DAY 2 - BARI and CASTEL DEL MONTE

Arrival in Bari and hotel accommodation.

First walking tour though the historic city center.

Dinner and Overnight in Bari.

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue to explore Bari with the visit of Cathedral, Basilica of St. Nicholas, a masterpiece of Romanesque Apulian style, and Swabian Castle.
In the afternoon visit to Castel del Monte, UNESCO World Heritage, the most fascinating of the many castles wanted by the famous Emperor Frederick II of Swabia.
In the afternoon arrive in the medieval town of Barletta and here you have free time to walk around its well preserved historic center.

Dinner and Overnight in Bari.

In the morning depart to Trani and visit its most famous monument: the Romanesque Cathedral of the Sea.

Continue to San Giovanni Rotondo and visit the shrine of Our Lady of Graces, see the old church, the Padre Pio's confessional and crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. Then arrive in Monte Sant'Angel, enjoy a breathtaking view of the Gargano Peninsula and a visit to the Sanctuary of Michael the Archangel, the oldest shrine in Western Europe, has been visited by numerous Popes and Saints, including St. Francis of Assisi, St. Pio and St. John Paul II.

Dinner and Overnight in Bari

Following breakfast, depart to Taranto and on the road enjoy stops in charming small towns of: Alberobello, Ostuni and Brindisi.
Alberobello is a characteristic village of Murgia, famous for being almost entirely composed of Trulli, ancient small buildings in limestone of conical shape declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a city tour, discover the traditions of Apulia in an old winery with a guided visit of wine and the rural culture museum, vineyard and winery. Following the visit, you can taste wines accompanied by local products.
Continue to Ostuni, picturesque old town named the "White City" with its original Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, and Brindisi, the city where during the Roman Age the Appian Way ended and most Crusaders used to sail towards the Holy Land during the Middle Ages.

Arrival in Lecce, dinner and overnight.

In the morning explore Lecce, the "Florence of South Italy", baroque capital of Apulia. Visit the old town with the magnificent Basilica of Santa Croce and the spectaculars Duomo Square and Sant'Oronzo Square. Remain charmed by the visual impact of the “Leccese stone”, a golden stone used for the construction of the ancient town.
In the afternoon guided visit of the ancient Greek city Otranto, named "Gateway to the East" because it is the farther east point of Italy. This town is almost entirely surrounded by wall and the heart of its historic center is the beautiful Romanesque cathedral, with its huge mosaic, the tomb-chapel of the Holy Martyrs and the crypt.

Dinner and Overnight in Lecce.

In the morning depart to Taranto, "the city of two seas" and the ancient Greek colony. Discover the old town and visit the prestigious National Archaeological Museum, one of the main Italian archaeological collections.
In the afternoon continue your travel through ancient history and depart to Metaponto in Basilicata. This town was one of the most important Greek colonies of Magna Grecia, visit the archaeological remains of the Temple of Hera Lacinia, the Theatre and the National Museum.

Dinner and Overnight in Taranto.

This day is full dedicate to the beauties of Basilicata. After breakfast depart to Matera, the city famous for the "Sassi", UNESCO World Heritage: thousands of houses, shops and churches largely carved into the rock. The area of the old town located further up the Sassi and characterized by a striking architectural stratification.
After admiring the magnificent Cathedral of the city, visitors will plunge into the timeless tranquility of the Sasso Barisano and Caveoso, which inspired directors such as Mel Gibson with "The Passion of the Christ". You can see the mystical Rock Churches, religious spaces excavated into the rock, often equipped with fine architectural decorations and fascinating frescoes with elements of oriental art.
In the afternoon, just a few kilometers away from Matera, visit the wonderful The Crypt of the Original Sin. This is one of the most important rock churches of the territory, also known as the "Sistine Chapel" of cave wall paintings. His extraordinary cycle of frescoes, made five hundred years before Giotto, shows the typical features of the Benedictine-Beneventan art. Then discover the specialties of Basilicata visiting an ancient wine cellar and tasting the local wines accompanied by typical products like tarallucci, salami and cheeses, Matera bread d.o.p etc.
Dinner and Overnight in Taranto.

Add a extra day or replace some tours for the following suggested trips:

• HD visit to Margherita di Savoia salt flats, the biggest in Europe - about 20 km - they are home to a colony of pink flamingos.
• FD Cooking Class with Rita Guastamacchia, the owner of Masseria Serra dell’Isola (in Mola di Bari), as your personal guide. An entire day (from 8am to 9pm) to learn the secrets of the the Apulian cuisine preparing both lunch and dinner.

Services subject to availability, they carry an increased to the package price.

Transfer to Bari International Airport and this is the end of your Tour.

FILL IN THE BOOKING FORM YOU SEE BELOW AND YOU WILL RECEIVE THE BEST QUOTATION FOR THIS TOUR PACKAGE