Apulia & Vieste - 10 days from £979

Accommodation

Selva di Fasano - Hotel Sierra Silvana (4-star)
1 night's bed and breakfast, 3 nights' half board. The hotel, which is spread across a number of buildings is set in pretty gardens. Amenities include a bar, terrace, restaurant and swimming pool. All rooms feature TV, air-conditioning, telephone and balcony.

Vieste - Hotel Le Ginestre (4-star)
5 nights’ half board. The hotel is situated on the edge of the Umbran Forest National Park in quiet countryside just eight kilometres from Vieste. Set in its own private gardens it offers a restaurant, piano bar, lovely outdoor pool with sun terrace and a superb beauty and fitness centre with an indoor pool. A shuttle bus service is also available to the nearby beach. All rooms feature en suite, minibar, safe, TV, telephone and air-conditioning.

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 Apulian holiday starts with a four-night stay in the small village of Selva di Fasano. Tea, coffee and cakes will be available on arrival at your hotel, and the remaining three nights are half board.

Days 2 - 4: Discover Apulia

Silver olive groves and sun-kissed beaches, lush green forests and historic towns are all hallmarks of the unspoilt southern tip of Italy. Journey across the fertile plains of Apulia and explore the area’s gems with your Tour Manager.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Lecce & Gallipoli

Step back to another time in the magnificent town of Lecce. Visit the ruins of the grand amphitheatre, a testament to the Roman Empire, and celebrate the Baroque era amidst the fine 17th century buildings carved from the beautiful pale local stone. Stroll through elegant streets, watch skilled artisans at work and sip an espresso in a cool corner of a piazza. Take a gentle walk through the twisting whitewashed streets of Gallipoli. Stand in the shade of the Aragonese Castle walls and listen as your Tour Manager shares its history with you. Cross the 16th century bridge to the charming ‘la citta’ and enjoy views out to the Ionian Sea.

Alberobello, Locorotondo And Martina Franca

Nothing epitomises this area more than trulli houses. Made using the most traditional methods, these conical homes are unique to the region. Wander through the charming streets of Alberobello, maybe stepping inside one of the trulli - you will receive a warm welcome from the owner. We also see the white villages of Locorotundo and Martina Franca, so typical of the area.

One evening we enjoy dinner out in a local restaurant to savour some local specialities. Why not take the opportunity to discover more of the area in the company of your Tour Manager.

Ostuni

Set on three hills, this pretty town dates back to the 1st century when it was an important Greco-Roman city. White-washed houses line a maze of narrow streets which huddle beneath the beautiful gothic cathedral topped by colourfully tiled domes.

Day 5: Vieste

Sit back and enjoy the journey as you travel north through the Apulian landscape. Aptly described as the spur on Italy’s boot, the mountainous promontory of the Gargano Peninsula juts out into the Adriatic Sea. The dramatic coastal views as you approach Vieste, your home for the next five nights, are quite breathtaking.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Days 6 - 9: Explore Vieste and the Gargano Peninsula

Tucked between two sickle-shaped beaches on the eastern edge of the Gargano lies the delightful town of Vieste. Discover neighbouring towns, vast woodlands and the stunning coastline of the peninsula.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Vieste & Peschici

Delve into the narrow streets of Vieste, passing through ancient arches and climbing up the steps to the small cathedral, squeezed in between old houses that cling to the hills. The blindingly white village of Peschici appears on the horizon, follow alleyways and steep stairs down from the cliffs to the harbour and look out to the extraordinary views of the bay. Sample a dish of pasta with broad beans, olive oil and lemon juice accompanied by a glass of chilled local white wine.

Monte Sant’Angelo

Dedicated to Archangel Saint Michael and venerated by pilgrims for centuries, Monte Sant’Angelo is perhaps the most famous shrine in the Latin West. Your Tour Manager will tell of the legendary appearance of Saint Michael here in AD 490 and show you his footprint in the rock. Further opportunities to explore the area with your Tour Manager will also be available.

Boat cruise

There is no better way to admire the beauty of the Gargano than from the sea. Look up to white villages perched on cliff tops, drift into secluded coves and visit the grottoes and beaches that pepper the dramatic coastline (weather permitting).

Day 10: Bari/UK

Your exploration of the undiscovered south comes to a close today. Enjoy lunch at the hotel before our included visit to the delightful fishing port of Trani en route to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast