Puglia Discovery - 9 days

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tourhub | On The Go Tours | Puglia Discovery - 9 days | 2567/PUDI | Map

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~~$4375~~

$3319

Puglia Discovery - 9 days

9 Days Starting and ending in Bari

Visiting: Bari, Trani, Castel del Monte, Alberobello, Matera, Locorotondo, Ostuni, Lecce, Monopoli

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

2567/PUDI

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 15

Age range:

No Minimum Age. Children aged 0 - 5 travel free. Children aged 6+ pay adult priceMaximum Age: No maximum age but not suitable for pax with mobility issues

From:

$4375

$3319 (USD) Operator discount: -$963 Exclusive Tourhub Discount: -$94 -24%

NB: Prices correct on 16-May-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

COACH TOUR: Our most comprehensive tour of Puglia in southern Italy! This 9-day coach tour takes in the best of the region, including Bari, Lecce, the cave dwellings of Matera and the mysterious Castel del Monte. Stay in a traditional Trulli house in Alberobello, 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

Bari - Enjoy a guided tour of the Puglia region's capital city, taking in the Basilica of San Nicola and the central square, Piazza Mercantile
Trani - Admire the whitewashed 12th-century cathedral and delve into the vibrant Jewish quarter in the city known as the 'Pearl of Puglia'
Castel del Monte - See this ancient UNESCO-listed fortress, which is octagonal in shape and shrouded in mystery
Alberobello - Spend two nights in a Trulli, a traditional conical-shaped house made from local Italian limestone
Matera - Explore the historic centre of the city, Sassi di Matera, which is known for its cave dwellings carved into a river canyon
Ostuni - Stroll around this pretty whitewashed town independently, see some of the 3,500-year-old olive trees and taste the local olive oil
Lecce - Join a guided tour of 'Florence of the South' to see the Baroque architecture of the Old Town and Piazza del Duomo main square
Supersano - Tuck into authentic local cuisine at a rural farm on the final night of our tour and see how pasta is made the Italian way
Gallipoli - Take a day trip to this vibrant town, known for its nightlife, pretty harbour and historic outer walls
Monopoli - Discover this fortified coastal town and nearby Polignano a Mare, known for its idyllic coves and beaches

Itinerary

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Day 1: Bari

Location: Bari

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: Bari, Trani, Castel del Monte, Alberobello

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, Alberobello

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: Alberobello, Locorotondo, Ostuni, Lecce

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

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

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: Lecce, Bari

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

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

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before our tour comes to an end.

What's Included

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)
6 nights 4 star hotels & 2 nights in a boutique Trulli in Alberobello
Escorted by an English-speaking Italian tour guide with specialist guides for some sightseeing
Transportation by deluxe coach with Wi-Fi and audio headsets
Guided sightseeing with local guides in Bari, Matera & Lecce
Entrance tickets to the Castel del Monte
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, some staying in different hotels, and spend your evenings at leisure. The maxim

What's Not Included

International flights and visas
Airport transfers
Additional meals and drinks unless specified
Entrance fees not mentioned in Inclusions
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
City tax of €1 - 6 per person per night (tax varies by city), to be paid directly to the hotel at check-in/out. See Trip Notes for details. Please note we recommend paying your city tax when checking in or in the evening during your stay to save time on c

Accommodation

The Nicolaus Hotel

The Nicolaus Hotel is located in the residential district of Poggiofranco on the outskirts of Bari, 10 minutes by taxi from the city centre. This well equipped, modern hotel features an indoor pool, gym, sauna, Turkish baths and a hot tub. Dining options include The Seasons restaurant, serving a range of Puglia specialities. Or there is The Roof on the 14th floor, serving high quality a la carte meals in a roof garden. Stylish rooms offer free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, TV and ensuite bathrooms, and the majority of rooms feature a balcony.

Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso

Accommodation with a difference! Located in Alberobello, Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso gives guests the chance to sleep in a real 'Trullo' - a traditional stone building with a conical roof. Each Trullo offers antique furnishings and a private bathroom, and all have vaulted ceilings boasting original stone features. The rooms are UNESCO-protected thanks to their cultural importance. Breakfast is served in the communal dining room and there is an onsite spa and wellness centre. Free Wi-Fi is also available.

Hotel Delle Palme

This conveniently located 4-star hotel is just 10 minutes on foot from Lecce's historic centre. Free Wi-Fi connection is offered throughout the property, and a daily buffet breakfast is served onsite. The large a la carte Estia restaurant also serves popular regional cuisine, as well as typical Italian and international dishes. Recently refurbished guest rooms come with a minibar, air-conditioning, safe, TV and ensuite bathroom.

Check out our Q&As

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.
How long has the tour company been trading?

Since 1998
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+
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot

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The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)

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05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free. Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions. The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too. On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places. I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace. If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Paul Kelly (Google Reviewer)

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9...

26-Feb-2023

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9 day tour of Morocco visiting many main cities and places of interest. The coach was very comfortable and we felt safe with the driver Suliman. The guide was Hicham Touraouine and he was fantastic. He spoke perfect English as well as French, Arabic and Berber. He was so kind and considerate and made a good tour great. We particularly enjoyed ‘glamming in the Sahara Desert. So much to see and do and great food and company. We would definitely use On The Go Tours again, especially if Hicham was the guide. Paul & Penny

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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May 24, 2024 - Jun 01, 2024

~~$4375~~ $3319 (USD)