check out hotel and departure to Matera. Stop at the medieval village of Altamura for a free walk and for a “gastronomic” visit to an Altamura bakery (tasting of the Bread of Altamura and typical products of the area). Continuation to Matera, check in at the hotel of Matera and afternoon at leisure.
Dinner free.
Overnight in Matera.
Day 6 - MATERA
Breakfast and half-day guided visit of Matera. Matera is in the Basilicata Region and it’s known as the city of Caves and Stones. Many scholars say that Matera could be one the oldest cities in the world (perhaps a inhabited settlement 9000 years old). What makes Matera spectacular is its scenery from top of the city down to the canyon, especially at sunset and in the evening.
Time at leisure in the afternoon and evening.
Dinner free.
Overnight in Matera.
*Possibility to do a half-day excursion to the CRIPTA DEL PECCATO ORIGINALE: the Crypt of the Original Sin is one of many caves in the side of a ravine that runs across the Murgia Plateau near Matera, it features beautiful wall art that has endured for over a thousand years, earning it the nickname “The Sistine Chapel of Rupestrian Art.”
Optional Excursion made by bus and with a local guide: it must be booked in advance due to a limited number of admissions.
Day 7 - OSTUNI AND LECCE
After Breakfast, departure by bus to Lecce. Along the road, stop in the area of Ostuni: there you will have a free walk in the white village of Ostuni and, then, stop in MASSERIA VALENTE (typical farmhouse of the area) where you will have tasting of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and local products.
In the afternoon, continuation to Lecce.
Check in hotel.
Dinner free.
Overnight in Lecce.
Day 8 - GALLIPOLI AND LECCE
After Breakfast, departure by bus to Gallipoli, in the Salento Peninsula.
Time at leisure in this island-like fortress that retains a southern Italian charm all its own. Colorful fishing boats dart around the old city walls, while resilient stone churches peer across a medieval bridge to the mainland port.
Back to Lecce and guided visit of Lecce old-town. Lecce is the second most populated city of Apulia Region: because of the rich Baroque architectural monuments found in the city, Lecce is commonly nicknamed “The Florence of the South”. The “Lecce stone”—a particular kind of limestone — is a straw yellow stone that makes Lecce a sort of “golden city”.
Dinner free.
Overnight in Lecce.
Day 9 - LECCE
Breakfast.
Time at Leisure in Lecce.
Dinner free.
Overnight in Lecce.
Day 10 - SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA AND OTRANTO
After Breakfast, departure to the “Tacco d’Italia”, Italy’s heel: this area is a perfect blend of picturesque Italian villages, nature reserves and fantastic regional cuisine.
During the day you will stop in two small villages close to the sea, Santa Maria di Leuca and Otranto, and will have a visit with local guides.
Back to Lecce.
Dinner free.
Overnight in Lecce.
Day 11 - BARI
After breakfast, check out hotel and departure by bus to Bari.
Time at leisure in Bari and special Farewell Dinner in a typical restaurant of the city center.
Overnight in Bari.
Day 12 - DEPARTURE
After Breakfast, check out and transfer to the Airport of Bari in time for the flight.