Welcome aboard! We hope you have a pleasant flight and can sit back and relax. While this tour does not include airfare, we’re happy to assist by adding it at your request. If this tour is an extension of a stay somewhere else in Europe or Italy, we can also assist you with train tickets. Our team is always searching for the best deals available, so feel free to reach out if you require assistance.

Upon arrival in Bari, we’ll be there to greet you. Have a safe and enjoyable journey!

Welcome to Bari! Our team will pick you up from the airport or train station and escort you to our hotel in Bari.  Attend our welcome dinner and socialize with your fellow travelers. Let the fun begin!

WELCOME DINNER

After breakfast, we will have the opportunity to explore the city of Bari.  We will visit Bari Cathedral and see the Old Town, the castle, and the Basilica of St. Nicholas, which contains the bishop’s remains whose tendency for anonymous gift-giving inspired the legend of Santa Claus. 

We will continue the day with a visit to Polignano a Mare, famous for its cliffs above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic and for giving birth to the great Domenico Modugno, who wrote and sang numerous classic songs, including the massive international hit, Volare (originally entitled Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu)!
After our visit, we will enjoy our dinner to taste local recipes of the Apulia tradition.

BREAKFAST – DINNER

After breakfast,  we will stop in Monopoli, a port city that dates back to the Greeks and thus its name meaning “the only city.” Like many of the towns in this part of Puglia, Monopoli’s Centro Storico is built of white stone and dotted with other white-washed buildings, all contrasting perfectly with the bright blue Puglia skies. We will visit its historical center and admire its castle extended on the coast, which is historically strategically positioned to defend the town and the harbor.

In the afternoon, we will visit an oil mill to immerse ourselves in an ancient and genuine atmosphere. we will take you to discover the centuries-old olive trees, the stages of production of extra virgin olive oil, and the ancient underground oil mill. The tour will end with tastings of various oils in order to distinguish their organoleptic qualities.

We will finalize our day by visiting Ostuni, dubbed the “White City.” This is one of southern Italy’s most stunning cities, famous for its whitewashed houses’ dazzling effect. It is a genuine and charming example of Mediterranean architecture. You can walk into its historical center and enjoy dinner before returning to your hotel.

BREAKFAST – DINNER – OIL TASTING

After Breakfast, we will depart to Alberobello for a walking tour of this unique town, where you’ll explore more of its UNESCO-recognized iconic “trulli” homes with symbols painted onto the roof to bring luck. We will taste local products on its streets.  We will stop to it at one of the typical masserias of the area for lunch and learn the secrets of hand-made pasta.

After lunch, we will proceed to Martina Franca, Gianni’s birthplace! Martina Franca is perched on a hilltop in Val D’Itria, a beautiful valley in Puglia famous for olive oil production and trulli. Martina Franca is famous for its outstanding Baroque Architecture (Barocco Martinese). There you will enjoy the Centro Storico, walk along the old stone streets and even do some shopping.

BREAKFAST – LUNCH | HAND-MADE PASTA CLASS

Today, be ready for a sightseeing treat! Our first stop will be in Lecce, dubbed “the Florence of the South,” in this beautiful city of Greek origins, you will find traces of the Roman Empire mixed with some of the most beautiful baroque architecture. We will get to know the city on a guided sightseeing tour as we visit the Lecce Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and the Roman Amphitheater.

After lunch, the afternoon will be dedicated to enjoying one of the beautiful beaches Apulia is known for. Take your swimsuit and enjoy the magnificent beaches for an afternoon of relaxation.

BREAKFAST – LUNCH

After breakfast, depart to visit Otranto. A beautiful city famous for its ancient history, old town, Aragonese castle, and walls. Otranto also boasts some of the most picturesque beaches in Italy. Otranto is known by Italians as “the Pearl of Salento”, you will love the fantastic views of the turquoise seas alternated by white cliffs. 

After lunch, we will depart to visit Gallipoli, “the beautiful city”. The perfect place for meeting the sunset due to its location on the Italian heel’s Westside, Gallipoli Old City is a walled island connected to the mainland by a bridge. There you will find all the elements that make Italy a dream destination: history, incredible architecture, fantastic food, and clear waters.

BREAKFAST – LUNCH 

After breakfast, we will visit a hidden gem, Europe’s Cultural Capital, for 2019! We will stop in Matera to see the “Sassi,” a spectacular accumulation of cave dwellings built into the soft tufa stone of deep ravines. Inhabited since prehistoric times, there were 18,000 resident Sassi cave dwellers as recently as the 1950s when they were forcibly evacuated for inadequate sanitation. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area has been repopulated and the homes renovated, with many transformed into elegant hotels and restaurants.

In the afternoon, we will head to our hotel near the airport and enjoy a farewell dinner.

BREAKFAST – FAREWELL DINNER

After our wonderful time together, we will end up as we started: we will transfer to your airport or your hotel if you continue your trip to another location. Buon viaggio ed a presto!
Breakfast