Puglia & Basilicata

Independent Tour, 2010

14 Days/13 Nights

This Independent Tour is designed for travelers who enjoy adventure and discovery. These two regions offer a mix of sea and countryside perfect for travelers who wish to explore a truly distinctive part of Italy. Unique history, culture, and culinary delights abound in the heel of the peninsula. Arrive in the coastal city of Bari and enjoy this port city. On your second day proceed to the ancient city of the Matera once known as Sassi or Stones. Matera was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site and was a featured backdrop for the Mel Gibson film Passion of the Christ. Continue the tour into the historical agricultural fields of Puglia where the olive trees are over a century old and indulge in the flavors. Enjoy the sandy beaches of the Ionian Sea which are a contrast to the rugged coast of the Adriatic and spend time in the town of Santa Maria di Leuca where both seas collide! Discover the deep caverns of the Castellina di Grotte, the unique conical houses known as Trulli in Alberobello and shopping quaint boutiques in Monopoli.

Accommodations

1 Night Lodging near the Bari Airport
3 Nights Lodging in Matera
4 Nights Lodging at the Masseria outside of Lecce
3 Nights Lodging in Polignano al Mare
2 Nights Lodging in Historical Bari
Daily Breakfast Included at All Accommodations

Inclusions

Hosted Dinner at the Masseria near Lecce
11 Day Car Rental with Standard Transmission
Private Walking Tours of Lecce, Matera & Bari
Morning Hiking Tour in the Assisi Caves – incl. picnic
Tour of Alberobello, Conversano, Monopoli, Locorotondo, Santa Maria di Leuca, Gallipoli, Castellana di Grotte at Leisure
Tour Assistance from Ciao Tours’ Italian Office Representatives
General Driving Directions, including Maps
All Taxes Included

2010 Price:

2,059 € - 3 Star Accommodation Includes Economy Car
2,239 € - 4 Star Accommodation Includes Intermediate Car

Above Prices are per person and are based on double occupancy. To check exchange rates click here

Please note: Ciao Tours will Guarantee the Exchange Rate at the Time of Full Payment or 45 days Prior to Departure
Alternate Choices are permitted on an Independent Tour at a Cost of $50Cdn Per Person Per Change.

For a Customized Tour Option based on your needs and requests, please contact us with your ideas.

Daily Itinerary

day 1/night 1

LOCATION Bari, Italy
TRAVEL Private Transfer to Central Bari Hotel
ACTIVITIES Explore Bari at Leisure

day 2/night 2

LOCATION Altamura, Italy
TRAVEL 11 Day Compact Car Rental
ACTIVITIES Explore Altamura at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Altamura links its birth to the mythical disembarkation of the escaping Trojans who landed on the Adriatic Italian coast.
Witness the 400,000 year old calcified Altamura Man in the grotta di Lamalunga (limestone cave)
Dinosaur Caves in Pontrelli. This is one of the richest fossil deposits in the world dating back to the Cretaceous period (about 70 million years old).

day 3/night 3

LOCATION Matera, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES 4 Hour Private Walking Tour of Matera
Local Product Tasting (Cheeses, Cured Meats & Wine

HIGHLIGHTS
Backdrop for Mel Gibson's blockbuster movie "Passion of the Christ" and is a Unesco World Heritage Sight
The old city was created out of the rocky ravine

day 4/night 4

LOCATION Matera, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES 4 Hour Guided Hiking in the Matera Hills
(hiking from the Sassi to Cristo La Selva; packed lunch inside a cave; return by bus)

day 5/night 5

LOCATION Taranto & Lecce, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Tour Grottaglie at Leisure
Hosted Dinner at the Masseria

HIGHLIGHTS
Citta Vecchia is the heart of the “old city” of Taranto and is actually on a island while the main part of the city is called Citta Moderna or the “modern city”
The small town of Grottaglie is known for hand crafted ceramics of Grecian influence

day 6/night 6

LOCATION Lecce, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Lecce

day 7/night 7

LOCATION Gallipoli & Santa Maria Leuca, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Tours these towns and the West Coast of Puglia at Leisure appreciating the difference between the two coasts

HIGHLIGHTS
Gallipoli: in Greek-Kallipolis meaning beautiful city
11th Century Castel Angiono and fortress
Corte Gallo- unique alleyways and part of town with house facades decorated by locals inspired by items used by fishermen

day 8/night 8

LOCATION Otranto, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Tour of the Eastern Coastline via Cesarea Terme

HIGHLIGHTS
Beautiful views of the sea
Historic churches and castle

day 9/night 9

LOCATION Ostuni, Martina Franca, Locorotondo & Alberobello, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Enjoy the different towns and the unique houses known as Trulli
Dinner in Polignano al Mare on Own

HIGHLIGHTS
Ostuni- 15th Century Gothic Cathedral
Martina Franca features Baroque Buildings and a Ducal Palace built in 1669
Locorotondo or round place features a circular city plan
Alberobello or beautiful tree features thousands of Trulli or conical houses unique to this region

day 10/night 10

LOCATION Conversano & Monopoli, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Enjoy exploring the centre and shopping in Monopoli

HIGHLIGHTS
The Pulo (Neolithic site), a circular cave 23 m deep with grottoes and remains
Grotta Bianca- featuring stalactites and stalagmites is considered in perfect condition
Above the cave is a look out tower

day 11/night 11

LOCATION Castellina di Grotte & Alberobello, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Enjoy the Day at Leisure

day 12/night 12

LOCATION Trani & Castel di Monte, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Enjoy the day exploring the towns of Trani & Castel Monte
Proceed to Bari and enjoy Dinner at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Simple yet spectacular Cathedral set on a small peninsula that juts out into the sea

day 13/night 13

LOCATION Bari, Italy
TRAVEL Drive and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Bari

HIGHLIGHTS
Bari is the Second Largest Metropolis in the South- a visit to the ancient district is worth a visit to compare it’s modern day culture as an industrial capital
San Giacomo Church
Walk along the Lungomare or Seaside Promenade

day 14

LOCATION Bari, Italy
TRAVEL Return Rental Vehicle

Conclusion of Tour