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Puglia All Inclusive - Undiscovered Southern Italy

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8 days From £1,399 £1,299 per person
4.3 stars(299 reviews)
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Unwind on a fly-rail exploration of the undiscovered beauty of Puglia in the ‘heel’ of Italy, uncovering labyrinthine ports, white-washed villages and unique ancient dwellings

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Save £100pp on selected 2024 Italian holidays, when you book by 18th March 2024.

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Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: 24PUF

About the tour

Experience traditional Italy on a relaxing all-inclusive, fly-rail holiday to the unspoilt 'heel' of southern Italy.

Based near the picture-postcard coastal town of Polignano a Mare, explore the undiscovered region of Puglia, dotted with historic ports, white-washed villages and unique ancient dwellings.

Discover the spectacular trulli homes of Alberobello and the sassi houses in the cliffside town of Matera in Basilicata.

Uncover the cities of Lecce and Bari while soak up the amazing scenery and appealing culture of this laid-back region.

Unforgettable experiences

Discover the unique ‘trulli’ houses of Alberobello
Discover the unique ‘trulli’ houses of Alberobello
Explore this delightful town on a fascinating guided tour and see the curious conical-shaped homes constructed from limestone that are UNESCO-listed.
Discover the historical city of Lecce
Discover the historical city of Lecce
Tour ‘the Florence of the South’ and marvel at the Baroque wonders of Lecce on an insightful guided tour of this ancient city in the ‘heel’ of Italy, including a tasty local coffee.
Visit Matera and its ‘sassi’ cave dwellings
Visit Matera and its ‘sassi’ cave dwellings
Inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, these spectacular ancient natural caves are found in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera in Basilicata.
Unwind in a relaxing coastal hotel
Unwind in a relaxing coastal hotel
Stay on the Puglian coast in a base that is ideally located for exploring this unspoilt corner of Italy, with hotel features including pools, a private beach and drinks from 10am until 10pm each day.
Travel to the vibrant city of Bari
Travel to the vibrant city of Bari
Wander round the charming Old Town of this historically important port city that has been part of both Roman and Byzantine empires.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Flight to Polignano

Meeting your Tour Manager at London Gatwick, you fly to Bari. On arrival in the city on the east coast of Italy, you transfer to your hotel near to Polignano a Mare, a relaxing all-inclusive base ideally situated for exploring this charming and unspoilt part of Italy.

The seafront location of your hotel has a laid-back atmosphere overlooking the azure waters of the Adriatic. With free time after you check-in, you can unwind on the private beach or in the spa. Perhaps you would prefer to lounge by the outdoor swimming pools with a cooling drink.

This evening, you enjoy dinner at the hotel with drinks included - as they are between 10am and 10pm each day.

It is possible to fly from regional airports and meet your Tour Manager in Italy

Includes
  • Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Exploring Puglia’s charming towns

Puglia is known as the wine cellar of Italy and is made up of picture-perfect landscapes of lush vineyards and olive groves, and today you discover some of the region's most beautiful towns.

The circular town of Locorotondo, renowned for its sparkling white Spumante wine, curves round a picturesque hilltop and has lovely views across the surrounding valley. Here, you have some free time to wander the calm labyrinthine streets of the beautiful historic centre, among whitewashed buildings and impressive stone churches.

You continue to vibrant Martina Franca nearby. With its stunning Old Town, you'll see extravagant Baroque architecture at every turn as you enjoy free time to look around. At the heart of this historic town, you will find the sandy-coloured Baroque façade of St Martin's Basilica on Piazza Plebiscito, and a curved arcade on the neighbouring Piazza Maria Immacolata.

Returning to your hotel for lunch you then visit the nearby town of Polignano a Mare. With winding streets lined with white-washed buildings, this beautiful coastal town is perched on top of a limestone cliff overlooking the sparkling blue ocean. The crystal-clear waters attract sunworshippers to its Blue Flag beach who get to view cliff divers jumping into the sea from great heights.

Back at the hotel, you enjoy dinner tonight with drinks.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Discovering the historic city of Lecce

Travelling by coach to Monopoli, you board a train for a journey to Lecce and enjoy a guided tour of this city that is renowned for its Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings, attractive squares and leafy lanes.

With its elaborate architecture and winding alleys, Lecce has been dubbed 'the Florence of the South'. The main square, Piazza del Duomo, sits in the shadow of Lecce's cathedral and its bell tower. Your tour concludes at a traditional café, where you sample a Leccese coffee, made with almond milk and poured over ice, with 'pasticciotto' - a southern Puglian pastry filled with custard or ricotta.

With a free afternoon to continue exploring, you could enjoy your picnic lunch near Piazza Sant'Oronzo in view of the Roman amphitheatre - a partially buried archaeological treasure excavated in 1938, where gladiator tournaments were once held. The streets are lined with cafés, bars and restaurants, and shops offering local produce such as olive oil, wine and ceramics.

You return by train to Monopoli and transfer by coach to Polignano a Mare this evening in time for dinner and drinks in your hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Viewing the curious ‘trulli’ houses of Alberobello

With a day at leisure, you might like to relax at the hotel, or on the hotel's private beach spending a tranquil day soaking up the Italian sunshine or lounge for a while by one of the two outdoor pools.

Lunch is available at your hotel, but if you make your way to nearby Polignano a Mare, you could watch the world go by from a pavement café while trying some local cuisine. Puglia is rightly renowned for its fresh produce and, being on the coast, Polignano excels in seafood as well. Tiella Barese is a dish of rice and potatoes with mussels, while focaccia is a regional speciality. You could enjoy some of these dishes with a Polignano coffee made with lemon zest, cream and amaretto.

There are many eateries around the bright white Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, watched over by the rustic 17th-century Church of Saint Mary of the Assumption. At the end of twisting, white-washed alleys are terraces offering views of the sea and the town's small central beach nestled in a cove between the cliffs.

Dinner with drinks at the hotel is a great way to round off an enjoyable day of unwinding and absorbing the Puglian spirit.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Touring the charming port city of Bari

This morning you travel by train through bountiful countryside to Bari, Puglia's capital and a city overflowing with cultural charms. Bari's long history as a trading port is explored on a guided tour of the gorgeous Old Town, tucked on a headland edging into the Adriatic Sea. Home to the 11th-century Romanesque Basilica di San Nicola and a Swabian Castle, as well as some stunning grand piazzas, you're transported back in time as you hear stories of this former Roman and Byzantine port city.

Afterwards, you continue sightseeing at your own pace. Maybe visit one of the Old Town's many museums or enjoy your picnic lunch on the long seafront promenade with views of the city walls and crystalline sea. Perhaps you would also like to sample the city's thriving street food or relax in a stylish bar for a glass of local wine.

You return to your hotel in the late afternoon, ready for dinner tonight.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Matera and its astonishing ‘sassi’ houses

A highlight of any trip to this part of Italy is an excursion to Matera. You leave Puglia by coach this morning to travel to this spectacular town in neighbouring Basilicata.

The rugged hilltop town of Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised for its ancient 'sassi' cave dwellings dug deep into the cliffside. This astonishing town has been favoured among directors as a film location over the decades, featuring in the recent James Bond film No Time to Die. After a short break on arrival, your guided tour takes you through the maze of winding streets and fascinating Palaeolithic-era abodes, some of which were inhabited until as recently as the 1950s. Matera has flourished in recent years - it was European Capital of Culture in 2019 - and there are many boutiques, craft shops, bars and cafés to discover.

You have a free afternoon here to enjoy your picnic lunch while taking in beautiful views and can also explore the charming newer part of Matera, where stalls and shops sell delicious local produce.

In the late afternoon, you return to your coastal hotel for dinner and drinks.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Free day to soak up the laid-back Puglian atmosphere

After breakfast, you travel by coach to the charming town of Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO-listed limestone 'trulli' houses. These curious cone-shaped homes date back to the 14th century and are one of Puglia's must-see attractions. Originally built without mortar so they could be quickly dismantled and easily rebuilt - which allowed occupants to evade tax collectors - 'trulli' houses are now emblematic of the region. Free time to explore allows you to step back in time to an almost forgotten era of Italy, admiring the delightful, white-washed stone houses which spread out towards the surrounding hillsides.

You return to your all-inclusive hotel near Polignano a Mare in time for lunch. You may like to spend a free afternoon relaxing by the pool or on the private beach overlooking Puglia's rugged coastline before dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Homeward bound

After breakfast this morning, you check out of your hotel on the beautiful Puglian coast and transfer to Bari airport for your return flight to London Gatwick or chosen regional airport.

On the journey back to the UK, you can look back on the charming and spectacular places you have experienced on this lovely all-inclusive holiday to Puglia.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Pietrablu Resort and Spa, Polignano a Mare

Pietrablu Resort and Spa, Polignano a Mare

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Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 299 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (144)
  2. 4 stars
    (119)
  3. 3 stars
    (26)
  4. 2 stars
    (7)
  5. 1 star
    (3)

Robert Marshall

4 stars

Submitted 10 Dec 2023

I really enjoyed this.Some very nice food.Some fine excursions.Quite cheap in October.Why not?

Collected by Trustpilot

D Knott

5 stars

Submitted 12 Nov 2023

A very well organised holiday in a less well known but interesting part of the world. The accommodation and food was excellent and the tour manager, Linda Howells, made it even more interesting with her information slips and enthusiasm. Many thanks.

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr Wilson

4 stars

Submitted 07 Nov 2023

Good value and excursions

Collected by Trustpilot

Jennifer Robinson

5 stars

Submitted 07 Nov 2023

Interesting itinerary, lovely area, good hotel and excellent tour manager.

Collected by Trustpilot

Geoffrey Forse

5 stars

Submitted 04 Nov 2023

Very Good tour! Enjoyed all the excursions.

Collected by Trustpilot

Mrs Elizabeth Arkell

5 stars

Submitted 02 Nov 2023

A most enjoyable experience fascinating villages and towns and the guides were excellent especially Linda who was excellent company and looked after us all very well indeed.

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