• 5-day package (4 nights) with hotel and rental car included to make the trip completely independent for discovering the beauties of Puglia

• 5-day package (4 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/Brindisi airport. After picking up the rental car, head to Lecce. No activities are planned for this day. Free time to explore Bari and Polignano on your own. Overnight in Lecce.

• Suggested itinerary: Reach Bari and stroll through the charming old town. You can visit Piazza Mercantile and Piazza del Ferrarese, the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the Cathedral of Saint Sabinus, the Swabian Castle, and the Old Port. A very evocative walk is through the alleys of the old city, where culinary tradition and local folklore make the city of Bari unique. For shopping lovers, Bari’s center is famous for its two main streets: Corso Cavour and Via Sparano. For the more discerning palates, it is recommended to taste the typical Bari focaccia and the famous mozzarella fior di latte or stracciatella or the majestic burrata accompanied by typical Apulian taralli during the excursion, along with a glass of good wine. Continue to Polignano a Mare, a beautiful town perched on the sea. In this splendid seaside location, you can have a unique experience, satisfy your palate and gourmets. We recommend eating a typical fish sandwich. Walk through the streets and enjoy the splendid sea view.

DAY 2: MATERA & ALBEROBELLO (KM 355)

• Breakfast at the hotel. Today we suggest a visit to two of the most beautiful, characteristic, and fascinating cities in Italy, Matera and Alberobello.

• Suggested itinerary: Drive to Matera. City of the Sassi, a UNESCO site and European Capital of Culture in 2019, Matera is one of the most characteristic and fascinating cities in Italy and an ideal place for a walking itinerary. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the Sassi, which form the historic center of Matera, are a succession of stairs, passages, alleys, small houses, large buildings, and terraces. Often the terraces themselves are roofs of the buildings below or masonry facades over rooms carved into the rock, cisterns, and churches excavated in tuff. The stones are divided into two districts, Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso. Sasso Barisano, the larger one, is characterized by the presence of shops, restaurants, and hotels, while Sasso Caveoso is the oldest district and the one that best preserves the appearance of the rock city. It is recommended to visit Casa Grossa and Chiesa Grossa (entrance €3.00 per person per monument). Reach Alberobello and visit the characteristic and very famous Apulian town. Optional lunch stop at the restaurant L'Aratro, located in a typical Trullo, to taste Apulian products. In the city of trulli (UNESCO site), you will visit the Aia Piccola and Monti districts, the Siamese trullo, Casa D'Amore, and the church of St. Francis, the only trullo church in the world.

DAY 3: GALLIPOLI, SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA & OTRANTO (KM 180)

• Breakfast at the hotel. Today we suggest spending the day in Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca, and Otranto.

• Suggested itinerary: Reach Gallipoli, a place suspended over the Ionian Sea, famous for its crystal-clear waters. 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 with white houses and magnificent landscape 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 16th-century defensive walls. Possibility to organize boat excursions or snorkeling for lovers of marine depths. Continue to Ugento at the farm I Contadini, which produces capers and typical Apulian products, with tasting. Proceed to Santa Maria di Leuca where a boat tour is recommended to visit the caves. The transparency of the water makes this stretch of Ionian coast one of the most beautiful in Apulia. A swimming stop is planned. Alternatively, you can take a tour of Leuca: the 19th-century Liberty-style villas, the bathing establishments, the Sanctuary of St. Mary De Finibus Terrae, the Lighthouse, and the terminal column of the Apulian Aqueduct with its splendid staircase. Continue to Otranto, a beautiful Adriatic town. Otranto is the easternmost city of Salento and a crossroads of Mediterranean cultures. Visit the characteristic old town with the imposing Aragonese Castle, the beautiful Byzantine church of St. Peter, 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, and finally, the crypt hall whose columns, each different from the other, come from various parts of the ancient world.

DAY 4: CASTELLANA CAVES, LOCOROTONDO & OSTUNI (KM 250)

• Breakfast at the hotel. Today we suggest spending the day at the Castellana Caves, Locorotondo, and Ostuni.

• Suggested itinerary: Reach Castellana and visit the caves. The Castellana Caves, a complex of underground karst cavities of considerable tourist interest, among the most beautiful and spectacular in Italy, extend for 3348 meters and reach a maximum depth of 122 meters from the surface. The internal temperature is around 16.5°C. The cave visit takes place along a 3 km route: an extraordinary guided excursion, about 70 meters deep, in a surprising scenario where caves with fantastic names, canyons, deep abysses, fossils, stalactites, stalagmites, concretions with incredible shapes and surprising colors stimulate the imagination of children and adults. After finishing the cave visit, continue by car to Locorotondo. Locorotondo is a town situated on a rock, in the Itria Valley, at the gates of Salento. The name Locorotondo derives from the shape of the historic center of the town. Walking through its winding alleys, you will suddenly come across picturesque corners full of history and charm. You will find numerous shops selling local crafts and typical Apulian ceramics. Reach Ostuni, a typically Baroque city, called the white city for the characteristics of its historic center entirely covered with white lime. Ostuni is appreciated by all tourists for having managed over the years to preserve its roots and its elegant and harmonious architectural style. Return to the Lecce area, overnight.

DAY 5: 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.

• 4 overnight stays in a 4* hotel with breakfast included
• Tasting of typical products at the farm "I Contadini" in Ugento
• Category C car and "GOLD insurance" included

• 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
• Upgrade for the car rental category on request

• Lecce area: Grand Hotel Lecce 4*, Grand Hotel Tiziano, 8Più, Hotel Club Santa Sabina or similar (*)

(*) The indicated facilities may be replaced with others of the same category. Accommodations 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.

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