Puglia Small Group Escorted Tour

Arrive into Bari airport where you’ll be transferred to your hotel for the next 7 nights. Hotel Monte Sarago boasts a superior location in the centre of Ostuni. Spend your afternoon exploring the whitewashed streets that have made this small city famous; they meander past boutique stores, authentic restaurants and quaint bars. Or, head to the small pool at the hotel where you can enjoy fantastic views of the ‘White City’. Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

Today starts with the capital of the trulli: Alberobello. Part of UNESCO since 1996, the town is one of the most important landmarks in Puglia and boasts the biggest concentration of Trulli in Puglia. The conical roofs and whitewashed buildings create a truly unique landscape.

After, we continue to Ostuni for a guided visit of the ‘White City’, which is perched on a hilltop overlooking the coast and its monumental olive trees. On the way, we will stop at an oil mill in Cisternino to learn how this golden liquid is made before enjoying a tasting.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Today we head to the baroque town of Martina Franca to browse the weekly market that takes place amongst the graceful buildings and airy piazzas. You’ll find locals and tourists alike shopping for everything from fresh produce, clothes and household goods to name a few.

The market ends at lunchtime where you’ll take part in a cooking class to learn how to make the typical Pugliese pasta, named orecchiette which means ‘little ears’ due to its unique shape. Once the class is over, you’ll get to enjoy a light lunch where you can sample your creation.

This afternoon will take you to the impressive caves of Castellana, a must see for visitors to Puglia. You’ll be taken on a guided tour of the underground caves where you can admire the rows of stalactites hanging like giant needles and the glittering walls of crystal and underground lakes that were discovered in the 18th century.

This evening, enjoy dinner back at your hotel.

Today is yours to spend as you wish. We recommend heading to the rooftop pool at the hotel to enjoy some sunshine as you take in the spectacular views. The pool is located at the top of the cliff and the more energetic can choose to take the ancient pilgrim steps that lead up from the hotel.

The centre of Ostuni is only a ten-minute walk away and the numerous restaurants serving authentic cuisine make a great choice for a leisurely lunch. Dinner is provided at your hotel.

The beautiful baroque city Lecce is known as the ‘Florence of the South’. Your guide will show you some of the city’s most beautiful baroque buildings and some of the more interesting sights that span more than 2,000 years of Lecce’s history, from the Duomo, Piazza Sant’Oronzo and the Roman Amphitheatre to name a few.

You’ll enjoy a typical Italian lunch before heading to Otranto, the most southerly city it Italy. This ancient harbor town is situated on a picturesque coast with magnificent coves. We’ll visit the old town with its narrow winding alleys and medieval buildings, and the cathedral where, in the 12th century, a Byzantine monk created a large mosaic that occupies the entire floor – now considered to be one of the most important pieces of 12th century art in the region.

This evening, head back to your hotel for dinner.

Today, your drive will take you through a beautiful landscape to Altamura, where you’ll enjoy a Focaccia bread tasting in a family-run bakery! A leisurely stroll through the old town completes the visit to Altamura, and afterwards we’ll head to the picturesque town of Matera, Basilicata.

Basilicata’s former capital Matera is a must-see; its best known for a village-like sprawl of sassi, neighbourhoods of pre-historic stone houses believed to have been home to Italy’s first settlers around 9,000 years ago.

Dinner will be served at your hotel.

Today we visit the capital city of Puglia, Bari, where we’ll explore the mazelike streets of the lively city. Past the Norman castle to the cathedral, through the medieval city center and the basilica, and finally to the Piazza del Ferrarese.

In the afternoon we head to Polignano a Mare, a coastal town famous for its ice-cream. Its old town clusters on a clifftop, with the newer part of town unfolding behind and the limestone cliffs on this part of the coast are honeycombed with caves.

On your last evening tonight, you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner with the group at Osteria del Tempo Perso, one of the most famous restaurants in Ostuni and sure to be a highlight of your stay.

Say goodbye to the group as you leave ‘Italy’s heel’ and head home.