• 8-day package (7 nights) with hotel and rental car included to make the trip completely independent for discovering the beauties of Puglia

• 8-day package (7 nights) with hotel and rental car included to make the trip completely independent for discovering the beauties of Puglia

DAY 1: LECCE

• Arrival at Bari airport. After picking up the rental car, head towards Lecce. Overnight in Lecce.

DAY 2: LECCE & PORTO CESAREO (KM 60)

• Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal or we suggest dedicating the day to visiting Lecce.

• Suggested itinerary: Walking tour in Lecce (optional with a guide for an extra charge) known as the Florence of the South, thanks to its architectural structures such as the Basilica of Santa Croce, whose construction took 150 years, or the Cathedral, the center of religious life at the time, or Porta Napoli, the Zelestinian Palace, and the Roman theater from the 2nd century brought to light in Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Here the popular traditions of papier-mâché art and the processing of the typical sandstone, still honored by many artisans today, are still alive. Here you have the chance to taste the typical sweet, the "Pasticciotto Leccese" (optional). Free time to continue the tour. Proceed to Porto Cesareo and enjoy a free walk in one of the most famous tourist resorts in Puglia. Return to the hotel and overnight.

DAY 3: SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA & GALLIPOLI (KM 170)

• Breakfast at the hotel. We suggest dedicating the day to visiting Gallipoli and Santa Maria di Leuca.

• Suggested itinerary: Reach Gallipoli, a place suspended over the Ionian Sea, famous for its crystal-clear sea. Inside its fortified walls, there is everything that makes you feel good: beauty, history, food, relaxation. A splendid village full of suggestive alleys and wonderful churches, dominated by Baroque architecture and the typical Apulian historic center among white houses and marvelous landscape views. Starting from the Greek fountain, probably the oldest in Italy, built in the 3rd century B.C. Its historic center preserves ancient palaces, splendid Baroque churches, and characteristic alleys. Gallipoli has two areas, the modern village and the historic center located on a small island connected to the mainland by a brick bridge and still surrounded by the ancient 16th-century defensive walls. Possibility to organize boat trips or snorkeling for lovers of marine depths. Continue towards Ugento and Santa Maria di Leuca where a boat tour is recommended to visit the caves. The transparency of the water makes this stretch of the Ionian coast one of the most beautiful in Puglia. A stop for swimming is planned. Alternatively, you can take a tour of Leuca: the 19th-century Liberty-style villas, the bagnarole, the Sanctuary of S. Maria De Finibus Terrae, the Lighthouse, and the terminal column of the Apulian Aqueduct with its splendid staircase.

DAY 4: OTRANTO (KM 92)

• Breakfast at the hotel. We recommend dedicating the day to visiting Otranto.

• Suggested itinerary: Otranto is a splendid Adriatic town, the easternmost of Salento and a link between Mediterranean cultures. Visit the characteristic old village with the imposing Aragonese Castle, the beautiful Byzantine church of San Pietro, and the ancient Romanesque Cathedral which houses the bones of the martyrs, famous for the enigmatic medieval mosaic depicting stories from the Old Testament and classical mythology, finally, the Crypt Hall whose columns, each different from the other, come from various points of the ancient world. Overnight in Lecce.

DAY 5: OSTUNI & ALBEROBELLO (KM 150)

• Breakfast at the hotel. We recommend dedicating the day to visiting Ostuni and Alberobello.

• Suggested itinerary: By car, reach Ostuni; stroll through the beautiful streets of the historic center, called the white city because the walls and historic center are painted white. Ostuni is famous for its olive trees, which appear as a green carpet to the visitor’s eyes. The historic center is a labyrinth of alleys, courtyards, and staircases leading to the 15th-century cathedral, from which you can enjoy a unique view. Continue to Alberobello along the Itria Valley with its farmhouses (typical Apulian cultural constructions) throughout the countryside. If requested, optional guided visit of Alberobello through the Trulli (a UNESCO heritage site). Its buildings are conical in shape, made of limestone. Steeped in history, with archaic roots full of superstition, as you can notice in every trullo. Photo stop at the "Belvedere," continue to Taranto and overnight.

DAY 6: MATERA (KM 160)

• Breakfast at the hotel. We recommend dedicating the day to visiting Matera.

• Suggested itinerary: Reach Matera, one of the oldest cities in the world. Matera is located in the Basilicata region; the road to Matera crosses a hilly landscape with many small villages perched on hilltops. Arrival in Matera (local guide with supplement if requested) and walk through the streets of what is known as the Second Bethlehem. These settings have been the location for numerous films, including Mel Gibson’s "Passion." The city is famous for its "Sassi" (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Photo break with views of the city’s beauties. Return to the hotel and overnight in Taranto.

DAY 7: CASTELLANA CAVES

• Breakfast at the hotel. Today we suggest dedicating the day to visiting the Castellana Caves.
• Suggested itinerary: Drive to the Castellana Caves. A complex of underground karst caves, among the most beautiful and spectacular in Italy, with a visit of about 1 KM lasting 50 minutes. The caves extend for a total of 3,348 meters and reach a maximum depth of 122m below street level. Inside the cave system, the temperature remains constantly around 16.5°C. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 8: THE TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST

• Today your trip ends after breakfast. Check-out at 10:00. Drive to the airport and return the car at the rental desk. Thank you and goodbye!

• 4 overnight stays in a 4-star hotel with BB treatment in the Lecce area
• 3 overnight stays in a 4-star hotel on a BB basis in the Taranto area
• Category C car and "PLATINUM" insurance included*

*Full coverage for damage and theft (no deductibles)
*Insurance protection against personal accidents
*Plus roadside assistance (taxi reimbursement up to €120)

• Tourist taxes (must be paid locally)
• Meals and drinks
• Porterage and personal expenses
• Everything that is not expressly indicated under "the fee includes"

• Possibility of having pre/post tours on request

• Lecce area: Grand Hotel Lecce 4*, Grand Hotel Tiziano, 8Più or similar (*)
• Taranto area: Hotel Daniela 4* or similar (*)

(*) It may happen and in case of problems the indicated hotels may be replaced with others of the same category located in the same cities or up to 30 km away where it will be possible to carry out the program. In case of fully booked hotels, we reserve the right to reverse the tour and/or confirm the booking in a mid-range hotel with a reduction of 5 euros per person per day. The name of the hotel will be sent to you 21 days before arrival.

• Norma Vacanze only acts as an intermediary between the client and the car rental company. In case of disputes with the renter or accidents, the rules established in the contract signed at the airport between the client and the renter will apply, without any involvement of Norma Vacanze.
• Each client can independently choose whether to follow the suggested itinerary or create one based on their own needs. However, it is essential to follow the schedule regarding the cities where overnight stays are planned.
• Cars are subject to availability and your category may not be available at all times. If category C is not available at the time of booking, a higher category will be offered with a surcharge that will be communicated before confirming each booking.
• Parking at the hotel is not guaranteed, but it will be possible to find parking nearby.
• The rate includes the rental of a category C car for the duration of the stay with the "PLATINUM" insurance package.
• Drivers must have a credit card for check-in.
• Norma Vacanze reserves the right to modify the excursion itinerary if deemed appropriate or due to force majeure.
• Norma Vacanze is not responsible for accidents, delays, damage or loss of luggage or personal effects, nor for damages caused by third parties or others such as floods, storms, landslides, earthquakes, political unrest, epidemics, terrorist attacks, strikes, etc.

The rate does not include:

• Tourist tax to be paid locally
• Lunches and dinners unless mentioned
• Tips and personal extras
• Luggage handling service
• Fuel
• Highway tolls
• Parking fees
• Tickets for planes, ships, trains or buses to reach the airport
• Entrance fees to monuments and archaeological parks
• Anything not expressly indicated under "the rate includes".
• The car must be returned to the same airport, otherwise an additional cost will apply to be agreed with the rental company.
• Each rental day is a 24-hour period; the vehicle must be returned on time or within 59 minutes after the scheduled return time.
• Car pick-up and return at the airport will take place during the opening hours of the rental company (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); outside these hours the rental company will apply an additional fee. Please check before booking your flight.

THE RATE INCLUDES:

• Category C car, unlimited mileage;
• 22% VAT;
• Airport, railway, and car fees;
• Car liability insurance - car civil liability;
• Platinum Insurance - eliminates all deductibles for theft and damage. Also covers glass and tire damage and theft attempts. Personal accident insurance. Plus roadside assistance.
• Additional driver

THE RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Fuel,
• Fines,
• Notification fees,
• Rental for drop-off at another airport,
• Child seat,
• GPS navigator,
• Fuel recovery service, a €30.00 surcharge will be applied if the car is returned with more than 5 liters of fuel missing.
• There is a 59-minute grace period, after which a full day will be charged.
• At the time of booking, the car category is guaranteed, not the model.

Platinum insurance includes:

• With Platinum insurance, the deductible amount is not charged. The "Platinum" package eliminates the deductibles for all damages, partial, attempted, and total theft, including glass, tires, roof damage, and damage to the underside of the vehicle. Interior damages and those caused by vandalism, riots, etc. are excluded.

• Cancellations up to 120 days before departure with full refund.
• Cancellations from 119 to 15 days before departure, penalty of €50 per person.
• Cancellations from 14 to 8 days before departure, penalty of 30%.
• Cancellations from 7 to 4 days before departure, penalty of 50%.
• In case of cancellation within 3 days before departure, penalty of 100%.
• No refund is provided for no-shows or voluntary interruption of a trip already started.