Itinerary
- Day 1
Bari to Ostuni Marina
You'll land in Bari and drive about ten kilometers to reach your hotel in Ostuni Marina. The whitewashed town of Ostuni sits nearby, though today you're settling in at the quiet hotel complex. Take some time to get comfortable, maybe swim in the pool, and catch your first glimpses of the Adriatic Sea from the coast.
Landmarks/POIs Ostuni - Day 2
Ostuni
After driving through olive groves, you'll arrive in Martina Franca on market day. Walk through the fresh fruit and vegetable stalls, chat with locals, and wander the town's streets. Later in the day, taste authentic Puglian olive oil and see Ostuni from a distance, perched on a hill with its maze of narrow streets winding up toward the cathedral and Piazza della Libertà.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Martina Franca market
- Olive oil tasting from Puglia
- Walk through Ostuni old town and cathedral area
Landmarks/POIs Martina Franca Ostuni Cathedral Piazza della Libertà, Ostuni - Day 3
Bitonto
You're headed to Bari, the capital of Apulia, to explore the car-free old town of Bari Vecchia. The narrow winding streets connect two harbors on a headland. Stop at the church of San Nicola to see where St. Nicholas is entombed, and check out the Romanesque church of San Sabino. In the afternoon, drive to Bitonto to visit the cathedral where St. Nicholas once preached before King Frederick II, with a relief in the Romanesque church depicting that story.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Church of San Nicola
- Bari Vecchia old town walk
- Church of San Sabino
- Bitonto Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Bari Vecchia Basilica di San Nicola Church of San Sabino Bitonto Cathedral - Day 4
Alberobello - Monopoli
Descend into the Castellana Caves system where stalagmites and stalactites reach depths of 60 meters. After coming back up, drive through the limestone Murge plain where you'll spot trulli for the first time. Alberobello has over 1,000 of these corbelled houses built without mortar and it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll pass through the Itria Valley, taste local wines with food, then walk along the seaside in Monopoli to wind down.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Wine tasting with small but very typical snack of local delicacies)
Included Activities
- Castellana Caves tour
- Trulli quarter in Alberobello
- Wine tasting with snack in Alberobello
- Monopoli seaside stroll
Landmarks/POIs Castellana Caves Alberobello Monopoli - Day 5
Castel del Monte
Drive to the seaside town of Trani and see the 11th-century Norman cathedral built from light reddish stone. The town embraces 'Cittaslow,' a movement about slowing down and quality of life. Then head to Castel del Monte, the octagonal castle known as the 'stone crown of Apulia.' You'll explore this mysterious structure and consider whether it served as a hunting lodge or treasury vault while learning about the Hohenstaufen dynasty.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trani Norman Cathedral
- Trani old town exploration
- Castel del Monte castle visit
Landmarks/POIs Trani Cathedral Castel del Monte - Day 6
Matera
Travel through countryside to Altamura and walk through the historic old town. Next, head to Matera, the rock town with fantastic views from above. The Sassi rock dwellings carved into limestone tuff are the main draw here, ancient homes people lived in until the 1950s and now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Altamura old town walk
- Matera Sassi rock dwellings exploration
Landmarks/POIs Altamura Matera Sassi di Matera - Day 7
Otranto
You're traveling deep into Italy's boot to reach Lecce, called the 'Pearl of Baroque.' Walk to Piazza Oronzo in the city center and see the remains of an amphitheater. Wander through the city streets and take in the Baroque church of Santa Croce. After lunch, continue to Otranto. Learn about the '800 martyrs of Otranto' at the Cathedral of Santissima Annunziata and see the mosaic floor that's been there for 900 years. Stop at the church of San Pietro for Byzantine frescoes. Your final group dinner wraps up the trip with time to reflect on everything you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Short lunch break in Lecce old town), Dinner (Final group dinner with fellow travelers)
Included Activities
- Piazza Oronzo and amphitheater remains
- Church of Santa Croce in Lecce
- Cathedral of Santissima Annunziata in Otranto
- Church of San Pietro in Otranto
Landmarks/POIs Lecce Piazza Oronzo Church of Santa Croce Otranto Cathedral of Santissima Annunziata Church of San Pietro - Day 8
Return to Bari Airport
Head back to Bari airport and say goodbye to Puglia. You'll have time to think back on the Hohenstaufen family history, trulli houses, and everything else you've experienced. If you've arranged extra vacation days, you can extend your stay in the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
