Classic Tour of Apulia

From April to October

Seven days dedicated to the beauty and traditions of Apulia, a fascinating region thanks to its countryside and artistic and cultural heritage.
You will discover the protected nature reserve Foresta Umbra and Monte Sant'Angelo with its beautiful historic centre. You will also have the opportunity to explore Castel del Monte, UNESCO world heritage and symbol of the Apulian Romanesque architecture. Other stops include picturesque hilltop towns such as Martina Franca and Ostuni, the so-called white town, but also seaside resorts such as Otranto, Gallipoli and Bari. You will be impressed by the cute stone huts (trulli) in Alberobello and see so many other beautiful places full of culture and history. Another important part of the Apulian culture you will explore is the region's excellent food: local sweets, wine, olive oil and dairy products.
From historic towns to quaint villages, from the sea to the hills, from architecture to nature, Apulia shows you the authentic and real Italy, including some new culinary experiences!

Program

8 Days - 7 Nights

1st day

• Arrival at the airport of Bari or Brindisi and transfer to hotel in area Gargano
• Welcome cocktail
• Accommodation, dinner and overnight stay

2nd day: Vieste - Forestra Umbra (Gargano National Park) – Monte Sant’Angelo

• Breakfast in hotel
• Vieste: Visit of the „queen of Gargano“ with walk through the medieval center characterized by its corners, stairs and it’s view on the sea
• Forestra Umbra: natural excursions with short stop for visiting the park. Tasting of the typical local type of biscuits (“ostie ripiene”)
• Monte Sant’Angelo: We will take you to discover Monte Sant’Angelo and its thousand secrets linked to a thousand-year history. The tour begins with a visit to Monte Sant’Angelo and its characteristic Basilica of San Michele (UNESCO heritage). The Basilica of Monte Sant’Angelo located in a cave which hides incredible secrets. We will visit together the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Maggiore admiring its Byzantine frescoes, counted among the oldest in the entire region and the Sanctuary dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel built on the natural cave (UNESCO World HeritageSite since 2011): it is the Oldest sanctuary dedicated to the Archangel in all Western Europe
• Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay

3rd day: Castel del Monte – Bari

• Breakfast in hotel
• Castel del Monte: Visit the mysterious architectures built by Frederic II, absolute symbol of the Apulian Romanesque and at the same time UNESCO world heritage. Wine tasting in cantina.
• Bari: Visit of the Old Town with the church of San Nicola
• Accommodation in hotel in central Apulia, dinner and overnight stay

4th day: Lecce – Ostuni

• Breakfast in hotel
• Lecce: Guided tour of the famous baroque of Salent with a stop at the dome square with the Basilica of Santa Croce. Oil tasting
• Ostuni: Guided tour of the Old Town of the „white town“, called like that because of the white colour of the houses in the historical nucleus – authentic example of Mediterranean architecture
• Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay

5th day: Otranto – Leuca – Gallipoli

• Breakfast in hotel
• Otranto: Guided tour of the cathedral with walk through the Old Town
• Santa Maria di Leuca: surrounded by 2 sea; visit of the church of pilgrimage “de Finibus Terrae” and the most representative monuments of the area, which are situated between villas and oriental style
• Gallipoli: Visit of the Old Town of „città bella“, which is situated on a small island, and stop at the mother church, one of the most beautiful baroque cathedrals of Apulia
• Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay

6th day: Castellana Caves – Alberobello – Martina Franca

• Breakfast in hotel
• Castellana: Visit the famous karst caves
• Alberobello: Visit of the fabulous Trulli-Town. Walk through the characteristic constructions. Break in Masseria with a tasting of 4 different types of wine, followed by a cooking demonstration and tasting of dairy products
• Martina Franca: Visit of the characteristic Old Town, fantastic example of the late baroque period with its small streets and its white houses
• Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay

7th day: Matera – Altamura

• Breakfast in hotel
• Matera: Visit the rock constructions, UNESCO-Word heritage, with its Romanic churches
• Altamura: Famous for its D.O.P bread. Visit of the Old Town, which is famous for its 200 “cloisters”, or rather suggestive courtyards. Stop at the cathedral – unique church of Apulia, which was constructed by explicit request of Frederic II. It is characterized by baroque constructions of the 7th century
• Return to the hotel, dinner in Masseria and overnight stay

8th day: Departure

• Breakfast in hotel
• Departure for Bari or Brindisi