Puglia: Bari, Itria Valley, Salento

Departure for Bari. Arrival and transfer in Conversano (BA). Dinner and chance to have a walk on your own in the evening, overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Trani. Visit to the Romanesque cathedral belonging to the XI century and to the exterior of the Svevo Castle recently restructured. Of particular beauty and impression is the small harbor which makes its way in the medieval center of the town to the Jewish neighborhood built on the will of Federico II of Svevia in the XIII century. Walk to the gorgeous public gardens with a view on the sea. Light lunch near Castel del Monte. After lunch transfer to visit Castel del Monte, the very famous castle wanted by Federico II of Svevia in the ‘40s of 1200. Return to the hotel to have dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel, departure for Bari, the main town of region Puglia, recently relaunched and revalued. We will be visiting the narrow roads of “Bari vecchia” (old Bari) which lead to the ancient San Nicola Church, to the Normanno Svevo Castle and to the very characteristic “road of the orecchiette”. Amazing view from the ancient city walls, walk toward the sea, prosecution to the shopping streets where Petruzzelli Theater is one of the most important buildings. Light lunch tasting “panzerotti” and “focaccia” from Bari. Prosecution to Polignano a Mare and visit to the town declared as the Adriatic pearl and renowned for its amazing terraces facing the sea. This is the city where the famous Italian singer Domenico Modugno was born. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Altamura. Visit to the town of “claustri”, to the palatina cathedral and to the streets of the ancient town. Light lunch with visit to an ancient bakery, explanation of the Altamura Bread (DOP) production process and tasting of bread with tomato, focaccia and taralli baked in wood oven and local cheese. After lunch break, departure for region Basilicata, where the visit to Matera (European Capital for Culture, 2019) will be waiting for us. In Matera we will be visiting the traditional buildings called “sassi” belonging to the UNESCO heritage since 1993. After visiting narrow streets, a church made of rocks, we will be able to enjoy the charm of the sunset from the gravina di Matera . Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Alberobello, the city of “trulli”. Walking down the streets we will be fascinated by the trullo church, the Siamese trullo, the typical local craftsmen’s shops. Prosecution with the visit to one of the historic oil mills of Itria Valley, where you will discover how olive oil is produced. After the visit you will be able to taste different kind of extra virgin olive oil from Puglia. Light lunch at the oil mill with local products. Visit to Ostuni, which was built on the hills of Murgia, it faces the Adriatic Sea. You will discover the “white town” called like this thanks to its buildings lime painted. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out with luggage. Departure for Lecce, the famous city of Baroque, also called the “southern Florence”. Among the various buildings of the town the one which should be remembered are the Roman Amphitheater, the Cathedral, the Bishop’s palace and the marvelous Santa Croce church. Light lunch with the typical “puccia” from Lecce, a loaf of bread filled with local products. Prosecution to the wonderful coastline of Salento in order to reach Otranto, Italy most oriental town. Visit to the Romanic Cathedral where we will be able to observe one of the most extended floor mosaics and to the king Alfonso d’ Aragona’s castle with the beautiful promenade. Hotel accommodation in Lecce, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel and departure to Capo di Leuca. Short stop in the Santa Maria di Leuca’s sanctuary, place of pray and of big charm. Transfer to Gallipoli. In the old town we will be visiting the exterior side of the castle, Sant’ Agata’s Cathedral (XVII century), Pureness Church and the amazing Baroques Buildings. Lunch break. In the afternoon, visit of Galatina. Here we will find the Cathedral dedicated to Santa Caterina d’ Alessandria which owns a very extended pictorial cycle. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel, transfer by bus to the Brindisi or Bari airport for the return flight.

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