MAGICAL APULIA


The land of sea, white hamlets, eternal culture and history: experience an unforgettable journey in Apulia, where you will enjoy the atmosphere of Alberobello, with the picturesque Trulli, several small towns full of traditions, Lecce and its Baroque palaces, Matera and its stone-houses, the crystal-clear sea. Fall in love with Apulia!



DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1-ARRIVAL IN VIESTE


Private transfer from Naples airport or from alternative locations to the Gargano area, in a hotel located directly on the seaside near Vieste. Afternoon at leisure to relax on the seaside and to visit the surrounding area on own. Dinner on own and overnight in Vieste


DAY 2-RODI GARGANICO AND VIESTE


Today, enjoy a full day of relax in Rodi Garganico and Vieste. Rodi Garganico represents one of the most beautiful and interesting seaside resorts in Apulia, awarded with the Blue Flag, a recognition given to ecological resorts with excellent water quality. The coast is characterized by long beaches whose continuity is interrupted by the promontory on which stands the quaint town of Rodi Garganico. The sand of beaches are clear and characterized by particularly fine grain. In the late afternoon, return to Rodi Garganico, dinner on own and overnight.


ESSENCE SPECIALS

 

  • A day of complete relax and fun in Rodi Garganico wonderful beach



DO NOT MISS

 

  • A walk in Rodi Garganico village, characterized by the presence of fishermen’s houses, narrow, quaint streets, and several beautiful churches.



DAY 3 – TRANI AND POLIGNANO A MARE

In the morning, check-out and transfer to Trani, where you will admire the beautiful Cathedral overlooking the sea and the city center, with the Norma castle, several churches and monasteries, palaces and historical squares, defensive walls dating back to the Norman times. Lunch on own in Trani. Afterwards, transfer to Polignano a Mare, a supermodel of the coastal scene. It is beautifully preserved, with its chalked white houses shining in the sun, its cobbled stone streets and the lovely Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and the cafè – lined Piazza San Benedetto. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Polignano a Mare.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • The wonderful Trani city center, with the famous Cathedral and the Norman castle dating back to the 13th century.

  • The sea panoramas in Polignano a Mare and its exclusive atmosphere


DO NOT MISS

 

  • Restaurant Quintessenza in Trani, judged as one of the best ones in the whole town



DAY 4- ALBEREOBELLO, LOCOROTONDO AND CISTERNINO

In the morning departure for Cisternino. Enjoy a walking tour of the ancient village city center. Afterwards continue for a visit of Locorotondo, that belongs to the borghi piu belli D’Italia , (one of the most beautiful towns in Italy).It sits on top of a small hill like a gleaming white constellation above the surrounding vineyards and it takes its name from the circular plan of the town. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon you will visit the town of Alberobello with over 1500 of its unique Trullis. Check-in at your hotel, dinner on own and overnight in Ostuni.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • Cisternino city centre with its elegant palaces (palazzo del Governatore, palazzo Vescovile, Palazzo Amati, palazzo Lagravinese, palazzo Devitofranceschi, torre Capece)

  • Locorotondo with its circular houses located along a circle.

  • Albereobello, now classified a Unesco World Heritage site


DAY 5- OSTUNI AND WINE TASTING IN CELLINO SAN MARCO

In the morning, visit Ostuni, the white town. Meeting with private local English speaking guide to begin your guided tour which will include a visit of Ostuni main sights. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to a famous wine estate, where you will experience a special wine tasting. Afterwards transfer to Lecce, balance of the day at leisure, dinner on own and overnight.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • Ostuni with its Cathedral, Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi and the Church of Santa Annunziata.


ESSENCE SPECIALS

 

  • Cellino San Marco, one of the most famous Italian wine estates owned by a popular italian singer, Albano



DO NOT MISS

 

  • Try the taralli, the typical Apulian bread snack, in a local bakery.



DAY 6-LECCE

In the morning, guided visit of Lecce, called the Florence of the South, one of the greatest baroque towns in the world, even defined by the 18th century traveller Thomas Ashe "the most beautiful city in the world". Lunch in a local restaurant centrally located in Lecce. At the end of the full-day tour, balance of the day at leisure to enjoy the town on your own. Dinner on own and overnight in Lecce.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • Lecce and its evocative atmosphere, with the Roman amphitheater, the Cathedral, the Santa Croce Church, the Charles V castle and many other attractions.



DO NOT MISS

 

  • Caffé Letterario in Lecce, where the coffee tradition meets culture and where you can take a rest reading Italian and foreign books

  • La Bottega del Corso, where you can buy typical fresh local products



DAY 7- OTRANTO, SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA

In the morning, transfer to Otranto and visit of the city on your own, with the main sights such as the Castle and the Cathedral. Lunch on own in Otranto. Afterwards to Santa Maria di Leuca, one of the Italian resorts with the most beautiful panoramas. Admire the beautiful lighthouse and enjoy the wonderful views and sea shores. In the afternoon, transfer to Gallipoli, balance of the day at leisure and overnight in Gallipoli

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • The Castello Aragonese (Castle) in Otranto, reinforced by Emperor Frederick II and rebuilt by Alphonso II of Naples in 1485-1498.

  • The Cathedral in Otranto, consecrated in 1088, a work of Count Roger I adorned later (about 1163), by Bishop Jonathas, with a mosaic floor; it has a rose window and side portal of 1481.

  • The catacombs of Torre Pinta in Otranto.



DAY 8: GALLIPOLI

Today, enjoy a day of pure relax in Gallipoli: visit the town on your own discovering its traditions and architecture, stay on the seaside relaxing and admiring the wonderful coastal panoramas, take a pleasant walk on the sea shore. Overnight in Gallipoli.


DAY 9- MATERA

Today, enjoy an excursion to Matera, the City of Stone. Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the "Sassi di Matera" (meaning "stones of Matera") and for the film by Mel Gibson, "the Passion", shot here. Visit the whole town admiring the well-preserved Sassi and spend the day in Matera. Lunch and dinner on own. Overnight in Matera

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • The Matera Sassi are houses dug into the calcareous rock itself. Many of these "houses" are really only caverns, and the streets in some parts of the Sassi often are located on the rooftops of other houses.

  • Matera preserves a large and diverse collection of buildings related to the Christian faith, including a large number of rupestrian churches carved from the soft volcanic rock of the region. These churches, were listed in the Worlds Monuments Watch.



DAY 10-CHECK OUT


Buffet breakfast at your hotel and check-out. Private transfer to Naples airport or to alternative destinations.



OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE TOUR: 3*, 4*, 5* HOTELS, VILLAS AND HISTORICAL RESIDENCES, ALL THE TOURS CAN BE PERSONALIZED AND TAILOR MADE

PRICE: ON REQUEST AT INFO@ESSENCEOFITALY.IT