Images of Puglia, Italy | A Tailor-Made Tour with Pettitts Travel

Day 1 UK to Bari

Begin your journey this morning by boarding your international flight to Bari in southern Italy. On arrival you will be met and privately transferred from the airport to your hotel in the city centre. In the afternoon, meet your local guide who will take you to explore Bari, Puglia’s capital. Enjoy a private walking tour where you will visit the city’s main historical buildings including the Teatro Petruzzelli and the Basilica of St. Nicholas. Amble down the picturesque seaside promenade and the famous Via delle Orecchiette where locals prepare handmade pasta to sell to visitors. In the evening enjoy an included street food dinner with typical dishes including focaccia, panzerotto and sgagliozze (D)

Accommodation in Bari: iH Hotels Bari Oriente (or similar)
Upgrade option: Grande Albergo delle Nazioni

Day 2 Bari and Polignano a Mare

Spend the morning at leisure before travelling to Polignano a Mare, a beautiful jewel on the coast of Valle d’Itria. Perched atop a 20-metre high limestone cliff, spend the afternoon wandering through the cobbled streets and admiring the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic from the town’s various viewpoints. You may wish to dine at the unique Grotta Palazzese in the evening, an enchanting restaurant built inside a natural cave. (B)

Accommodation in Bari: iH Hotels Bari Oriente (or similar)
Upgrade option: Grande Albergo delle Nazioni

Day 3 Alta Murgia National Park and Matera

This morning visit Alta Murgia National Park, a limestone plateau scored by deep ravines and sudden sinkholes. Remote and aloof, Alta Murgia offers the perfect setting for Castel del Monte, a breathtaking octagonal citadel. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, this medieval castle commissioned by Frederick II in the 13th century offers stunning views of the national park as it sits about 540 metres above sea. After lunch at a local agriturismo, drive to the city of Matera which was named the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Check in to your hotel in the Sassi di Matera, a district of ancient cave dwellings inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, another UNESCO site. Meet your local guide and embark on a private walking tour of this unique area for the remainder of the afternoon. (B, L)
Accommodation in Matera: Sextantio le Grotte della Civita (or similar)

Upgrade option: Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa

Day 4 Lucan Dolomites

Today travel to the spectacular Lucan Dolomites and reach the picturesque small village of Castelmezzano, listed among ‘Italy’s most beautiful village’. Home to authentic charms and a medieval urban structure, take some time to explore this hidden gem in the Basilicata region. In the afternoon continue to Pietrapertosa, another stunning village surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Dolomites. Enjoy a traditional three-course lunch at a local restaurant suspended over a breathtaking valley. Transfer back to Matera and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B, L)
Accommodation in Matera: Sextantio le Grotte della Civita (or similar)

Upgrade option: Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa

Day 5 Cisternino and Alberobello

After breakfast, travel back to Puglia towards Cisternino where you will visit a family-run farm that produces capocollo, a traditional pork cold cut. Take a guided tour of the farm and learn about the production processes ending with a capocollo tasting and light lunch. In the afternoon continue to Alberobello, another UNESCO World Heritage site which home to the famous trulli. Trulli are typical white dry-stone constructions with a conical roof. Traditionally used as field shelters and storehouses, these unique buildings are still in use today. Walk through the winding alleys exploring this other-worldly town before travelling to your Masseria, a traditional rural lodging, in the heart of Valle d’Itria. (B, L)
Accommodation in Valle d’Itria: Masseria Montenapoleone (or similar)

Upgrade option: Masseria Torre Maizza

Day 6 Valle d’Itria

Today you will take part in a private cookery class where you will enjoy a hands-on morning learning about traditional Apulian cuisine, often termed ‘la cucina povera’, or ‘food of the poor’. Typical dishes you may make include orecchiette, ‘little ears’ pasta, baccalà alla salentina, baked salted cod with pecorino cheese and fresh tomato and pasticciotto, creamy custard and cherry tarts. Sample your creations for lunch before spending the afternoon at leisure at your Masseria. (B, L)
Accommodation in Valle d’Itria: Masseria Montenapoleone (or similar)

Upgrade option: Masseria Torre Maizza

Day 7 Ostuni and Lecce

After breakfast check out of the Masseria and travel to the whitewashed town of Ostuni. Enjoy a stroll through the Old Town characterised by tiny alleyways and cobbled streets before walking to the town’s most enchanting spot, the Romanesque Cathedral. Admire the unique balconies and terraces with wonderful panoramas facing the glistening sea and enjoy lunch at leisure. In the afternoon drive to Lecce. Home to excellent Moorish, Roman and Baroque architecture, take a walking tour of the city with a professional guide; visit the amphitheatre, duomo, Charles V Castle and artisan markets. (B)
Accommodation in Lecce: Suite Hotel Santa Chiara (or similar)

Upgrade option: Risorgimento Resort

Day 8 Salento and Otranto

Today you will enjoy a private boat tour down the beautiful coast of Salento. Known for its large number of ravines, fjord holes, caves and turquoise sea, this area holds great biological and historical importance. Depart from the port of Castro Marina and climb the coast to Santa Cesarea whilst admiring the spectacular landscapes. Discover Romanelli cave, a prehistoric site of great interest where Palaeolithic discoveries were found inside. Back on shore, take leisurely lunch before travelling to the picturesque town of Otranto, perched on the water's edge. A private guide will show you the sights of this special place before returning to Lecce for dinner at leisure. (B)
Accommodation in Lecce: Suite Hotel Santa Chiara (or similar)

Upgrade option: Risorgimento Resort

Day 9 Galatina

After breakfast head to Galatina which is famous for the splendid Basilica of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, a treasure chest of magnificent painted frescoes. Explore this wonderful piece of architecture before sampling the Apulian sweet treat, pasticciotto, a traditional cake made with pastry and custard. After lunch at leisure, return to Lecce for one final afternoon at leisure in Puglia. (B)
Accommodation in Lecce: Suite Hotel Santa Chiara (or similar)

Upgrade option: Risorgimento Resort

Day 10 Brindisi to the UK

After breakfast you will be met from your hotel and be taken to Brindisi airport by private transfer for the flight back to the UK. (B)

Images of Puglia

10 days from £4350 per person

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

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Pettitts guide to price for this itinerary would be £4350 per person

Itinerary: Images of Puglia

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