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First Class hotels/Masseria
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Bari (BRI)
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Brindisi (BDS)
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Arrival and departure as detailed in the itinerary
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15
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Luxury MinBus
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1
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Orecchiette Experience
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4/12
Dates
The same itinerary, with a minimum of 6 participants, can also be offered as a private tour at no additional cost. Your private trip combines comfort, exclusivity, and exceptional value—ensuring an unforgettable Italian experience crafted just for you. Request your private tour using the form below (end of the page), or contact us at: info@greattoursofitaly.com
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Available PackagesSundayMarch 22, 2026SundayMarch 29, 2026EUR 2940
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Available PackagesSundayApril 12, 2026SundayApril 19, 2026EUR 2940
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Available PackagesSundayJune 7, 2026SundayJune 14, 2026EUR 2940
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.
Highlights
- 8 day tour – Trulli Valley D’Itria – Alberobello, Matera, Bari, Trani, Polignano a Mare, Martina Franca, Matera, Locorotondo, Taranto, Ostuni and Lecce
- Start in Bari (BRI) – End in Brindisi (BDS)
- 15 Meals to include – 7 breakfast buffets, 7 dinners/lunches - 1 olive oil tasting
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)
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.
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)
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.
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.
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)
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.
Arrivederci Apulia! Our Departure transfer will arrive at Brindisi-Casale Airport (BDS) at 6:00 am and 10:30 am
What's included
Experiences
- Bari: walking tour *(WLG)
- Trani: walking tour *(WLG)
- Alberobello: walking tour *(WLG)
- Martina Franca: cheese making dimostration
- Matera: walking tour *(WLG)
- Ostuni: olive oil tasting
- Lecce: walking tour *(WLG)
- *(WLG) = With Local Guide and wireless headsets
Optional Experiences
- Valle d'itria: orecchiette making class and wine tasting
Overall Trip Rating:
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Verified Purchase
By Teresa M.(United States (US))November 14, 2025 Kind Support, No Stress, Great PricesI have booked multiple trips with Great Tours of Italy and I have had to change dates multiple times because life happens. Francesco has always been so nice, understanding and always happy to help. They treat you like you are the only person they need to help. They don't hurry or rush you and they don't tack on extra fees for every little change you make. This really is the reason I keep coming back to them. You also can't beat the price for the value. I've priced all inclusive with them to be literally half the price what their competitors offer! -
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By Denise M. May 25, 2025 Apulia and MateraWe loved the professionalism of Great Tours of Italy. The itinerary was rich and varied, but never rushed. Our guide explained history clearly, recommended excellent local restaurants, and made sure everyone was comfortable. Transportation and accommodations were excellent throughout the tour.
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By Pathe B. May 17, 2025 GTIWe were very impressed with the service of Great Tours of Italy. The guides were knowledgeable and spoke excellent English, the transfers were always on time, and the itinerary balanced guided visits with free time. We appreciated how easy and well coordinated everything was.
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By David J.(United States (US))April 3, 2025 Excellent tripNo complaints, excellent trip for us and our group of friends. We were impressed from airport pick up, accommodations, our guide and driver to airport drop off. Top notch from beginning to end. We can't wait until out next travel with Great Tours of Italy.
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By Sharon(Italy)May 19, 2024 Memorable MomentThis was our first Great Tours of Italy trip. We traveled the Great Southern Italy. The hotel accommodations were fabulous. Food was out standing. All details were handled with the utmost perfection. The inclusions covered a wide range and everyone could attend. Our Tour director was so informative. We recommend traveling with Great Tours of Italy. Memorable Momement.mThe world drifted away and we were transported to another time. Everyone enjoyed the slow pace and laughter filled the air.
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By Pam(Italy)October 10, 2023 Apulia escapeLoved that I was able to see so much.
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By Charmy(Italy)July 11, 2019 Summer 2019I can’t say enough about Great Tours of Italy. They are a top notch professional company whose tours run like a well oiled machine. They take care of everything, all you have to do is show up and enjoy your vacation. Our trip to Italy summer of 2019 was an amazing experience and I can’t thank G.T.I. enough. Maybe go back to Italy because I think I left a piece of my heart there.
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By Mark Tommasini(Italy)May 27, 2018 Real Italian tourGreat Tours of Italy is the most professional tour company with employees that are extremely professional, personal and very educated to all the places we went. Our driver got us every place very safely and in a timely manner as well as take care of all our luggage needs. I used Great Tours of Italy back in 2014 and they were just as professional as they were then on this trip. Thank you again Great Tours of Italy for making this tour immersive into the italian culture and memorable adventure!!!
You will stay in first-class hotels and Masserie, including:
- Bari: Parco dei Principi, Oriente Hotel, or similar (2 nights)
- Itria Valley: Masseria Chiancone Torricella, Parco delle Querce, or similar (3 nights)
- Lecce: GH Lecce, GH Tiziano, or similar (2 nights)
All rooms include private facilities and daily breakfast.
Yes.
Arrival transfers from Bari Airport (BRI) are provided at 10:00, 12:30, and 15:00.
Departure transfers are offered to Brindisi Airport (BDS) at 06:00 and 10:30.
A total of 15 meals, including:
- 7 breakfast buffets
- 7 lunches or dinners at selected local restaurants
- 1 olive oil tasting
- 1 cheesemaking demonstration with lunch
- 1 winery visit with tasting
Guests enjoy:
- Orecchiette cooking experience
- Cheesemaking demonstration in a Masseria
- Olive oil mill visit with tasting
- Taranto mini-cruise with seafood lunch
- Salento wine tasting
Major highlights include:
- Bari
- Trani
- Polignano a Mare
- Alberobello (UNESCO)
- Matera (UNESCO, Sassi district)
- Locorotondo
- Martina Franca
- Taranto
- Ostuni
- Lecce
- Gallipoli
- Santa Maria al Bagno
Yes. Many guests combine this itinerary with:
- Great Sicily Tour
- Western Sicily & Aeolian Islands Tour
- Great Southern Italy Extensions
