Puglia Discovery - 9 days
Puglia Discovery - 9 days
Puglia Discovery - 9 days
9 Days Starting and ending in Bari, Italy
Visiting: Bari, Trani, Matera, Lecce, Monopoli
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2567/PUDI
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 25
Age range:
0-
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Our most comprehensive tour of Puglia in southern Italy! This 9-day trip takes in the best of the region, including Bari, Lecce, the cave dwellings of Matera and the mysterious Castel del Monte. See the traditional Trulli houses, stroll through the 'White Towns' of Locorotondo and Ostuni and sample fresh organic olive oil at an Italian farmhouse. Visit the 'Pearl of Puglia' in Trani, learn how to make traditional pasta and visit the pretty coastal towns of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Bari
Location: Bari
Accommodation Name: The Nicolaus Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Bari, capital of the Puglia region of southern Italy, located in the 'heel' of Italy's 'boot'! Arrive in the city independently and meet your Tour Leader at the hotel for our 14:00 walking tour with an expert local guide.
We discover the charming narrow alleyways of the historic city centre, and admire the Basilica of San Nicola, an important pilgrimage destination for Christians. We also see the 12th-century Norman-Swabian Castle, surrounded by a moat and known for its impressive Aragon walls. We'll see the castle from the outside and there is free time to explore inside the castle and enjoy the panoramic views offered if you choose (own expense). We also see the Column of Justice in Piazza Mercantile before enjoying dinner and an evening at leisure.
Please note: Our walking tour of Bari commences at 14:00 so make sure you arrive in Italy in plenty of time on day 1 or before, to avoid missing the tour!
Day 2: Trani
Location: Trani
Accommodation Name: Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Bari - Trani - Castel del Monte - Alberobello. After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Bari by coach and travel to Trani, known as the 'Pearl of Puglia'. We'll explore the vibrant Jewish Quarter and see the historic 12th-century cathedral, made from beautiful white stone.
After our stop in Trani we continue to Castel del Monte, a 13th-century citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This octagonal castle features on the Italian one-cent coin and is shrouded in mystery, as its exact historical purpose remains unknown.
Our final destination today is Alberobello, best known for its traditional conical houses made from local limestone - these are called Trulli. The village has a fairy-tale feel and our hotel tonight sees you sleeping inside an unusual Trulli - a unique experience!
Day 3: Matera
Location: Matera
Accommodation Name: Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site today with a day trip to Matera. The historic centre of this city is known as Sassi di Matera and is unique due to the large number of cave dwellings that were carved into the canyon created by the Gravina River, around 9,000 years ago! In this long history, Matera has been occupied by Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, and many other groups.
Many of the caves are still used today, as houses, pubs, hotels, and other businesses. We'll enjoy sightseeing with a local guide to take in the best of the cave dwellings. And we will also see the Roman Catholic cathedral which overlooks the city. We then transfer back to Alberobello for dinner and another night in your magnificent Trulli.
Day 4: Lecce
Location: Lecce
Accommodation Name: Hotel Delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Alberobello - Locorotondo - Ostuni - Lecce. Today we visit two of the iconic 'white towns' of Puglia. Our first stop is Locorotondo, a town of around 14,000 people perched on a hill. There's free time to explore this small town and enjoy the view over the surrounding countryside, including the Trulli pointing upwards.
Then we reach Ostuni, a coastal town popular with Italian tourists in summer. Ostuni is known for its ancient olive trees as well as its whitewashed buildings - many of the trees have been carbon-dated and are known to be more than 3,500 years old. Despite this age, they still produce the famous Ostuni olive oil. If you find a restaurant for lunch, you are sure to be served dishes that use this delicious local product!
After visiting these two towns, we reach Lecce, in the heart of the Salento region.
Day 5: Lecce
Location: Lecce
Accommodation Name: Hotel Delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we enjoy a 3-hour guided sightseeing tour of Lecce with an expert local guide. Known as the 'Florence of the South' thanks to its treasure trove of Baroque architecture, highlights of our tour include the historic Old Town and the 12th-century cathedral. We also see the beautiful Basilica di Santa Croce and Piazza del Duomo, the city's main square.
After our tour we depart for Otranto, a city known to have been ruled at times by the Greeks, Romans and Turks. Because of this, Otranto has a wonderfully diverse mix of cultures, and there is free time to explore the town and find somewhere for lunch. We recommend visiting the iconic cathedral to see its well-preserved mosaic floor, and the bones of 813 martyrs eerily displayed behind the altar.
Tonight, a special dinner takes place in the town of Supersano. We will be dining at Masseria le Stanzie, a rustic farm and restaurant that is Puglia at its finest. Learn more about the food and history of the region, see how pasta is made the Italian way, and visit the farm's medieval tombs before enjoying a dinner made using the finest local produce. Then it's back to Lecce for the evening.
Day 6: Lecce
Location: Lecce
Accommodation Name: Hotel Delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we visit the coastal town of Gallipoli, unrelated to its Turkish namesake! The town has good beaches and historic outer walls, and there are always some nice yachts to see in the port. We enjoy some free time to explore before returning to Lecce for an evening at leisure.
Day 7: Bari
Location: Bari
Accommodation Name: The Nicolaus Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Lecce - Bari. Today we make the return journey to Bari, with plenty of sightseeing enroute. We see the town of Martina Franca, home to a number of beautiful Baroque churches. There's free time in the town, we also recommend taking a look at the Cathedral and perhaps enjoying a coffee in the urban focal point, Piazza Plebiscito.
We drive through the olive groves and vineyards of Valle d’ Itria and enjoy lunch in a local "masseria" farmhouse where you can also taste the home-produced organic extra virgin olive oil, which is packed with health benefits! Arriving in Bari, the evening is at leisure.
Day 8: Monopoli & Polignano A Mare
Location: Monopoli
Accommodation Name: The Nicolaus Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departing Bari after breakfast we make our first stop in the fortified citadel of Monopoli. This town developed rich trading links with Constantinople (now Istanbul) in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Our second stop of the day is in Polignano a Mare, an idyllic clifftop town known for its beautiful coves, bays and beaches. There's free time to explore and do any last minute shopping before we return to Bari for our final night.
Day 9: Bari
Location: Bari
Accommodation Name: The Nicolaus Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before our tour comes to an end.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4-star hotels -
8 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 5 dinners (including lunch and olive oil tasting at a Masseria farmhouse and a special dinner at Masseria le Stanzie in Supersano)
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6 nights 4 star hotels & 2 nights in a boutique Trulli in Alberobello in 2024 (8 nights 4 star hotels in 2025)
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Escorted by an English-speaking Italian tour leader with specialist guides for some sightseeing
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Transportation by deluxe coach with Wi-Fi and audio headsets
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Guided sightseeing with local guides in Bari, Matera & Lecce
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Entrance tickets to the Castel del Monte
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Note: Touring is operated in conjunction with other tourist groups, not solely On The Go. You will join travellers who booked through other operators for sightseeing each day and spend your evenings at leisure.
What's Not Included
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International Flights and Visas
International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are not included in the tour package.
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Additional Meals and Drinks
Additional meals and drinks, unless specified, are not included.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions are not covered.
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Tipping
Tipping is not included and is considered an entirely personal gesture.
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City Tax
City tax of €1 - 6 per person per night, which varies by city, is to be paid directly to the hotel at check-in/out.
Accommodation
Stay at The Nicolaus Hotel in Bari, featuring modern amenities like an indoor pool and gym, or experience the unique Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso in Alberobello, where you can sleep in a traditional stone Trullo. In Lecce, enjoy the comfort of Hotel Delle Palme, a 4-star hotel with free Wi-Fi and a buffet breakfast.
Age Policy
No minimum age. Children under 6 travel free
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with deluxe coach transportation equipped with Wi-Fi and audio headsets, ensuring a seamless journey through the picturesque Puglia region. Enjoy guided sightseeing tours with local experts in key locations like Bari, Matera, and Lecce.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique accommodation experience is included in the tour?
The tour includes a unique accommodation experience where guests spend two nights in a Trulli, a traditional conical-shaped house made from local Italian limestone, in Alberobello.
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What is special about the dinner in Supersano?
The dinner in Supersano is a special event held at Masseria le Stanzie, a rustic farm and restaurant. Guests can learn about the food and history of the region, see how pasta is made the Italian way, and enjoy a meal made with the finest local produce.
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What can I expect during the guided tour of Lecce?
During the guided tour of Lecce, you can expect to see the city's Baroque architecture, including the historic Old Town, the 12th-century cathedral, the Basilica di Santa Croce, and Piazza del Duomo, the city's main square.
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What activities are planned in Matera?
In Matera, the tour includes sightseeing with a local guide to explore the historic centre known as Sassi di Matera, famous for its cave dwellings. You will also see the Roman Catholic cathedral overlooking the city.
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What is the significance of Castel del Monte on the tour?
Castel del Monte is a 13th-century citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique octagonal shape and mysterious history. It is one of the highlights of the tour.
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What culinary experience is offered at a masseria farmhouse?
At a masseria farmhouse, guests will enjoy lunch and have the opportunity to taste home-produced organic extra virgin olive oil, which is known for its health benefits.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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