Your Itinerary for this boutique small group travel tour to Puglia & Amalfi Coast

Days 1-3  Lecce

Accommodation:   3 nights in Lecce at Risorgimento Resort occupying a prestigious historic mansion dated back to 1880 in the heart of Lecce.  Enjoy the view over the old city from the roof top restaurant.  The hotel has an in-house spa if you’re looking for some pampering to help you relax after your journey.

Lecce is the baroque masterpiece of southern Italy often described as the “Florence of the South” with its wonderful confection of architecture sculpted from the soft local sandstone.  A graceful and relaxed city full of surprises.

Day 1:

Arrive at Bari or Brindisi for a private transfer to your hotel in Lecce.

In the early evening we’ll take a leisurely stroll with our local guide to a stunning neoclassical palace, originally built in the 1500’s.  With the help of the chef and a glass of wine or two we’ll create our own dinner featuring local delicacies.   A perfect way to break the ice with your fellow travellers. D

Day 2:

After a leisurely breakfast our guide will lead us on a walking tour of Lecce, once a Greek settlement and later an important centre of the Roman  Empire.   Your afternoon is free to continue exploring this fascinating city before we head to one of the famous wineries in Salice Salentino, arguably the most important wine district in all of Italy.  BD

Day 3:

This morning we’ll head into the countryside for a full day of exploration.  Our first stop will be the UNESCO site of Otranto, a lovely historic seaside town and port on the Adriatic coast.  After a seafood lunch we’ll continue our journey to the southern cape of Puglia, Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Ionian sea meets the Adriatic sea. This evening will be free to explore more of the wonderful restaurants on offer within walking distance of our hotel.  We’ll be happy to recommend those favoured by the locals.  BL

Days 4 – 8  Martina Franca

Accommodation:   5 nights in Villa San Martino Hotel Resort di Lusso in Puglia | Relais Villa San Martino a country house surrounded by a beautiful green park just outside the baroque city of Martina Franca.

Day 4:

Checking out of our hotel we’ll drive to the walled city of Ostuni.  With its incredible view overlooking the coast known as the “White town” it is one of the most beautiful towns in southern Italy. The rest of the day is at leisure to wander the park surrounding the villa or relax by the pool.  Why not join the locals for the obligatory passagiata and aperitifs in the historic centre of Martina Franca before finding the perfect spot for dinner. BL

Day 5:

Why not hop on one of the hotel’s bikes to explore the nearby coastal path.  Early afternoon we’ll head to the heart of the Murgia upland and one of the most beautiful landscapes of the region.   A splendidly cultivated valley bearing olives, fruit and vines.  Our final stop for the day will be at Alberobello.  A UNESCO Heritage site we’ll wander at our leisure  before dining in a fantastic 1 star Michelin restaurant.   BLD

Day 6:

In an area famous for its mozzarella cheese we can’t resist a visit to a local dairy to see how it’s made and of course to taste this marvel of a cheese.

Puglia is rich in UNESCO World Heritage sites and today we’ll be heading to Matera Matera, one of the ancient world’s city centres. Traces of human settlements go back to the pre-historic times.  It’s impossible not to marvel and wonder at what living was like in these cave dwellings known as “Sassi’’ in which frescoed churches and houses were established and where families were still living until 1952.   You might also recognize it as the location chosen for the Mel Gibson movie ‘’Passion’’.   BL

Day 7:

Join us on another bike tour this morning or just enjoy the facilities of the villa.  After lunch, we’re in for a treat as we visit the famous and mysterious Citadel and Castel del Monte.   A marvel of medieval military architecture and a successful blend of elements from classical antiquity, Islamic Orient and north European Cistercian Gothic.

Our restaurant for dinner tonight is in Noci, a quiet town rarely frequented by tourists.  It’s characterized by winding streets and small courtyards where we’ll no doubt see women busy peeling the beans for the family dinner or sharing the joys and sorrows of the day with their neighbours. BD

 Day 8             

A morning city tour of Bari by pedal cab.  Look out in the old part of the city for the women making the famous ‘’orecchiette’’ – the typical ear shaped pasta.  Time to explore on your own and for last minute shopping before we head back to the hotel to relax by the pool or enjoy a spa treatment for tonight is our farewell dinner.   We’ll be heading this evening for a feast at Ceglie Messapico, one of Puglia’s gourmet capitals and a 1 star Michelin restaurant.  BD

Days 9 -10  

The next stage of our boutique small group travel tour to Puglia & Amalfi Coast has us heading due west over the mountains.

Accommodation:   3 nights Hotel Aquapetra nestled among the olive groves this spa hotel is an oasis of calm.

 Day 9:

Checking out of our hotel we’ll drive across Mount Vulture where you can still feel the spirit of the Swabian Emperor, Frederick II. We’ll visit his favourite castle, Melfi, where in 1231 he issued the famous ‘Constitutions of Melfi’ a legal code that regulated feudal rights. An evening tour of Benevento, the city founded after the destruction of Troy and also knows as the “city of witches’.  BLD

Day 10:

Our tour this morning includes the Hortus Conclusus (walled garden) home to a complex of notable sculptural works by Domenico Paladino. BLD

Day 11:

Today’s delights include the extravagant Royal Palace built for King Charles III, with over 1,000 rooms and surrounded by splendid gardens and parks.  Following an afternoon at leisure we’ll be heading to Sant’Agata dei Gotto. This ancient and picturesque village is over 1,000 years old and a living open-air museum. BLD

Days 12 – 17 Sorrento 

Accommodation:  5 nights at Hotel Regina Sorrento an oasis in the heart of Sorrento just a stone throw away from the town centre. The panoramic view from the hotel stretches from the surrounding green hills to the bay of Naples and Vesuvius.

Day 12:

Checking out of our hotel we’ll head to the Amalfi Coast with our first stop in Naples where you’ll have time to enjoy some of it’s famous ‘street food‘ as part of our exploration of this fascinating city. BD

Day 13:

It’s hard to choose a favourite spot on this fabulous coastline but mine would have to be Ravello.  You’ll find out why when we visit its ravishing gardens and enjoy the stupendous views.  Wagner, while staying at the 11th century Moorish Villa of Rufolo, was inspired to write one of the most evocative scenes in his ‘Parsifal’.  BL

Day 14:

A short ferry ride and we’ll be in Capri which needs no introduction.  Our visit will include the blue grotto (weather permitting) and Alex Munthe’s villa with its own breathtaking views. BD  

Day 15:

We’re all familiar with the tragic story of the destruction of Pompeii and today you’ll experience the reality of what happened to this once vibrant city.  From there our focus will turn to the perennial joy of pasta.  The nearby delightful little town of Gragnano is known for the best pasta in Italy. BL

Day 16:

Day at leisure to relax, explore and last minute shopping before our farewell dinner tonight in Sorrento.

Day 17:

Group transfer to Naples airport