Puglia & Matera Tour | Guided Small Group Tour | 5 Days

DAY 1                    BARI – TRANI

Your trip begins with an independent arrival at Bari airport. Here, a comfortable transfer awaits you: climb aboard our minivan for a comfortable journey to beautiful Trani. This journey is the perfect opportunity to begin immersing yourself in the unique atmosphere of Puglia, guided by the competence and hospitality of our driver. Hospitality and comfort in the heart of Trani. Once we arrive in Trani, we will accompany you to your boutique hotel, located in the beating heart of the historic centre. Your room assignment will be followed by a time to relax and drop off your bags, allowing you to immediately feel at home in this corner of paradise. Magical night in the Boutique Hotel. Your overnight stay in the boutique hotel in the picturesque historic centre of Trani ends the day on a high note. Here, every detail is designed to offer you a unique experience, combining modern comfort and historic charm. Your room will be a welcoming refuge after a day full of discoveries, promising a peaceful and regenerating rest. Overnight in Trani.

DAY 2                    TRANI – CASTEL DEL MONTE – TRANI

The day begins with a breakfast full of local flavours, preparing your senses for the wonders that await you. Immediately afterwards, at 10 am, a unique experience awaits you: a guided tour of Castel del Monte, one of the most enigmatic and evocative castles in southern Italy. This fortress, created by Frederick II of Swabia, captures the imagination with its architecture and mysteries. Our professional local guide will accompany you on a historical itinerary, allowing you to fully appreciate this UNESCO monument since 1996, a true symbol of Puglia and testimony to the era in which Frederick II was known as the “Stupor Mundi”. Return to Trani at 1.00 pm and free lunch break. At 3.00 pm you will immerse yourself in the history and beauty of Trani with a guided tour. You will admire the majestic seaside cathedral, symbol of the city, the vibrant port and the enchanting Jewish quarter. This walk through the streets of Trani will allow you to savour the slow and fascinating life of this seaside city, a jewel yet to be discovered. Aperitif on the port in Trani. Returning from the guided tour, at sunset, we will enjoy an aperitif overlooking the port. Your stay in Trani, enriched by these special moments, will become one of the most memorable pages of your trip, a tale of beauty, history and magic. Overnight in Trani. (B)

DAY 3                    TRANI – MATERA – TRANI  

Your day begins with a breakfast that will recharge you with energy before leaving for Matera, one of the most fascinating and unique cities in the world. After a comfortable journey, you will arrive in the historic city of Sassi, ready to be explored. Explore Matera, a unique city. The guided tour of Matera begins in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, right in front of the Banco di Napoli. From here, you will be able to enjoy an extraordinary panoramic view of Civita and Sasso Barisano. The route will take you through symbolic places of the city, such as Piazza del Sedile and Via Duomo, until you reach a beautiful viewpoint, from which you can admire the splendour of Matera in all its glory. The tour will continue with a visit to the rock churches of Madonna dell’Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone, unique testimonies of a remote and fascinating past. You will also have the opportunity to enter a typical cave house, to experience the traditional life of Matera up close, immersed in an atmosphere that will transport you back in time. Return to Trani. Overnight in Trani. (B)

DAY 4                    TRANI – ALBEROBELLO – POLIGNANO A MARE – TRANI  

After an energizing breakfast and checkout, your journey continues towards Alberobello, a UNESCO Site since 1996 and one of the most emblematic destinations in Puglia. This city is the capital of trulli, unique structures that you will not find anywhere else in the world. The visit to Alberobello will be a fascinating journey through history and traditional rural architecture, a heritage that has resisted the passing of centuries. At 10.30 the guided tour of the city will begin, where you will discover the secrets and stories that lie behind the white “casedde” and the conical roofs of the trulli, the result of the skill of the ancient “caseddari” or “trullari”. Our guide will captivate you with evocative stories, explaining the reasons for these unique architectural forms and their importance. Our local guide will lead you through the two historic districts of Alberobello: Aia Piccola and Rione Monti. Here you will have the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the magical and timeless atmosphere of this unique city. The journey continues towards Polignano a Mare, famous for its breathtaking views and picturesque historic centre. Upon entering the city, you will be greeted by the statue of Domenico Modugno, a tribute to “Mr. Volare”. The historic centre, perched on the sea, offers numerous panoramic terraces from which to enjoy spectacular views of the crystalline sea. Polignano is also known for hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, transforming itself into a spectacular location for international level diving competitions. In Polignano you will also have the pleasure of tasting the famous “special coffee”, a drink with a unique taste and a secret recipe. This dining experience will add an extra touch of magic to your visit to this enchanting city. Overnight in Trani. (B)

DAY 5                    TRANI – BARI

The day begins with a delicious breakfast, preparing you for a unique experience in the heart of Puglia. After breakfast, we will proceed with check out and head towards a characteristic oil mill in the area. This day will be dedicated to one of the most emblematic elements of the region: the olive tree and its precious fruit, extra virgin olive oil. The visit to the oil mill will be a real journey to discover the gold of Puglia. We will walk among the centuries-old olive trees, witnesses of an ancient and precious agricultural tradition. We will listen to the history of the oil company and visit the modern oil mill, where the different phases of harvesting and producing the oil will be illustrated to us. The highlight of the visit will be the extra virgin olive oil tasting, an experience that will awaken all your senses. Through sight, smell and taste, you will have the opportunity to appreciate the different nuances of this extraordinary product and learn to recognize a superior quality oil. After this food and wine experience, we will continue the journey towards Bari. We will accompany you to the point you indicated, concluding our service around 1pm. This farewell not only marks the end of the tour, but also the beginning of a new relationship with Puglia, a place that is now part of your fondest memories and most authentic experiences. (B)

ACCOMMODATION:

TRANI: Palazzo Paciotti, or similar

Includes:

–          4 nights in Trani in a 4-star hotel

–          Personalized pick-up service

–          Transfers by minivan

–          Guided tours of Trani, Castel del Monte, Matera, Alberobello, Polignano (bilingual English/Spanish)

–          Entrance ticket to Matera (cave house and rock church)

–          Special coffee tasting in Polignano a mare

–          Entrance ticket Castel del Monte

–          Tasting of extra virgin olive oil in the oil mill

–          Moscato di Trani wine tasting

Excludes:

–          Meals (except breakfast at the hotel)

–          Beverages

–          Entrances

–          Porterage

–          City taxes

–          Tickets

–          Tips and extras in general

–          Anything not listed under ‘includes’

Things to Note:

–          The tour is guaranteed with a minimum of 2 participants.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.

–          Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours; therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.

–          Entrance fees to sights are not included and are to be paid locally

–          A government tourist tax may need to be paid locally upon arrival at your hotels.

–          Itinerary may be modified at anytime.

–          The group is made up of a maximum of 8 people. However, during high season periods, a second minivan could be added, bringing the maximum number of participants to 16. In any case, transfers will always be carried out in minivans with a maximum of 8 people each.