In Puglia we explore the area of the conical stone “Trulli” near Alberobello, visit the white towns of Locorotondo, Martina Franca and Ostuni, and admire the Emperor Frederick’s octagonal castle “Castel del Monte”, Trani with its great Norman cathedral, and Polignano a Mare on the coast.

The accommodation is in an Albergo diffuso in Polignano al Mare, a town  which clings to the cliff faces of the Adriatic sea and is one of Puglia's most evocative  seaside towns.

You stay in private rooms and apartments which spread throughout the main part of the seaside town and which are part of a bed and breakfast complex. All have completely separate entrances and private bathrooms, and are furnished in a simple, elegant style characteristic of the town.

Day 1 Sunday Arrival Bari Airport & private transfers       o'night Polignano D

A private transfer will be arranged from Bari airport to Polignano. The tour officially begins at in Polignano, a town perched spectacularly on cliffs rising directly out of the sea. We meet at 5pm for aperativi in the town's delightful piazza followed by a welcome dinner in a local restaurant.  Specific details in final tour information.

Day 2 Monday            Trani, Castel Del Monte                      o'night Polignano B

We drive to Trani by the sea with it’s beautiful port and impressive Norman cathedral. After lunch by Trani's pretty port we drive to Castel del Monte, the Emperor Frederick II's octagonal castle-cum-hunting lodge which inspired the library in Umberto Eco’s novel “The Name of the Rose”,

Day 3 Tuesday           Polignano a Mare & Martina Franca      o'night Polignano B L

After a guided walk around the town of Polignano al Mare, we settle down to a seafood lunch overlooking the Adriatic sea. In the

afternoon we travel to Martina Franca, a gracious town with gems of southern Italian Spanish influenced Baroque architecture beautifully presented in the labyrinthine streets.

Day 4 Wednesday        Locorotondo & Alberobello             o'night Polignano B L

Today we have only a short drive to the area of the famous Trulli,

conical stone structures originally built in dry stone which dot the

landscape like so many hobbit houses. At Alberobello we see a whole town

of them, after which we go to a wine tasting and then lunch at a local

“Masseria” just outside nearby Locorotondo. We visit the town of

Locorotondo in the afternoon.

Day 5 Thursday             Lecce                                       o'night Polignano B

Lecce has always been a major regional centre and this can be seen in

its extraordinarily elaborate Spanish Baroque cathedral and ambitious

public buildings. Guided visit in the town

Day 6 Friday                Ostuni,                 o'night Polignano B D

In the morning we explore the town of Ostuni, known as the “white fortress”. The afternoon is free to enjoy the delights of Polignano.  Farewell cocktails & dinner at a restaurant in Polignano.

Day 7 Saturday              Departure -  Bari                                                      B

Transfer to Bari airport where the tour officially ends at around 10am.

If your flight leaves before this time we will arrange a separate

transfer for you from the accommodation, however additional charges will

apply.