Step away from the beaten roads and spend a week travelling around the “heel” of Italy’s boot, a land filled with caribbean beaches, delicious food, centuries old villages and a charm like no other.
From Bari’s old port, to Lecce’s baroque architecture, to Alberobello white-washed trulli houses, to Gallipoli’s party scene, Apulia will steal your heart.
Welcome to Apulia! Check-in one of our partner hotels in Bari and meet your tour leader and the other travelers at 19:00 pm for a short briefing about the itinerary and what lies ahead on your trip. During the introduction, the guide will be at your disposal to answer your question and take down the booking of any optional activities you wish to add. If you depart from Florence or Rome or Naples our team can help you organize the transport.
Once we are all settled in it’s time for our orientation walk of the beautiful Bari.
We will stroll along the most famous spots of the Old Town and take in the view overlooking the harbour as the sun sets on the horizon.
We will then get to know each other while enjoying some fresh seafood and local delicacies in one of the charming venues along the bay.
Meet your guide in the morning to travel towards the lovely village of Alberobello, famous for its trulli: white, cone-roofed houses. This small town has hundreds of these traditional buildings representing an architectural tradition that is thousands years old, which is also the reason why they are a Unesco Heritage Site.
Moreover the peculiar shaped buildings, nowadays also converted into shops, hotels and restaurants will give you the feeling of walking into a fairy tale like city.
We will wander through the Rione Monti where you’ll have the chance to explore the neighborhood and indulge in some souvenir shopping and then we’ll move on to our next stop: Monopoli.
Monopoli was born as a fishing village on the Adriatic Coast but has turned into a charming little city, boasting narrow cobbled streets, great local food, medieval forts and a beautiful harbour. You will have free time to have lunch wherever your heart desires.
Our last destination will be at Polignano a Mare, the most Instagrammable place you’ll visit in Puglia. We will have a quick stop to enjoy the view of the town’s medieval buildings placed atop of limestone cliffs and we’ll then get back to Bari just in time for yet another delicious dinner.
It’s time to pack our bags and travel to Ostuni, also known as the White City.
We will spend the morning walking along its white washed little alleys and you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace. After lunch we will reach the beach of Torre Guaceto, a marine protected area, where we will spend the afternoon working on our tan.
We will then arrive in Lecce where, once we check in our luggage, we’ll spend the evening
exploring the city on an orientation walk and later indulging in some yummy local food.
Pack your swimsuits cause it’s beach day! We will drive along the wonderful Adriatic coastline and visit the most scenic spots along the way.
We will stop at the Sea Stacks of Sant’Andrea created by the erosive power of wind and waves beating against malleable coastal cliffs.
We will then move on to the Torre dell’Orso beach ,also known as the italian Caribbean, where you will have plenty of time to soak up the sun and have lunch at one of the many spots nearby.
In the afternoon we will get back to Lecce for some time to relax and get ready for our evening in Otranto. Located just 30 min away from Lecce, this little seaside village is known for its pleasant holiday atmosphere. We will have dinner together and then drive back to our accommodation in Lecce.
The morning is free for you to explore Lecce. Meet your tour leader in the late morning to head towards a Masseria, a traditional farm in the countryside to enjoy a typical lunch.
In the afternoon we will then reach Gallipoli, a city on the Ionian coast renowned for its vibrant nightlife.
We will first stop for a quick swim at Punta Suina, a lovely little beach along the way.
Check in your accommodation and dance the night away in one of the many nightclubs available in town.
Today you’ll be completely free to spend your time as you wish. Your tour leader will suggest plenty of activities if you feel like going on an adventure.
Cure your hangover on the beach, indulge in some history or take a boat to Marina di Leuca, the choice is yours.
Tonight will be our last dinner together so let’s make one to remember.
Today you’ll be completely free to spend your time as you wish. Your tour leader will suggest plenty of activities if you feel like going on an adventure.
It’s time to leave Gallipoli, pack your bags because we will travel to the one of a kind Matera. The city is actually located in the bordering region of Basilicata, but it is a must see being so close to Puglia. Considered to be one of the oldest inhabited settlements in history, this village has been carved out of a hill so it boasts marvelous scenic views, a rich history, it is a Unesco Heritage site and it has been elected as the European Capital of Culture in 2019.
Your tour leader will take you on an orientation walk and we will leave the city after lunchtime reaching Bari by the afternoon.
It’s time to say goodbye, after a wonderful 7 days together, your Italian holiday will end right back where it started, in the charming capital of Puglia.
Tonight will be our last dinner together so let’s make one to remember.
Check-in to one of our partner hotels in Bari and meet your tour leader and the other travelers at 19:00 pm.
From April till the end of September. The tour starts on Monday and ends on Sunday at 4:00 pm
6 nights in our favourite budget accommodations; 2 nights in Bari – 2 nights in Lecce – 2 nights in Gallipoli
Room Type: Private or Share double/twin room
Small group tour. Ideal for solo and independent travellers to meet other like minded travellers to share the experience with. Good mix of organised activities with our team to meet new travellers and free time to explore on your own.
Transport: Car or minivan.