A Taste of Puglia & Basilicata
8days from
£2,109*per person
Overview
8 days - Escorted Tours
In southeast Italy, nature and history thrive alongside a relaxed lifestyle. Known for its vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, flavourful wines, historic cities and charming coastal villages, it’s the perfect Italian getaway.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through southern Italy with our Signature tour. Each adventure is designed for a small group, providing a more intimate and personalised experience at every location.
Your journey begins in the charming city of Lecce, where you will be immersed in the elegance of one of Italy's finest Baroque towns. Next, you'll travel to Alberobello, renowned for its unique trulli houses, set against a picturesque landscape reminiscent of Tuscany.
As you continue your journey, you'll discover Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where ancient cave dwellings and stone architecture transport you back in time during a guided tour of this medieval village. The adventure then leads you to Bari, where the city's old town reveals layers of history, as it was once home to ancient Greeks, Saracens, and Normans. Finally, you'll visit the coastal port town of Otranto, a serene location where the Aragonese Castle overlooks the sea.
This Signature tour offers an extraordinary blend of history, culture and natural beauty for those seeking a true Italian adventure. We invite you to uncover the hidden gems nestled throughout southern Italy.
Itinerary
- Arrival - Upon your arrival, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to our hotel via coach. We will be staying at the five-star Risorgimento Resort in Lecce for three nights. This modern hotel is centrally located and boasts a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of Lecce, as well as a bar and spa for you to unwind during your downtime. After you've settled in, you are invited to enjoy a welcome drink at the hotel this evening. This will be a great opportunity to meet and get to know your fellow travellers better.
- Lecce - Lecce, often referred to as the ‘Florence of the South,’ truly lives up to its name with an abundance of astonishing architecture and captivating sites at every turn. Our tour kicks off at the grand Porta Napoli, where we meet our local expert guide in a small group of your fellow travelling companions to explore this captivating city. From there, we delve into the bustling Jewish quarter and marvel at the Basilica di Santa Croce. This impressive Baroque masterpiece boasts an elaborate façade filled with intricate details in its stone carvings, drawing you in for a closer look. As we wander through the historic Old Town, we take a moment to appreciate a bank with a fascinating past—it was once a storage site for olive oil rather than currency. A visit to the alluring Piazza Sant’Oronzo reveals another gem: the remains of a Roman amphitheatre from the 2nd century, where over 25,000 spectators once enjoyed various performances. The sight of the well-preserved stone seating evokes the lively, bloodthirsty crowds that filled the space centuries ago. Continuing our journey, we stroll down lively streets lined with shops to reach the grand Piazza Duomo. Here, the cathedral, constructed in 1144, stands majestically. Its striking façade is rivalled only by the interior that boasts twelve side chapels adorned with works from various renowned artists. Spend the afternoon exploring Lecce at your leisure. Follow the lively sounds echoing through its quaint streets, where you can enjoy cosy cafes and delightful boutiques while admiring the ornate Baroque architecture. This evening, we dine in an exquisite restaurant that in a past life was a Roman granary. We will indulge in local cuisine while enjoying a musical performance and Pizzica dancing—a popular Italian folk dance that originated in the Salento Peninsula and is now celebrated in various regions of Italy.
- Otranto - Today, we will head to the coast to visit the town of Otranto. Overlooked by the Castle of Otranto and offering beautiful views across the Adriatic, this small harbour town lies just north of the easternmost point of the Italian mainland. In Roman times, when it was a city, Otranto served as a crucial point of embarkation under the Roman Empire due to its short distance to Albania. You will have free time to explore the narrow streets, enjoy lunch with mesmerising views of the sea, or visit the town's cathedral. This fascinating example of Romanesque architecture features Byzantine and Baroque influences and is home to one of the best-preserved and largest medieval mosaics in Europe—the cathedral floor. You may also wish to visit the Aragonese Castle of Otranto, which is surrounded by a moat. The castle is a symbol of the town and the setting for ‘The Castle of Otranto,’ a novel written by Horace Walpole in 1764, which is considered the first-ever Gothic novel. Before returning to Lecce we have a unique experience at a local masseria allowing you feel at home in a traditional working, family farmhouse. We begin with a tour of the venue, exploring the underground olive mills and soaking up the rustic atmosphere brought to life by colourful clusters of tomatoes and chilli peppers hanging from the ceilings and stone walls before enjoying lunch together. All the food served will have been homemade and ingredients grown on site allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the local culture. After our trip to the Masseria we will return to Lecce.
- Alberobello & Masseria lunch - On our drive to Alberobello, we call at a historic masseria, once a stable, where you can feel at home in a traditional, family-run farmhouse. Uncover the history of this impressively restored farmhouse and tuck into a lunch featuring homemade dishes made from ingredients grown directly on the farm (including the wine and olive oil). This is a wonderful opportunity to fully immerse yourself in local life. As we continue our journey, you'll start to see charming white stone huts topped with conical roofs—these unique structures are known as trulli and are iconic landmarks in the Puglia region. The landscape here is adorned with clusters of oak trees and divided by traditional dry stone walls, evoking a sense of rural Tuscany. Upon reaching Alberobello, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll be amazed to find that certain areas are predominantly filled with these trulli, giving it a fantastical ambience reminiscent of a 'hobbit' village. This exploration is often regarded as one of the tour's highlights, allowing us to delve into the construction methods of trulli, their fascinating histories, and the various Christian, Pagan, or celestial symbols that embellish them. Our adventure continues as we make our way to Matera, where we’ll stay for four nights.
- Matera - We begin our day in Matera, exploring in a small group led by a local expert guide. This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for being among the earliest places in Italy with permanent inhabitants. At the core of the city are ancient troglodyte cave dwellings that continue to be lived in today, dating back 9,000 years. Over the years, the rest of the city has transformed, featuring shops, churches, and artisan workshops all skilfully carved from the surrounding rock. Can you think of another place where you can stroll along a street that sits atop a house below? Once the tour is finished, it's time to head to a rooftop terrace for a refreshing aperitivo whilst soaking up the spectacular views of the Sassi of Matera with your fellow travellers. You will have the freedom to spend the afternoon as you wish. You might decide to head back to the hotel for some relaxation, or continue discovering more of Matera. If you need suggestions for noteworthy attractions, our knowledgeable Tour Manager is ready to provide recommendations, including the exquisite 13th-century Romanesque cathedral, which should not be missed.
- Bari - Nestled along the Adriatic coast, Bari has a rich history as a bustling walled port even prior to the arrival of the Romans and once served as the capital of Byzantine Italy. In the era of the Normans, it was regarded as nearly as important as Venice. Today, we will embark in small groups on a guided tour of the old town with a local expert, where a wealth of discovery awaits. Highlights include the striking medieval fortress and the grand Romanesque cathedral adorned with 11th-century frescoes. Opera enthusiasts may be familiar with Bari’s renowned Teatro Petruzzelli. However, for many visitors, the main attraction is the Basilica di San Nicola, home to the 900-year-old vaulted crypt that holds the remains of Saint Nicholas, the Patron Saint of Russia, famously known as Santa Claus. This afternoon is free for you to wander through Bari at your own pace. As you stroll through the narrow alleys, take a moment to glimpse into side streets where traditional life unfolds. You may encounter shops featuring freshly caught seafood like sea bass, cuttlefish, and lobster, as well as stalls laden with locally sourced olives, tomatoes, and peppers. Don’t be surprised to see families dining with their doors and windows open or matriarchs seated outside, hand-rolling and cutting pasta, a tradition that has stood the test of time. After our time in Bari, we will return to Matera. To conclude our action-packed day, we’ll enjoy regional specialities during dinner at a restaurant located in Matera’s Old Town.
- Free day - The day is yours to enjoy as you like. Discover the beauty of Matera and its unique attractions, including the exquisite architecture that has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status and its intriguing historical background. Enjoy some time at a local café, observe the lively atmosphere around you, explore the subterranean side of Matera, or unwind at the hotel for a day of relaxation. Need some recommendations? Our friendly and knowledgeable Tour Manager is happy to provide insights on how best to spend your final day in this unspoilt region. Dinner is included at the hotel tonight so you can refuel after a day of exploring.
- Return home
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Stay in Lecce and enjoy a guided tour of one of Italy's finest Baroque towns, often compared to Florence.
- Visit Alberobello with its unique trulli houses, set amidst stunning Tuscan-like countryside.
- Discover Matera, an amazing medieval cave village and UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided tour.
- Explore Bari’s old town on a guided tour, once home to ancient Greeks, Saracens and Normans, it has a remarkable Romanesque cathedral.
- Visit the coastal port town of Otranto overlooked by the Aragonese Castle.
Our Price Includes
- The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes
- 7 nights in four to five-star accommodation
- Return flights & transfers
- 5 included experiences
- Daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 4 dinners
- Welcome drink on arrival
- Expert Tour Manager
- Checked luggage
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Risorgimento Resort -
Located in the heart of Lecce, the Risorgimento Resort perfectly blends the authentic spirit of Salento with a harmonious mix of history and modernity. After a day of exploring local attractions, unwind at the exclusive spa, which features a Turkish bath, chromotherapy showers, and a relaxation area (additional charges apply). Alternatively, you can enjoy a refreshing aperitif at the hotel bar. The hotel boasts two restaurants, one of which is situated on the rooftop, offering panoramic views of the city while you dine. In the evening, retreat to the elegant guest rooms, which are fully equipped with tea and coffee-making facilities, air conditioning, complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, and a flat-screen TV. Select rooms also feature a balcony or private terrace.
UnaHotels MH Matera -
The hotel is set in landscaped gardens with views over the surrounding countryside and features an indoor pool, a relaxing spa (local charges may be applicable) as well as an outdoor pool in addition to comfortable patio and lounge areas. Please note the use of air conditioning and outdoor pool opening is at the discretion of the hotel.
Other Information
Holiday code
R767Holiday provided by Riviera Travel
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Riviera Travel (ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430). These ABTA and ATOL bonds mean that, when you book a Riviera Travel holiday, you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.