DAY 1: LECCE
DAY 2: LECCE & PORTO CESAREO
-
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal, or we suggest dedicating the day to visiting Lecce and a winery
Suggested itinerary: Walking tour of Lecce (optional with guide at extra cost), known as the Florence of the South, thanks to its architectural landmarks such as the Basilica of Santa Croce, whose construction took 150 years, or the Cathedral, the center of religious life of the time, or Porta Napoli, Palazzo Zelestino, and the Roman theater from the 2nd century uncovered in Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Here, the popular traditions of papier-mâché art and the craftsmanship of the typical Lecce stone are still alive, still honored today by many artisans. Here you have the opportunity to taste the typical dessert, 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 enjoy a free walk in one of the most famous tourist resorts in Puglia. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 3: OSTUNI & ALBEROBELLO
-
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal, or we suggest spending the day visiting Ostuni and Alberobello
Suggested itinerary: Depart by car for 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 visitors like a green carpet. The historic center is a labyrinth 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) scattered throughout the countryside. Optional guided visit of Alberobello through the Trulli (UNESCO heritage) upon request. Its buildings have a conical shape, made of limestone. Blended 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 stay.
DAY 4: MATERA
-
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal, or we suggest dedicating the 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 crosses a hilly landscape with many small villages perched on the hilltops. Arrival in Matera (local guide at extra cost on request), walk through the streets of what is known as the Second Bethlehem. These settings were the backdrop for numerous films, including Mel Gibson's "The Passion." The city is famous for its "Sassi" (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Photo stop with views of the city's beauty. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
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 town suspended over the Ionian Sea, famous for its crystal-clear waters. Within its fortified walls, you will find 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. 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 town 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 the sea floor. Continue to Santa Maria di Leuca with its splendid 19th-century Liberty-style villas, the lighthouse, the Sanctuary of S. Maria De Finibus Terrae, as well as the monumental staircase and the Roman column marking the arrival point of the Apulian aqueduct. Continue to Gallipoli. The ancient Kalè-Polis, already known to the Greeks for the beauty of its coastline, today preserves a fascinating testimony of Baroque influence in Salento. Visit the squares and the Cathedral. Transfer to Lecce and overnight stay.
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 city, the easternmost in Salento and a crossroads of Mediterranean cultures. Visit the characteristic old town with the imposing Aragonese Castle, the beautiful Byzantine church of San Pietro, and the ancient Romanesque Cathedral that preserves 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. 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 visit of the Castellana Caves, an underground karst cave complex, 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. Departure for the airport and return of the car at the rental desk.
- Lecce area: Grand Hotel Lecce 4*, Grand Hotel Tiziano, 8Più, Hotel Club Santa Sabina or similar (*)
(*) The listed 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 mediation 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 respect 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 additional charge, which will be communicated before confirming each booking.
- Hotel parking is not guaranteed, but parking will be available nearby.
- The rate includes the rental of a category C car for the duration of the stay with the "GOLD" insurance package; for an additional fee, it is possible to book Platinum insurance.
- Drivers must have a credit card for check-in.
- Norma Vacanze reserves the right to change the excursion itinerary if deemed appropriate or in the event of force majeure.
- Norma Vacanze is not responsible for accidents, delays, damage to or loss of luggage or personal effects, 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 locally
- Lunches and dinners unless otherwise stated
- 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 charge 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 the following 59 minutes.
- 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); after these hours, the rental company will charge a surcharge. Please check before booking your flight.
Entrance tickets
- To avoid queues 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-related fees;
- Motor third-party liability insurance - third-party liability for the car;
- Gold Plan insurance - eliminates theft and damage deductibles. It also covers glass and tire damage.
- Additional driver
THE RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Fuel,
- Fines,
- Notification fees,
- Drop-off surcharge 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.
- 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.
Gold insurance includes
- With Gold, the deductible amount will not be charged. The "Gold" package eliminates deductibles for damage and total theft and also allows the deductible to be eliminated for damage to vehicle parts not covered by the "Silver" package and includes coverage for glass and tires. Partial theft, attempted theft, damage to the roof, damage to the underside of the vehicle, internal damage, and damage caused by vandalism, riots, etc. are excluded.
Platinum Insurance (on request)
- If the customer purchases a "Platinum" package, the deductible amounts for theft (including partial theft and attempted theft) and damage (including damage to the roof, the underside of the vehicle, and the interior) will be eliminated, and the PAI services will be provided (which cover the driver in the event of death, permanent disability, and accidents, with maximum coverage up to €100,000) as well as 24h "Road Assistance Plus" roadside assistance (covers all towing costs in the event of an at-fault accident and for any other event occurring during the rental).
