Day 1. Brindisi arrival
Day 2. Galatina / Gallipoli / Santa Maria di Leuca
Day 3. Alberobello / Ostuni / Martina Franca / Locorotondo
Day 4. Departure
Ask for everything you might need....
Fly&Drive, Puglia wine tours, Cooking classes, Apulia cultural tours.
Apulia is a region in southeastern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Strait of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south. Its southern portion, a peninsula known as Salento, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy.
The region is bordered by the other Italian regions of Molise to the north, Campania to the west, and Basilicata to the southwest. Its easily reachable with cheap low cost direct flights (Ryan Air, AirBerlin, HelveticAirways), train or motorway.
Traditionally focused on family, food and celebration, with a traditional gastronomy influenced by what is grown and raised on the land, rich of beautiful natural landscapes and coastline scenery, Apulia's culture is the result of the many dominations occurred in the past (Greek, Romans, Goths, Lombard, Byzantines, Saracen, Norman, Spanish, Turks, Venetians, etc..
Inclusions:
· 2 Nights lodging double occupancy in Lecce 4* hotel
· 1 Nights lodging double occupancy in Alberobello 4* hotel
· Daily breakfast
· Insurance
Exclusions:
· Car rental
· Airfare
· Meals
· Anything else not specifically indicated
Services upon request:
· Olive Oil Tasting
· Wine Tasting
· Cheese Making
· Truffle Hunting
· Cooking Class
· Guided Tour
· Car Rental
· GPS Navigator
Prices on request, depending on:
· Season, number of participants, typology of chosen accommodations and optional services.
Day 1 : Brindisi arrival / Lecce
Morning arrival at Brindisi airport, pick up your car and begin to discover Apulia on your own. Transfer to your hotel in Lecce (31 miles). Free visit of Lecce, famous for its baroque style. Afternoon visit to a winery, in a little village near Lecce, for a wine tasting.
Back to the hotel and overnight.
Full day tour in the fascinating Salento province, starting from Galatina (17 miles, a very old town full of history and churches among which the Basilica di Santa Caterina di Alessandria with its precious cycle of paintings) and Gallipoli (16 miles, ancient town of fishermen and sailors, called “The Ionian pearl”). Having rest time you could reach Santa Maria di Leuca, (30 miles, called “De Finibus Terrae” ) and then come back to Lecce (43 miles).
Back to the hotel and overnight.
Check out and drive to the heart of the Itria Valley, for a full day tour in one of the most attractive areas of Puglia.
Reach your hotel in Alberobello (72 miles, UNESCO heritage and the capitol of the "Trullos", mysterious buildings with thick limestone walls and graceful conical roofs) and check in.
After having taken a sight of the village (you could also visit to a winery, with out-museum) you could move to Ostuni (20 miles, best known as "the White Town" for its historical center, on a hillside, surrounded by small white washed houses overlooking the shore). Next stop will be in Martina Franca (9 miles, destination recommended for all lovers of the Baroque and the Palaces, built 431 meters above sea level and affording sweeping views of the surrounding villages), from which you could take a scenic drive overlooking Locorotondo (4 miles, which literally means “round place” for the shape of the first village there) and where you could enjoy a "meat tasting" accompained with local wines.
Back to the hotel and overnight.
Day 4: Departure
Drop off the car at Bari or Brindisi airport and departure
Day 5: Brindisi / Lecce
Breakfast and transfer to Brindisi, for a stroll through the historical centre. Brindisi was a port city grown during Roman times and became important again during the Crusades, which left from its port. Wine tasting in an amusing restaurant, owned by a boutique winemaker, and lunch.
Move to Lecce and free time for relax or shopping. Dinner in typical “trattoria”.
Overnight.
Breakfast and guided tour of Lecce, known to many as the "Florence of the South". In the city center you will immediately notice the Baroque style of architecture, especially while visiting the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Duomo. Perhaps this is partially due to the type of stone found in Lecce, naturally very light and easily shaped into forms such as flowers, fruit or even the human body.
Afternoon guided visit of an ancient winery in Salice Salentino, for a negroamaro wine tasting.
Back to Lecce for dinner, in a characteristic restaurant. Overnight.
Breakfast and transfer for a guided tour of Gallipoli, an island linked to the mainland by a bridge, including the visit to a subterranean olive oil mill followed by an olive oil tasting. Lunch in Gallipoli, based on fish menu.
In the early afternoon move to Santa Maria di Leuca, for a visit to the most southeastern point in Italy well known as " The Finibus Terrae". After you will take a guided “Coast to Coast” tour traveling down the Adriatic shore to the oriental town of Otranto, famous for its 800 Martyrs who refused to renounce their religion during a Turkish invasion. Time for shopping and free dinner.
Back to the hotel and overnight.