Apulia & Basilicata - 8 days from £859

Accommodation

Grand Hotel La Chiusa Di Chietri (4-star)
7 nights' half board. This delightful hotel has an outdoor pool and beautiful gardens. All guest rooms have a hairdryer, safe, air-conditioning, satellite TV and minibar. For an even more authentic taste of Apulia, take the opportunity to stay in a converted trullo – several are used as guest bedrooms and are furnished to the highest standards. These and other superior rooms are available at a supplement. The hotel provides a shuttle service into the centre of Alberobello. Your hotel also boasts some of the finest spa facilities in southern Italy should you wish to take advantage (payable locally).

Please note: Outdoor swimming pools are typically open between May and September, but this is dependent on weather conditions.

Itinerary

Day 1: UK/Bari

Your four-star hotel is the ideal base to begin your explorations of authentic Apulia, and what could be better than upgrading to stay in a converted trullo house. With one of the best spas in southern Italy, this hotel also offers the ultimate in relaxation. In between exploring, make sure you take advantage of this superb facility.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Alberobello

Rich olive oils, full-bodied wines, creamy cheeses and freshly baked bread are all staples of the traditional Apulian diet. For an authentic taste of freshly made, locally-sourced cuisine, there can be no better destination than a traditional masseria, or fortified farm villa. This is the perfect location for your lunch today, and many of the ingredients in the dishes you sample are grown on site. This afternoon you will have time to relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 3: Matera

There’s nothing quite like wandering through the streets of fascinating Matera – with houses literally carved into the hillside, you could be walking on the roofs of the street below. These sassi houses are little more than caves, and it is only very recently that they have started to undergo gentrification; many still lie empty and abandoned, an eerie warren preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Basilicata’s most famous site, the sassi of Matera were used as the location for Mel Gibson’s 2004 film The Passion. Explore the sassi in the company of a Specialist Guide. Your Tour Manager and Specialist Guide will be able to recommend a selection of cafés and restaurants for lunch.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 4: Lecce

Uncover the secrets of Lecce’s extravagant Baroque architecture in the company of an excellent Specialist Guide. Admire the ancient Roman amphitheatre, half-buried by other more modern masterpieces, then stand back and take the time to examine the intricately carved statues that adorn the façade of the Church of Santa Croce. Lecce truly has earned the moniker ‘Florence of the South’ – around every corner lies another feast for the eyes.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 5: Alberobello, Locorotondo & Martina Franca

Synonymous with Apulia are its quirky-looking trulli houses, whitewashed cylindrical buildings with conical grey roofs which pepper the landscape. Join your Tour Manager to get an insight into traditional Apulian life as you journey into the Valley of Itria, where trulli can be found in abundance. In Alberobello, you’ll see that many trulli are decorated with painted symbols on their cones. Explore the town of Locorotondo, where collections of trulli are built in a circular pattern. Then at the heart of the valley lies Martina Franca, where Moorish influences have created a town of medieval palaces, churches and balconied houses decorated with wrought iron – there are moments when you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in Andalucia as you explore.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 6: Castel del Monte & Trani

Enjoy a day relaxing and reflecting on all you have seen in Apulia and Basilicata so far. Or if your appetite has been whetted, why not take the opportunity to visit the coastal town of Trani in the north of Apulia. Sit a while and watch the fishermen bustling in and out of the busy working harbour and marvel at the simplicity of the stunning 11th century cathedral. In complete contrast to the cathedral is the grand Castel del Monte. Built by Emperor Frederick II in the mid 13th century and used as a hunting lodge, the gleaming pale stone castle can be seen from miles around, enhancing your expectations as you draw closer. Standing at the base and looking upwards at this octagonal masterpiece, a tower on every corner, you’ll be in awe of Frederick’s ability to combine Classical, Cistercian, Gothic and Islamic elements to create a visual reminder of the power that he held.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 7: Ostuni

This is your last chance to relax and indulge yourself in the calming surroundings of your hotel before returning home. For one last insight into Apulian history, you’re free to join your expert Tour Manager as they visit the exceptionally pretty small town of Ostuni. Meander along a maze of tiny narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses, huddled beneath the imposing brown stone Gothic cathedral. The cathedral’s distinctive domes will surprise visitors, as they’re decorated with green, yellow and white tiles that glitter as the sun hits them.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 8: Bari/UK

It’s time to leave the beautiful region of Apulia behind and return home replete with wonderful memories.

Meals: Breakfast