The Best Of Apulia, Private Tour From Bari

Arrival at Bari or Brindisi Airport/Station. Private transfer to the Hotel in Bari, check-in and guided visit of the city. Bari, the capital of the region, is divided between the elegant Murat district and the hypnotic old city. The ancient area is dominated by the magnificent Norman-Swabian Castle designed by King Roger II and later fortified by Frederick II of Swabia. Along the ancient streets, you can see the Romanesque Cathedral of San Sabino and the majestic Basilica of San Nicola, both considered the core of the city. Being in these places is like living in a Qasba because of its walls that will surround us and its many markets. Bari is also a city rich in gastronomic traditions. You will take part in the life of the city, tasting its typical food. You will find stalls and kiosks where you can taste fried polenta (sgagliozze), the typical focaccia barese, panzerotti (a closed fried pizza stuffed with mozzarella and tomato) and fresh Peroni Beer.

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with the private driver and departure for Castel del Monte for a guided tour of the castle. Following we reach Ruvo di Puglia, known for its production of ceramics and for the important discoveries that took place in the surrounding areas. Frederick II is present in the fascinating architecture of the Romanesque cathedral, a real treasure of the city, which fascinates with its elegant profile, with its sloping roof, and the fantastic twelve-spoke rose window, with the enigmatic sitting sculpture, in which one can glimpse the likeness of the emperor. Castel del Monte, a UNESCO Heritage site, was built by the great emperor Frederick II and then called Stupor Mundi. The castle was built on a hill in the Parco Nazionale dell’Alta Murgia. For its mysterious octagonal plan, used as astronomical observatory or maybe just as hunting manor, it is different from all other castles in Apulia. Free time for lunch ( not included)  Trani will charm you with its wonderful Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, an example of Apulian Romanesque architecture, its two crypts consecrated to San Nicola and Santa Maria and its hypogeum of San Leucio. You will see the Swabian Castle (only the outside), a majestic fort of Frederick II, and the small alleyways of the Jewish neighborhood “Giudecca”, rich of old synagogues and small workshops. At the end of the tour, tasting of the Moscato, a typical sweet wine made in Trani. It is a dessert wine with a strong territorial character perfect with the traditional local pastry. Overnight stay at the Hotel

We start our guided tour from Alberobello, a World Heritage Site with its 1500 trulloes for a 2 hours walking tour. Visit to the Rione Monti, the oldest part the town, together with the Aia Piccola district, which hosts shows and concerts. Visit to the amazing Church of Sant'Antonio, the only trullo-shaped church in the world. The experience will end with a visit to a Trullo. Martina Franca is located on the eastern hills of Murgia; the name of the city partly refers to San Martino, who saved the inhabitants from the enemy invasions and to the period during which Philip of Anjou gave his subjects exemptions (in Italian “franchigia”) on taxes. In the old town, there are examples of Baroque architecture in the Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo Martucci, Palazzo dell’Università, Palazzo Motolese, Palazzo Maggi, Palazzo Ancona and the magnificent Cathedral of San Martino with sculptures by Stefano da Putignano and Giuseppe Sammartino. Visiting an oil mill in Puglia means to discover the roots and the beauty of this territory. An expert in extra virgin olive oil will let us discover the oil mill. Here, we will learn more about the machineries, techniques and production process of the Extra Virgin Olive oil (EVO), from ancient times to the present days. We will also observe all the bottling and packaging phases. The tour in the mill ends with the tasting of some extra virgin olive oils served with Apulian bread to exalt their flavour. contituation visit Cisternino, overlooking the Valle d'Itria, is part of "the most beautiful italian villages". Visit to the extraordinary ancient town where it is possible to admire some historic buildings, such as Palazzo del Governatore and the Convento dei monaci Cappuccini.   Dinner in a typical Braceria in CISTERNINO (steakhouse) a characteristic restaurant near the butcher shop, which offers typical and traditional cuisine (local meals from the Valle d’Itria cooked on hot coals, such as “bombette, “gnumeredd”, “braciole al sugo”) all accompanied by a series of typical starters, such as Capocollo di Martina Franca, salami and local hams, cheese (Ricotta, Mozzarella) Overnight in Hotel