Puglia, which forms the heel of Italy’s boot, is the long, narrow region of southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea and the regions of Basilicata, Campania and Molise. Beautiful beaches, secluded coves, fields of olive and citrus groves, Baroque towns, whitewashed villages and fascinating conical-shaped trulli houses are just some of the many attractions to be discovered in the region.
Itinerary includes:
- Return flights to Bari Airport
- Car hire
- 3 Nights at Mare Resort, Trani (Bed & Breakfast)
- 3 Nights at Borgo San Marco Hotel, Fasano (Bed & Breakfast)
- 3 Nights at Patria Palace Hotel, Lecce (Bed & Breakfast)
Board Basis: Bed & Breakfast
Day 1 - Day of arrival
Arrive at Bari airport, collect your hire car and drive to your hotel in Trani (41km).
Overnight at the Mare Resort.
Mare Resort, Puglia
Day 2 - Day of leisure
Day at leisure – spend the day exploring the historic city of Trani. Formerly a prosperous trading centre with a large mercantile and Jewish community, Trani was important enough to compete with the domineering Venetians in the 14th century. A wander through the streets gives an impression of the medieval city, not least in the names that echo the town's mercantile and Jewish origins – Via Sinagoga and Via Cambio (Street of the Moneychangers). The city centre bursts with activity in the evenings when locals pour into the town's excellent restaurants and wine bars, most of which are concentrated around the port.
Overnight at the Mare Resort.
Trani harbour, Puglia
Day 3 - Day of leisure
Day at leisure – Head north to the Gargano National Park (207km / 2 hours 20 minutes) which contains several protected areas such as the Marine Reserve of the Tremiti Islands. The Gargano promontory consists of a wide mountain massif made up of highlands and several peaks (the highest point being Monte Calvo at 1,065m), projecting into the Adriatic Sea. Inland are the last traces of the Umbra Forest, the only remaining area in Italy containing the ancient oak and beech trees that once covered much of Central Europe. The park offers good walking trails and cycle routes; a glimpse of hundreds of species of animals including deer, foxes and birds; the religious sites of San Giovanni Rotondo and San Marco in Lamis; the castles of Monte Sant’ Angelo and Manfredonia and the majestic beaches at Peschici and Vieste. The variety of natural habitats, interspersed with expanses of cultivated fields, olive groves and vineyards, guarantees an ever-changing landscape and a path rich in unforgettable views and panoramas.
Overnight at the Mare Resort.
Gargano National Park, Puglia
Day 4 - Drive to Fasano
After breakfast, drive south to Fasano (106km) and the Borgo San Marco. This fortified masseria is set within 450 acres of cultivated land and olive groves – the owners are major producers of extra virgin olive oil.
Overnight at the Borgo San Marco Hotel.
Borgo San Marco Hotel, Puglia
Day 5 - Day of leisure
Day at leisure – a visit to Alberobello (16km), inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, is worth a visit. Home to more than a thousand trulli houses – whitewashed, conical shaped buildings built centuries ago as homes and tool stores, and typical to this region. In the afternoon, head to the walled town of Cisternino (20km). Set in the picturesque Itria valley in the province of Brindisi and, 1300 feet above sea level, this medieval walled city presents an opportunity to stroll back through time on worn, stone-paved lanes between ancient palaces, towers, shops and homes that are mostly still in use today. Here, you can stop and eat in restaurants that spill out over the pavements, shop in the local craft shops or simply take a few snapshots of this charming town.
Overnight at the Borgo San Marco Hotel.
Trulli houses, Alberobello
Day 6 - Day of leisure
Day at leisure – spend the morning sun bathing on the Adriatic coast (2km). Mile upon mile of wide sandy beaches are within easy striking distance. In the afternoon, visit the hilltop town of Martina Franca (16km), located in the Valle d’Itria between Bari and Brindisi, with its Sunday antiques market and annual summer classical and jazz festival. The town has a beautiful historical centre surrounded by stone walls, with prominent Baroque gates that lead to piazzas and narrow medieval streets.
Overnight at the Borgo San Marco Hotel.
Martina Franca, Puglia
Day 7 - Day of travel
After breakfast, drive (93km) to the Patria Palace in Lecce. In the afternoon, head towards Porto Cesareo (28km), located on the southwest coast of Puglia facing the Tyrenhenian Sea. This is a beautiful seaside resort, famous for its 17km of golden sand beaches. There are several well-preserved watch towers located in the area including the Cesarea, Chianca and Lapillo towers, which are definitely worth visiting. The towers recount a historic period when the Saracen raids from the sea represented an almost constant danger to the population of the Salento.
Overnight at the Patria Palace Hotel.
Patria Palace Hotel, Puglia
Day 8 - Day of leisure
Day at leisure – spend the day exploring Lecce. Affectionately known as the ‘Florence of the South’ due to its many Baroque buildings, Lecce has a Roman amphitheatre, more than a hundred churches and palaces and several designer boutiques. The city’s heyday was when it was part of Spain in the 17th century and the noblemen, merchants and religious orders of the city competed with each other as to who could build the most palaces. Carved from the local golden sandstone, the exuberant architecture looks like a sumptuous theatrical set.
Overnight at the Patria Palace Hotel.
Roman amphitheatre, Lecce
Day 9 - Day of leisure
Day at leisure – head across to the Adriatic coast and the town of Otranto (48km). Located on the east coast of the Salento peninsula, Otranto is a jewel of a town. It has a bustling seafront area and many architectural gems such as the 15th century Castello Aragonese and the Cathedral. Wander through the alleyways of this historic town, passing white-washed houses and many pretty piazzas where you can sit and watch the world go by.
Overnight at the Patria Palace Hotel.
Otranto, Puglia
Day 10 - Day of departure
Spend the morning in Lecce for a spot of last minute shopping before heading back to Bari airport (163km) for your flight home.