Puglia Highlights

You will be picked up in Bari from your arrival point and taken to your accommodation.

For your time in Puglia you stay in the picturesque seaside town of Monopoli. The historic centre of Monopoli is a gem: it is lined with elegant baroque palaces of the noble families, evocative lanes amongst the whitewashed buildings, as well as a charming seafront and cute piazzas with the traditional ‘passeggiata’ in full swing each evening.

Over the next few days you’ll have plenty of time to explore Monopoli at your own pace, enjoying the sea views and being immersed in the local lifestyle.

Note: If selecting accommodation options B or C you will travel directly to those accommodation locations on the first day.

You will be picked up and driven to your first stop, Alberobello. The picturesque Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a unique town with streets lined with ‘trulli’. In fact it is known in Italy as the “Capital of trulli”. Trulli are small stone houses with a distinctive conical roof, built 300-400 years ago. You will be fascinated by the magical and fairytale atmosphere of this place. A guide will spend 45 minutes showing you around Alberobello and explaining the background, after which you will have time to wander around independently.

Your driver will then take you to the town of Polignano a Mare. Polignano a Mare is an impressive town clinging to a promontory suspended above the Adriatic’s turquoise waters. With a history spanning back to the 4th century BC as a Greek settlement, Polignano A Mare is a charming town centred around the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele – the perfect place for a coffee or aperol spritz. The town was on the ancient Roman Trajan’s Way, and you can still see the remains of this route. Polignano A Mare encircles a pebble beach, which is [opular for swimming.

You will be picked up and driven to Lecce. Lecce is a city that flourished in the 17th century when extravagant and elegant baroque buildings were built by the ruling classes. The baroque style features ornate decorations covering the facades of churches and palaces.

In Lecce you will meet a local expert guide to have the key sights explained during your private two hour walking tour. The baroque style here is distinct from that in other parts of Italy, both stylistically and in the use of the beige coloured local stone.

As well as the architectural and historical features, Lecce is an elegant town in which to indulge in more modern pleasures. There are many interesting boutiques and cafes, and the piazzas are full of life in this important southern Italian centre. Your driver will then take you to the town of Ostuni, known as “la città bianca” (the white town). Ostuni is a cluster of whitewashed buildings perched on a hilltop overlooking the coast. Walking through the narrow streets of Ostuni is like being in a forgotten time, evocative and ancient, looking out over an expanse of olive trees. We advise keeping your camera at the ready!

Note: some churches charge for entrance in Lecce, this is to be paid in cash at the time (€5-€10)

You will be picked up and driven to the town of Matera in the neighbouring Basilicata region. Visiting Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is like a step back in time. In fact this is one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in the world. The oldest cave dwellings go back to the Bronze Age. In Matera you will meet a local expert guide to have the key sights explained during your private two hour walking tour. The town consists of houses carved out of the rock face along the side of a steep ravine.

Visit the ‘sassi’ cave area, and enter one of the typical houses built into the rock, showing the difficult existence in these conditions. Also visit a cave church hewn out of the rock, featuring Byzantine frescoes and with interesting histories as their usage has evolved and adapted over the years.

Note: some churches and museums charge for entrance in Matera, this is to be paid in cash at the time (€2-€3).

Today is your last day in Puglia, we organise private transfers for you to your departure point in Bari.