DISCOVER PUGLIA TOUR
May 31 - June 7 2008
September 27- October 4 2008
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Suggested itinerary
Saturday "Arrival Day"
Morning
You will arrive at Brindisi airport approximately at 2:20 p.m.. You will be met by your
guide and driver and taken to your hotel.
You arrive at Masseria Montalbano.
The Masseria Montalbano,
located in the countryside of Ostuni, in the heart of Apulia, is carefully
furnished with Italian antiques. The guest rooms are built in the nineteenth-century
part of the Masseria. Masserie are typically composed of multiple buildings,
some housed the farmers who worked the grape, olive and wheat fields; others were
used to store the tools and machinery. The Masserie were self sufficient villages
that usually included a church, barn and housing for up to 300 residents at a time.
Some of the Masserie were also fortified in order to protect the inhabitants
from pirates and foreign invasions.
Afternoon & Evening
This afternoon you will take a guided tour of Ostuni, one of the most beautiful
white villages in Puglia. The town is situated in the midst of the green countryside
and the blue sea. The historic center of the town is on a hillside surrounded by
small white washed houses overlooking the shore. During your walk through the city
center we will break for a gelato, initially introduced to Puglia by the Arabs, or
for an apertivo.
Dinner
Tonight you will have a welcome dinner at Masseria IL Frantoio, where you will have
an opportunity to taste the specialties of this generous land. This evening you will
also take a tour of your Masseria, which is surrounded by olive trees, some over one
thousand years old. The trees are still harvested and their olives used to make
different types of olive oil. The olive oil is used in their kitchen where they
prepare traditional and unique Puglian recipes.
Buon Appetito!
Sunday "Trulli Day"
Morning
Breakfast at Masseria.
This morning you will be taken to Masseria
Masseria Torre Coccaro.
Here you will take a
cooking class with their expert chef. You will learn the secrets to making traditional
Puglian specialties.
If you prefer, you may choose to enjoy to the spa facility instead. The Spa is
located in an area of the hotel that was literally carved out of stone. Here you
can choose from many types of Massage, body and facial treatments using only natural
products. Relax and enjoy!
The cooking course will end with a lunch of the foods that you have prepared.
Those who chose to enjoy the Spa will join the rest of the group for lunch.
Afternoon & Evening
After lunch, you will take a guided tour of Martina Franca. This town was built
431 meters above sea level and affords sweeping views of the surrounding villages.
The center is home to the Ducal Palace, built in the latter half of the 17th century.
The Palace belongs to the "Caracciolo" family who are Neopolitan Nobles.
From Martina Franca, you will take a scenic drive overlooking Locorotondo which
literally means "round place", named for the shape of the first village there.
Upon arrival in Alberobello, you will take a guided tour.
Alberobello is the
Trulli capitol of Puglia and is recognized by UNESCO. Although they can be found all
over the Itria Valley, Alberobello is home to the highest concentration of Trulli in
Puglia. Trulli are unique to Puglia and these mysterious buildings, with thick
limestone walls and graceful conical roofs, originated hundreds of years ago.
Roughly circular in shape, they are typically built from solid limestone blocks
but without cement or mortar. This enabled the inhabitants to dismantle the
dwelling easily in order to avoid inspections and taxes.
You will then be taken to visit Cisternino, an old town which is a labyrinth
of white streets. This medieval village is surrounded by fertile fields of Olive groves and
vineyards, some of the most abundant in Puglia.
Dinner
This evening you will have a traditional dinner at a local Fornello, typical in this
area, where you will dine on the best meat grilled before your eyes.
Monday "Castle Day"
Morning
Breakfast at Masseria Montalbano.
Today you will begin with a guided tour of Trani. The tour will begin in the
historical center where you will see traditional Renaissance architecture. You
will visit the cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, the Jewish area, and the Svevo
castle built in typical Frederician style and restored in the Argon period. Trani
also affords sweeping views of the harbor!
After your tour, you will have free time for lunch on your own.
Afternoon & Evening
In the afternoon, you will visit the famous Castel del Monte. The Castle,
a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, is a unique piece of medieval military
architecture. Castel del Monte is an interesting blend of elements from classical
antiquity, the Islamic Orient and north European Gothic.
Dinner
Tonight you will have dinner at Torre Coccaro Beach Club, on a beautiful sandy beach
under the stars.
Tuesday "Stone Day"
Morning
You will have breakfast at Masseria Montalbano and check out.
Today you will drive North to
Matera. Here you will get a close view of the famous
Sassi ("Stones") of Matera. Passing under the stone archway, you will arrive in the
area surrounding the Roman cathedral of the Madonna della Bruna (1270 a.d.), where
beautiful frescoes can be seen. After the visit, we will stroll though Sassi Barisano
to the flight of steps which were featured in the film by Mel Gibson, 'The Passion.'
A breathtaking view of the gravines will conclude the tour.
After your tour, you will have free time for lunch on your own.
Afternoon & Evening
This afternoon you will have free time in Matera to explore the beautiful town on
your own.
Afterward you will visit a man who makes the traditional Tamburello, or drum, used
to play pizzica music. He will give you demonstration showing you the old way of
making a Tamburello and how they are used.
Later, you will check into Masseria Appide in Corigliano d'Otranto. The
Masseria dates back to the 18th century and has been restored into a wonderful
accommodation. The management was careful not to change or modify the external
structure during restoration work!
Dinner
Tonight you will be treated to a traditional dinner. During your meal you will
be entertained by the music of tarantate. Legend stated that local women were bitten
by a Tarantula or tarantate. In order to cure themselves, the women had to dance
to the rhythm of percussion sounds- this dance is now called pizzica and is the
traditional dance of the area. Overnight at Masseria Appidé.
Wednesday "Wine Day"
Morning
You will have breakfast at Masseria Appidé.
Today you will take a guided tour of Otranto, a beautiful fortified city with
bright colored houses. This is a busy port town rich in history and culture.
Otranto is famous for its 800 Martyrs who refused to renounce their religion
during a Turkish invasion. Their skeletons are still preserved in the Cathedral.
The Cathedral's floor is characterized by a large mosaic which portrays the tree
of life, the creation of Adam and Eve and the construction of the mosaic itself
in the 12th century.
After your tour you will have free time for lunch on your own.
Afternoon & Evening
This afternoon will be focused on the rich winemaking industry of Puglia in Salice
Salentino. You will visit Leone De Castris vineyard, one of the most important
producers in the region, finishing the tour with a Negroamaro tasting. The name
of the wine comes from the grape's almost black color and bitter taste.
Dinner
Tonight you will have dinner at the Masseria Bosco. The chef will prepare a meal
using the Olive Oil produced on the Masseria property. The grounds are still used
to cultivate olives to this day!
Thursday "Ionian Day"
Morning
You will have breakfast at Masseria Appidé.
This morning you will take a guided tour of Old Gallipoli. The island is linked to
the mainland by a bridge, originally made by a series of boats. The small streets
of the town were designed to block the strong winds blowing from the Ionian Sea.
The name Gallipoli is derived from the Greek word meaning "beautiful city." After
the tour you will have time to wander on your own and enjoy the shops.
A fishing boat will take you up and down the beautiful Ionian coast for a view of
old Gallipoli and Porto Salvaggio. A "marine" lunch will be served and you will
have the opportunity to snorkel, swim or relax on the boat.
Afternoon & Evening
This afternoon you will have free time to explore Gallipoli on your own.
Dinner
Tonight you will feel like a local when you have dinner in a local trattoria in the
town of Corigliano. Get your cameras ready and take a moment to stop and look at
the Castle at night.
Friday "Adriatic Day"
Morning
You will have breakfast at Masseria Appidé and check out.
You will continue to the baroque city of Lecce, known to many as the "Florence of
the South." Beginning in the city center you will immediately notice the dramatic
Baroque style of architecture especially while visiting the Basilica di Santa Croce
and the Duomo. In the 17th century, Baroque style could be seen all over Italy, but
in Lecce it is the most prominent. Perhaps this is partially due to the type of
stone found in Lecce. It is naturally very light and can easily be shaped into forms
such as flowers, fruit or even the human body.
Afternoon & Evening.
You will check into the Patria
Hotel, located in the heart of Lecce.
This afternoon you will have time to yourself. You may want to explore the rest of
the city or spend your last afternoon in Italy shopping!
Dinner.
Tonight you will enjoy a wonderful dinner at Le Zie Trattoria.
Saturday April 7th "Arrivederci Day"
You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the airport. You will board your
11:15AM flight to Rome and say "Arrivederci Puglia!"
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
• Round trip airfare Rome-Brindisi
• 7 Nights accommodations based on double occupancy
• 1 Night accommodations in Rome based on double occupancy
• Buffet breakfast daily
• 6 Dinners
• 1 Lunch
• Choice of 1 Spa service at
Masseria Torre Coccaro or a cooking class
• Transportation as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional English-speaking local guide
• Fishing boat escursion as per itinerary (weather permitting)
• Wine tastings as per itinerary
• Escursions and field trips as indicated in the itinerary
PACKAGE PRICE: €2249, per person, based on double occupancy.
PLEASE NOTE: PRICE INDICATED IN EURO CURRENCY
USE THE CALCULATOR TO FIND THE EQUIVALENT IN USA
DOLLARS.
CURRENCY CONVERTER
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Tour Booking Code #GT05
We reserve the right to cancel any tour due to
lack of participants or for circumstances beyond our control. In this case, a
full refund of all payments will be made. Prices listed are based on tariffs and
exchange rates at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice,
availability and confirmation.
Gabriele's Travels to Italy is not responsible for typing mistakes and/or tour features
descriptions.
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: 1-888/287-8733
or email:
info@travelingtoitaly.com
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