Puglia & Basilicata

Itineraries

• Day 1 UK/Bari
• Depart on your scheduled flight to Bari today. On arrival, we will transfer you to the 4-star Hotel la Chiusa di Chietri near Alberobello. This is the ideal base from which to explore the regions of Puglia and Basilicata. It also boasts wonderful features including a lovely spa, beautiful gardens and an outdoor swimming pool. Between your sightseeing you can use these facilities at your leisure.
• Day 2 Alberobello
• Today you'll visit a masseria, or fortified farm, to try out the delicacies that make up the Apulian diet, from cheese and wine to olive oil and bread. Many of the ingredients that appear in your light lunch will have been grown or produced right here, giving you a truly authentic flavour of the region. After this we're going to head back to the hotel and you can spend the afternoon just as you wish. Maybe you'll choose to simply relax by the pool.
• Day 3 Matera
• You've a full day of exploration to look forward to today on a trip to the UNESCO-listed town of Matera. Here, your Local Guide will tell you all about the 'Sassi' houses you'll see incredible cave dwellings carved into the hillsides. They were inhabited right up until the 1950s and as one of Basilicata's most famous sites, they offer a fascinating window on the past. During a break in sightseeing your Tour Manager and Local Guide will be able to point you in the right direction if you fancy a spot of lunch.
• Day 4 Ostuni
• How you spend today is entirely up to you. If relaxation is on your agenda, why not laze by your hotel's pool, or book yourself into the spa for a treatment or two. If you want to explore at your own pace, there's a shuttle service into Alberobello. Another alternative is an optional excursion to the pretty town of Ostuni. With your Tour Manager take a stroll along its maze of narrow streets, lined with whitewashed houses which sit beneath an imposing Gothic cathedral. There's also the chance today to sample the olive oil that is produced in this region in an abundance of olive groves. Some of the trees here are hundreds of years old.
• Day 5 Trani & Castel del Monte
• You have a choice to make today. You can spend more time enjoying the facilities at your hotel or maybe head into Alberobello for more sightseeing. If you would like to see more of the region, an alternative is an optional day of exploration in the coastal town of Trani in the north of Puglia. Here you'll see fishermen at work in the busy harbour and have the chance to admire the simplicity of its 11th century cathedral. In complete contrast is the grand Castel del Monte, which you'll also visit. This gleaming castle is made from pale stone and can be seen from miles around. As you stand at its base, cast your eyes upwards and take in this octagonal masterpiece which was built in the 13th century by Emperor Frederick II. 
• Day 6 Lecce
• After breakfast we'll head off to explore the attractive city of Lecce. Together with your knowledgeable Local Guide you'll uncover a new treasure around every corner as you stroll along streets lined with extravagant Baroque architecture. A couple of real highlights to keep an eye out for are the ancient Roman amphitheatre and the Church of Santa Croce. Spend some time looking closely at its ornate faade, which is adorned with intricately carved statues.
• Day 7 Alberobello, Locorotondo & Martina Franca
• You're going to see Puglia's unique and quirky-looking Trulli houses on an included day out. As we drive into the Valley of Itria, these whitewashed cylindrical buildings with conical grey roofs can be seen in large numbers. Our first stop is Alberobello, where you'll see the Trulli are decorated with painted symbols on their roofs. Then, in Locorotondo you'll see the buildings are arranged in a circular pattern. Finally, we reach Martina Franca, in the heart of the valley, where Moorish influences have created a town of medieval palaces and churches. The houses here are adorned with wrought-iron balconies which might put you more in mind of Andalucia in Spain than Italy.
• Day 8 Bari/UK
• Today you will transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.