October 23, 2015

Tour of the Enchanting South of Italy ” Puglia and Basilicata”

Written By Admin

Puglia and Basilicata 

to Discover……..

1^st. day Arrival in BARI/ALBEROBELLO  (60 km)

Upon arrival, meet and greet by our private driver for a transfer to Alberobello and accommodation in a Trullo, a typical relais .  dinner and overnight.

 2^nd  day ALBEROBELLO (2/3 km)

After breakfast,   departure for a half day, private guided tour to the UNESCO Heritage of Alberobello. The Trulli, limestone dwellings found in the southern region of Puglia, are  remarkable example of drywall construction, a prehistoric building technique skill in use in this region. Characteristically, they feature pyramidal, conical roof built up corbelled limestone slabs.

Lunch in a restaurant,  with  local specialties.

Dinner and overnight.

 3^rd day LECCE/OTRANTO  (150 km one way)

After breakfast  departure for a private, guided tour of Lecce, capital of  Salento,   famous for its baroque architecture known as the “little Florence of the South”. Visit  the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Cathedral and the  Seminary,  the Church of Santa Chiara  with its ornate portal and elegant facade, the Church of SS. Nicolo’ and Cataldo, built by the Normans but completed with the addition of a Baroque facade, and the Church of the Theatines

Lunch in a typical, local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue to Otranto, the most eastern town of Italy, and  certainly one of the most important city of the Salento due to its historical and artistic content, like the Cathedral, the Castle, Saint Peter’s Basilica, the ramparts and the charming historical centre.

Return to Alberobello on time for dinner and overnight.

 4th  day CASTEL DEL MONTE/BASILICATA  ( 160  km )

Breakfast and morning at leisure for individual purpouse. check-out and departure for a private trLunch in hotel.

In the afternoon check-out and departure to Basilicata. On the way, a  short stop will be made at  the Murge Plateau, where is located the most important example of Swabian architecture: Castel del Monte, built by Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, versatile and ingenious personality, who followed through the planning in all its details.
The perfection of the forms, the harmony between elements originating from different cultures, the aura of mystery surrounding it, makes  this imposing fortress a unique masterpiece,  declared byUNESCO a World Heritage Site.

Soon after continue to Basilicata where you will arrive on time for dinner and overnight.

5^TH day MELFI/VENOSA/RIPACANDIDA  (15 km )

After breakfast full day guided tour  of the   Vulture and the surrounding area with its beautiful countryside;  in  Venosa visit the Roman Amphitheatre and nearby,  “The Abbey of the Holy Trinity”, a typical  Norman architecture, and one of the most  interesting building in southern Italy.

The town is also the birthplace of Quintus Horatius Flaccus, the greatest latin poet born in 65 b.C.,  a short stop will be made at his house.

Another site of interest is the Aragonese Castle built in 1460 and now housing the National Archeological Museum.

Aglianico D.O.C. Wine tasting –  at the famous winery “Le Cantine del Notaio” in Rionero.

 Lunch  in Agriturism, where you  will be tasting the best  lucanian cousine.

In the afternoon,  transfer to the medieval town of  Melfi, to visit the Castle where Frederick II issued the “Constitutiones Augustales”, the first organic penal and civil written laws dating from the medieval period. Today, the Castle houses the “National Museum” preserving several archaeologicalfinds  from Prehistoric period as well as from the Roman, Byzantine and Norman domination. A short stop  will be made in Ripacandida  to visit   the “Little Assisi  Lucana ”, with   its     beautiful frescos depicting episode  from the Old and New Testament. Recently this  small jewel of sacred art, has been matched with the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

Dinner and overnight  in Hotel.

 6^th day MATERA  (100 km   one way)

Breakfast and departure to Matera. Upon arrival you will meet with our guide for a tour of  “The city of Rocks”. This is one of the most extraordinary spots on Earth, which is why UNESCO has listed it among its 365 official World Heritage  locations. The city is characterised by the houses which are literally carved out of the “tufa’ rock and was used as the setting for  filming “The Passion of The Christ” and the Gospel according to St. Mattew. You will also visit the peasants Museum with its exhibits of ancient crafts and cultures and the rupestral churches .

Lunch in a typical restaurant overlooking the Sassi.

Time at leisure before returning to your hotel on time for dinner and overnight.

 7^th day Castelmezzano/Pietrapertosa  ( 80 km  one way)

After breakfast,  departure  to Castelmezzano, located at the foot of the spectacular rocky area of the Lucanian Dolomites,  facing the hilltop of Pietrapertosa. From here, you can experience the breathtaking  “Angel Jump” , from Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa.

Lunch in a local restaurant overlooking the valley.

After lunch,  time at leisure before returning to your hotel..

Dinner and overnight.

8^TH day Departure……..

After breakfast, check out and departure to your city of destination.

 END OF OUR SERVICE!

 Net Cost per person:     ( 25 pax minimum )

 In double room                                                 EUR    850,00 Tax included

Single Supplement                                           EUR    180,00

The package includes:

•   Bus from Arrival to departure Bari’s or Naples Airport
•  7  nights in  3* sup.  Hotels   in  Alberobello/Melfi in Half Board (no drinks included)
•  lunches in typical restaurants (without drinks)
• Wine Tasting at le “Cantine del Notaio ”
• Individual guided tours as per the itinerary
• 1 bottle of Aglianico D.O.C. or souvenir, per room
• Our assistance
  

Does not include: entrance fee, tips, personal expenses and everything else not mentioned in “the package includes”.

Image Gallery