Best of Puglia Tour

We meet in Bari at 2 p.m., the main city of Puglia and the starting point for our journey through the region.

Our first stop is Polignano a Mare, a striking coastal town perched on a rocky promontory above the Adriatic’s turquoise waters. With origins dating back to the 4th century BC as a Greek settlement, the town is rich in history and centred around Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. It also sits along the ancient Roman Via Traiana, traces of which can still be seen today.

In the evening we continue to Ostuni, where we stay for the next six nights. Our accommodation is located in the historic centre, where the piazzas come alive each evening with the traditional passeggiata. You’ll have plenty of time over the coming days to explore this beautiful town at your own pace.

Known as “la città bianca” (the White Town), Ostuni is a cluster of whitewashed buildings set on a hilltop overlooking the coast. Its narrow, winding streets feel timeless, opening out to sweeping views across ancient olive groves — a setting that invites you to slow down and take it all in.

Tonight we enjoy our first dinner together, introducing you to the flavours of Puglia. Throughout the week, meals are carefully selected to showcase the region’s diverse cuisine, with each restaurant chosen to offer a different experience.

Note: For tours based in Polignano a Mare, the afternoon visit will be to Ostuni.

Meals: Dinner (4 courses including wine)

Today we travel to Lecce, a city that flourished in the 17th century when the ruling classes commissioned extravagant baroque architecture. This distinctive style is defined by its ornate detailing, with intricate decorations covering the facades of churches and palaces.

We take a private guided tour with a local expert, who brings the city’s key sights and history to life. Lecce’s baroque is unique within Italy, both in its style and in its use of the warm, beige-coloured local stone.

Beyond its history, Lecce is an elegant and vibrant town, perfect for enjoying its many boutiques, cafés and lively piazzas. It offers a balance of artistic interest, cultural depth, and relaxed southern Italian charm.

After some free time in the centre, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, sampling the cuisine of this part of Puglia known as the Salento.

In the afternoon we visit Monopoli, a lively coastal town with a long history dating back to the Bronze Age. Fortified since Roman times, the current walls and castle were built by the Spanish in the 16th century.

Centred around its fishing port, Monopoli offers a glimpse into daily life that has remained largely unchanged for generations — fishermen heading out in small wooden boats and returning to sell their catch along the pier. We explore the town together before giving you some free time to wander at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (3 courses including wine)

We begin the day in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the “Capital of Trulli”. These distinctive stone houses, built 300–400 years ago, feature conical roofs and line the narrow streets, creating a truly unique and almost fairytale-like setting.

As we explore together, you’ll learn about the history of these structures, how they were built, and the meaning behind the cryptic symbols painted on their roofs. You’ll also have time to browse the local shops and take in the atmosphere at your own pace.

After lunch in a countryside trattoria, we visit a traditional masseria. Historically, these were fortified farm estates where entire communities lived and worked. Today, some remain active agricultural enterprises, while others have been transformed into boutique lodgings.

The masseria we visit still produces organic extra virgin olive oil from trees that are centuries old. This land has been cultivated for thousands of years, and we are shown remnants of ancient Roman agricultural systems alongside artefacts from the Middle Ages through to modern times.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (3 courses including wine)

This morning we travel to Matera in the neighbouring region of Basilicata. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, with cave dwellings dating back to the Bronze Age.

The town is carved into the rock face of a steep ravine, creating a landscape that feels entirely removed from the modern world. We meet a local guide who shares personal insights into life here — including stories of his own family, who once lived in these caves.

We explore the ‘sassi’ districts, visit a typical cave dwelling, and gain an understanding of the challenging conditions people once lived in. We also visit a rock-hewn cave church, featuring Byzantine frescoes and layered histories that reflect centuries of adaptation and use.

Matera was famously used as a filming location for The Passion of the Christ, and you’ll quickly see why its timeless landscape lends itself so naturally to such settings.

As we are in Basilicata, lunch today focuses on the specialties of this inland region.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (4 courses including wine)

We begin the day with a visit to a family-run winery producing high-quality wines from traditional local varieties such as Fiano Minutolo and Susumaniello. The winemaker guides us through the vineyard before we enjoy a tasting of their wines — some of which were only recently reintroduced to commercial production.

We then continue to Trani, a popular summer destination for Italians and consistently a highlight of the tour. We start at the striking Romanesque cathedral set right on the waterfront before exploring key historical sites, including locations associated with the Knights Templar.

Walking through the old Jewish quarter reveals further layers of the town’s rich history, including how its synagogues have evolved over time.

Today, Trani’s harbour is a picturesque fishing port lined with restaurants. Each morning, fishermen sell their fresh catch directly from the pier. We enjoy lunch at a seaside restaurant, making the most of this local seafood.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (4 courses including wine)

This morning we visit the weekly market in Locorotondo, where locals shop for fresh produce including cheeses, seasonal fruits and vegetables. It’s a vibrant and authentic glimpse into everyday life in the region.

We then explore Locorotondo itself, officially recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy (“Borghi più belli d’Italia”), known for its whitewashed buildings and flower-filled streets.

Later, we experience a private demonstration of the traditional ‘pizzica’ dance, unique to this region. This lively performance offers insight into Puglia’s cultural traditions, enjoyed with a glass of prosecco.

In the evening, we come together for a special cooking experience with a local chef. You’ll learn to prepare traditional Puglian dishes, beginning with an introduction to the ingredients and their local origins.

Puglian cuisine is rooted in simplicity and seasonality, with a focus on vegetables, breads such as focaccia, and the region’s exceptional olive oil. Recipes passed down through generations reflect the essence of the Mediterranean diet.

This is a hands-on experience, and we finish by enjoying the meal we’ve prepared together.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (4 courses including wine)
Note: The pizzica dance performance is subject to availability, group size, and weather conditions.

By now, you may know your local barista by name — and they know your coffee order — but it’s time to say “arrivederci”.

We arrange your transfer to your departure point in Bari and bid you “buon viaggio”. The tour concludes in Bari at 11 a.m.

Meals: Breakfast