highlights of puglia...this remarkable underground labyrinth has only recently discovered....

Book with confidence

Why book this trip?Why book this trip?

The 'heel of Italy' is more densely populated by olive trees than by people; it has a relaxed atmosphere,

sunny climate and rolling countryside. This trip offers the perfect balance of culture, food and the

Adriatic coastline.

Matera - In Basilicata discover the fascinating UNESCO-Listed ancient troglodyte sassi quarter

Alberobello - Explore the beehive-shaped trulli houses that are unique to Puglia and enjoy a wine tasting

Lecce - See the Baroque architecture in the 'Florence of the south' including the magnificent cathedral

square.

Highlights of PugliaHighlights of PugliaITALY ITALY - TRIP CODE - TRIP CODE PULPUL

DISCOVERY

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ItineraryItinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Arrive in the Adriatic port city of Bari. The old town area of Bari Vecchia is located next to the harbour

and is a tangled maze of old streets. One of the main highlights is the Basilica of San Nicola, which legend

has it, contains some of the bones of jolly old Saint Nick.

For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome

meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities

planned today, so you are free to arrive in Bari at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary

airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Bari International Airport - Karol Wojtyla (BRI), which is

around 20 minutes' train journey from the city centre. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader

will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

The transfer from Bari Airport to the Bari Central will be by train. Our Leader who is normally at the

airport from 11am to 4pm will meet you at the arrival gate and give simple instructions on which train to

catch and to supply you with your train tickets. It is then a short 5-minute walk from the train station to

our hotel. If your flight is arriving before 11am or after 4pm then we will send you your train ticket with

your final documentation and you will need to make your own way to Bari Central by train and walk to

our hotel. It is a very straightforward journey and details of the route will be provided in your final

documentation.

Please note that according to the current timetable (which is subject to change), the earliest train from

Bari Airport departs at 5.54am and the latest train departs at 11.24pm. If your flight will be arriving too

late to catch the last train then please speak to our Sales team who can arrange a private road transfer for

you at an additional cost.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to take a walk along the Lungomare

seaside promenade.

In Puglia the food revolves around local produce, so the dishes on offer will vary depending on what's in

I N C L U D E DM E A L S

Breakfast: 7

T R I P STA F F

Explore TourLeader

Driver(s)Local Guide(s)

T R A N SPO R T

BusTrain

A C C O M M O D AT I O N

7 nightscomfortable hotel

T R I P PA C E :

ModerateG R O U P SI ZE :

12 - 18

DAY 1DAY 1 - Join trip in Bari - Join trip in Bari

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season. A lot of the cuisine is vegetable or cheese based and of course, they make good use of all the olive

oil produced from the 60 million olive trees in the region. Over the next week you could sample a range of

dishes such as fried polenta, tubs of ricotta, mozzarella balls stuffed with cream, orecchiette pasta

(known as small ear pasta due to its shape), which is normally served with a sauce made from turnip tops,

meat and rice stuffed peppers or a large array of seafood dishes. The wine is also delicious with Primitivo

red wine being a popular choice.

A C C O M M O D AT I O N :

Hotel Adria (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E

M E A L S PR O V I D E D : N O N E

This morning we leave Bari and drive to Altamura, which is a city famed for its bread and we'll get the

chance to try it along with a selection of other specialities like taralli savoury biscuits flavoured with

fennel seeds, focaccia, pizza and wine. Pane di Altamura is a very filling bread and loafs on average weigh

a kilo and traditionally would have been eaten by workers out in the fields. The bread is cooked in 'forni'

stone oven using oak wood.

Next we have a guided visit of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Castel del Monte. It is one of the best

preserved medieval castles in Southern Italy and is an unusual octagonal shape with a tower in each

corner and there's no roof over the large central courtyard. The architectural design suggests Arabic

influences as well as more classical Italian features. It was built by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II

and was of huge importance to the region. It is believed to have been a cultural centre for ancient

scholars coming from all over the world and that each part of the castle conceals philosophic and

alchemical meanings within its unique design.

Later this afternoon we arrive in Matera, which is just over the regional border in Basilicata and where

we will spend the next two nights. The town is impressively located on the side of a gorge eroded by the

Gravina River and is famous for its ancient sassis, a UNESCO-Listed troglodyte quarter, which originates

from prehistoric times. Stepping into the city is like stepping back in time, and it feels as though the

cobbled narrow streets and meandering buildings have changed little over the past 7,000 years. It's a

place that has to be seen to be believed and we have the wonderful experience of staying in a hotel within

these ancient sassi cave dwellings.


DAY 2DAY 2 - Food tasting in Altamura and visit to the medieval Castel del Monte - Food tasting in Altamura and visit to the medieval Castel del Monte

28/06/2021 09:19:27

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Hotel Sassi (or similar)



M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST

This morning a local guide will takes us on a walking tour of the sassi quarter which is split into two

halves - Sassi Caveoso and Sassi Barisano, with the cathedral sitting between them. The city is so

unchanged over the centuries that it has frequently been used as a film set for biblical scenes. It's hard to

believe it now, but in the 1950s Matera was an embarrassment to the Italian authorities, as many families

were living in one room caves, in poor conditions and poverty was rife. The families were helped and re-

housed and the city cleaned up and it's now a treasured historic city that will become the European

Capital of Culture in 2019.

After spending the morning exploring the cobbled lanes, rock carved churches and caves we have the

afternoon free to discover more or you might choose to take a train to neighbouring Gravina (the journey

is around 45 minutes each way). Gravina is a historic town that has retained much of its character. The

buildings here line the sides of a deep river gorge with a Roman bridge connecting them. The highlight of

the town however is the Gravina Sotterranea, which is an underground network of meandering

passageways that run beneath the city through caves and cellars where you can find rock carved

churches under the houses above. This remarkable underground labyrinth has only recently discovered.


Hotel Sassi (or similar)




DAY 3DAY 3 - Guided tour of the caves and rock carved churches of Matera - Guided tour of the caves and rock carved churches of Matera

DAY 4DAY 4 - Cheese and wine tasting; walk through the trullis of Alberobello - Cheese and wine tasting; walk through the trullis of Alberobello

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This morning we drive to an agriturismo in Putignano or in the surrounding area for a cheese tasting.

Agriturismos are traditional country farms that have opened up their doors to visitors, everything here is

homemade. After seeing how the cheese is produced and exploring the farm and gardens we'll sample

their delicious food, which usually includes freshly braided mozzarella.

Our first stop in the UNESCO World Heritage Listed town of Alberobello is in the Cantina Albea Winery

and Museum. After having a guided tour and learning about the different wines of Puglia we'll then get to

sample the award-winning wines that they produce. The small town of Alberobello is famous for its

unusual trulli round houses with their white washed dry stone walls and pointed 'witches hat' tiled roofs

and we spend the next two nights in these unique buildings. After our wine tasting we will take a pleasant

walk through the trullis to our hotel. Trullis or trullos as they're also known are either built singly or in

groups of up to five which would have originally been occupied by a single family. After checking in to

our trullis our Leader will take us on a walk of the town to learn about the history and to help us get our

bearings. The town is divided into two districts - Rione Aia Piccola and Rione Monti. On our walk we'll

see Trullo Sovrano, built by a wealth priest in the 18th century it is the only two floor trulli house and it's

now a museum, and the Trullo Church with its domed towers and curved windows it looks like a

stretched trulli and was built far later in 1927.

This evening is free for you to experience more of the town. There are a number of restaurants and shops

and typically Italian bars along the main street of Largo Martellotta.


Hotel Trullidea (or similar)




Today is free for you to relax among the trullis or perhaps to travel further afield for more sightseeing.

You could take the train (around 10 minutes each way) to the pretty town of Locorotondo. Although it's

only a short distance from Alberobello a completely different building style has been used with tall,

narrow rectangular buildings packed together with their tiled gable roofs and whitewashed walls. The

formation of them and their hilltop location makes the town resemble a white fort.

Alternatively, you might like to take the train to the Castellana Caves (taking about 35 minutes per way).

You can join an English speaking guided tour of one of the most amazing natural wonders in Puglia and

see the array of stalactites, stalagmites and fossils that can be found in this underground grotto which

started to form about 90 million years ago.

Or perhaps you'd like to spend the day on the coast and take a taxi to Monopoli, which is approximately

30 minutes' drive away, and home to defensive sea walls, a cathedral and even a castle. The tall white

DAY 5DAY 5 - Free day in Alberobello; chance to visit the Castellana Caves - Free day in Alberobello; chance to visit the Castellana Caves

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buildings and rocky walls are offset by the bright blue waters of the Adriatic Sea dotted with traditional

fishing boats and lined with narrow sandy beaches from where you can take a dip in the sea.


Hotel Trullidea (or similar)




We leave the trullis and head to Masseria Frantoio Ipogeo, which an underground olive press originally

created by monks in the limestone caves that form here naturally. The monks released the importance of

keeping the olive oil at a constant temperature in order for it to last and to get the best flavour, and the

caves offered the perfect solution. We'll have the chance to sample the olive oil with taralli biscuits and

wine.

We drive on to the historic seafront town of Otranto where our Leader will take us to visit the cathedral

to see the amazing 'tree of life' mosaic floor and to have a brief orientation walk through the maze of the

narrow alleys. After free time for lunch there's the chance to take a rugged coastal walk to the old bauxite

quarry lake before returning back to Otranto. The almost turquoise waters of the lake are surrounded by

the red earth of the old quarry walls, which makes it a very photogenic spot. Along the way to the lake

there are spots ideal for swimming or paddling along the coast. The route takes around an hour each way,

covering a total distance of seven kilometres. If you don't fancy joining the walk then you can further

explore the town or relax on the sandy beaches.

Later this afternoon we drive on to Lecce, which is nicknamed the 'Florence of the south' due to its rich

Baroque heritage seen in the city's palaces, churches and statues made from the local cream coloured

limestone. This evening is free for you to have dinner and explore the city.


Hotel Eos (or similar)


DAY 6DAY 6 - Olive oil tasting; visit to Otranto and chance for a coastal walk - Olive oil tasting; visit to Otranto and chance for a coastal walk

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We start today with a guided walking tour of Lecce to see the Basilica di Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo

(cathedral square) and the cathedral itself. The Baroque basilica took over two centuries to construct and

has a richly decorated facade with carved figures and topped with a large rose window.

Following our tour the rest of the day is free. In the city you'll find a Roman amphitheatre, a statue of

Saint Oronzo, which is said to have healing powers and the Triumphal Arch, which is one of the three

main gates into the old centre. You might choose to visit the Museo Faggiano, which will give you an even

greater insight into the city's long history.


Hotel Eos (or similar)




The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Lecce.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Lecce at any time. If you would like

to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Bari International Airport -

Karol Wojtyla (BRI), which is just over two hours by train.

If your flight is departing early, then you will take the train to Bari Central Station with your Leader at

around 6am and then you will continue by train to Bari Airport.

If your flight isn't departing until later then you can still travel to Bari Central Station where there are

luggage storage facilities at the station that you could make use of and then go into the city to explore

independently.

Alternatively, you can choose to spend longer in Lecce in the morning and then travel by train to Bari

Central and on to Bari Airport at a time of your choosing. Luggage storage facilities are available at our

hotel. Your Leader will give you your train ticket for the journey to the airport and advise you on when

DAY 7DAY 7 - Walking tour of Lecce; free afternoon to visit the Museo Faggiano - Walking tour of Lecce; free afternoon to visit the Museo Faggiano

DAY 8DAY 8 - Trip ends in Lecce - Trip ends in Lecce

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the trains will be departing.

Please note that according to the current timetable (which is subject to change), the earliest you can

reach Bari Airport by train is 7.25am and the latest is 11.40pm. If your flight is departing earlier in the

morning then please speak to our Sales team who can arrange a private road transfer for you at an

additional cost.


Trip informationTrip information

Italy

Climate

April/May and October/November are pleasantly warm. June/September are the hottest months.

Showers are common in Autumn.

Time difference to GMT

+1

Plugs

2 Pin Round

Religion

Roman Catholic

Language

Italian

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated

costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may

depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were

originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities

are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.

Matera:

Gravina Sotterranea entrance with guided tour is €10 per person entry plus €20 per group for the tour in

English. Please note that the cobbled streets in Gravina can be slippery and due to its gorge location and

there are a number of steps around the town and down into the Sotterranea.

Alberobello:

Train to Locorotondo is approximately €1.10 per way.

Train to Castellana Caves is approximately €1.80 per way and entrance and guided tour for the partial

route is €12 or for the full route is €16. The times for the English speaking tours can be found here:

Climate and country informationClimate and country information

Budgeting and packingBudgeting and packing

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http://www.grottedicastellana.it/en/timetable/

Please note that due to the train schedule it is normally only possible to go to one of the above places

during your free time on day five.

Taxi to Monopoli is around €25 per vehicle per way.

Bari:

On day eight depending on your flight departure time, you might have the opportunity to go into the city

centre. Luggage storage is available daily from 8am-8pm at Bari Centrale Train Station and is €6 for five

hours.

Clothing

July and August are the hottest months and lightweight cotton clothing is best. During spring and autumn

temperatures can be lower or drop during the evenings and there is also a stronger possibility of rain.

You'll need your swimming costume and light rainwear may be needed at any time of year. A warm fleece

is recommended for cooler evenings.

Footwear

We recommend taking comfortable walking shoes for exploring essential for the rugged costal walk and

trainers or sandals for relaxing.

Luggage

20kg

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and a day pack. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so

don't overload yourself.

Equipment

We advise taking a water bottle for our included walks as well as sun glasses, sunscreen and a sun hat. In

case of emergency we recommend that you carry a first aid kit and a torch. Bring a swimming suit and

towel for taking a dip in the Adriatic Sea. You might find walking poles useful, as some of the towns

visited are cobbled, hilly and have a number of uneven steps.

Tipping

Explore leader

Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. You may

however, want to recognise a leader that has done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them

a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It is a tricky one, and down to personal

preference, but we would recommend £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline.

Local crew

Although voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will

look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. Accordingly, you

should allow approximately £20 of local currency for tipping. In order to make things easier for you, the

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Explore Leader may organise a group's tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout

the trip.

Italy

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses

eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track

may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may

charge more.

Lunch price

£10.00 - 15.00

Dinner price

£20.00 - 25.00

Beer price

£2.00 - 4.00

Water price

£1.00 - 2.00

Foreign Exchange

Local currency

Euro.

Recommended Currency For Exchange

GBP.

Where To Exchange

We recommend that you change any currency into Euros prior to arrival. Bureau de Change are

generally only found in major cities and large airports.

ATM Availability

Major towns.

Credit Card Acceptance

Larger hotels and restaurants.

Travellers Cheques

Only in major towns. Please note, the exchange rate for cash and Travellers Cheques is poor.

Transport Information

Bus, Train

Accommodation notes

In Alberobello we will stay in traditional trulli houses. Our group will be split between several different

houses, but they're only a short distance apart and are all of a similar size and standard. Each trulli has its

own bathroom, but this may be shared between two bedrooms within the same trulli.

In Matera we will stay in original sassi cave buildings. At this unique hotel each of the rooms are different

sizes and layouts and some are located within the caves themselves and others in the ancient entry

buildings attached to the caves. They are all only a short distance apart and rooms are en suite. There are

excellent views from the hotels' terrace over the surrounding cave dwellings and Matera Cathedral.

Transport, Accommodation & MealsTransport, Accommodation & Meals

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Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information

and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and

customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice.

Please refer to our COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry.

Whilst we strive to update this on a regular basis we recommend you also check the FCDO website for

the latest advice on entry requirements in this fast-evolving situation. Information can change at any

time.

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under

18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if

this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the

circumstances. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing

information.Booking Conditions

Visa and Passport Information

Italy: Visas are not required by UK, E.U. Nationals, Australian, New Zealand, US or Canadian citizens.

Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related questions with the relevant

embassy prior to departure.

If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's

recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa

application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa

through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa

applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity

for your chosen destination.

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and

Booking Conditions.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Essential InformationEssential Information

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Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you

have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements.

Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information.

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.

Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and

depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from

the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending

point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have

selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the

joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at

the designated airport or train station.

Free transfers are not available for Self-Guided, Polar, Tailormade or Tours for Churches customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the

joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at

an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your

responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full

terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you

intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully

cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your

policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the

entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper

altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will

exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an

additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full

amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and

repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the

United Kingdom.

Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore offers a wide range of flexible flying options to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read

more about them here.

Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive

package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

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We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK

allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our

dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display a UK flight inclusive package guide price which is generally based on a London

departure. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend

booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Included activities

A number of the towns and cities visited on this trip have cobbled streets that can be uneven and slippery

underfoot. This is especially true of Matera where the hilly streets also include a number of irregular

steps.

Ability to swim

No

Italy

Vaccinations

Nothing required. Tetanus recommended. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or

doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding

vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore

Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to

change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Why book this tripThis trip offers the perfect balance of culture, food and drink and the stunning Adriatic coast.

You'll get to stay in the remarkable trulli and sassi buildings, which are unique to the 'heel of

Italy' and not an experience that is offered by most other operators.

Additional InformationAdditional Information

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highlights of puglia...this remarkable underground labyrinth has only recently discovered....

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