Great Apulia & Matera 2025

8 day tour Start in Bari – End in Brindisi

Main cities: Trani, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Martina Franca, Matera, Locorotondo, Taranto, Ostuni and Lecce.

15 Meals to include: 7 breakfast buffets, 7 lunches/dinners, 1 wine and olive oil tasting

Check DEPARTURES and PRICES:

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Great Apulia & Matera is an 8-day tour starting in BARI and ending in BRINDISI traveling through many beautiful villages of the Apulia region. You will also enjoy: our hand-selected local restaurants with authentic regional dishes, some of the best wineries in the area, a cheesemaking demonstration, and of course some free time for shopping or enjoying the sights at your own pace. Sun, sky, sea, food, wine, history, and locals make this region one of the most visited in Italy… Can’t be missed.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Bari

Welcome to Bari-Palese int. airport (BRI). Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting for you at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 3:00 pm for a private transfer to your hotel in Bari. In the afternoon you’ll meet your tour guide and other passengers for a walking tour of the picturesque old town and San Nicola’s Basilica followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Parco dei Principi, Oriente Hotel or similar hotel (2 nights)

Day 2 – Trani – Polignano a Mare

This morning, take private walking tour of the center of Trani to see the beautiful Cathedral, the Swabian castle, and the picturesque marina. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, head to Poligano a Mare, the amazing village built on the clifftop overlooking the sea. Take a short walking tour of the center followed by some free time to enjoy at your own pace.

Day 3 – Alberobello – Cheesemaking demonstration – Martina Franca

Leave Bari to reach the beautiful UNESCO site of Alberobello.Take a walking tour with a local guide to learn more about Trulli houses and their history. Next, head to a local Masseria to participate in a cheesemaking demonstration and have lunch. After lunch, check in to our hotel. In the late afternoon, visit Martina Franca to see the Palazzo Ducale and the Cathedral followed by some free time for shopping and dinner at leisure.

Hotel: Masseria Chiancone Torricella, Parco delle Querce or similar hotel (3 nights)

Day 4 – Itria Valley – Matera – Locorotondo

Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera, known as the City of Stones to see the “Sassi”: ancient homes carved right into the tufa rock. Explore the narrow streets that wind their way through the Sassi to discover ancient homes and churches carved from stone with a local guide. Enjoy the evening at leisure in one of the most beautiful Italian historical centers, Locorotondo. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Day 5 – Taranto – Mini Cruise – Winery

Reach Taranto on the Ionio Sea, which lies between the Mar Grande (Big Sea) and Mar Piccolo (Little Sea) bodies of water. Bridges link the mainland to the old town on a small island. Take a walking tour with a local guide through the old town, San Cataldo Basilica, and the 15th-century Aragonese Castle. Then take a mini cruise through “Big Sea” and “Little Sea” overlooking the beautiful old section of the town from the seaside. In the afternoon, visit a local winery for a wine tasting including typical products of the region. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Day 6 – Ostuni – Lecce

Drive by the small village of Cisternino to visit a local olive oil mill. Next, drive to one of the most beautiful hilltop towns in Apulia, Ostuni, “The white city”, where there will be free time to discover and enjoy the small village at your own pace. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive to beautiful Lecce, also known as “The Florence of the South”. On a guided sightseeing tour, see the highlights of this delightful city including the stunning Basilica and its monumental Piazza Del Duomo. Tonight, discover the flavors of typical regional dishes.

Hotel: GH Lecce, GH Tiziano or similar (2 nights)

Day 7 – Gallipoli – St. Maria al Bagno – Salento

Today drive to Gallipoli, to visit a stunning cathedral and the Frantoio Ipogeo (an ancient underground olive mill carved from stone). Then some free time to explore the old town. Enjoy lunch with a selection of fresh seafood and wine to celebrate the success of your vacation in the Apulia region. After lunch, take a short drive to St. Maria al Bagno to enjoy a beautiful view overlooking the Ionian Sea with a cup of coffee or gelato. Enjoy an evening as you please in Lecce.

Day 8 – Home

Arrivederci Apulia! Our Departure transfer will arrive at Brindisi-Casale Airport (BDS) at 6:00 am and 10:30 am

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WHAT IS INCLUDED

Transportation:

Private airport transfer for your tour on arrival & departure (see the Itinerary)
Luxury air-conditioned private minibus
Mini cruise in Taranto

Accommodations:

First Class Hotels
Includes all taxes (including city tax)
Baggage handling included (ask your driver)
All standard gratuities for hotel personnel

15 Meals:

7 breakfast buffets
7 lunches/dinners to include: three main courses, dessert, local fine wine (1/4)
1 wine and olive oil tasting with fine local food
All Standard gratuities for restaurant personnel

Tour Guide & Tour Driver:

Your tour will be conducted by our tour guide & tour driver. They will take the worry out of foreign travel as they manage the intricate details of your tour, keeping you entertained with anecdotes and stories to make sure your vacation is educational, entertaining, fun and safe!
Any gratuities are at your pleasure for our tour guide & tour driver

Equipment:

Wireless headsets to hear our guides clearly and distinctly in public places allowing you to roam & explore sites (within 60 feet) without missing any insight from your local guides (group of 9 or more)
Travel documents (PDF) included
One umbrella per person in case of rain

VIEW – VISIT – WALKING TOUR – MUSEUMS AND GALLERY

Bari:

Walking tour through the city center. View of San Nicola’s Basilica, San Sabino Cathedral and Castle Svevo *(WLG)

Trani:

Walking tour through the city center. View of Cathedral, Swabian Castle and the marina *(WLG)

Alberobello:

Walking tour through the city center to visit the Trulli *(WLG)

Matera:

Walking tour to visit the Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera *(WLG)

Lecce:

Guided tour through the center city, see the Basilica and its monumental Piazza del Duomo

Suggested attire:

Comfortable shoes are important for walking on the uneven surfaces. Attire for Italian Churches: No shorts, skirts, tank tops, or bare shoulders for men or women are permitted. Bermuda shorts are permitted.

*(WLG) = With Local Guide and wireless headsets

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