Day 1: LECCE AREA
Day 2: LECCE & PORTO CESAREO (KM 60)
Breakfast in hotel. Full day at leisure or we suggest spending your day to visit Lecce.
Suggested itinerary: Walking tour excursion in Lecce (optional with the guide with supplement) 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 Duomo, the center of religious life of the time, or Porta Napoli, the Zelestinian Palace, and the II century Roman theater brought to light in Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Here still live the popular traditions of the papier-mâché art and the processing of the typical soft stone which is still honored today by many artisans. Here you have the opportunity to try the typical dessert, "Pasticciotto Leccese" (optional). Free time for continuing the tour Drive to Porto Cesareo and free walk in one of the most famous tourist resorts in Puglia. Drive back to the hotel and overnight.
Day 3: SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA & GALLIPOLI (KM 170)
Breakfast in hotel. This day we suggest yo to spend your day to visit Gallipoli and Santa Maria di Leuca.
Suggested itinerary: Drive to Gallipoli, a reality suspended over the Ionian Sea, famous for its crystalline sea. Inside its fortified walls there is everything it does feel good: beauty, history, food, relaxation. Splendid village full of charming alleys and wonderful churches, dominated by baroque architecture and the typical Apulian historic center between white houses and wonderful landscape views. Starting from the Greek fountain, probably the oldest in Italy, built in the third century. A. C. its historic center preserves ancient buildings, beautiful 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 defensive walls of the '500. Possibility of organizing boat or snorkeling excursions for lovers of the depths of the sea. On to Ugento and Santa Maria di Leuca where we suggest you make a boat ride 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 the bathroom is planned. Or you can make a tour of Leuca: the nineteenth-century villas in Art Nouveau style, the bagnarole, the Sanctuary of S. Maria De Finibus Terrae, the Lighthouse, and the terminal column of the Apulian Aqueduct with its splendid staircase. Drive to Lecce and overnight.
Day 4: OTRANTO (KM 92)
Breakfast in hotel. Full day at leisure or we suggest spending your day to visit Otranto.
Suggested itinerary: Otranto is a beautiful Adriatic town the eastern most city of the Salento area and a trait-d'union of Mediterranean cultures. Visit of the characteristic ancient village with its imposing Aragonese Castle, the beautiful Byzantine church of San Pietro and the ancient Romanesque Cathedral that houses the bones of the martyrs, known for the enigmatic medieval mosaic in which the stories of the Old Testament are told and of classical mythology, finally, the Aula crypt whose columns, one different from the other, come from various points of the ancient world. Drive to Otranto attracts holidaymakers by its crystal-clear waters and natural bays. Free walk in the characteristic, historical centre of the city on the Adriatic Sea; you can admire the cathedral of the twelfth century with the famous mosaic, or the Aragonese castle. Overnight in Lecce.
Day 5: OSTUNI & ALBEROBELLO (KM 150)
Breakfast in hotel. Full day at leisure or we suggest spending your day to visit Ostuni and Alberobello.
Suggested itinerary: Drive to Ostuni; you will take a walk through the beautiful streets of the old town, called the white town because the walls and the old town are painted white. Ostuni is famous for its olive trees, which appear as a green carpet in the eyes of the visitor. The old town is a labyrinth of alleys, courtyards and stairways leading up to the 15th-century cathedral, from where you can enjoy a unique view. Continue to Alberobello along the Itria Valley with its masserie (typical Apulian cultural buildings) throughout the countryside. If requested optional guided tour of Alberobello through the Trulli (Unesco heritage). Its buildings are conical in shape, made of limestone. Mixed with the past, with archaic roots full of superstition, as on every trullo. Stop for a photo on the "Belvedere", drive to Taranto and overnight.
Day 6: MATERA (KM 160)
Breakfast at the hotel Full day at leisure or we suggest spending your day to visit Matera.
Suggested itinerary: Drive to Matera one of the oldest cities in the world. Matera is located in the Basilicata region, the road to the city of Matera leads through a hilly landscape with many small villages perched on top of the hills. Arrival in Matera (local guide with supplement if requested) walk through the streets of what is known as the Second Bethlehem. These scenarios have been the setting for numerous films, including Mel Gibson's "Passion". The city is famous for its "Sassi", (Unesco World Heritage Site). Photo break with a view of the beauties of the city. Drive back to the hotel and overnight in Taranto.
Day 7: CASTELLANA CAVES
Day 8: DEPARTURE
*Full coverage for damages and theft (no deductibles)
*Personal Injury insurance protection
*Road assistance Plus (refund for taxi up to € 120
(*) It could happen and i n case of problems the hotels indicated may be replaced with others of the same category located in the same towns or up to 30 km distance where will be possible to realize the program. In case of hotels full booked we reserve to invert the tour and/or confirm the booking in a middle-class hotel with a reduction of 5 euro per person per day. The name of the hotel will be sent to you 21 days before the arrival.
The rate does not include:
The rate includes:
The rate does not include:
Platinum insurance includes:
