Arrival of group in Bari and meeting with the local guide who will accompany the entire tour. Departure for Lucera, perhaps the most beautiful town of the Puglia plains, dominated by the imposing Angevin castle. Visit to the Cathedral in 14th-century Gothic Angevin style and the castle built by Frederick II in 1233. Stroll through the old quarter of the town, along alleys paved with black stones surrounded by the traditional low houses. The tour continues towards the Gargano peninsula for dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Full day dedicated to discovering the Gargano Peninsula, with Rodi Garganico, a picturesque seaside village built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Adriatic, Peschici, a fishing village with tiny white houses, and Vieste, the “capital” of the Gargano Peninsula, with a delightful town centre with steps, narrow alleys and arches dominated by the Cathedral. Continues to Monte Sant’Angelo in the heart of the Umbran Forest, a characteristic town situated on a rocky spur in a magnificently panoramic position. Lunch in a restaurant, followed by visits to the San Michele Sanctuary, the Romanesque San Pietro Church and the attractively frescoed church of Santa Maria Maggiore, and then continuing towards Barletta/Bisceglie for dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Visit in the morning to Castel del Monte, the “Crown of Puglia”, a majestic octagonal castle built in a prominent position in 1240 by Frederick II of Swabia. The castle offers a magical atmosphere, built in light-coloured stone and with eight towers reaching a height of 24 metres. Lunch in a restaurant, then continuing to Barletta, a large mediaeval town that was in important departure point for the Crusades. Visit to the attractive Piazza Duomo with the Santo Sepolcro Basilica, next to which is the “Colossus of Barletta”, a huge bronze statue over 5 metres tall. The tour continues to Trani, with a visit to one of the region’s finest Romanesque cathedrals. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay. 

Departure for Bari, the regional capital and a major Adriatic seaport. Visit to the town centre and the San Nicola Basilica, one of Puglia’s best examples of Romanesque architecture. Stroll through the old quarter along the castle walls and through the old harbour district, with lunch in a traditional local restaurant. Short visit in the afternoon to ancient Bitonto and its magnificent cathedral, then continuing to Monopoli/Fasano for dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Morning visit to the Castellana Grottoes, formed by an ancient underground river and one of Italy’s most important caving sites. Lunch in a restaurant at Alberobello, in the heart of the area of “Trulli”, fascinating traditional whitewashed dwellings with their roofs covered with flat stones, then continuing to Ostuni, the attractive “White Town” built on a cliff. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Morning dedicated to discovering the splendid city of Lecce, famed for its Baroque buildings constructed in the soft local honey-coloured stone. Stroll in the elegant city centre, with the Piazza del Duomo, the Santa Chiara Basilica and the attractive façade of the Palazzo del Governo. Lunch in a restaurant, then continuing towards Otranto, known as the “Gateway to the Orient” due to its position on the most easterly tip of the Italian peninsula, and a renowned holiday destination. Stroll through the alleys of the city centre to admire the Cathedral and its superb mosaic floor, the Castle, built by Ferdinand II of Aragon, and the Byzantine San Pietro Church. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Visit in the morning to Taranto, the “City of Two Seas” and an ancient Spartan colony, later becoming one of the wealthiest cities of Magna Graecia and today an important commercial and military port. The tour continues to Matera, an attractive town famous for its underground “Sassi” houses, dug into the rock. Lunch in a restaurant. Stroll through the labyrinth of alleyways to admire the churches carved into the rock, like the Santa Maria de Idris Church, with its frescoes from the 14th and 16th centuries, or the Madonna della Vertu Monastery. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Puglia is a magnificent region that leaves indelible memories of the warm welcome of its inhabitants, its deliciously rich cuisine and its unique landscapes. We suggest a final walk through the town centre of Polignano before leaving the Bari area for the journey home.