Puglia Tour

Words are inadequate to express our fantastic tour of Puglia with GoinItaly. If you have the opportunity, do not hesitate to take this tour; you will enjoy every bit of it. Everything was outstanding; the accommodations, restaurants and sightseeing , but most especially Gaetano, our tour leader. He knows and loves Italy and shared it with us in a very warm and friendly manner. He did all he could to make this tour the most enjoyable and unforgettable. It was beautiful and delicious! After the tour, we extended our trip from Puglia to Sorrento by way of Calabria. Gaetano took care of everything and he took us to places off the beaten track that one does not usually get to see. Magnificent sights, delicious meals and charming people- Italy is wonderful and Gaetano shows it to you. He knows the places to go. He also graciously arranged visits to our families’ hometowns. His engaging personality and willingness to go the extra step made these side trips so much fun and extremely memorable. After this wonderful experience, I would encourage anyone to use GoinItaly and have Gaetano plan your tour. You will have the trip of a lifetime

I can not make enough complimentary remarks about Gaetano and GoinItaly Tours. After a superbly guided tour of Puglia with GoinItaly Tours, my friend and I were planning a few weeks to travel around other parts of Calabria and Campania by ourselves. Our experience on this first leg had been so enjoyable that we asked Gaetano, for a reasonable cost, to escort us on our side trip. He gave us excellent information everywhere we went, took us to very interesting places and ate at charming, off-the-beaten-path restaurants. We even stopped in Basilicata. But probably the highlight and best adventure was when he accompanied us to our grandfathers' ancestral towns in Campania, where he acted as translator while we enjoyed experiencing our heritage. I have traveled to Italy a number of times, but this was the first formal tour I ever took in Italy. If I should be lucky enough to visit again, I will surely travel with GoinItaly Tours.

In May 2019, my wife, four dear friends and I had the pleasure of going on an 8-day tour of Puglia with “Goinitaly” (Goinitaly.com) guide and owner Gaetano Barone and I want to encourage everyone to have the same incredible experience we had. Gaetano has a wealth of experience leading tours and has all the personality traits – patience, knowledge, charm, confidence, flexibility and intuition – that make for a great guide. Puglia is a wonderful part of Italy that is yet to be discovered by tourists and has an incredibly rich culture due in large part to the many invasions and occupations it has endured over the years. Gaetano’s carefully arranged tour exposed us to much of the history, the art, the cuisine and even the way the delicious food is produced. He shared all of the key information we needed to understand and appreciate Puglia but has the wisdom to retain local guides to enhance (all of whom were excellent) your experience in and understanding of those extra special places – such as the “Tree of Life” mosaic on the floor of the Otranto Cathedral. He recognizes that the pace of a tour is important and provided some time for shopping and our own exploration of this unique area. Finally, Gaetano has obviously worked hard to establish close relationships with the local guides as well as the owners/operators of the hotels, restaurants and farmers, as you can see from the attention they pay to his clients and their heartfelt interaction with him. Gaetano is amazing and anyone who has the opportunity to book a tour with him - and he is incredibly flexible and responsive to the interests of his clients- will enjoy a trip of a lifetime.

I have just completed the Discovery of Puglia - an amazing experience. Each day buying new adventures, exploring historic towns, sleeping in a Trullo, viewing wonderful ceramics and frescoes, trekking through the underground caves of Castellana, roaming through castles and cathedrals - too many to list here. The attention to detail, the extensive knowledge and caring approach makes Gaetana the best tour leader. I particularly enjoyed the different culinary experiences - showcasing Puglia’s cuisine. I am so glad I took this tour.

6 friends have just returned from Puglia and Basilicata, guided by Gaetano Barone in his swell Mercedes chariot "Hekate". Walking and riding, we explored magnificent landscapes, historic cave and grotto sites, museums, the sea and ancient towns and cities with access to farm production and food and wonderful restaurant meals. Our accommodation was excellent. Please read the itinerary, believe and dream: www.goinitaly/discovery-of-puglia-8-days/#top. Everything here was truly extraordinary (beyond words) and Gaetano is lovely and passionately informed. Go in Italy!