THE GRAND TOUR OF APULIA

Next departures:
Duration:

Days

Description

Tour programme

Day 1:

1° day BOLOGNA - BARI

COACH TOUR Meet your travel assistant and start the tour in a Gran Turismo coach to Apulia along the Adriatic coast. Upon arrival, hotel check-in. Dinner and overnight.   PACKAGE TOUR ONLY Welcome to Bari. In the evening, meet your travel assistant in a hotel. Transfer bookable on request. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight.

Day 2:

2° day BARI – TRANI – BARLETTA – CASTEL DEL MONTE – ALBEROBELLO

Hotel breakfast and departure to Trani, beautiful town by the sea, West-Northwest of Bari. Visit Castello Svevo (the Norman Swabian Castle), originally built by the Normans in the 12th century, but was later destroyed in 1156. Frederick II rebuilt it around 1233 to defend the port and the cathedral. A castle is a fascinating example of Romanesque-Apulian construction. Continue to Barletta and visit another castle built by Normans and rebuilt by Frederic II after it was destroyed. Visit Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, an important Church that was in the Romanesque style when it was first built in the 12th century, then later transformed into the gothic style and the Palace of the Marra, an example of Baroque architecture. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, continue to Castel del Monte also constructed by Frederick II who was responsible for the construction of many castles in Apulia, but Castel del Monte's geometric design is unique. The fortress is an octagonal prism with an octagonal tower at each corner. The site is protected as a World Heritage Site. In the evening, arrival to Alberobello. Hotel check-in, dinner and overnight.

Day 3:

3° day ALBEROBELLO – OSTUNI – LECCE

Hotel breakfast and starting with guided tour of Alberobello, small town famous for unique trulli houses. A trullo (plural, trulli) is a traditional Apulian dry stone hut with a conical roof. The Trulli of Alberobello have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lunch at your leisure. Continue to ancient town Ostuni in the province of Brindisi, commonly referred to as "the White Town" (La Città Bianca in Italian) for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. Ostuni also has an industrial zone; the region is producer of high quality olive oil and wine. In the afternoon, free time for a walk through the lively streets of city center. Later in the afternoon, departure for Lecce, amazing art city in the heart of Salento peninsula. Hotel check-in, dinner and overnight.

Day 4:

4° day LECCE – OTRANTO – SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA – LECCE

Hotel breakfast and departure for Otranto, the ancient center of Salento. Otranto is of Greek origin and the most Oriental part of the Italian peninsula. For a long time, the city was the key point of contact between East and West since it is the closest port to Greece. Guided tour of the city surrounded by walls with the gate “Porta Alfosina” through which you are entering the old town. Continue to the Santa Maria di Leuca, simply called Leuca, the town between two seas, Adriatic and Ionian, famous for the iconic lighthouse, the second most important lighthouse in Italy, after Genova. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, return to Lecce, the main city of the Salento Peninsula and visit its rich Baroque architectural monuments for which Lecce is commonly nicknamed "The Florence of the South". The city also has a long traditional affinity with Greek culture going back to its foundation. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 5:

5° day LECCE – MATERA – BARI

Hotel breakfast and departure for Matera. Known as the Subterranean City, Matera is renowned for its "Sassi", cave-dwelling districts, considered World Heritage Site by UNESCO from 1993. The city is also declared as Italian host of European Capital of Culture for 2019.  Start the guided tour of historical center and visit Sassi, stone houses carved out of the caves and cliffs. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, continue to Bari. Guided tour of historic center. Hotel check-in, dinner and overnight.

Day 6:

6° day BARI - BOLOGNA

COACH TOUR Hotel breakfast. Departure for Bologna. Lunch on the way (not included). Evening arrival to the starting point.   PACKAGE TOUR ONLY Hotel breakfast. Transfer to the airport possible on request.

Included

• Modern air-conditioned motor coach designed for sightseeing • English speaking tour guide from first to last day of the program • Hotel accommodation in 4 star hotel, rooms with private facilities and breakfast buffet • Meals as per itinerary • Special visits and sightseeing as specified in the program (entrance fees not included) • English speaking driver and local English speaking guides • Luggage handling (1 per person) • Service charges and hotel taxes • 24/7 Englsih speaking assistence by phone

Not included

• International flights, unmentioned entrance fees, transfers, meals and drinks, insurance, tips

Unesco sites

• Castel del Monte • Trulli of Alberobello • Sassi di Matera

Note

*Escorted Tours with Guaranteed Departures.

THE GRAND TOUR OF APULIA