Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome
You'll arrive in Rome and get transferred to your hotel. After you settle in, the rest of the day is yours to wander around the city however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Rome independently
- Day 2
Rome to Bari
After breakfast, head to Rome Termini train station for an unescorted high-speed train to Bari. Once you arrive, it's just a short walk to your hotel. After checking in, you have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to see what the city has to offer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Bari at leisure
- Day 3
Bari
A guided morning tour takes you through Bari's historic centre with its narrow alleyways. You'll walk past the Basilica of San Nicola, the 12th-century Norman-Swabian Castle, and the Column of Justice. If you're interested, you can go inside the castle for panoramic views, though that costs extra. The tour wraps up around lunchtime, leaving your afternoon free to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bari historic city centre
- Visit Basilica of San Nicola
- View 12th-century Norman-Swabian Castle (exterior)
- See Column of Justice in Piazza Mercantile
Optional Activities
- Explore inside Norman-Swabian Castle and enjoy panoramic views (own expense)
Landmarks Basilica of San Nicola Norman-Swabian Castle Column of Justice - Day 4
Bari - Trani - Castel del Monte - Alberobello
You'll board a coach after breakfast to visit three major spots in Puglia. First is Trani, where you'll see the Jewish Quarter and a beautiful 12th-century white stone cathedral. Next comes Castel del Monte, a 13th-century octagonal UNESCO site you might recognize from the Italian one-cent coin. The day ends at Alberobello, known for its traditional cone-shaped Trulli houses that make the whole village feel like something out of a storybook.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Trani and explore the Jewish Quarter
- See 12th-century Trani Cathedral
- Visit Castel del Monte (13th-century octagonal castle)
Optional Activities
- Explore Alberobello independently
Landmarks Trani Cathedral Castel del Monte Alberobello 
- Day 5
Matera
You'll take a day trip to Matera, another UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Sassi di Matera, the unique cave dwellings carved into a canyon created by the Gravina River around 9,000 years ago. A local guide shows you how these caves still function as homes, pubs, hotels, and businesses today. Before heading back to Alberobello for dinner, you'll also see the Roman Catholic cathedral overlooking the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Matera with local guide
- Explore Sassi di Matera cave dwellings
- Visit Roman Catholic Cathedral of Matera
Landmarks Sassi di Matera Cathedral of Matera - Day 6
Alberobello - Locorotondo - Ostuni - Lecce
Two of Puglia's white towns are on the agenda today. Locorotondo comes first, a hilltop town with views stretching across countryside filled with Trulli houses. Then you'll head to Ostuni, a coastal town famous for its ancient olive trees (some over 3,500 years old) and whitewashed buildings where local restaurants use the region's famous olive oil. You'll finish the day in Lecce, the centre of the Salento region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Locorotondo at leisure
- Explore Ostuni at leisure
- Find restaurant for lunch in Ostuni
Landmarks Locorotondo Ostuni 
- Day 7
Lecce - Otranto
A 3-hour guided tour with a local expert takes you through Lecce, known as the 'Florence of the South'. You'll check out the historic Old Town, 12th-century cathedral, and the beautiful Basilica di Santa Croce. Later you'll travel to Otranto, a city with Greek, Roman, and Turkish influences. Free time there lets you explore and find lunch, and the cathedral is worth a visit for its well-preserved mosaic floor. This evening, dinner at Masseria L'Uliveto, a rustic farm restaurant in nearby Maglie, gives you insights into the region's food and history before returning to Lecce.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Special dinner at Masseria L'Uliveto farm restaurant in Maglie, made using finest local produce)
Included Activities
- 3-hour guided sightseeing tour of Lecce with expert local guide
- Visit Lecce Old Town
- See 12th-century Lecce Cathedral
- Visit Basilica di Santa Croce
- See Piazza del Duomo (city's main square)
- Special dinner at Masseria L'Uliveto farm restaurant in Maglie
Optional Activities
- Explore Otranto at leisure
- Visit Otranto Cathedral with mosaic floor
- Find restaurant for lunch in Otranto
Landmarks Lecce Old Town Lecce Cathedral Basilica di Santa Croce Piazza del Duomo Otranto Cathedral - Day 8
Lecce - Martina Franca - Monopoli - Bari
After breakfast, travel toward Bari across the Murge plateau. Stop in Martina Franca, an elegant Baroque town with noble palaces and ornate churches. You'll see the Cathedral, Ducal Palace, and Torre dell'Orologio with time to explore. From there, continue through Valle d'Itria, past olive groves and vineyards, to Masseria Montenapoleone where you'll make traditional pasta shapes like orecchiette and cavatelli, then have lunch with local wine tastings. In the afternoon, visit Monopoli, a historic coastal citadel with impressive fortifications overlooking the sea, before reaching Bari.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional pasta dishes prepared during hands-on cooking experience, accompanied by wine tastings)
Included Activities
- Visit Martina Franca Cathedral
- Visit Martina Franca Ducal Palace
- Visit Torre dell'Orologio
- Hands-on pasta-making experience at Masseria Montenapoleone
- Wine tastings at Masseria Montenapoleone
- Lunch with freshly made pasta at Masseria Montenapoleone
- Visit Monopoli
Optional Activities
- Explore Martina Franca at leisure
Landmarks Martina Franca Cathedral Martina Franca Ducal Palace Torre dell'Orologio Monopoli - Day 9
Bari to Rome
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Bari train station to catch an unescorted high-speed train back to Rome. When you arrive, another transfer takes you to your hotel where you can spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Rome at leisure
- Day 10
Rome
This day is completely free to explore Rome however you want. You could check out the Colosseum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, or head over to Vatican City. It's entirely up to you what you prioritize.
Optional Activities
- Visit the Colosseum
- Visit Vatican City
- Explore Rome independently
Landmarks Colosseum Vatican City - Day 11
Rome
Your tour ends after breakfast and check-out. Safe travels on your journey onward!
- Meals
- Breakfast
