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Escorted Private Puglia & Matera Tour

Come see the 'Heel of Italy' and experience la dolce vita on this exclusive Ladies Only guided tour to Matera and Puglia.

Escorted by Melitta Hannon.

PRIVATE PUGLIA - LADIES ONLY

Departure: May 4, 2024 LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

8 nights Roundtrip Bari, Italy 

Land Only Rates: CA $3,599 per person | Solo Traveller CA $4,259

 

A journey through the enchanting heel of Italy

Take a journey through Puglia, the enchanting heel of Italy with Melitta and your expert local guide. Known for whitewashed hill towns, fine cuisine, and a sweeping Mediterranean coastline, is Italy's best-kept secret. With a focus on art, architecture, traditions and local cuisine, this trip explores the highlights of the region. 

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- 8 nights 3 & 4-star hotels, en suite

- Guided tour of baroque Lecce & its crystal-clear sea in Salento

- 2 nights at a 'Trulli' house in Alberobello

- Visit the unique UNESCO town of Matera

- All breakfasts, 1 lunch/cookery class, 1 wine tasting included

- Guided trip with an expert leader

 

Notes on this trip: this trip is rated Activity Level 1 (Leisurely).  

This is a busy week in which you enjoy real Italian hospitality and sightsee on foot in the best towns and areas of Puglia. All transfers are by private air-conditioned vehicle. Some walking is necessary to reach hotels and restaurants when vehicles cannot pass closer. 

 

This trip includes one optional coastal walk of approximately 4mi (6km). Although the distances covered during the sightseeing are not too long, the days can feel busy and you will be climbing a lot of steps, sometimes uneven, in Matera and Ostuni while sightseeing.  Overall, this trip is suitable for everyone who is fit, healthy, and comfortable with busy days on their feet.  

 

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Matera

May 4, 2024 - Tour Begins
Accommodation: Hotel Sassi


Our tour starts in Matera, one of the most unusual and memorable tourist destinations in Italy, home to extensive cave-dwelling districts, known as the Sassi District. Our hotel is in the heart of the district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and offers a terrace with panoramic views across town. After checking in, we enjoy a first glimpse of the enchanting alleys and unique architecture of Matera.

Day 2: Matera

May 5, 2024
Accommodation: Hotel Sassi | Meals: Breakfast


We start our week with a full day in one of the most interesting, distinctive, and memorable tourist destinations in Italy: Matera. On a hill, overlooking an impressive canyon in the neighbouring region of Basilicata, Matera has only recently gained the deserved spotlight. In 1993, the town was made a UNESCO World Heritage site for being the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean, all carved in bare limestone. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, we walk through the cave-dwelling districts and learn about the history of this fascinating place. In the afternoon, we can discover the city at our own pace and perhaps visit the rupestrian churches.

Day 3: Alberobello

May 6, 2024
Accommodation: Trulli Holiday or Trulli e Puglia | Meals: Breakfast
Wine Tasting Experience

In the morning, we take a private transfer to Alberobello, stopping en route at the village of Polignano a Mare, which is on the edge of a craggy ravine. We stroll along the whitewashed streets and enjoy superb views of the Adriatic Sea and coastline from a panoramic terrace. Later, we transfer to Alberobello, a town home to dry-stone dwellings called trulli. We enjoy wine tasting at a local winery before dinner, and stay overnight in traditional trulli.

Day 4: Alberobello

May 7, 2024
Accommodation: Trulli Holiday or Trulli e Puglia | Meals: Breakfast


Today is free to choose among several local activities. You may choose to take a day trip to the scenic port town of Monopoli or visit the Castellana Caves, the most important and biggest cave system in Italy. At the entrance of the Itria Valley, these caves began to form about 90m years ago. There is a tour that takes you more than 200ft (60m) deep and allows you to see stalactites, stalagmites, concretions, incredible shapes, fossils and canyons. These tours are optional or you can choose to stay in Alberobello to enjoy some shopping time or just relax at a café.

Day 5: Ostuni

May 8, 2024
Accommodation: Hotel La Terra, Ostuni Palace (or similar) | Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Olive Oil Tasting Experience + A Cooking Class with Lunch

In the morning, we take a private transfer to the white city of Ostuni. On the way, we visit an ancient masseria (traditional Apulian farm) where we enjoy an olive oil tasting. For lunch, we visit another typical masseria surrounded by olive trees, some of which are more than 1,000 years old, reaching it by a 1.2mi (2km) walk along a scenic lane. Here, we take part in a cooking class followed by a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we transfer 4mi (6km) to Ostuni, where there will be free time to visit the city.

Day 6: Lecce

May 9, 2024
Accommodation: Eos Hotel | Meals: Breakfast


Today we transfer to pretty Otranto, the easternmost town in Italy. We spend the day exploring the pretty architecture, views, sea-front restaurants and white sandy beaches of the medieval centre. We also visit the Romanesque cathedral, dating to 1088 and with extensive 12th-century floor mosaics. After lunch, we can join our tour leader for an optional gentle coastal walk following the Salento coves and creeks (approximately two hours walking, 4mi/6km). Those who prefer not to take part can explore the town at their own pace, or perhaps relax on one of the Otranto beaches (seasonal), renowned for their clear water. In the late afternoon, we transfer to Lecce where we stay overnight.

Day 7: Lecce

May 10, 2024
Accommodation: Eos Hotel | Meals: Breakfast


In the morning, we enjoy a guided visit to Lecce, arguably one of the most distinctive baroque cities in Europe. Most of the buildings here are constructed in local soft stone, with pretty decorations and cherubs covering façades and doorways. During our walking tour, we have time to admire several architectural gems, including the best baroque monument in town: The Basilica di Santa Croce, ornamented with strange beasts and allegories. Lecce is also known for producing papier-mâché products and you have the option to visit a local laboratory at the end of the tour. The rest of the day is free to enjoy shopping opportunities or visit other well-known monuments such as the Roman Amphitheatre.

Day 8: Lecce

May 11, 2024
Accommodation: Eos Hotel | Meals: Breakfast


Free day in Lecce to explore on your own or shop to your hearts content.

Day 9: Lecce - Bari

May 12, 2024 - Tour Ends
Meals: Breakfast


Today after breakfast, you have a single group transfer by bus to Bari airport.

Contact Melitta or Paola for More Details

Terms & Conditions

Fares are land only, based on twin occupancy, and in Canadian Dollars. A deposit of $500 per person is required to secure your booking. Flights and insurance are not included and will be priced separately depending on the departure city. Other terms and conditions may apply, please contact Melitta or Paola for full details and availability.

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