Heritage of Southern Italy - Puglia & Basilicata

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To book or for more information please call: 0303 330 0892 and quote RTA

Heritage of Southern Italy - Puglia & Basilicata

Enjoy a unique introduction to life in glorious Puglia with intimate excursions to some of Italy’s finest southern cities and a seven-night stay at a traditional masseria. Discover the best of the Italian south with an experience-led exploration of Puglia and Basilicata alongside no more than 24 other travellers. Starting with a flight to Brindisi or Bari, you’ll enjoy an immersive stay at an original masseria (farm estate), which seamlessly combines modern amenities with traditional Apulian hospitality. Set across manicured grounds in the heart of rural Carovigno, this exquisite four-star hotel perfectly sets the tone for a week’s exploration in the Italian countryside. Your first included excursion introduces the region’s exquisite baroque heart, Lecce. Soak up the city’s ancient Roman heritage with a guided walk around the old town and marvel at its imposing duomo (cathedral), before heading to a local palazzo for a private tour and drinks courtesy of a local host. UNESCO-listed Matera is next, and you’ll have ample time to explore the city’s impressive Sassi districts, with their unique rock-cut dwellings, winding streets and carved churches. A full-day tour of three popular Apulian spots follows, starting with an underground excursion into the stalactite-lined Castellana Grotto, where a guide will introduce you to the region’s remarkable natural heritage. Take in trulli-town Alberobello, with its famous conical huts, before heading to one of Locorotondo’s finest vineyards for a tasting of local labels. Those looking for a few extra wish-list moments can enjoy an optional tour of Bari, Puglia’s provincial capital, which will showcase the ancient landmarks of the city’s old town. Mark your final morning in Puglia with an optional cooking class, where you’ll learn how to prepare some of the region’s most popular dishes, before lunch in the company of your fellow travellers.

Holiday Highlights

Explore Lecce, the ‘Florence of the South’, and admire its elegant baroque landmarks
Discover the UNESCO-listed wonders of Matera's Sassi districts, from ancient cave-dwellings to magnificent rock-hewn churches
Spend time amongst Alberobello’s traditional, conical trulli houses and uncover the history behind the design
Witness Puglia’s prehistoric rock formations as you delve beneath the surface at the impressive Castellana Grotto
Experience true Apulian hospitality with a seven-night stay at an authentic masseria
Visit vineyard-laden Locorotondo and learn about the town’s wine-making heritage with a tasting session at a nearby winery
Join a memorable optional excursion to the Apulian capital, Bari, and marvel at its old town highlights

What's Included

Seven nights’ half-board accommodation at the four-star Masseria Caselli, Carovigno
Seven breakfasts, one lunch and seven dinners
Welcome drinks
Tour of Lecce with drinks at a local palazzo
Visit to Matera
Trip to Castellana Grotto
Excursion to Alberobello and Locorotondo
Local cooking masterclass at a nearby masseria
Return flights to Bari or Brindisi
Air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Small-group excursions (maximum group size of 24)
All mandatory local taxes and charges

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Bari or Brindisi - After arriving in charming Puglia this morning, meet your friendly local tour manager and board a coach for the short transfer through the countryside to your four-star hotel. This magnificent property, set within a secluded masseria, offers unique insight into the traditional lifestyles and landscapes of Puglia, and is flanked by olive groves and Adriatic vistas. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink with your fellow travellers and spend the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps with an evening on the sun deck or some time in the Jacuzzi as the sun sets over Puglia. Head to the hotel’s restaurant later this evening for dinner.

Day 2

Day at leisure in Carovigno - Your first full day in Carovigno will be free, and after breakfast at the hotel, you can spend it as you see fit. If you’d like to explore the local area, a regular shuttle bus service offers easy access to the nearby towns. There’s also a golf course within walking distance of the masseria, which features pitching and putting greens enclosed by striking coastal views and shaded olive trees. Those who’d prefer a relaxed day’s activity can instead make themselves comfortable with a cocktail on the hotel’s sun terrace or perhaps take a dip in the swimming pool. This evening, return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3

Included excursion to Lecce with aperitifs at Palazzo Morisco - After breakfast this morning, head out on your first small-group excursion to baroque Lecce, and soak up the atmosphere of this historic trading centre, where elegant buildings and marbled courtyards reflect the town’s past importance. Explore the old town, which surrounds the ruins of a great Roman amphitheatre, one of several Roman remnants in the city. Your next stop will be the magnificent Duomo of Lecce, the crown jewel of the city’s Cathedral Square. Marvel at the building’s extravagant exteriors before heading inside for a closer look at its exquisite baroque décor, marble altar and pillar-lined cloisters. At the end of a day of sightseeing, you’ll enjoy a taste of life in modern Lecce with drinks, courtesy of a friendly local host, at one of the city’s historic houses, Palazzo Morisco. Nestled behind Lecce’s grand Duomo, this palatial building was built and renovated across the centuries by members of Lecce’s noble families. The house features remarkable period furniture and a vast library, one of the richest in Southern Italy. Here, your host will introduce you to the palazzo’s exquisite grounds, the finer details of its history and the conservation projects which protect buildings like it to this day. Afterwards, enjoy a taste of traditional Apulian hospitality with an evening’s drinks with your host.

Day 4

Included tour of Matera - Today, drive through Puglia’s bucolic countryside to neighbouring Basilicata, where you’ll discover Matera. This enthralling town is a cultured oasis in an otherwise sparsely populated landscape and is famed for the extraordinary stone-cut dwellings which protrude from its surrounding cliffs. Arriving in Matera in time for lunch (payable locally), you’ll have the opportunity to discover the history of this fascinating place, with its chiese rupestri (rock-hewn churches), and wander through its ancient streets and colourful piazzas. This maze of ancient cave-dwellings was inhabited as recently as 40 years ago and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, head back into Puglia for dinner at the masseria.

Day 5

Included excursion to Castellana Grotto, Alberobello, and Locorotondo - A memorable full-day tour awaits today, and you’ll pass through the Apulian countryside after breakfast to a handful of the region’s most unique spots. Your first stop this morning will be the extraordinary caves at Castellana, an underground network of towering stalagmites and stalactites formed over the centuries. This subterranean grotto spans almost 3,400 meters in its entirety, and your expert guide will help you discover each of its major chambers as you descend deeper beneath the ground. Afterwards, return to the surface and continue to your second stop, delightful Alberobello. Here, hundreds of the whitewashed buildings with their tapered roofs cluster together to create one of Italy’s most arresting sights. Learn more about the town’s iconic conical trulli huts with some time to explore under your own steam. Rounding out today’s tour will be the majestic, circular hill town of Locorotondo. Surrounded by vineyards, which are famed for their crisp white wines, the town showcases Puglia’s wine-making traditions, and you'll visit a local cellar for the opportunity to taste the town’s finest vintages, as well as some other regional specialities. This evening, head back to the hotel for dinner.

Day 6

Optional visit to Bari or day at leisure - This morning, get ready for a fascinating day’s sightseeing with breakfast at the hotel before setting off on a scenic journey to the Apulian capital, Bari. This delightful city, one of the largest centres in Southern Italy, is made up of bustling harbours, ornate buildings and picturesque secluded coves. Start the day in Bari Vecchia, the city’s marvellous old town, which is presided over by an imposing Norman-Swabian castle, Castello Svevo. Here, you can admire the castle’s magnificent stone walls, many of which are almost 1,000 years old, before heading to pretty Piazza del Ferrarese. This popular square, backed by one of Bari Vecchia’s two ports, was named after a local merchant and is lined with charming al fresco cafés and elegant baroque shopfronts. Make a final stop at the 10th-century Basilica San Nicola, a popular pilgrimage spot for Orthodox Christians and Catholics alike, before completing the day’s activity with some time at leisure in Bari. This evening, return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 7

Included cooking class with included lunch and afternoon at leisure - This morning, you’ll have the opportunity to head to a nearby Masseria to take part in an optional cooking class, highlighting some of Carovigno’s most popular dishes. Here, under the expert guidance of the Masseria’s chef, you’ll try your hand at creating authentic Apulian dishes with an individual cooking station and the freshest local ingredients. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional regional lunch, partly comprised of the plates you create, and reflect on a memorable week’s exploration in southern Italy. Those who’d prefer a more leisurely final morning in Puglia will be free to spend it as they see fit back at Masseria Caselli, perhaps with a round or two on the hotel’s nearby golf course.

Day 8

Return to the UK - Bid farewell to idyllic Puglia as you head to Bari or Brindisi airport for a flight back to the UK.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Bari airport and 20 minutes from Brindisi airport.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Meals and dining in Italy

Guests on half-board arrangements will be served a three-course evening meal, and can expect a first course of traditional pasta or soup, a main meat or fish course accompanied by one or two types of vegetable, and a simple dessert of fruit, cake or Italian ice cream. Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.

An authentic dining experience in Italy can often be a bit different to the Italian food that international tourists might be used to, but it’s one of the best ways to truly appreciate the finer cultural differences of this tourist hotspot. From simpler, but more frequent, courses to regional dishes, here are some points to note when dining in Italy.

The first major difference you’re likely to notice is that the dining experience as a whole is much longer; you’ll enjoy a much more social experience than the average dinner back home with multiple smaller courses spread across a longer period of time. While each meal will be prepared to order, you may notice that dishes are served cooler than you might be used to – Italian dishes are rarely served piping hot to preserve the more delicate flavours of each ingredient and to provide a more enjoyable dining experience. The final thing to bear in mind is that it may be tricky to find Italian classics in the same form as they are at home. For instance, while Spaghetti Carbonara is a staple in historic Rome – and made traditionally using egg yolks rather than cream – you’ll often find it replaced with a wild boar ragù in Tuscany.

Swimming pool & air conditioning availability

Please be aware that for departures in March and April, the swimming pool at this hotel may not yet be open, as hotels across Italy traditionally open their pools from May onwards in line with the warmer season. Similarly, air conditioning is not typically activated until May in Italian hotels, in accordance with local custom and regional regulations. During the spring months, daytime temperatures are generally mild and pleasant, though we recommend packing a light layer for cooler evenings. We hope this does not cause inconvenience and that you enjoy the wonderful spring atmosphere Italy has to offer at this time of year.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

At a glance

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