Tour of Apulia and Matera

General information

Duration	Destination	Departure
8 days and 7 nights	Italy (Bari, Trani, Monte Sant'Angelo, Gargano, Vieste, San Giovanni Rotondo, Barletta, Cisternino, Castellana Grotte, Alberobello, Ostuni, Lecce, Otranto, Matera)	Italy (Bari)

Category
Bilingual Italian-speaking tour guide Scheduled Tour en, es, it Half Board (dinner)


Bilingual Spanish-speaking tour guide Scheduled Tour en, es, it Half Board (dinner)


Bilingual English-speaking tour guide Scheduled Tour en, es, it Half Board (dinner) More info

Program Day 1: Saturday: Central Apulia Arrival in Bari/ Barletta and accommodation in one of the planned hotels. Check-in starts at 4:00 p.m. Before dinner, meet with your guide and have a Welcome Cocktail with the presentation of the tour. Dinner and Overnight stay. Day 2: Sunday: Trani - Monte Sant'Angelo Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Trani to explore its charming historic center, famous for its elegant atmosphere. A walk through the stone alleys brings us to the grand Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, a masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque architecture that rises directly by the sea. Along the way, there will be time to admire the Swabian Castle, the Municipal Villa, the old Jewish quarter with its synagogue, and the enchanting seafront promenade. Lunch with local flavors. In the afternoon, the journey continues to Monte Sant’Angelo, where we will visit the Sanctuary and the Cave of Saint Michael the Archangel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Accomodation in one of the planned hotels, dinner and overnight stay. Day 3: Monday: Vieste - San Giovanni Rotondo Breakfast at the hotel. Guided walk through the historic center of Vieste, among alleys, arches, and sea views. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, departure for San Giovanni Rotondo to explore the places linked to the life of Padre Pio, one of the most venerated spiritual figures. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. Day 4: Tuesday: Barletta - Bari Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Barletta where we will enjoy a pleasant walk through the old town admiring the main monuments of the city such as the Norman Castle, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Colossus of Barletta or “Eraclio” and the “Sótano del challenge". Next, visit an oil mill in the area and taste the famous Altamura bread. Lunch and departure to Bari, visit of the historic center with the Basilica of San Nicolas, a masterpiece of the Pugliese Romanesque. Transfer to the hotel in the Itria Valley, accommodation and dinner. Day 5: Wednesday: Castellana Caves - Alberobello - Ostuni Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the Caves of Castellana. Arrival in Alberobello, the “capital of the trulli,” and walk through its monumental area declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Lunch. In the afternoon, departure to Ostuni, the “white city,” and walk through its picturesque historic center with a visit to its Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. Return to the Hotel, dinner and overnight stay. Day 6: Thursday: Lecce - Otranto Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Lecce, the “Florence of the South” and capital of Pugliese baroque. Visit the historic center with the Basilica of Santa Croce, Piazza Duomo and Piazza San Oronzo. Small oil tasting. Lunch. In the afternoon, departure to Otranto to visit this city called the “Gate to the East” with its Romanesque Cathedral, the chapel of the tomb of the Holy Martyrs and the suggestive Crypt. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. Day 7: Friday: Matera Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Matera to visit the historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO thanks to the famous “Sassi” districts excavated in the rock, with particular attention to the “Sassi” Barisano, Caveoso and their houses, wineries and churches. Lunch and departure toward Bari or the surroundings. Accommodation in the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. Day 8: Saturday: Central Puglia Breakfast at the hotel and the end of the services. Price includes - GT coach and Tour Leader/ Regional guide ( Multilingual service available on request ) from dinner on the day of arrival until the end of the last excursion the day before departure - Half Board (breakfast and dinner) during the entire tour, from dinner on the 1st day to breakfast on the 8th day in the hotel or in a partner restaurant. Fixed regional menu with 3 courses Menu and drinks (1/4 liter of wine and 1⁄2 liter of water per person) - Light lunch/Local culinary experiences included, as specified in the itinerary - 1/4 liter of wine and 1⁄2 liter of water per person included during meals - Welcome cocktail - Use of audio-receiving devices throughout the duration of the tour - Accommodation at a 4-star hotel or similar - Tickets included according to the program: Trani Cathedral, Shuttle in San Giovanni Rotondo, Caves of Castellana, Basilica of Santa Croce in Lecce Price does not include - Transfers at the beginning and end of the tour - Extras and/or tips - Possible local eco-taxes and tourist taxes - Anything not specified in the “price includes” section

Itinerary

Day	Overnight	Itinerary highlights
1	Hotel Excelsior Bari (Bari), Hotel Parco dei Principi (Bari), Vittoria Parc Hotel (Bari), Una Hote or similarBari	Bari By 16:00 Arrival in Bari/Barletta and check-in at the hotel. Bari Before dinner, meet with your guide. Welcome cocktail and presentation of the tour.
2	Regio Hotel Manfredi (Manfredonia), Palace Hotel San Michele (Monte Sant’Angelo), NSM Hotel Palace L or similarGargano	Trani Visit of the historic center and the Romanesque cathedral overlooking the sea. Monte Sant'Angelo Visit the Sanctuary with the Grotto of Saint Michael the Archangel, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Gargano Arrival at the hotel in the Gargano area and dinner.
3	Regio Hotel Manfredi (Manfredonia), Palace Hotel San Michele (Monte Sant’Angelo), NSM Hotel Palace L or similarGargano	Vieste Gargano's most famous tourist resort, with a guided tour of its charming historic centre. San Giovanni Rotondo Visit of the places where San Pio developed his work and left his legacy for more than 50 years.
4	Hotel Lo Smeraldo (Cisternino), Semiramide Palace Hotel (Castellana Grotte), Victor Country Hotel ( or similarCisternino	Barletta Walking tour the old town admiring the main monuments of the city. Bari Visit of the historic center with the Basilica of San Nicolas, a masterpiece of the Pugliese Romanesque. Cisternino Accommodation in a hotel in the Itria Valley area.
5	Hotel Lo Smeraldo (Cisternino), Semiramide Palace Hotel (Castellana Grotte), Victor Country Hotel ( or similarCisternino	Castellana Grotte Castellana Caves and visit of the homonymous caves, the most visited espeleological tourist complex in Italy. Alberobello Explore the "capital of trulli" and stroll through its extraordinary monumental area, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Ostuni The “white city” and walk through its picturesque historic center with a visit to its Romanesque-Gothic cathedral.
6	Hotel Lo Smeraldo (Cisternino), Semiramide Palace Hotel (Castellana Grotte), Victor Country Hotel ( or similarCisternino	Lecce The “Florence of the South,” capital of Pugliese baroque. Otranto The easternmost city in Italy, it is a jewel of Salento overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
7	Hotel Excelsior Bari (Bari), Hotel Parco dei Principi (Bari), Vittoria Parc Hotel (Bari), Una Hote or similarBari	Matera Visit to the historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO thanks to the famous "Sassi" neighborhoods and their small houses. Bari Accommodation in a hotel in Bari/Barletta area or surroundings.
8		Bari Breakfast at the hotel in the Bari/Barletta area and end of the services.

Accommodations provided in each place

Place	Bilingual Italian-speaking tour guide	Bilingual Spanish-speaking tour guide	Bilingual English-speaking tour guide
Bari	Hotel Excelsior Bari (Bari), Hotel Parco dei Principi (Bari), Vittoria Parc Hotel (Bari), Una Hote or similar
Gargano	Regio Hotel Manfredi (Manfredonia), Palace Hotel San Michele (Monte Sant’Angelo), NSM Hotel Palace L or similar
Cisternino	Hotel Lo Smeraldo (Cisternino), Semiramide Palace Hotel (Castellana Grotte), Victor Country Hotel ( or similar