The 'heel' of the 'boot' of Italy is a beautiful landscape known for its whitewashed hill towns, centuries-old farmlands and cave dwellings, and hundreds of miles of Mediterranean coastline. The capital city of Bari is a vibrant, traditional port as well as a university town and welcomes us as we make our way to Polignano a Mare known for beautiful coastline, beaches, boat culture and cuisine to boot!
Lecce, the "Florence of the south," boasts baroque architecture and museums for a visual delight. Alberobello and Itria Valley are where you will find the stone huts called, "trulli." The feature a cone-like roof and are a big draw.
Expand the Journey: Many of our travelers arrive a "full day early" to recover from their overnight flight — inquire with us about a pre-tour overnight hotel room in Polignano a Mare.
Chapter 1: Puglia
DAY 1: Puglia Adventure Begins
One of our most asked about itineraries begin in the heart of Polignano a Mare.
Discovery Walk: Heart of Polignano a Mare
This afternoon meet the Journey Tour Captain for our Discovery Walk and get to know some of the history of Polignano a Mare. Known for the birthplace of the world famous singer, Domenico Modugno alias Mr. Volare, the city boasts terraces that look out over the sea. The breathtaking views of its cliffs and marine caves and the iconic bridge on the beach of Lama Monachile make our Discovery Walk a delight.
Journey Welcome Dinner
Tonight enjoy entertaining your palette with cuisine from the land and sea at one of the most iconic locations in all of the south of Italy. Your Journey Tour Captain welcomes you to Puglia.
Journey Cuisine is authentically Italian: Family-owned restaurants featuring farm and sea to table
Journey’s approach to dining is unique in the travel world (just like the regions of Italy). We include Premium Beverages (wine, soda and cocktails) and you choose your dinner from the menu. The Italian chefs and families are proud of their delicious dishes which hail from each of the regions in which Journey travels. And in the region of Puglia, you will enjoy a variety of dishes featuring pasta, seafood combined plates, vegetable inspired contorni and of course family inspired dishes. While in Italy we will enjoy locally grown produce where the concept of nostrale, or home-grown, is so evident.
Where We Stay in Polignano a Mare, 2 Nights with breakfast
Signature Hotels Collection —
Covo dei Saraceni, Villa Stay, or Similar
— Our Signature Hotels Collection features 4 to 5-Star properties including entry-level room categories in 5-Star, and one category above entry-level in 4-Star.
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DAY 2: POLIGNANO A MARE
Breakfast included daily
Today's Adventure: Tasting Polignano a Mare
This morning (some itineraries feature an afternoon experience) we enjoy exploring Polignano a Mare. Tastes in Town: The traditional Panzerotto stuffed with mozzarella and tomato sauce are a local favorite as well as the typical Apulian cold cuts with Focaccia.
After the experience, enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.
Tonight, consider joining your Journey Tour Captain to an optional dinner or explore at your leisure.
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Chapter 2: Basilicata
DAY 3: ALBEROBELLO & THE TRULLI HOUSES TO MATERA
Today's Adventure: Alberobello, Trulli and Sassi
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, meet the Tour Captain for a picturesque drive in our comfortable micro-coach to the unique town of Alberobello. Meet our City Guide for a walking tour of this World Heritage town in the Valle d'Itria and marvel at the remarkable architecture of the over 1000 Trulli conical buildings and Trullo church. We will have free time to explore and to have lunch on our own. In mid-afternoon, we arrive Matera located in the Basilicata for our second chapter of our Journey.
Welcome to Matera Apericena
Tonight join your Tour Captain and fellow travelers for the new Italian meal, Apericena! Is it a snack? Is it dinner? No, it’s apericena! A combination of aperitivo and dinner - most of all, it’s fun! We will enjoy apericena in a picturesque location in Matera.
Where We Stay in Matera - 2 Nights with Breakfast
Signature Hotels Collection —
Quarry Resort, Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa, Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort or Similar
— Our Signature Hotels Collection features 4 to 5-Star properties including entry-level room categories in 5-Star, and one category above entry-level in 4-Star.
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DAY 4: EXPLORING MATERA
Today's Adventure: Secrets & Treasures of Matera
After breakfast today, join the Tour Captain and our expert Local Guide for an in-depth discovery tour of the Sassi archeological site and includes exploration of the alleys, churches and caves of this World Heritage site.
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Chapter 2: Lecce
DAY 5: TO LECCE
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Matera in Basilicata and travel to Lecce, our home for the next 3 nights. We travel further into the “heel of Italy” and discover more beauty, amazing people and, of course, delicious cuisine and vino.
Today's Adventure: Making our Way to Lecce: 'Florence of the South'
On arrival in Lecce in mid-afternoon, we check into our beautiful resort hotel and have time to freshen up before joining the Tour Captain for an orientation Discovery Walk in the Baroque city center. Later join the Tour Captain and your fellow travelers for a traditional Apulian dinner.
Welcome to Lecce Dinner
Tonight enjoy a traditional Apulian dinner in Lecce with your Tour Captain and fellow travelers. Perhaps you will try the signature regional pasta shape, orecchiette.
Where We Stay in Lecce, 3 Nights with breakfast
Signature Hotels Collection —
Risorgimento Resort and Spa or Patria Palace Hotel or Similar
— Our Signature Hotels Collection features 4 to 5-Star properties including entry-level room categories in 5-Star, and one category above entry-level in 4-Star.
Final hotel assignments are made at around 60 days prior to the adventure. A comparable hotel will be utilized should our space be sold out by the time you book — we will advise you of your final hotels.
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DAY 6: EXPLORING LECCE
Today's Adventure: Tour of Lecce
Enjoy exploring Lecce today with our Local Guide. We will visit the historic monuments, cathedrals and amphitheater of this Baroque and Roman city.
Join your Tour Captain for an optional dinner or explore at your leisure.
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DAY 7: OPTION TO OTRANTO OR DAY AT LEISURE
Today's Optional Adventure: Secrets & Treasurse of Otranto
After breakfast today, we invite you to join the Tour Captain to travel to Otranto for a day of exploring (no additional charge). We will visit the picturesque town of Otranto where we will have time to walk and explor its fascinating architecture and history and free time for shopping or just wandering. Following lunch on our own, we continue our exploration of the Salento peninsula as we make our way back to Lecce.
Our Special Journey Finalé
Meet tonight for our special Apericena to celebrate our time together. Our days have been filled with new sights, tastes and discoveries - tonight enjoy reflecting on the incredible journey we've had together.
It has been a Journey of Adventure and Discovery, along with making new friends! Until our next Journey — Arrivederci!
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DAY 8: DEPARTURE DAY: Arrivederci Italy!
We say Arrivederci to Lecce today or perhaps you extend your stay to the Amalfi Coast.
SEE ITINERARY