Lecce Accommodation
PugliaExploration
May 1, 2024
Menu
Inhabited since ancient times and once part of Magna Graecia, Puglia boasts a mysterious and wild allure. The ever-changing landscapes juxtaposed by the glistening sea, superb World Heritage sites off the beaten track, and the genuine flavours of rich Mediterranean ingredients and premium wines are just some of what this welcoming region is known and cherished for.
The Classic Puglia Coach Tour lets you explore the heritage, traditions, and wonders of Puglia with maximum comfort alongside a dedicated English-speaking tour guide.
Get ready for an Italian holiday you’ll never forget.
Arrival and check-in at the farmhouse. Guided tour of Cisternino, a town renowned for its majestic medieval gate, its palaces and churches in the old town, and its dramatic outlooks on the Valle d’Itria with its unique trulli buildings. Free time for lunch and sightseeing. For a delicious bite of local street food, try the bombette: barbecued pork rolls with a flavoursome cheese-and-herb Iilling. Dinner at the farmhouse restaurant.
Breakfast at the farmhouse and transfer to Matera for a guided tour of the Sassi and the rupestrian Churches, which were awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1993. Lunch at a traditional restaurant. In the afternoon, a guided tour of Alberobello and the world-famous trulli, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. Dinner at the farmhouse restaurant.
Breakfast at the farmhouse and transfer to Bari, the capital of the Apulia region, for a guided tour of the old city, the shopping district, and a few more highlights. Transfer to Polignano a Mare and free time for lunch, followed by a guided tour of the old town and a stop by its famous terrazza overhanging the sea. Transfer to Ostuni, known as the White City for the dazzling houses in the old town – a shining example of pure Mediterranean architecture. Guided tour of the fortiIied citadel with its imposing Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. Dinner at the farmhouse restaurant.
Breakfast at the farmhouse and transfer to Galatina. Guided tour of the town featuring the superb Romanesque-Gothic church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, the Baroque church of San Pietro, and the picturesque church of San Paolo, where legend has it that tarantism (a presumed psychological illness in the 15th–17th centuries) could be cured by water drawn from the indoor well. Cooking class and tasting of pasticciotto, a mouth-watering traditional Apulian pastry. Lunch at a restaurant in the old town of Galatina followed by transfer to Lecce, known for its exquisite Baroque buildings. A guided tour of Lecce featuring visits to the majestic cathedral complex, the church of Santa Croce, and Saint Orontius Square, with its grand remains of a Roman amphitheatre. Free sightseeing and shopping with a stop by a traditional papier-mâché workshop. Dinner at the farmhouse restaurant.
Breakfast at the farmhouse and transfer to Gallipoli, known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. Guided tour of the old town, renowned for its many churches, the Anjou-Aragon Castle, and the Greek Fountain, which is said to date back to around 300 BC. Lunch at a local seafood restaurant and transfer to Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost point of mainland Italy with an iconic 48.6-metre lighthouse (erected in 1866), the Sanctuary De Finibus Terrae, and a Corinthian column. In the afternoon, free sightseeing in Santa Maria di Leuca followed by a visit to a traditional agricultural cooperative and dinner at the farmhouse restaurant.
Breakfast at the farmhouse and transfer to Otranto. Guided tour of this charming town overlooking the Adriatic Sea, renowned for its luxurious 12th-century Iloor mosaics and superb blend of Romanesque and Byzantine architectural styles. Free time for lunch, followed by transfer to Castro. Guided tour of the old town with stops at the exquisite 10th-century Byzantine church, the Aragon (15th–16th centuries), the Messapian fortification walls (500–400 BC), and the castle. Boat tour with a visit to Castro’s marine caves. Dinner at the farmhouse restaurant.
Breakfast at the farmhouse and transfer to Nardò, the largest municipality of the Salento region. Guided tour of the old town with its signature Baroque palaces and churches. Transfer to Cutrofiano for a visit to a ceramic workshop (with a live demonstration of traditional clay modelling at the potter’s wheel) and a tasting of local delicacies. Transfer to Corigliano d’Otranto for a tour of the old town, including the imposing fortiIied castle and the famous Giardino di Sophia, or the philosopher’s park. Dinner at the farmhouse restaurant.
Breakfast at the farmhouse. Check-out and transfer to Bari airport.
For extra peace of mind, ask us about options for travel, medical, and trip cancellation insurance.
Want to add a few extras, bring more friends, or rearrange the schedule for your travel plans? Get in touch and tell us your desires.
For inquiries and reservations, contact Puglia Exploration at info@pugliaexploration.com
This tour is organised and managed by tour operator specialising in Apulian holidays and luxury accommodation for alone travellers, families, and groups.
Puglia Exploration is your expert guide to the best places to see in Puglia, one of Italy’s most fascinating regions. We’re proud to showcase the rich heritage and unique beauty of our homeland. To do that, we partner with local tour operators to create made-for-you package holidays that will transform your Italian experience into the best memories of your life.
