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Puglia Discovery

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9 days

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.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Tour Overview

Duration

9 days

Starts

Bari

Ends

Bari

Range

Handpicked

Tour Guide

Tour leader escort & local guides for sightseeing

Group Size

Min 2 / Max 25

Minimum age

No minimum age

Departs

Fridays

Hotel Rating

4-star hotels

Countries

Italy

Arrival Transfer

N/a

Departure Transfer

No

Meals included

Breakfast: 8, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 5
Per person from
R 56,752.50
Save 30% today
Total From
R 162,150.00
R 113,505.00
Deposit From
Final payment
R 10,000.00
R 108,505.00

Tour 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 this picturesque town, famous for its conical-shaped trulli houses, 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
Maglie - Tuck into authentic local cuisine at a rural farm 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

Included

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 5 dinners (including lunch and olive oil tasting at a Masseria farmhouse and a special dinner at ‘Masseria L’Uliveto’ in Maglie)
8 nights 4 star hotels
Escorted by an English-speaking Italian tour leader 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 and spend your evenings at leisure.

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 check out!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Puglia!

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!

Overnight: Bari
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Trani, Castel del Monte & Alberobello

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 true fairy-tale feel!

Overnight: Alberobello
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 - The cave dwellings of Matera

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.

Overnight: Alberobello
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - 'White towns' & Lecce

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.

Overnight: Lecce
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - Lecce sightseeing & Otranto

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 tonight in the town of Maglie. We will be dining at Masseria L’Uliveto, a rustic farm and restaurant that is Puglia at its finest. Learn more about the food and history of the region before enjoying a dinner made using the finest local produce. Then it's back to Lecce for the evening.

Overnight: Lecce
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - Visiting Gallipoli

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.

Overnight: Lecce
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Back to Bari

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.

Overnight: Bari
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 - Monopoli & Polignano a Mare

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.

Overnight: Bari
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Bari

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

Meals: Breakfast

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Hotel Excelsior Bari
Bari

Hotel Excelsior Bari is a contemporary 4-star hotel located in the heart of Bari, just a short walk from the city’s central train station and major attractions such as the Palazzo Mincuzzi. The hotel offers stylish, comfortable rooms with modern amenities, making it the ideal place to rest after a day of sightseeing. Guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner at restaurant focusing on using in-seasonal local products. Then, finish your evening with cocktails at the cosy bar. There is also the option to make use of the well-equipped fitness centre.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Grand Hotel Olimpo
Alberobello

The Grand Hotel Olimpo in Alberobello is a 4-star hotel located in the heart of the famous town, renowned for its unique trulli houses. It offers modern, spacious rooms, providing a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. The hotel features a restaurant with a focus on local Apulian cuisine, and beautiful garden spaces. With its excellent location, just a short walk from Alberobello’s historic centre, it's a perfect base for exploring the region’s cultural heritage.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Hotel Delle Palme
Lecce

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.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. Room sharing is not available on this tour.

2025
Twin/Double
Single
25 Apr - 3 May
Save 30%
R 81,075R 56,753
R 92,295R 64,607
9 May - 17 May
Save 30%
R 81,075R 56,753
R 92,295R 64,607
23 May - 31 May
Save 30%
R 81,075R 56,753
R 92,295R 64,607
6 Jun - 14 Jun
Save 30%
R 81,075R 56,753
R 92,295R 64,607
20 Jun - 28 Jun
Save 30%
R 81,075R 56,753
R 92,295R 64,607
27 Jun - 5 Jul
Save 30%
R 81,075R 56,753
R 92,295R 64,607
4 Jul - 12 Jul
Save 30%
R 81,075R 56,753
R 92,295R 64,607
18 Jul - 26 Jul
Save 30%
R 81,075R 56,753
R 92,295R 64,607

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