The Best of Apulia, Private Tour from Bari

The Best of Apulia, Private 6 day Tour from Bari 

Discover the Apulia region in a 6 day Private tour from Bari. Admiretreasures like the picturesque Alberobello village , Castellana Caves, Lecce  and Polignano a Mare. Sleep in a traditional Apulian Farmhouse called Masseria, take advantage of an expert local guide and taste the delicious local food and wines.

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Itinerary : 

Arrival at Bari or Brindisi Airport/Station. Private transfer to the Hotel in Bari, check-in and guided visit of the city. Bari, the capital of the region, is divided between the elegant Murat district and the hypnotic old city. The ancient area is dominated by the magnificent Norman-Swabian Castle designed by King Roger II and later fortified by Frederick II of Swabia. Along the ancient streets, you can see the Romanesque Cathedral of San Sabino and the majestic Basilica of San Nicola, both considered the core of the city. Being in these places is like living in a Qasba because of its walls that will surround us and its many markets.
Bari is also a city rich in gastronomic traditions. You will take part in the life of the city, tasting its typical food. You will find stalls and kiosks where you can taste fried polenta (sgagliozze), the typical focaccia barese, panzerotti (a closed fried pizza stuffed with mozzarella and tomato) and fresh Peroni Beer.

Day 2 : Ruvo di Puglia, Castel del Monte, Trani 

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with the private driver and departure for Castel del Monte for a guided tour of the castle. Following we reach Ruvo di Puglia, known for its production of ceramics and for the important discoveries that took place in the surrounding areas. Frederick II is present in the fascinating architecture of the Romanesque cathedral, a real treasure of the city, which fascinates with its elegant profile, with its sloping roof, and the fantastic twelve-spoke rose window, with the enigmatic sitting sculpture, in which one can glimpse the likeness of the emperor.
Castel del Monte, a UNESCO Heritage site, was built by the great emperor Frederick II and then called Stupor Mundi. The castle was built on a hill in the Parco Nazionale dell’Alta Murgia. For its mysterious octagonal plan, used as astronomical observatory or maybe just as hunting manor, it is different from all other castles in Apulia. Free time for lunch ( not included) 
Trani will charm you with its wonderful Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, an example of Apulian Romanesque architecture, its two crypts consecrated to San Nicola and Santa Maria and its hypogeum of San Leucio. You will see the Swabian Castle (only the outside), a majestic fort of Frederick II, and the small alleyways of the Jewish neighborhood “Giudecca”, rich of old synagogues and small workshops. At the end of the tour, tasting of the Moscato, a typical sweet wine made in Trani. It is a dessert wine with a strong territorial character perfect with the traditional local pastry. Overnight stay at the Hotel

Day 3 : Alberobello, Martina Franca, Cisternino 

We start our guided tour from Alberobello, a World Heritage Site with its 1500 trulloes for a 2 hours walking tour. Visit to the Rione Monti, the oldest part the town, together with the Aia Piccola district, which hosts shows and concerts. Visit to the amazing Church of Sant'Antonio, the only trullo-shaped church in the world. The experience will end with a visit to a Trullo.
Martina Franca is located on the eastern hills of Murgia; the name of the city partly refers to San Martino, who saved the inhabitants from the enemy invasions and to the period during which Philip of Anjou gave his subjects exemptions (in Italian “franchigia”) on taxes. In the old town, there are examples of Baroque architecture in the Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo Martucci, Palazzo dell’Università, Palazzo Motolese, Palazzo Maggi, Palazzo Ancona and the magnificent Cathedral of San Martino with sculptures by Stefano da Putignano and Giuseppe Sammartino.
Visiting an oil mill in Puglia means to discover the roots and the beauty of this territory. An expert in extra virgin olive oil will let us discover the oil mill. Here, we will learn more about the machineries, techniques and production process of the Extra Virgin Olive oil (EVO), from ancient times to the present days. We will also observe all the bottling and packaging phases. The tour in the mill ends with the tasting of some extra virgin olive oils served with Apulian bread to exalt their flavour. contituation visit Cisternino, overlooking the Valle d'Itria, is part of "the most beautiful italian villages". Visit to the extraordinary ancient town where it is possible to admire some historic buildings, such as Palazzo del Governatore and the Convento dei monaci Cappuccini.  

Dinner in a typical Braceria in CISTERNINO (steakhouse) a characteristic restaurant near the butcher shop, which offers typical and traditional cuisine (local meals from the Valle d’Itria cooked on hot coals, such as “bombette, “gnumeredd”, “braciole al sugo”) all accompanied by a series of typical starters, such as Capocollo di Martina Franca, salami and local hams, cheese (Ricotta, Mozzarella)
Overnight in Hotel

Day 4 : Wine Tour, Private Boat tour in Polignano a Mare

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with the private driver and departure WINERY TOUR. Tasting of wines and typical local products. A family-run winery since 1795, visit to the cellar, to the cellar where there are wooden barrels from the 1600s. Follow Polignano a Mare, The participants will experience a charming, brand new view of the territory from the sea. Along the coast, from Monopoli to Polignano a Mare, they will admire the beautiful bays and coves with their most spectacular sea caves, including the well-known Grotta Palazzese and the amazing Lama Monachile.
We will stop to admire the fishermen who go fishing with their “gozzi” (typical small boats), to see dolphins diving into the deep blue water (if we are lucky). We will be surprised by the storytelling of the fishermen, who will tell us about the history and traditions of the seafaring people. Stop at the Grotta Palazzese for a moment of relaxation, where those who want can dive and swim freely, listening to music and sunbathing.. Check-in at the hotel/Masseria in the Itria Valley. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5 : Lecce , Ostuni 

Also called “The Florence of Southern Italy”, Lecce is the city of Baroque churches and old palaces located among small alleys surrounded by the three old entrances: Porta Rudiae, Porta San Biagio and Porta Napoli. Visit to the Cathedral of Santa Croce and the amazing Piazza Duomo; you can admire the castle of Charles V (from the outside), the Roman amphitheater and Piazza Sant’Oronzo, which give a suggestive view on the history of this city. During the walk, a small moment of pleasure awaits us, tasting a typical Salento sweet, the “pasticciotto leccese“, made with shortcrust pastry and filled with custard and other variations.
Visit to Ostuni, perched on three hills and called “the White City” because of the peculiar white lime washed houses of the old town. Visit to the old town with its 15th-century, Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral, and Piazza Beato Giovanni Paolo II (“piazzetta Cattedrale”) where the 18th-century Palazzo Vescovile and of the old Seminary face each other

Day 6 : Monopoli , Departure 

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Optional Transfer  to reach Brindisi or Bari Palese Airport for your returning  flight. 

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What's Included  : 

• 5 nights in twin-share rooms at 4-star boutique hotels and Masserie. 

• Local English speaking guide  from the 2nd to the 5th day of the tour 
  

• Airport transfer on arrival

• Daily Breakfast

• 4 dinners at Hotel 

• 1 dinner at traditional Braceria in Cisternino with drinks

• 1 Wine tasting of Apulian wines

• 1 Street Food in Bari

• Visit of Frantoio and Olive Oil Tasting 

• Tasting of the Pasticciotto leccese in Lecce

• Entrances to Castel del Monte

• Air-conditioned private vehicle throughout the tour.
  

• Parking, fuel, check points

• Local assistance

• A surprise for all participants 

What's not Included  : 

Tips, Extras

Meals not specified above 

Local city tax 

All what not mentioned in "what's included "

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Notes:

Minimum number of participants  2 

Private Tour