Authentic Puglia: a journey through Trulli, Baroque and unique Flavours

Departure is an exciting time for many travellers. It marks the beginning of an adventure. Today you will start to be part of a community, which will give you a rewarding travel experience. You will have the opportunity to turn a simple trip into an opportunity for personal growth, cultural enrichment, Globest welcomes you to BARI. After your welcome at the airport, we will head to the hotel to present the rich and exciting program of the week. Typical dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for a visit to Castel del Monte (entrance included), fortress of Frederick II of Swabia, famous throughout the world for its characteristic octagonal plan. Continuation to Bari, known as “Porta d’oriente” for its important port overlooking the Adriatic Sea. After lunch, in the afternoon strolling through the narrow alleys, the white houses and the old cloths of Bari, we will visit the real historic center of the city the main attractions of the city as the Basilica, the cathedral and the Norman castleSvevo, which is considered one of the symbols of Bari. Walking through this intricate maze of narrow streets you can admire not only historical buildings, romantic views of the sea and ancient churches but also the local women while preparing fresh pasta as “strascinet” (orecchiette). Return to hotel; dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit of an old «masseria», typical farm of this area. Walk in a park of olive trees and tasting of olive oil accompanied by «frisellina», salted rusk bread made from durum wheat baked in the oven. Lunch in Ostuni, known as the “white city” of Salento, for its white houses perched on three hills overlooking the Itria Valley. In the afternoon, visit of the old town, a winding labyrinth of alleys, stairways, whitewashed buildings behind which appear as if by magic wonderful views of the Adriatic Sea. Free time for shopping. Continuation to the region of Lecce or Gallipoli. Hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will leave for Lecce, the “Florence of the South”, one of the masterpieces of the Italian baroque, an extraordinary place that enchants with its monuments, its churches and the majestic palaces all made with the famous “leccese stone”, which shines with warm golden hues in the sunlight. We will visit the Basilica of Santa Croce (entrance included), authentic masterpiece of the Lecce baroque and the Cathedral (entrance included). Typical lunch in the center, departure for Otranto, pearl of Salento, which emerges as a fortress overlooking the sea, framed by olive trees and golden beaches and hidden coves. Visit the old town, a maze of narrow streets made of living stone and white houses leaning against each other that make it a special place where you will find many small shops of crafts and gastronomy; the Cathedral with its incredible floor mosaic and the Aragonese Castle (entrance not included). Tasting of homemade ice cream and return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we will leave for Altamura, a city rich in history and natural beauty. Known mainly for the famous PDO bread and its deep-rooted culinary traditions, Altamura also has a historical and cultural heritage of immense value. Among the treasures of its old town stand out the Cathedral, with its magnificent portal, and the Claustri, small closed courtyards where in the past took place the social and working life of the city. We will continue to Matera to relax with a typical lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit this little jewel carved into the mountains where time seems to have stopped and the surrounding landscape seems to be that of a painting. Its ancient houses carved in the limestone, dating back to prehistoric times, called Sassi, have been restored and transformed into hotels, restaurants and shops and will offer you a unique experience of life in the old city. Visit of a cave house (entrance included). Late afternoon departure for the region of Alberobello hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for Putignano. Stop at a local organic farm to visit a cow farm and see cheese production followed by typical lunch. In the afternoon visit of Polignano a Mare, an enchanting village suspended on the edge of a cliff, famous for having given birth to Domenico Modugno, the unforgettable author of the famous “In blue painted blue,” one of the most known Italian songs in the world, with its charming old town, a tangle of alleys that converge towards the small bay of Lama Monachile, the beach that divides the reef. Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we will leave for Grottaglie, the capital of ceramics. The historic centre, with its workshops and workshops, is a true open-air museum where you can admire the craftsmanship of potters and pottery artisans who perpetuate the ancient art of Apulian artistic ceramics. Visit the neighborhood of potters and a workshop. We will have lunch in a masseria cheered by the exciting show of PIZZICA. In the afternoon we will continue to Alberobello, in the heart of the “Trulli” region. Also known as “the city of trulli”, typical white stone houses with conical roofs that give the city a really picturesque atmosphere, the village of Alberobello has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit of the «Trullo Supremo» with its 12 rooms (entrance included). Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

On this day of return, nostalgia for the places visited and enthusiasm for returning home mix. We will accompany you to the airport to help you with the boarding logistics. Today we close a chapter and open a new one, we will say goodbye, but you are part of our community, you will carry with you the promise of new future adventures even more extraordinary. While you wait for your flight, reflect on the extraordinary experiences you have experienced during your journey: from delicious dishes to natural wonders discovered along the way. You will prepare to face the daily routine with new energy. Good return home.