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Warm hospitality and rich cuisine, enchanting chalky-white towns and UNESCO sites of inestimable value make a holiday in Puglia truly memorable.
The journey of discovering Puglia will cross the Itria Valley dominated by lush Mediterranean vegetation with olive trees growing in the areas around the masserie-small stone fortresses typical of this region, and the outstanding landscape of Murgia and its historical sites.
Join us in this beautiful and authentic region in southern Italy for a truly unique experience with small, intimate groups of a maximum of 14 people per tour, and together we’ll discover what makes this region of Italy special, through curated programs.
Day 1 - Wednesday, April 15
The tour will start at Roma Termini train station where your Lilipans’ tour leader and Roscioli sommelier will meet you and accompany you throughout the trip.
The train will head to Barletta, and from there It’s just a short trip to our hotel in Trani, which is located right next to the magnificent Romanesque cathedral, the lively fishing port, and the historic Swabian castle.
After we check in, we’ll meet for a nice aperitivo to get to know each other.
Day 2 – Thursday, April 16
After breakfast we’ll head to the huge saltpans of Margherita di Savoia, visible along the way to Roscioli’s gem D’Arapri winery for the sparkling wine tasting and lunch.
We return to Trani where you will have the rest of the afternoon free to stroll within the picturesque pathways.
We ‘ll enjoy a traditional dinner in a authentic local restaurant.
Day 3 – Friday, April 17
Today, we’ll visit an outstanding UNESCO site: Castel del Monte, one of the magnificent residences of the great Swabian sovereign, Federico II. The castle was built over a rocky bank and it is famous for its symbolic significance, as reflected in the location and the mathematical and astronomical precision of the layout and its perfect regular shape. A unique piece of medieval military architecture, it is a successful blend of elements from classical antiquity, the Islamic Orient and North European Cistercian Gothic. We’ll stop in another Roscioli winery before lunch, where we’ll also have a tasting. After tasting a lunch with traditional food in a local “trattoria” we’ll return to Trani and you’ll have the afternoon free to stroll through the charming alleys.
Dinner will be at leisure.
Day 4 – Saturday, April 18
Our journey takes us to Matera, one of Italy’s most unique cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our expert local guide will show us this incredible city, which was carved directly into rock, with cave dwellings where people lived until the 1950s. Matera has become a famous filming location for several movies, including James Bond and The Passion of the Christ.
We will end our day at Chiaromonte, another of Roscioli’s favorite wineries to enjoy a wonderful dinner with a wine tasting.
Afterwards, we will continue to the splendid town of Trani.
Day 5 – Sunday, April 19
After checking out, we’ll transfer to Polignano and check into our wonderful resort and spa. Following lunch and some time to relax, we’ll meet our guide to explore Polignano, perched dramatically on limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea, and Monopoli, a bustling fishing port filled with colorful fishing boats, a fortified old town and whitewashed streets.
We’ll finish the day with a delicious fresh fish dinner in Monopoli.
Day 6 – Monday, April 20
This will be a relaxing day, as our expert local guide will introduce you to the Apulian identity, territory and history, during the walking tours in fairy-tale towns Locorotondo and Alberobello, with whitewashed houses and alleys full of wonderful scents and bright colors.
In Alberobello, famously known as a UNESCO Heritage site for its beautiful Trulli, the characteristic white stone buildings with a conical roof, you’ll have time and lunch at leisure before heading to Pietraventosa to tour the vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting at one of the iconic wineries handpicked by Roscioli.
Day 7 – Tuesday, April 21
Get ready for a spectacular day! We’ll start by exploring the majestic Caves of Castellana, the vast underground system of karst caves and grottoes , generally defined as one of the most beautiful and spectacular cave systems in Italy, and then move on to a special wine tasting at a winery that’s a favorite of Roscioli’s.
We’ll enjoy some excellent local wine before our dinner.
Day 8 – Wednesday, April 22
Today is a foodies’ day!
Martina Franca, one of the prettiest cities in Puglia, with its whitewashed alleys, will welcome us for a day of delicious gourmet food tastings. The tasting will start with the renowned Capocollo and other local cold-cut specialties followed by mozzarella and local cheeses tasting. An oil tasting will follow in an organic farm run by a family that has been producing olive oil since 1917. In the afternoon, our local guide will then meet us in Martinafranca for the walking tour to discover the beautiful baroque city.
On this day you’ll also learn the secrets to creating your own “orecchiette”, the typical local pasta under the guidance of a local chef who will then prepare dinner for us in a lovely restaurant.
Day 9 – Thursday, April 23
We’re spending a full day with our local guide in Lecce, where we’ll admire the beautiful city known as the “Lady of the Baroque” for its splendid buildings. Lecce’s beauty is defined by its elaborate Baroque architecture, crafted from the soft, golden-hued local stone. Known as the “Florence of the South,” its historic center is a captivating maze of splendid palaces, ornate churches, and hidden courtyards.
Day 10 - Friday, May 24
Following breakfast and checking out we’ll travel to Bari via private minibus to meet our local guide for a walking tour of the historical old town,Afterwards, we’ll take the train back to Rome, arriving in the evening.
Arrivederci!
Please take into consideration the following extension to your stay in the regions:
*Small changes to the itinerary are possible, beyond our control.
**Lilipans Tour is not liable in any way for any activities that the client decides to undertake independently during their stay, which are not expressly indicated in the proposed itinerary.
This tour involves a certain amount of walking, sometimes on unpaved venues, such us vineyards, archaeological sites, and so on, with potential accessibility barriers
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
For all international travel, US citizen’s passports must be valid for at least six months after the end of their stay in Italy, and have at least three blank visa pages. It is your responsibility to confirm that your travel documents meet the entry and exit requirements for the full duration of your trip.
In order to participate in our tours, Travel Insurance taken out in your country of residence is highly recommended.
Before your departure, please update the information on entry requirements to Italy with your embassy. Lilipans is not responsible for any incomplete or irregular passengers’ travel documents.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 4 nights accommodation and breakfast in Trani
- 5 nights accommodation and breakfast in Polignano a Mare
- City lodging visitor tax
- Private bus and driver for 9 days
- Lunch and dinner on April 16, 18, 19, 21
- Lunch on April 17
- Dinner on April 20, 22, 23
- Five visits and wine tastings at Roscioli wineries
- One Mozzarella, cold cuts and olive oil tastings
- One orecchiette-making class
- Six half days private guide tours with English speaking guide in: Castel del Monte, Matera, Martina Franca, Polignano and Monopoli, Grotte di Castellana, Bari.
- Two full days private guide tours with English speaking guide in Locorondo and Alberobello, Lecce.
- Entrance fees when included
- All tips at restaurants
- Experienced English-speaking tour leader with a WSET Level 3 certification in wine during the whole tour
- The Roscioli sommelier will always be present during the winery visits and tastings
Please note that there will be additional charges for any service performed longer than the projected hours.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Gratuities for maids, baggage handlers, drivers or guides
- Drinks at meals unless noted
- Personal charges, laundry, phone calls, internet, mini fridge consumed items
- Taxis, public boats and trains unless noted
- Travel Insurance
- International and Domestic Airfare
- Entry to any museums, historical sites unless noted
- Everything not mentioned under “included items”
PRICING
- € 7,800, per person (based on two people sharing a double room)
- The trip will run with a minimum of 6 guests and a maximum of 14 guests so you are guaranteed to be part of a small, intimate group.
- € 500 deposit per person, is due immediately to confirm the booking, which will be deducted from the total price. This deposit is non-refundable, unless the tour is canceled because the minimum number of participants is not reached.
- € 2,300 1st retainer per person is due by November 15th, 2025
- € 3,000 2nd retainer per person is due by December 15th, 2025
- The € 2,000 balance per person is due by February 15th, 2026
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
In order to participate in our tours, Travel Insurance taken out in your country of residence is highly recommended.
We are not responsible for any fees or changes you may become liable for relating to the airlines or other transportation not provided by us.
All cancellation requests must be in writing and are valid from the day we receive the request.
Cancellations:
- Cancelling 60 or more days before your departure date will result in a 30% refund of your total payment.
- Cancellations less than 60 days before your departure date will result in no refund. The full payment will be required.
- We do not offer a refund for unused portions of the tour, including but not limited to missed meals, hotel nights, sightseeing activities or any other included services.
- The deposit of 500 per person in all instances is non-refundable, unless the tour is canceled because the minimum number of participants is not reached.
- All cancellation requests must be in writing and are valid from the day we receive the request
**There are no exceptions to our cancellation policy.
