Tour southern Italy’s beautiful towns and countryside, where you will experience the best of the region’s rich history, culture, and culinary delights. This tour will take you to the charming towns of Bari, Alberobello, Monopoli, and Polignano a Mare, where you’ll stroll through picturesque streets and enjoy stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. You’ll also visit an underground olive oil mill, where you’ll learn about the ancient traditions of olive oil production. In Lecce, you’ll take a walking tour of the city’s stunning baroque architecture and learn about its fascinating history. You’ll also get to taste some of the region’s finest wines in Gallipoli and visit a dairy farm to learn about producing some of the world’s best cheeses. And finally, you’ll visit the stunning Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Italy’s most iconic landmarks.
Itinerary Highlights
Wine Tasting in Gallipoli
Localised Food Tours
Visit a Dairy Farm and Castel del Monte.
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
Explore an underground Olive Oil Mill
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
09
Nights
Price Guide
$POA
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Bari
Day 2
Alberobello & Locorotondo
Founded in the 15th century by the Counts of Acquaviva, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Alberobello contains the largest concentration of perhaps the most famous of all of Puglia’s monuments: the cone-shaped dwellings known as trulli. The origin of these charming structures was practical in nature: the Counts granted tax-free land to immigrants from the surrounding lands on the condition that their houses should be easily demolished in the case that the King of Naples ever found out that they were evading taxes! Without any binding material, their construction ensured that the houses could easily be reduced to a mere pile of stones in a hurry, leaving no trace of their former function.
Continue with your guide to Locorotondo. Officially, one of the Borghi più belli d’Italia – the most beautiful village in Italy – crown-shaped Locorotondo sits majestically atop a hill overlooking the countryside. Whitewashed houses with external stone staircases and balconies adorned with flowers await visitors to the town.
Day 3
Monopoli & Polignano a Mare
Monopoli still preserves the distinctive characteristic that makes it one of Puglia’s most authentic and fascinating maritime cities. The town sits tranquilly overlooking the Mediterranean, much as it has for centuries past when it was ruled in turn by Greek settlers, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Angioins, Spanish, Austrians, Bourbons, and Venetians. Gazing at the old port today, it’s easy to imagine that little has changed over the millennia.
Continue with your guide to Polignano a Mare. Dramatically pitched atop a cliff at the sea’s edge, with white houses huddled atop one another 80 feet above vibrant azure waters, the medieval village of Polignano a Mare is a sight to behold.
Day 4
Ostuni
Known as the “White City”, Ostuni is a charming example of Mediterranean architecture with gleaming white sun-drenched streets and quaint cobbled alleyways, where hints of the Middle Ages can be seen around every corner. You will visit the Rione Terra district at the heart of the medieval walled village. Narrow streets, stairways and arches unfold between the white of the houses, broken only here and there by the ochre of the monuments.
The Ostuni area is famous for its monumental olive trees: massive contorted giants that can live for over 3,000 years! Today, you’ll have the chance to visit an olive oil producer with an ancient underground mill as you take a magical trip to discover how the local peasant culture, based on olive oil production, evolved from Roman times. Did you know that Puglian olive oil was once quoted on the London Stock Exchange and was used to fuel all of the streetlights in London and Paris? This commodity was considered the “liquid gold” of its day.
Day 5
Lecce
After breakfast in the morning, you’ll head south with your driver to Lecce. The most monumental of all of Puglia’s towns, Lecce is a baroque delight. From the imposing and harmonious Piazza del Duomo to the gorgeously masterful Santa Croce, seemingly every building, street and angle of the city is imbued with artistic inspiration and decorative beauty. Known as the “Florence of the South,” both for its walkable scale and for its architectural stagecraft, Lecce is wonderfully poetic by day and particularly suggestive at night when the town comes to life, and the lights add a sense of heightened drama to the nocturnal cityscape.
This afternoon, meet your guide to explore the city on foot. Sights include Piazza del Duomo, the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Roman amphitheatre.
Day 6
Gallipoli and Wine Tasting
Of antique eastern origins, the name Gallipoli stems from the Greek Kale’ polis, meaning ‘beautiful city’. The historic town centre, with its narrow lanes, baronial palaces, dazzling white terraced houses and reflections of the sea, still breathes an ambience of arresting Mediterranean charm and seaside beauty. With your guide, visit the medieval town, an island surrounded by high walls, and enjoy a panoramic walk. The waters off Gallipoli offer a veritable feast you can discover at the fisherman’s market. Here, it’s a local tradition to enjoy a glass of white wine and a dish of cruditè di pesce – fish cruditès – with a dash of olive oil and black pepper.
En route back to your hotel, enjoy a wine tasting at a local vineyard. Vine cultivation in Puglia preceded the first contact between the local population and the Phoenician merchants, who made their way to these shores around 2,000 B.C. Later, Greek colonists brought their own vines with them, and they were more than likely astonished to find well-tended vineyards already flourishing in the region. Today’s top regional varietals include Primitivo (known in America as Zinfandel), Negroamaro, Aglianico and Susumaniello for the reds, and Falanghina, Moscato Bianco, Minutolo and Malvasia Bianca for the whites.
Day 7
Otranto & Visit to a Dairy Farm
The easternmost city of Italy, Otranto, has always been the “bridge” that connected Italy and the eastern part of the Mediterranean. Walking through the old town enclosed by Aragonese walls overlooking splendid azure crystalline waters, it’s easy to succumb to the charm of its white houses and alleys paved in stone. Founded by the Greeks, the city assumed increasing importance in the Byzantine period as a commercial, political, and religious centre and a major port of trade with the Orient. The medieval town centre reminds visitors of the permanent menace posed by the Turks, culminating in the tragic invasion of 1480. Otranto’s cathedral, certainly the town’s most important monument, houses a spectacular mosaic pavement from the 12th century: a curious blend of pagan, Old Testament and New Testament imagery that synthesizes the culture and imagery of an era.
Enjoy visiting a local dairy farm along the gorgeous coastal road called the Litoranea Salentina. This area is where the poet Virgil imagined the landing of Aeneas in Italy in his epic work The Aeneid. Here in this land dominated by scrubland, steep cliffs covered with myrtle plunge into an incredible azure sea, the Cape of Otranto. On the farm’s pasturelands, sheep graze on the precious Mediterranean flora. Enjoy a visit and taste in this beautiful corner of paradise, whose silence is broken only by the sounds of nature.
Day 8
Matera
Continually inhabited for over 10,000 years, Matera is considered among the most ancient city on earth. The city is an authentic open-air museum attesting to the extraordinary human adventure from the Paleolithic to the present. The aura in Matera is, in a word, magic. The town is a disarming blend of contrasts, an inimitable tangle of cave dwellings, magnificent baroque palaces and beautiful stone churches in a land that knows no temporal discontinuity. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, unique in its genre, has been declared the 2019 European. Capital of Culture.
This afternoon, along with your guide, you can trace your way through the uninterrupted presence of man in this area. Witness first-hand the main stages of the evolution of human history as you make your way through the Sassi: from the dark caves of the Murgia inhabited by our oldest ancestors to the rock-hewn churches of religious communities to the elegant streets of the Piano, rich in seventeenth-century monasteries and palaces.
Day 9
Castel del Monte
Evocative. Spiritual. Indecipherable. Castel del Monte is one of Puglia’s most profound monuments. The mysterious origins of the castle, built by Frederick II – one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages and head of the House of Hohenstaufen – continue to intrigue historians today. Many scholars have noticed a fascinating correspondence between the characteristics of the castle and various esoteric, alchemic and astrological symbols, which in turn speak of the particular nature of the sovereign: an educated man, lover of the arts, close to the East, Islam and the doctrines of magic. For example, it is evident that the repetition of the number eight – the infinity symbol, the compass rose and the number of universal authority – and octagonal in shape was said to be the cup of the Holy Grail. It is also evident how the proportion and orientation of the castle can be linked to particular astrological events, and the ratio of the measurements follows Euclid’s rule of the ‘golden number’.
Day 10
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $POA
When to travel
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If you’re planning a trip to Italy, it’s important to consider the weather to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience. The best time to visit Italy in terms of weather is during the months of April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild and pleasant. However, if you’re looking for a winter getaway, January can be a good time to visit as long as you’re prepared for cooler temperatures. In Italy, January is typically one of the coldest months of the year, with average temperatures ranging from 3°C to 12°C depending on the region.
In January, Italy experiences cold and wet weather. The average temperature during this month is around 5°C, with lows of 1°C and highs of 8°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is common in the mountainous areas. It's important to bundle up and dress warmly if you plan on traveling to Italy in January.
In February, Italy experiences cold weather with occasional rainfall. The average temperature during this month is around 7°C, with lows of 4°C and highs of 10°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is still possible in the mountainous areas. It's important to dress warmly and bring rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in February.
In March, Italy experiences a transition from colder weather to milder temperatures. The average temperature during this month is around 10°C, with lows of 7°C and highs of 14°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly colder than the south, but the temperature is generally pleasant across the country. Rainfall is common during this month, so it's important to bring rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in March.
In April, Italy experiences mild and comfortable weather. The average temperature during this month is around 14°C, with lows of 10°C and highs of 18°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is pleasant across the country. Rainfall is still possible, but it is less frequent than in March. April is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for mild weather and fewer crowds.
In May, Italy experiences mild and pleasant weather with plenty of sunshine. The average temperature during this month is around 18°C, with lows of 13°C and highs of 22°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is less frequent, and the days are longer, making it a great time to explore Italy's many outdoor attractions. May is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In June, Italy experiences warm and sunny weather with longer days. The average temperature during this month is around 23°C, with lows of 18°C and highs of 27°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is less frequent, and the days are longer, making it a great time to explore Italy's many outdoor attractions. June is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In July, Italy experiences hot and sunny weather with long days. The average temperature during this month is around 28°C, with lows of 22°C and highs of 32°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature can be quite high across the country. Rainfall is rare during this month, and the days are long, making it a great time to enjoy Italy's many outdoor attractions. July is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In August, Italy experiences hot and sunny weather with long days. The average temperature during this month is around 29°C, with lows of 23°C and highs of 33°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature can be quite high across the country. Rainfall is rare during this month, and the days are long, making it a great time to enjoy Italy's many outdoor attractions. August is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In September, Italy experiences comfortable and mild weather with fewer crowds. The average temperature during this month is around 23°C, with lows of 18°C and highs of 27°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is still possible, but it is less frequent than in July and August. September is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for mild weather and fewer crowds.
In October, Italy experiences cooler weather with occasional rainfall. The average temperature during this month is around 17°C, with lows of 12°C and highs of 21°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically cooler than the south, and rain is common across the country. October is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for fewer crowds and cooler weather. It's important to bring warm clothes and rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in October.
In November, Italy experiences cooler and wetter weather as winter approaches. The average temperature during this month is around 12°C, with lows of 8°C and highs of 16°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically cooler than the south, and rain is common across the country. November is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for fewer crowds and cooler weather. It's important to bring warm clothes and rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in November.
In December, Italy experiences cold and wet weather as winter sets in. The average temperature during this month is around 8°C, with lows of 4°C and highs of 11°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is common in the mountainous areas. It's important to bundle up and dress warmly if you plan on traveling to Italy in December. December is a popular month to visit Italy, especially during the Christmas season, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
Add on’s
There are many add-on holiday options to this Puglia itinerary; for example, you could head to Rome, home to some of the most famous historical landmarks in the world, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Vatican City. You can spend days exploring the city’s ancient ruins, art museums, and beautiful parks. If you’re looking for a more relaxing destination, head to Tuscany. This region is known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and charming medieval towns. You can spend your days sipping wine, exploring the countryside, and indulging in Italy’s best cuisine. Lastly, Venice is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Italy. This romantic city is built on water and is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the world.
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