A five day discovery of Puglia. Puglia is a region with so much to offer even seasoned travellers. Puglia offers unique sights, such as the trulli conical stone houses, and the nearby cave town of Matera. Stunning landscapes, such as the very photogenic town of Polignano A Mare which is poised on the rocks high above the turquoise sea.
Visit the fascinating town of Matera, with houses carved into the rock wall and cave churches covered with Byzantine-style frescoes. See the famous baroque centre of Lecce, and the whitewashed hilltown of Ostuni.
This itinerary can be arranged at a time to suit you. We organise the guided visits and the activities, accommodation, and a driver to take you to all the destinations. We provide detailed information on the locations that are self guided. We also we provide on-call support, in English, both before and during the trip.
Puglia Highlights
- The UNESCO World Heritage sites of Alberobello (with its conical trulli houses) and Matera (with its cave houses)
- Key locations such as Ostuni, Polignano A Mare, Lecce, Trani, Monopoli, Egnazia and Locorotondo
- Visit Polignano A Mare, in a stunning clifftop coastal location
- Visit the whitewashed hill-town of Ostuni
Puglia Highlights Itinerary
Day 1: Buongiorno Puglia!
You will be picked up in Bari from your arrival point and taken to your accommodation.
For your time in Puglia you stay in the picturesque seaside town of Monopoli. The historic centre of Monopoli is a gem: it is lined with elegant baroque palaces of the noble families, evocative lanes amongst the whitewashed buildings, as well as a charming seafront and cute piazzas with the traditional ‘passeggiata’ in full swing each evening.
Over the next few days you’ll have plenty of time to explore Monopoli at your own pace, enjoying the sea views and being immersed in the local lifestyle.
Note: If selecting accommodation options B or C you will travel directly to those accommodation locations on the first day.
Day 2: Alberobello and Polignano A Mare
You will be picked up and driven to your first stop, Alberobello. The picturesque Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a unique town with streets lined with ‘trulli’. In fact it is known in Italy as the “Capital of trulli”. Trulli are small stone houses with a distinctive conical roof, built 300-400 years ago. You will be fascinated by the magical and fairytale atmosphere of this place. A guide will spend 45 minutes showing you around Alberobello and explaining the background, after which you will have time to wander around independently.
Your driver will then take you to the town of Polignano a Mare. Polignano a Mare is an impressive town clinging to a promontory suspended above the Adriatic’s turquoise waters. With a history spanning back to the 4th century BC as a Greek settlement, Polignano A Mare is a charming town centred around the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele – the perfect place for a coffee or aperol spritz. The town was on the ancient Roman Trajan’s Way, and you can still see the remains of this route. Polignano A Mare encircles a pebble beach, which is [opular for swimming.
Day 3: Lecce and Ostuni
You will be picked up and driven to Lecce. Lecce is a city that flourished in the 17th century when extravagant and elegant baroque buildings were built by the ruling classes. The baroque style features ornate decorations covering the facades of churches and palaces.
In Lecce you will meet a local expert guide to have the key sights explained during your private two hour walking tour. The baroque style here is distinct from that in other parts of Italy, both stylistically and in the use of the beige coloured local stone.
As well as the architectural and historical features, Lecce is an elegant town in which to indulge in more modern pleasures. There are many interesting boutiques and cafes, and the piazzas are full of life in this important southern Italian centre. Your driver will then take you to the town of Ostuni, known as “la città bianca” (the white town). Ostuni is a cluster of whitewashed buildings perched on a hilltop overlooking the coast. Walking through the narrow streets of Ostuni is like being in a forgotten time, evocative and ancient, looking out over an expanse of olive trees. We advise keeping your camera at the ready!
Note: some churches charge for entrance in Lecce, this is to be paid in cash at the time (€5-€10)
Day 4: Matera
You will be picked up and driven to the town of Matera in the neighbouring Basilicata region. Visiting Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is like a step back in time. In fact this is one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in the world. The oldest cave dwellings go back to the Bronze Age. In Matera you will meet a local expert guide to have the key sights explained during your private two hour walking tour. The town consists of houses carved out of the rock face along the side of a steep ravine.
Visit the ‘sassi’ cave area, and enter one of the typical houses built into the rock, showing the difficult existence in these conditions. Also visit a cave church hewn out of the rock, featuring Byzantine frescoes and with interesting histories as their usage has evolved and adapted over the years.
Note: some churches and museums charge for entrance in Matera, this is to be paid in cash at the time (€2-€3).
Day 5: Arrivederci Puglia
Today is your last day in Puglia, we organise private transfers for you to your departure point in Bari.
Puglia Highlights Accommodation
There are 3 accommodation options for this tour itinerary
Accommodation Option A: Monopoli
Accommodation Option A: Monopoli In Puglia we stay in the charming town of Monopoli. The historic centre is lined with elegant old buildings, evocative lanes amongst the whitewashed buildings, and piazzas with the traditional ‘passeggiata’ in full swing each evening.
Alongside the town centre is a small swimming beach. You stay at the Albergo Diffuso Monopoli, a boutique accommodation provider with a personal touch (rated 4.5 / 5 by Tripadvisor with a ‘Certificate of Excellence’). The rooms are located in a collection of historic buildings in the centre of town . We’ve chosen this central type of accommodation so that you can really get a feel for the lifestyle of a town in Puglia.
Accommodation Option B: Masseria Borgo Santuri
During this tour you stay in traditional ‘massseria’ accommodation. A ‘masseria’ is a large farmhouse, and previously these were fortified, largely self-contained rural centres. The masseria where you will stay, Masseria Borgo Santuri, has been tastefully renovated as a boutique hotel (see www.borgosanturi.it ). By staying in the masseria you will be directly experiencing Puglia’s history. Set amongst olive groves and fig trees, the buildings were constructed in the 17th century.
But we don’t forget the needs of the present! The masseria offers all you would expect during your time here, such as wifi, air conditioned rooms, and a swimming pool. They have their own excellent restaurant.
Accommodation Option C: Masseria Il Melograno
The Masseria Il Melograno is a 5 star hotel featuring all the amenities that you’d expect…..and more! (see www.melograno.com ).
As well as their large outdoor pool, they have an indoor pool, spa treatments and a sauna.
A short ten minute drive (by complementary shuttle) is their own private beach club. Enjoy their cocktail bar overlooking the clear turquoise waters of the Adriatic. They have a superb restaurant serving local fare with a modern twist.
Puglia Highlights Cost and Inclusions
- All Accommodation is includes breakfast.
- All transport during the tour is included. Travel is with a professional driver and is solely for your party (no other passengers).
- We provide transport to all the destinations as detailed in the ‘Itinerary – Puglia Highlights’.
- We include guided visits in Alberobello, Lecce and Matera.
- In other locations that are self guided we provide information, maps and details of the place visited.
- Italy With Pleasure provides on-call support for the duration of your time in Puglia.
There are 3 accommodation options for this itinerary:
- Puglia Highlights with accommodation option A Albergo Diffuso Monopoli (reference PH5DA) Price: €1850
- Puglia Highlights with accommodation option B Masseria Borgo Santuri (reference PH5DB) Price: €1950
- Puglia Highlights with accommodation option c Masseria Il Melograno (reference PH5DC) Price: €2450
- Prices are per person, based on twin share.
Puglia Highlights Reviews
L Z, CANADA 
Italy With Pleasure curated an amazing itinerary and ultimately, experience in Puglia for our group of 7. Mark, our incredible tour guide, shared the history, highlights, and hidden gems in each glorious location. Daily, we shared delicious meals, all local recipes, made with fresh ingredients from the region…a true highlight of the entire experience. Each day had the right balance of group and free time and while I may be biased, I think our group was the best…a shared experience with amazing people from around the world!
This was the first time I joined a tour and it will not be the last. I have my eye on Sicily next! My entire experience with Italy With Pleasure was superb and I highly recommend them for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of Italy.
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P B, AUSTRALIA
I can't thank the small tour group, Italy With Pleasure, enough for a fantastic trip to Puglia. The group size was perfect and our guide, Anita, was amazing, knowledgeable and so caring of everyone. This area of Italy for non-Italian speaking guests was the absolute best way to visit. I was amazed at the beautiful cultural sites in all the towns AND the fabulous late luncheons featuring the local specialties. Spectacular! I have never had such great food on a tour or anywhere.
Thanks again and I have already shared our great experience with a number of my friends and family.
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J I, AUSTRALIA
The tour was first class, excellent in every way. An amazing way to see & learn about Puglia. The accomodation, sightseeing, superb food & mini van with great driver and Anita leading the group was sensational.
We highly recommend this is the best way to see and learn about Puglia.
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