5 Days Self Drive Tour Unesco Wonders Puglia & Matera - (hotel + Guides)

Itinerary

Day 1: BARI - STREET FOOD TOUR - SATURDAY

Stop At: Citta Vecchia - Bari, 70100, Bari Italy
Indipendent arrival to Bari and street food tour with a licensed local guide.
The tour will start from the Castel of Bari visiting the outer part of the fortress with an introduction to the city. Near the Castle we'll pass through the "orecchiette" street where the typical pasta is made by hands by the local ladies. Our next stop will be the Cathedral of San Sabino, a bishop of Canosa whose relics were brought here in the 9th century.
We'll reach this characteristic small square to taste the famous "sgagliozze" , tasty pieces of fried polenta.
Our next stop will be the imposing Basilica of San Nicola, an important example of Apulian Romanesque architecture where orthodox and Catholic worship blend together.
During our walk we'll have the chance to taste the "focaccia", a local flat bread with tomatoes.
We'll reach Piazza Mercantile, ancient administrative seat of Bari. It will be interesting to discover the presence of the Column of shame, where the debtors were chained.
Our tour will end in Piazza del Ferrarese, dynamic junction between the historic center and the most modern part of the city
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Palace Hotel or similar (4 star hotel)

Day 2: CASTEL DEL MONTE- TRANI SUNDAY

Stop At: Castel del Monte, Strada Statale 170, 76125, Andria Italy
Meeting point with the guide at Castel del Monte, one of the most mysterious and fascinating castles in the Southern Italy designed by Frederick II of Swabia. The guided itinerary with a professional tour guide will trace the monument history following the various interpretations about its probable function and enriched with anecdotes on the life of Emperor defined as “Stupor Mundi”.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Trani, Trani, Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, Puglia
After some free time, we'll be ready to discover Trani.
"Slow city" and "Pearl of the Adriatic Sea", Trani is known especially for the presence of the beautiful Cathedral by the sea in Apulian Romanesque style. The Mother Chruch, dressed in white, has four different sections.A beautiful walk with a local tour guide through the ancient Jewish quarter will reveal the multicultural component of the city that still conserves an antique synagogue of the XII century. A perfect place to talk about important themes such as tolerance and respect for different cultures and religions. And then it will be pleasant get lost amongst ancient arcades and freshly caught seafood stalls.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Palazzo Paciotti BB boutique hotel (or similar)

Day 3: MATERA- ALBEROBELLO MONDAY

Stop At: Matera, Matera, Province of Matera, Basilicata
After Breakfast meeting point the guide at Matera, considered one of the most suggestive places in southern Italy. It was declared Unesco Site on 1993 and Italian host for the European Capital of Culture 2019. The visit with a licensed local guide will take us to discover the history of a town carved into rock, where inhabitants still lived until the XX century. The itinerary includes a visit to a cave-like house recently opened to the public, and to ancient rupestric churches and cisterns. A really unique and suggestive experience. Free time for lunch.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Alberobello, Alberobello, Province of Bari, Puglia
After lunch, departure for The “not to be missed” stop-over for every new visitor to Puglia, Alberobello has a fairy-tale charm like no other place. The trulli are an important example of rural architecture that still survives today. The local guide will show you also the panoramic view on Rione Aia Piccola with its infinite expanse of conical roofs.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Trulli Holiday Resort (or similar)

Day 4: OSTUNI WITH OLIVE OIL TASTING - LECCE TUESDAY

Stop At: Ostuni, Ostuni, Province of Brindisi, Puglia
After breakfast, meeting point with the guide at Ostuni. Also called “The White City”, Ostuni stands out for its characteristic old town with totally white painted houses that the Apulian sun makes stand out even brighter. You’ll be guided by a local tour guide in this strategic place from where it’s possible to admire the amazing expanse of olive trees bounded by the deep blue sea. The Cathedral, furthermore, represents the most important monument of the city in its Romanesque-flowery style. Stop for an extra virgin olive oil tasting.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Lecce, Lecce, Province of Lecce, Puglia
Transfer to Lecce for a walking tour with a licensed tour guide. Elegant and refined, Lecce is one of the most appreciated cities of art in Southern Italy. Here the Baroque style predominates and takes on a local connotation, the “Leccese Baroque”. This style is characterised by the fine stonework in Lecce stone and not by lavish gold decorations. The facades of churches and historic buildings seem modeled by skillful hands… strolling through the old town you will admire showcases of craft shops: from papier-mache to the local pastry-making.
Check in and dinner hotel 4 star in the city center Hotel President Lecce or similar (1 night)

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel President 4 star hotel (or similar)

Day 5: END - WEDNESDAY

Stop At: Lecce, Lecce, Province of Lecce, Puglia
After breakfast, end of services

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.