Upon arrival at Bari airport, you collect your FIAT 500 rental car. 

From Bari, you drive through the Apulian countryside to reach Alberobello, a town famous for its distinctive Trulli houses. After checking in at your accommodation, you have the rest of the day at leisure. You can wander Alberobello’s narrow lanes lined with whitewashed, conical-roofed Trulli, or simply relax and take in the peaceful village atmosphere. Dinner is at your own arrangement this evening.

Alberobello’s Trulli are constructed entirely from local limestone without mortar, a technique dating back to prehistoric times and unique to this region of Italy.

Accommodation:

• High End Accommodation: Agriturismo Praetto

You begin your day with a guided exploration of Alberobello, delving into the town’s historic center where clusters of Trulli houses create a striking architectural landscape. Walking through the Rione Monti and Aia Piccola districts, you see the unique dry-stone buildings up close and learn about their origins and significance. After your morning tour, you enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant in Alberobello, where you can sample authentic Apulian cuisine.

In the afternoon, you drive to the seaside town of Polignano a Mare, perched dramatically on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic Sea. Here, you can stroll along the waterfront, admire panoramic views from the terraces, and experience the lively atmosphere of this coastal destination. After your visit, you return to Alberobello for the evening, with dinner at your own leisure.

Polignano a Mare is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and dramatic cliffs, and its old town is connected by a maze of narrow streets that open to breathtaking sea views.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High End Accommodation: Agriturismo Praetto

In the morning, you drive from Alberobello to Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its extraordinary cave dwellings called the “Sassi.” After arriving, you spend the day exploring Matera’s historic center, where you can walk through winding stone streets and see the homes, churches, and buildings carved directly into the limestone cliffs. You have time to admire the architecture and take in views of the dramatic ravine that borders the old town. Lunch is at your own expense at one of Matera’s local restaurants or cafes.

Later in the afternoon, you continue to discover Matera’s unique atmosphere, with opportunities to visit artisan shops or small museums if you wish. In the evening, you return by car to Alberobello, where you spend the night.

Matera’s Sassi have been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, making the city one of the oldest in Europe and a significant example of sustainable adaptation to the environment.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• High End Accommodation: Agriturismo Praetto

You depart Alberobello in the morning and drive to Grottaglie, a town celebrated for its historic ceramics tradition. Here, you meet your guide for an in-depth tour that includes a visit to a local ceramic studio. You observe skilled artisans at work, learning about the techniques and patterns that have been passed down for generations in Grottaglie’s renowned ceramics district. The experience allows you to see firsthand how the town’s pottery heritage shapes its identity and daily life.

In the late afternoon, you continue your journey to the Lecce area. After checking in at your accommodation, you have free time to relax or start exploring the surroundings of this Baroque city at your own pace.

Grottaglie’s ceramics production dates back to the Middle Ages, with many workshops located in caves carved from the local tufa stone beneath the town’s castle.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• High End Accommodation: B&B Lecce - Relais Delle Rose

You spend the day in Lecce, often called the “Florence of the South” for its remarkable Baroque architecture. You have ample free time to wander through the city’s historic center, where ornate churches, palaces, and lively piazzas showcase intricate stone carvings and local craftsmanship. As you explore Lecce’s winding alleys and sunlit squares, you encounter the city’s vibrant atmosphere and can visit artisan shops, cafes, and markets at your own pace.

During your visit, you meet a master of papier-mâché in her workshop, where you observe the traditional techniques used to create Lecce’s famous decorative figures. This experience offers insight into a local art form that has been part of the city’s cultural heritage for centuries. Dinner is at your own arrangement, and you return to your accommodation in Lecce for the night.

Lecce’s distinctive Baroque style, known as “Barocco Leccese,” is characterized by elaborate facades and detailed sculptures, crafted from the region’s soft golden limestone.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• High End Accommodation: B&B Lecce - Relais Delle Rose

You begin the day by driving along the scenic coastline near Otranto, where the road offers sweeping views of the Adriatic Sea and several opportunities to stop for photos. Using a digital map, you can choose from recommended viewpoints and explore stretches of rocky shore and natural pools. Upon reaching Otranto, you spend time visiting the historic town center, known for its seaside charm and fortified walls.

During your visit, you also see the striking Bauxite caves, a unique landscape marked by vivid red earth and emerald green water. After exploring Otranto and its surroundings, you return to Lecce in the evening.

Otranto is the easternmost city in Italy and has been a cultural crossroads for centuries, with influences from Greek, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations visible in its architecture and traditions.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• High End Accommodation: B&B Lecce - Relais Delle Rose

In the morning, you drive to Gallipoli, a coastal town known as the “città bella” for its picturesque setting and rich maritime heritage. Upon arrival, you enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant, sampling regional flavors and fresh seafood. After lunch, you meet your guide for a tour of Gallipoli’s historic center, where narrow streets wind through whitewashed buildings and lead to scenic views over the Ionian Sea. The old town, located on an island connected to the mainland by a 16th-century bridge, reveals layers of history from Roman times to the present.

After your guided exploration, you continue by car to Ostuni in the evening, where you check in at your accommodation.

Gallipoli’s name comes from the Greek “Kallipolis,” meaning “beautiful city,” and its strategic port has made it a center for fishing and trade since antiquity.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High End Accommodation: Agriturismo Masseria Casamassima

You wake up in Ostuni, known as the “città Bianca” or white city, famous for its labyrinth of narrow, winding alleys and whitewashed houses that gleam under the southern sun. Your day is spent exploring the medieval old town, where you can wander through the maze-like streets, discover hidden courtyards, and admire the blend of Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine architecture. You ascend to the top of the hill for panoramic views across ancient olive groves and vineyards, stretching all the way to the blue expanse of the Adriatic Sea.

Later, you take part in a local food harvest and tasting experience, sampling regional products while enjoying the Ostuni skyline. Dinner is at your own arrangement, and you return to your accommodation for the night.

Ostuni’s whitewashed walls were originally coated with lime to reflect sunlight and help prevent the spread of disease, a tradition that has become a defining feature of the town’s identity.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• High End Accommodation: Agriturismo Masseria Casamassima

On your final day, you drive from Ostuni back to Bari. Upon arrival in Bari, you return your FIAT 500 rental car at the designated office. You then transfer to the airport to catch your departing flight home. The morning and transfer schedule allows you to ensure your vehicle is returned and your travel plans proceed smoothly.

Bari is the capital of the Puglia region and has historically served as a major gateway between Italy and the eastern Mediterranean.

Meals: Breakfast