Fantastic Rome & Puglia Combo | 11 Day Escorted Tour 2026
Tour Essentials
Breakfast daily, four meals, two local food experiences and a cooking class
Tour Details
Puglia is one of those parts of Italy that feels wonderfully different. Whitewashed hill towns rise above ancient olive groves, trulli dot the countryside around Alberobello and the Adriatic is never far away. Add the extraordinary cave dwellings of neighbouring Matera, the baroque beauty of Lecce and a food culture deeply connected to the land, and there is an enormous amount to discover.
This 11-day escorted tour gives you a particularly easy way to experience it. Beginning and ending in Rome, you'll travel by high-speed train to Bari before journeying through Puglia with stays in Bari, Alberobello and Lecce. Along the way you'll explore the elegant seafront of Trani, mysterious Castel del Monte, the Sassi of Matera, the white towns of Locorotondo and Ostuni, coastal Otranto and beautiful Monopoli.
And importantly, the food isn't treated as an afterthought. There's a dinner at a traditional masseria, local wine and taralli in Alberobello and a hands-on Pugliese cooking experience followed by lunch. These are the experiences that help connect the places you visit with the traditions and people that make Puglia such a rewarding part of Italy to explore.
Inclusions
- Arrival and departure transfers in Rome
- Private transfers between Rome Termini station and the Rome hotel
- High-speed train tickets Rome to Bari and Bari to Rome in second class
- Guided tours in Bari, Matera and Lecce
- Visits to Castel del Monte, Alberobello and Matera
- Shuttle to Castel del Monte
- Dinner in a masseria with one glass of wine included
- Entrance fees for Casa Grotta in Matera, Otranto Cathedral and the churches of Lecce
- Cooking experience and lunch at a masseria
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Rome
Welcome to Rome! Arrival in Rome, meet with our driver at the airport, and transfer to your hotel.
Rest of the day is free at your leisure.
Overnight stay.
Day 2: Rome > Bari (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before leaving Rome. Transfer to the station for the train departure to Bari.
Arrival at the hotel in Bari on your own.
Rest of the day is at your disposal.
Overnight stay.
Day 3 Bari (B, D) Bari (B, D)
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and meet our Tour Leader for a morning tour of Bari, the main city of Puglia. Visit the old city center, including the Basilica of San Nicola and the Norman-Swabian Castle, with its breathtaking views (Castle entry at your own expense). Continue to Piazza Mercantile and see the ancient Column of Justice.
After the visit, you’ll have free time for lunch. While not included in the package, we recommend you enjoy a meal at a typical local restaurant in the city center or explore the area for some delicious street food.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Bari >Trani > Castel del Monte > Alberobello (B, D)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing Bari by coach to Trani, known as the ‘Pearl of Puglia’. Discover its art, monuments, the Jewish quarter, and the stunning white stone Cathedral.
In the afternoon, visit Castel Del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 13th century under Roger the Norman. Explore this octagonal fortress, surrounded by mystery.
Continue to Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO listed Trulli, dry-stone cone-shaped houses dating back to the 14th century. Enjoy a welcome toast with local white wine and Apulian taralli.
Overnight stay and dinner included.
Day 5: Alberobello > Matera > Alberobello (B, D)
Matera will be the destination for today.
After breakfast, the coach will take you to this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit and learn the history of the “Sassi di Matera” (Stones of Matera), caves that have been used as houses for over 9.000 years, that are part of the historic center of the city.
Admire the Romanesque Cathedral that overlooks the city, its beautiful “Campanile” (Bell Tower) and enjoy the amazing view of the “Sassi”.
Transfer back to Alberobello in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Alberobello > Locorotondo > Ostuni > Lecce (B, D)
Breakfast in the hotel. Leave Alberobello by coach and reach Locorotondo.
Enjoy some free time to visit this small town that is part of the “white towns” of Puglia. Board on the coach again and travel to Ostuni: located between the “Trulli” region and Salento, overlooks the coastal plain rich of ancient olive trees.
Free time at your disposal to explore another “white town” with free time for lunch, shopping and tasting of several local products like the world’s famous ostuni olive oil (all at your own expenses).
In the late afternoon, get again on board of the coach and reach Lecce in the heart of the Salento region.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Lecce > Otranto > Dinner at a Masseria > Lecce (B, D)
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a 3-hour guided visit of Lecce. Learn its history, explore the old town center, the 12th-century Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and Piazza del Duomo.
Afterward, depart for Otranto by coach, with free time for lunch. Spend the afternoon exploring Otranto at your own pace, known for its blend of Greek, Roman, and Turkish influences. Visit the iconic Cathedral, housing the bones of 813 martyrs and a marvelous mosaic floor.
In the evening, head to Maglie for dinner at Masseria L’Uliveto, an ancient farm offering regional cuisine.
Return to Lecce for overnight.
Day 8: Lecce > Martina Franca > Cooking Experience & Lunch at Masseria Zona Fasano > Monopoli > Bari (B, L)
After breakfast, head to Bari, passing through the unique landscape of the Murge plateau. Visit Martina Franca, an elegant Baroque town with churches, noble buildings, and Piazza Plebiscito. Explore the Cathedral, Ducal Palace, and Torre dell’Orologio, followed by free time.
Continue through Valle d’Itria, filled with olive trees and vineyards, to Masseria Montenapoleone. Here, learn to make fresh pasta like orecchiette, cavatelli, and strascinate, while enjoying local wines. Savor the lunch made with your creations.
In the afternoon, visit Monopoli, a fortified citadel by the sea, then head to Bari for the overnight stay.
Day 9: Bari > Rome (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. At the time indicated, transfer to the station for the train departure to Rome. Arrival at the train station and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay.
Day 10: Rome (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend a leisurely day exploring the wonders of Rome at your own pace.
Opportunity to choose one of our I Love Rome experiences.
Overnight stay.
Day 11: Rome (B)
Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, take advantage of any last-minute free time for shopping or sightseeing.
Transfer to the airport is included.
End of our services.
Tour Highlights
Highlights:
- Transfer In/Out in Rome from airport to the hotel
- Private arrival and departure transfers from & to Rome Termini
- High-Speed train tickets Rome ↔ Bari (2nd class)
- Guided tours in Bari, Matera, and Lecce
- See UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Castel del Monte, Alberobello, and
Matera - Locorotondo and Otranto: Certified “Borghi”
- Dinner in a Masseria
- Entrance fees included: Casa Grotta (Matera), Otranto Cathedral, and the
Churches of Lecce - Shuttle to Castel del Monte
- Cooking Class & Lunch at Masseria Montenapoleone
- Transfer Out in Bari from the hotel to the airport
Accommodation
Accommodation is planned in comfortable 4-star hotels selected for the routing and escorted-group format.
- Rome: Hotel St Martin or Hotel Diana Roof Garden
- Bari: Excelsior Hotel Bari
- Alberobello: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri
- Lecce: Hotel Delle Palme or Hotel Mercure President
Hotels may be replaced with accommodation of a similar standard if required.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
This escorted itinerary includes city walking tours, historic centres, uneven paving, hotel transfers and coach touring. Travellers should be comfortable walking at a steady pace and managing stairs or cobbled surfaces.
Exclusions
- City tax is not included and is payable directly at the hotel.
- Drinks are not included with meals unless specifically noted as part of an experience.
- Personal expenses, optional experiences and travel insurance are not included.
Important Notes
- Prices are per person in AUD.
- Hotels, itinerary details and inclusions may change and should be reconfirmed before booking.
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
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