Overview
Operated By GoinItaly
For those who want to travel through history, GoinItaly's eight-day Discovery of Puglia small group tour offers a wide range of places that testify to the ancient origins of this land: from prehistory to Magna Graecia, from the Imperial Age to the Renaissance, and the Baroque splendor of Lecce.
Puglia is full of surprises and delights: fabulous food, historic towns, beautiful beaches, and gracious residents.
Highlights:
- Visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Alberobello, Castel del Monte,
and Matera.
- Savor the flavors of Puglian cuisine and wine.
- Admire the beautiful Baroque architecture of Lecce.
- Spend two nights in a traditional “trullo” in Alberobello.
- Tour Otranto, the “heel” of Italy, and visit a cathedral renowned for its
collection of mosaic scenes.
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Private transportation
FIVE NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION IN 4-STAR & 5-STAR HOTELS & TWO NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION IN A TRULLO
Entrance Fees to Included Attractions
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
Wine, Cheese, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil tastings
Local Guides in Alberobello, Lecce, Otranto, Galatina, and Castel del Monte
Experienced GoinItaly Driver/Tour Leader
Alcoholic drinks are not included when not stated.
Gratuities
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
We meet at 8:30 AM in the lobby of our designed meeting hotel, next to the Petruzzelli Theater.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What to expect
Day 1 Bari - Matera - Alberobello
-
Matera
8 hours
Benvenuto! Welcome to Apulia!
We depart Bari to begin our full-day journey and visit a vineyard in Basilicata wine country. The vineyard’s stunning Crypt of the Original Sin has frescoes dating back to the ninth century and we will have a short guided tour of the crypt. Afterwards, we enjoy lunch with locally-sourced food paired with wine produced at the vineyard.
Following lunch, we arrive in the heart of the incredible UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera and start our walking tour. We will explore the narrow streets that wind their way through the Sassi to discover the ancient homes and churches carved from tufa rock.
After our tour, we have a one-hour drive to Alberobello where you will spend the next two nights sleeping in a traditional “trullo”. The Trulli of Alberobello, thanks to their unique characteristics and historical significance, are one of Puglia’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Enjoy a free evening to relax or explore Alberobello at night. Your GoinItaly tour leader will recommend restaurants to savor more regional specialties and wine.
Included Meals: Lunch with Wine
Day 2 Walking Tour of Alberobello - Cooking Class
-
Alberobello
2 hours
After breakfast, we meet our expert local guide to start our in-depth walking tour of Alberobello followed by some free time to explore, shop, and enjoy lunch.
Day 3 Martina Franca - Lecce
-
Martina Franca
3 hours
Depart Alberobello for a short drive to a Masseria (dairy farm) in Martina Franca, for a cheese-class hands on, to discvoer the secret to make mozzarella & burrata. Included lunch, with wine.
-
Lecce
2 hours
After lunch, we transfer to Lecce, the artistic and cultural capital of Puglia. Upon arrival in Lecce, we settle into our centrally located hotel before meeting our expert local guide for a walking tour to discover the architecture, culture, and history of Lecce. Lecce will be our base for the next three nights.
Day 4 Otranto - Lecce
-
Otranto
2 hours
Today we drive to Otranto, the heel of the Italian boot, and visit a cathedral famous for its magnificent Tree of Life mosaics. Enjoy a stroll around Otranto with some free time to explore or shop for local handicrafts.
We then drive to a restaurant renowned for serving fresh seasonal local produce to complement wines from their own vineyard.
Return to Lecce and free time to further explore the historical center of Lecce on your own.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 5 Galatina - Gallipoli - Lecce
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Galatina
2 hours
In the morning we drive to one of Puglia’s hidden gems in Galatina: the extraordinary 14th-century Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
-
Gallipoli
2 hours
We drive for 30 minutes and arrive in Gallipoli, “beautiful town” in Greek, where we visit a stunning cathedral and the Frantoio Ipogeo – an ancient underground olive mill carved from stone.
Enjoy an included lunch in Gallipoli’s historical center at an osteria that specializes in seafood.
Return to Lecce and enjoy a free evening to dine and drink at your own pace.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 Ostuni - Polignano a Mare - Bari
-
Ostuni
2 hours
We depart Lecce today and drive to Ostuni, “La Città Bianca,” one of the most beautiful hilltop towns in all of Italy. Stroll through a maze of narrow streets with a visit to a small museum exhibiting the 25,000-year-old fossilized remains of Delia, “La Donna di Ostuni.”
We then arrive at a restaurant located in a 15th-century Aragonese donjon with panoramic views for a gourmet lunch.
In the afternoon we visit a family-run olive oil business to learn more about olive oil production in the Puglia region. Here we have an opportunity to taste different types of olive oil and purchase local products at their small shop. -
Polignano a Mare
1 hour
Afterward, we drive to Polignano a Mare and visit the charming historical center. We will try the famous coffee invented here, Caffè Speciale di Polignano a Mare, and view a statue of Domenico Modugno, the composer, and singer of Volare.
Short drive to Bari and check in to our hotel. Free evening to further explore the nearby bars and eateries.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 Castel del Monte - Trani
-
Castel del Monte
2 hours
After breakfast we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Castel del Monte for a guided tour of the Swabian Castle. Known for its octagonal shape, the Castel del Monte is a masterpiece of medieval architecture.
-
Trani
2 hours
Short drive to Trani to check the Cathedral of Trani, built on the edge of the sea, and an option to have lunch at a restaurant. We then return to our hotel in Bari.
Farewell group dinner at a restaurant where we will enjoy a delicious hearty meal and raise one last toast to our Puglian adventure.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 Bari
-
Bari
2 hours
This morning take breakfast at your leisure. Your tour leader can assist you with additional tours, post-tour accommodation, and transfers.
Included Meal: Breakfast
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Times are local to the experience (Europe/Rome).
Additional Information
- GoinItaly will not be held responsible for any guests not informing us of food allergies or dietary restrictions.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
FAQs about DISCOVERY OF PUGLIA Small Group Tour: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Can I cancel DISCOVERY OF PUGLIA Small Group Tour: 8 Days / 7 Nights for free?
No. All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
How long does it take?
It takes about 8 days.
Where does it start?
We meet at 8:30 AM in the lobby of our designed meeting hotel, next to the Petruzzelli Theater.
What's included?
- Private transportation
- FIVE NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION IN 4-STAR & 5-STAR HOTELS & TWO NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION IN A TRULLO
- Entrance Fees to Included Attractions
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Wine, Cheese, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil tastings
- Local Guides in Alberobello, Lecce, Otranto, Galatina, and Castel del Monte
What's not included?
- Alcoholic drinks are not included when not stated.
- Gratuities
Which places does it visit?
It visits Matera, Alberobello, Martina Franca, Lecce, Otranto, Galatina, Gallipoli, Ostuni.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
Operated by GoinItaly
