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

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

DAY 1: LECCE

• Arrival at Brindisi Airport. After picking up the rental car, head to Lecce. Overnight in Lecce.

DAY 2: LECCE & PORTO CESAREO (60 KM)

• Breakfast at the hotel. The whole day is at your disposal, or we suggest dedicating the day to visiting Lecce.

• Suggested itinerary: Walking tour of Lecce (optional with guide at an 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 the religious life of the time, or Porta Napoli, the Celestinian Palace and the Roman theater from the 2nd century brought to light in Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Here the popular traditions of the art of papier-mâché and the working of the typical Lecce stone, still honored today by many craftsmen, are alive. Here you have the opportunity to taste the typical dessert, the "Pasticciotto Leccese" (optional). Free time to continue the tour. Continue to Porto Cesareo and enjoy a pleasant free walk in one of the most famous tourist resorts in Puglia. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

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

• 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 water. Inside its fortified walls there is everything that makes you feel good: beauty, history, food, relaxation. A splendid village rich in charming alleys and wonderful churches, dominated by Baroque architecture and the typical Apulian historic center among white houses and wonderful panoramic views. The tour starts 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 town 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 1500s. Possibility to arrange boat excursions or snorkeling for sea lovers. Continue to 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 swim stop is planned. Alternatively, you can take a tour of Leuca: the 19th-century Liberty-style villas, the bathing boats, the Shrine of S. Maria De Finibus Terrae, the Lighthouse and the terminal column of the Apulian Aqueduct with its splendid staircase.

DAY 4: OTRANTO (92 KM)

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

• Suggested itinerary: Otranto is a splendid Adriatic city, the easternmost in Salento and a bridge between the cultures of the Mediterranean. Visit the characteristic old town with the imposing Aragonese Castle, the beautiful Byzantine church of San Pietro, and the ancient Romanesque Cathedral that 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 others, come from various parts of the ancient world. Overnight in Lecce.

DAY 5: OSTUNI & ALBEROBELLO (150 KM)

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

• Suggested itinerary: Drive to 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 to the visitor like a green carpet. The historic center is a labyrinth of alleys, courtyards, and stairways leading to the 15th-century cathedral, from which there is a unique view. Continue to Alberobello along the Itria Valley with its farmhouses (typical Apulian cultural buildings) scattered throughout the countryside. If requested, optional guided tour of Alberobello through the Trulli (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Its buildings have a conical shape, made of limestone. Rich in history, with archaic roots and superstitions, as can be seen in every trullo. Photo stop at the "Belvedere", continue to Taranto and overnight stay.

DAY 6: MATERA (160 KM)

• 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 the city crosses a hilly landscape with many small villages perched on hilltops. Arrival in Matera (local guide at extra cost if requested) and walk through the streets of what is known as the Second Bethlehem. These settings have been the set of numerous films, including Mel Gibson's "The Passion". The city is famous for its "Sassi" (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Photo stop overlooking the beauties of the city. 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: Transfer by car 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 122 m below street level. Inside the cave system, the temperature remains constantly around 16.5°C. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 8: THE TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST

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

• 4 nights in a 4-star hotel with BB treatment in the Lecce area

• 3 nights in a 4-star hotel with BB treatment in the Taranto area

• Category C car and "PLATINUM" insurance included*

*Full coverage for damage and theft (no deductible)
*Personal accident insurance protection
*Roadside assistance included (tax reimbursement up to €120)

• Tourist taxes (to be paid locally)
• Meals and drinks
• Porterage and personal expenses
• Everything not expressly stated under "the price 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 the program will be able to take place. In the event 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 hotel name will be sent to you 21 days before arrival.

• Norma Vacanze acts only as an intermediary between the customer and the car rental company. In the event of disputes with the rental company or accidents, the rules set out in the contract signed at the airport between the customer and the rental company will apply, without any involvement from Norma Vacanze.
• Each customer may 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 always be available. If category C is not available at the time of booking, a higher category will be offered with an extra charge 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 in cases of force majeure.
• Norma Vacanze is not responsible for accidents, delays, damage to or loss of luggage or personal belongings, nor for damage caused by third parties or by other events such as floods, storms, landslides, earthquakes, political unrest, epidemics, terrorist attacks, strikes, etc.

The rate does not include:

• Tourist tax to be paid on site
• Lunches and dinners unless otherwise indicated
• Tips and personal extras
• Porter service
• Fuel
• Highway tolls
• Parking fees
• Air, sea, rail, or bus tickets to reach the airport
• Entrance tickets 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 day of rental corresponds to a 24-hour period; the vehicle must be returned on time or within 59 minutes of the scheduled return time.
• Pick-up and drop-off of the car at the airport will take place during the rental company's opening hours (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); outside these hours the rental company will apply a surcharge. Please check before booking the flight.

THE RATE INCLUDES:

• Category C car, unlimited mileage;
• 22% VAT;
• Airport, railway, and car-related fees;
• Auto liability insurance - auto liability;
• Platinum insurance - removes all deductibles for theft and damage. It also covers glass and tire damage and attempted theft. Personal accident insurance. Roadside assistance as well.
• Additional driver

THE RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Fuel,
• Fines,
• Notification fees,
• One-way 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 fuel missing.
• A 59-minute grace period is provided, after which a full day will be charged.
• At the time of booking, the car category is guaranteed, not the model.

The Platinum insurance includes:

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

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