Puglia - A Land of Conquest

Puglia, the ‘heel’ of Italy, is an ancient land that is highly fertile despite its harsh limestone landscape typical of the Mezzogiorno. It was this remote corner of the peninsula that the Normans conquered in the 11th century, dominating the entire south of Italy and the island of Sicily by the mid-12th century. As they established themselves and their influence grew, great churches appeared on the horizons, built in a hybrid style combining architectural influences from France, Ancient Rome and Lombardy. For the first half of the tour we are based in the pretty town of Martina Franca in the rolling hills of the Valle d’Itria, a region of vineyards, olive groves and trulli, the distinctive bee-hive shaped houses unique to central Puglia. We then relocate to the magnificent Baroque town of Lecce, the ‘Florence of the South’.

ITINERARY

• DAY 1 - FLY TO BARI
  We fly from London to Bari and transfer to the Baroque town of Martina Franca where we stay for three nights. Our hotel is the privately owned 4 star Villa San Martino which sits amongst mature gardens and is a short drive from the town centre.

• DAY 2 - ALBEROBELLO
  This morning we drive to Alberobello, a UNESCO Site famous for its countless examples of trulli – the conical − roofed stone houses unique to this region. We will also visit the spectacular limestone Castellana Caves, Italy's longest natural subterranean network that forms a series of interlinked galleries.

• DAY 3 - MATERA
  We visit Matera, an extraordinary town built on the edge of a steep ravine whose side is pockmarked with caves. People were still living in them as late as the 1950s, when the last residents were moved out. In 1993 Matera became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a number of the caves have been restored and are now open to the public.

• DAY 4 - OSTUNI
  We leave Martina Franca and drive to Lecce where we stay for the remainder of the tour stopping en-route at the whitewashed hilltop town of Ostuni with beautiful views out to the sea. This afternoon we will check into the centrally located 4 star Risorgimento hotel for 3 nights.

• DAY 5 - LECCE
  This morning we will have a guided walking tour of Lecce, one of the best preserved Baroque towns in Italy with rich honey coloured buildings. We will also see the Basilica Santa Croce and the Roman theatre.

• DAY 6 - OTRANTO
  We visit the beautiful coastal town of Otranto, situated on the most eastern peninsula of Italy. We will have a guided walking tour of the city and see the 15th century Castello Aragonese and also the beautiful Norman Cathedral home to spectacular 12th century mosaics.

• DAY 7 - FLIGHT BACK
  We will leave for the airport for the flight back to London.

Included Hotels

Villa San Martino 4* Deluxe - Puglia, Italy, Europe

This small, privately-owned hotel is located a few minutes’ by taxi from the old town and sits amongst mature gardens.