DAY 1: LECCE
DAY 2: LECCE & PORTO CESAREO
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Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal or we suggest dedicating the day to visiting Lecce and a winery
Recommended itinerary: Walking tour of Lecce (optional with guide at extra cost) 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, center of religious life of 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 alive. Here you have the opportunity to try the typical sweet, the "Pasticciotto Leccese" (optional). Free time to continue the tour or drive to Leverano and visit one of the most famous wineries in Salento, winery visit and tasting of 3 types of wine. We will offer 1 bottle of wine per couple. Continue to Porto Cesareo and free walk in one of the most famous tourist resorts in Puglia. Return to the hotel and overnight.
DAY 3: OSTUNI & ALBEROBELLO
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Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal or we suggest spending the day visiting Ostuni and Alberobello
Suggested itinerary: Drive to Ostuni; take a walk through the beautiful streets of the historic center, called the white town because the walls and historic center are painted white. Ostuni is famous for its olive trees, which appear to visitors like a green carpet. The historic center is a maze of alleys, courtyards, and stairways leading to the 15th-century Cathedral, from which you can enjoy a unique panorama. Continue to Alberobello along the Itria Valley with its farmhouses (typical Apulian cultural buildings) throughout the countryside. Optional guided tour of Alberobello through the Trulli (UNESCO heritage) on request. Its buildings are conical in shape, made of limestone. Mixed with the past, with archaic roots full of superstition, like every trullo, stop for a photo at the "Belvedere", return to the hotel and overnight.
DAY 4: MATERA
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Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal or we suggest dedicating your day to visiting Matera.
Suggested itinerary: Transfer to Matera, one of the oldest cities in the world. Matera is located in Basilicata. The road to Matera leads through a hilly landscape with many small villages perched on hilltops. Arrival in Matera (local guide at extra cost if requested) walk through the streets of what is known as the Second Bethlehem. These scenes have been the setting for numerous films, including Mel Gibson's "Passion". The city is famous for its "Sassi" (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Photo stop with a view of the city's beauties. Return to the hotel and overnight.
DAY 5: SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA & GALLIPOLI
- Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal or we suggest dedicating the day to visiting Santa Maria di Leuca and Gallipoli
Suggested itinerary: Reach Gallipoli, a reality 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 rich in evocative alleys and wonderful churches, dominated by Baroque architecture and the typical Apulian historic center between white houses and wonderful scenic views. Starting from the Greek fountain, probably the oldest in Italy, built in the 3rd century BC. 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 masonry bridge and still surrounded by the ancient defensive walls of the 16th century. Possibility to organize boat trips or snorkeling for lovers of marine depths. Continue to Santa Maria di Leuca with its splendid 19th-century Liberty villas, the lighthouse, the Sanctuary of S. Maria De Finibus Terrae but also the monumental staircase and the Roman column marking the arrival point of the Apulian aqueduct. Continue to Gallipoli. The ancient Kalè-Polis, already known by the Greeks for the beauty of its coasts, today preserves a fascinating testimony of Baroque influence in Salento. Visit the squares and the Cathedral. Transfer to Lecce and overnight.
DAY 6: OTRANTO
- Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal or we suggest dedicating the day to visiting Otranto
Suggested itinerary: The journey to Otranto attracts tourists for its crystal-clear waters and natural bays. Otranto is a splendid Adriatic town, the easternmost of Salento and a crossroads of 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 parts of the ancient world. Free time to enjoy an ice cream. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 7: CASTELLANA CAVES
- Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal or we suggest dedicating the day to visiting the Castellana Caves
Suggested itinerary: Guided tour of 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 road 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.
- Lecce area: Grand Hotel Lecce 4*, Grand Hotel Tiziano, 8Più, Hotel Club Santa Sabina or similar (*)
(*) The indicated accommodations may be replaced with others of the same category. The lodgings are located in the indicated cities or in different cities where it will be possible to carry out the program.
- Norma Vacanze only handles the mediation between the customer 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 customer and the renter will apply, without any involvement of Norma Vacanze.
- Each customer 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 an additional charge that will be communicated before confirming each reservation.
- Hotel parking 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 "GOLD" insurance package; with an extra charge, it is possible to book the Platinum insurance.
- 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 belongings, 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
- Porter 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 fraction; the vehicle must be returned on time or within 59 minutes afterward.
- 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); after these hours, the rental company will charge an additional fee. Please check before booking your flight.
Entrance tickets
- To avoid lines at museums or archaeological parks, advance booking is required: Advance booking of entrance tickets is mandatory on the first day of the tour.
- Tickets are non-refundable.
THE RATE INCLUDES:
- Category C car, unlimited mileage;
- 22% VAT;
- Airport, railway, and car fees;
- Car liability insurance - civil liability for the car;
- Gold Plan insurance - eliminates deductibles for theft and damage. Also covers damage to windows and tires.
- 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 surcharge of €30.00 will be applied if the car is returned with more than 5 liters of missing fuel.
- There is a tolerance of 59 minutes, after which a full day will be charged.
- At the time of booking, the car category is guaranteed, not the model.
Gold insurance includes
- With Gold, the deductible amount will not be charged. The "Gold" package eliminates the deductibles for damage and total theft and allows the elimination of the deductible also for damages to parts of the vehicle not covered by the "Silver" package and includes coverage for windows and tires. Partial theft, attempted theft, roof damage, damage to the underside of the vehicle, interior damage, and those caused by vandalism, riots, etc., are excluded.
Platinum Insurance (on request)
- If the customer purchases a "Platinum" package, the amount of deductibles for theft (including partial theft and attempted theft) and damage (including damage to the roof, underside of the vehicle, and interior) will be eliminated, and the PAI services (which cover the driver in case of death, permanent disability, and accidents, with a maximum coverage of up to €100,000) and "Road Assistance Plus" 24h roadside assistance (covers all towing costs in case of an accident with fault and for any other event occurring during the rental) will be provided.
