Jan
min : 5°C
max : 12°C
We Love —
- Enjoy this enchanting Italian region, offering amazing landscapes, great culinary traditions and unique architecture - this is Italy as it should be, rustic & real.
- You will visit the greatest landmarks of the region such as ancient Greek city Gallipoli, the famous trulli houses of Alberobello, and beautiful Lecce.
- Stay in comfortable 4* hotels along the way, with breakfast included.
Your Destinations —
But with 400 km of secluded coastline, whitewashed hill-top towns, olive groves and vineyards, Puglia still has plenty to boast about. On this tour, you will discover its UNESCO-listed architecture, rustic, flavourful food and sun-scorched landscapes and beaches, with the help of a knowledgeable tour guide all the way.
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Day 1: UK - Naples, Italy
Day 2: Naples – Castel Del Monte – Bari
Day 3: Bari – Castellana Grotte – Alberobello – Lecce
Day 4: Lecce
Day 5: Lecce – Manduria – Ostuni – Fasano
Day 6: Fasano
Day 7: Fasano - Naples
Day 8: Naples - UK
Your Itinerary —
Fly to Naples where you will be met by the representative and transferred to your hotel.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring Naples, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Day 2: Naples – Castel Del Monte – Bari (breakfast)
Guided sightseeing this morning gives you an introduction to the eventful history of this city and its traditions. Later, depart Naples and travel into Apulia, the legendary “boot” of Italy. Stop at CASTEL DEL MONTE, built in the 13th century by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and renowned for its unique octagonal towers, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the Adriatic coastline for an orientation of the beautiful port city of Bari.
Head to Castellana Grotte to visit the area’s famous limestone caves. This impressive system is a wonderland of captivating stalactites, stalagmites, and crystallized mineral deposits. Next stop is Alberobello, renowned for its distinct conical-roofed Trulli houses. Follow the coastline to lovely Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” and marvel at its opulent baroque buildings from the 1600s.
Spend some time on your own this morning to explore Lecce’s baroque city centre. Then, travel to Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost tip of Apulia, where you'll discover oriental art nouveau villas and beach huts from the early 20th century. On to Gallipoli, an ancient Greek city built on an island in the Ionian Sea. Enjoy the Old Town with its quaint ambience, winding streets, and inviting squares. Discover Frantoio Ipogeo, an underground olive press buried in the tufa rock. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, workers pressed Gallipoli’s olive oil, which was stored in cisterns beneath the Old Town and used to light the city’s oil lamps. Return to Lecce in the late afternoon.
Start the day visiting Lecce, the city with a total Baroque look. On to Manduria, situated in the wine-growing region, where you’ll visit a wine cellar and get to taste some of the typical Primitivo. Next stop is Ostuni, only 42 miles from actual Greece, but characterised by its flat-roofed, white, Greek-looking town centre. Overnight in Fasano, a peaceful town surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, not far from the Adriatic Sea.
Today is free to do as you like. Maybe join the optional excursion to Matera and Altamura. The impressive “rock city” of Matera is home to the prehistoric Sassi cave dwellings, while a guided tour reveals the amazing stone-clad city of Altamura, with free time afterwards to stroll through the Old Town on your own.
Day 7: Fasano - Naples (breakfast & lunch)
Puglia is famous for its olive trees, and this morning you’ll visit a traditional olive mill to taste some genuine olive oil, enjoy a light lunch, and stroll around the groves. Later, travel back to Naples for a chance to treat yourself to a real espresso coffee shot or the most authentic pizza.
Day 8: Naples - UK (breakfast)
The holiday ends with breakfast this morning. Transfer to the airport for flight to UK.
Your Hotels —
Our members will stay at the following accommodation with this offer.
Bari - Nicolaus 4*
Lecce - Grand Hotel Tiziano 4*
Fasano - Sierra Silvana 4*
2 Adults
Your Journey —
Flights: Included with British Airways or EasyJet
Outbound:
Depart: London Gatwick at 6.20
Arrive: Naples at 10.10
or
Depart: London Gatwick at 6.25
Arrive: Naples at 10.00
Inbound:
Depart: Naples at 10.35
Arrive: London Gatwick at 12.25
or
Depart: Naples at 11.00
Arrive: London Gatewick at 12.50
All flight times are local.
Transfers: Shared transfers are included.
