Apulia and Basilicata Tour
9 Days / 8 Nights
Day 1: Bari – Lecce
Upon Arrival at Bari Airport - Transfer to the hotel
Check-in and overnight.
Day 2: Lecce
After breakfast departure for the excursion to Lecce, famous for the baroque architecture produced
with the local yellow stone which very easy shape,
together with many palaces and churches from this
époque there is also rests from a Roman amphitheatre.
We make a sightseeing with local guide and then free time at disposal. Overnight by the hotel.
Day 3: Galatina – Gallipoli
Galatina is one of the bigger towns of the Salento
peninsula, we have a sightseeing with local guide
through the historical centre seeing several elegant
palaces. The most important monument in the city is
the church of S. Caterina d'Alessandria, built in
the end of 1300 and all the internal decorations in
the beginning of 1400 with excellent frescoes from
local artist influenced by the Giotto school.
After the visit we drive to the charming little town
of Gallipoli, built on an island of limestone connected
with the mainland by a bridge. We eat a fish meal
and take a walk in well preserved town before we go
back to Lecce. Overnight stay.
Day 4: Otranto
After breakfast departure for the excursion to Otranto on the eastern tip of the peninsula was during
the Byzantine period the most important of the Salento
peninsula, the dominant building is the fortress made
by Ferdinand of Aragona in the end of 1400. The main
attraction is the Cathedral of Annunziata with an
interesting mosaic floor from 1100. After a free lunch
return to Lecce. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5: Ostuni - Polignano a Mare
After breakfast departure from Lecce to continue our
stay in a nice hotel by the sea. On the way to Polignagno
a Mare we make a stop in the charming town of Ostuni,
where all houses are white painted and well kept by
the local women. Time at your own before
move on to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 6: Castel del Monte - Trani
Breakfast and departure to Castel del Monte, one of Apulias most beautiful
profane buildings and one of the most impressive fortresses
of the middle age, with it's eight towers built in
a perfect circle. It was constructed during 1240 and
lays with an incredible view of the sorrounding landscape.
Lunch in a farm before we drive towards
the sea and Trani, where we find the cathedrals S.
Nicola Pellegrino, one of the most beautiful Romanesque
churches of south Italy. Once back to the hotel
and time on your own. Overnight.
Day 7: Le Murge - Martina Franca - Alberobello
Breakfast. Departure for the excursion to Le Murge- a plateau that extends
along the upper part of the region, to see
the typical houses built with Trulli technique often
round and with pointed roof. In Alberobello there
are about a 1.000 Trulli houses, shops, bars and restaurants.
Martina Franca is a small medieval town where rococo
and baroque palaces was built during 1600-1700, there
are nice examples of the Apulian baroque and the municipal
building is assigned to Bernini. We pass Locorotondo,
e picturesque little town that takes the name from
it's shape, infact it's built on a hill in a circle
in the heart of Le Murge. Arrival at the hotel - Free dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Matera
After breakfast we enter the Caveoso Sasso passing
by the Porta Empia, that faces a breathtaking panorama.
Then for a visit to some Rock Churches and the typically
furnished Casa Grotta (Cave house).
Lunch within a fortified farm and transfer to the
Rock Church Archaeological Park of Natural History:
a brief trip on the Matera Moors to discover treasures
of rupestrian civilizations and the area’s faunistic
and botanical heritage.
Easy walking with historical, natural and cultural
interests.
Return to Hotel and overnight.
Day 9: Departure
Departure from Bari Airport
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