Puglia & Basilicata

Your holiday begins with a flight to Bari in the region of Puglia in southern Italy. From here we’ll drive you to the 4-star hotel near the small town of Alberobello. Surrounded by rolling hills, fruit trees and olive groves, it’s the ideal base from which to explore the regions of Puglia and Basilicata. The hotel boasts a lovely spa, beautiful gardens, and an outdoor swimming pool, and you can use these facilities at your leisure in between your sightseeing. This evening we’ll meet up and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Today we'll visit a Masseria, a fortified farmhouse set in a beautiful countryside estate. Here we'll get a chance to experience a real flavour of the food grown and produced in the Apulian region. The visit will include a chance to watch one of the owners demonstrating how to make orecchiette pasta, whose shape is typical of the area. Then the highlight of the visit will be a lunch of typical regional food accompanied by wine and limoncello. Look forward to tasting hot bread and focaccia, traditional appetisers, local meats and cheeses, delicious pasta and more.

You have a full day of exploration to look forward to today on a trip to the UNESCO-listed town of Matera in the region of Basilicata. Here, your Local Guide will tell you all about the Sassi houses you'll see – incredible dwellings built on natural caves and carved into the hillsides. The houses cover a large area and were inhabited from prehistoric times right up until the 1950s. Impoverished residents were then forced to leave the decaying district due to poor sanitation and disease. People returned in the 1980s, injecting new life into the Sassi houses, and as one of Basilicata's most famous sites, they offer a fascinating window to the past.

During a break in sightseeing your Holiday Director and Local Guide will be able to point you in the right direction if you fancy a spot of lunch.

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, where you’ll find a selection of restaurants and cafés for a leisurely lunch or refreshing drink.

Another alternative is an optional excursion to the pretty hilltop town of Ostuni. The best way to explore is by taking a stroll along the maze of narrow streets lined with white-washed houses. You can stay with your Holiday Director or head off by yourself, it’s entirely up to you. At the highest part of the town, there’s an imposing Gothic cathedral, it’s a hilly climb but worth the effort as the views from up here are sensational. There's also the chance 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.

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 and golden sandstone buildings. In the city’s main square, Piazza Sant’Oronzo, you’ll stumble across a sunken Roman amphitheatre that was discovered in 1901 and excavated in the 1930s. Another impressive highlight is the Church of Santa Croce, a masterpiece of Baroque design with an ornate façade adorned with intricately carved statues. You’ll have some free time after the tour to do as you please in Lecce, perhaps head to a restaurant and enjoy a bite to eat or continue the sightseeing and discover more of the city’s beauty.

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 sitting right next to the sea. 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. To this day, nobody knows why the castle was built as there is no town nearby for it to defend.

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 white-washed cylindrical buildings with conical grey roofs can be seen in large numbers. Our first stop is in nearby Alberobello, home to more than 1,500 of these dwellings. Dating back to the 14th century, they are often decorated with painted symbols on their roofs, thought to ward off evil spirits. Next, in the quiet village of Locorotondo, you'll be able to look out and see Trulli houses dotted across the countryside.

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 and the beautiful Ducal palace is worth a visit.
During today’s tour, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, and enjoy a gelato or bite to eat if you wish.

After a memorable week in southern Italy, it’s time to head home. We’ll make sure you’re back at the airport in good time for your flight to the UK.