Puglia Express: 5 Days of Southern Charm

Discover the charm of Puglia and Matera on this 5-day journey!
Begin in Bari and transfer to the Itria Valley for a warm welcome and dinner. Explore the Grotte di Castellana, the trulli houses of Alberobello, and the “white city” of Ostuni. Visit Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” and the historic treasures of Otranto. Experience the unique Sassi neighborhoods of Matera before concluding your adventure in the Bari area. Enjoy a perfect blend of history, culture, and stunning landscapes throughout this unforgettable tour
5 Days from $1899/person CAD
Food & Wine
Guided
Off The Beaten Path
UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Primary Location

Puglia, Italy

Departures

2026 Dates: April 28, May 5, 26, June 9, July 14, August 11, 18, 25, September 8, 22 & October 6, 20

Included:

  • Accommodation in 4-star hotels
  • 1 night in the Bari area
  • 3 nights in the Itria Valley
  • Transportation is provided by a motorcoach bus and a multilingual tour leader from dinner on the arrival day until the end of the last excursion, the day before departure
  • Multilingual Tour Leader providing commentary in English, Italian, and Spanish
  • Half board (breakfast and dinner) throughout the tour, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 5
  • Meals will be served at the hotel or in partner restaurants, featuring a fixed regional 3-course menu. Each meal includes ¼ liter of wine and ½ liter of water per person
  • Welcome cocktail on arrival
  • Use of personal audio-receiving devices for the duration of the tour
  • Light lunch and local culinary experiences as specified in the itinerary
  • Entrance tickets and services as per program, including: Caves of Castellana, and Basilica of Santa Croce in Lecce

Not Included:

  • International or domestic airfare
  • Airport transfers
  • Gratuities to guides and drivers
  • Travel insurance
  • Porterage service
  • Additional meals when not mentioned on the itinerary
  • Entrance fees to monuments or museums when not mentioned on the itinerary
  • Local city tax for overnight stays
  • Visas required for entry into the country as necessary
  • Anything of a personal nature or that is not mentioned in included

Pricing Details

Click Book Online for pricing!

  • From price is CAD per person, based on double occupancy, and for travel in low season
  • The final price will vary and is also based on the month of travel
  • Prices are subject to change

Optional Extras:

  • Elevate your tour experience with the inclusion of seamless airport transfers and the option for pre and post-tour accommodation

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL & TRANSFER TO THE ITRIA VALLEY

Arrival in the Bari area. At 5:45 p.m., meet your driver at the designated meeting point in Bari for your transfer to the heart of the Itria Valley, a region renowned for its rolling hills, olive groves, and charming whitewashed villages.

Upon arrival at your hotel, you will be welcomed by your guide with a cocktail reception, offering the perfect introduction to your journey. During this time, enjoy a relaxed presentation of the tour program before sitting down to your first dinner in Puglia. Overnight stay at the hotel. Meals: D

Accommodation at the Hotel Lo Smeraldo, Itria Valley, or similar

DAY 2: CASTELLANA CAVES, ALBEROBELLO & OSTUNI

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for the spectacular Caves of Castellana, an impressive natural wonder. Continue to Alberobello, the “capital of the trulli,” for a guided walk through its monumental district, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy lunch at leisure before heading to Ostuni, the enchanting “white city.” Stroll through its picturesque historic center and visit the remarkable Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Hotel Lo Smeraldo, Itria Valley, or similar

DAY 3: LECCE & OTRANTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Lecce, known as the “Florence of the South” and the capital of Puglia’s Baroque. Explore the historic center with visits to the Basilica of Santa Croce, Piazza Duomo, and Piazza Sant’Oronzo, followed by a small oil tasting.

After lunch, continue to Otranto, the evocative “Gate to the East.” Visit its striking Romanesque Cathedral, including the Chapel of the Holy Martyrs and its atmospheric Crypt.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Hotel Lo Smeraldo, Itria Valley, or similar

DAY 4: MATERA & RETURN TO BARI AREA

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Matera, whose extraordinary historic center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the renowned “Sassi” districts, carved into the rock, with a special focus on Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso, where ancient houses, rock-hewn wineries, and centuries-old churches reveal the city’s unique past.

Enjoy lunch, then continue toward Bari or its surroundings for hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight stay. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Hotel Excelsior, Bari Area, or similar

DAY 5: PUGLIA DEPARTURE

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and departure. An optional private airport transfer is available upon request. Meals: B

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