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MORNINGS WITH GUIDES. AFTERNOONS AT LEISURE.

Puglia & Basilicata Adventure

8 DAY: ALBEROBELLA • MATERA • LECCE • POLIGNANO A MARE

Discover the amazing landscapes and villages of Puglia.
HANDPICKED HOTELS. AMAZING EXPERIENCES.
No Big Buses. No Big Groups.
No Long Lines.

Welcome to Journey's Puglia + Basilicata Adventure
See Full ItinerarySEE ITINERARY | DATES & PRICES | FAQs | MAKE A RESERVATION

START SLOWLY AND SOAK UP ITALY —
Embark on our extraordinary adventure through the captivating landscapes of Puglia and Basilicata, where each destination unveils its own unique charm. Wander through the charming coastal town of Polignano a Mare, where the light dances on sandy shores, creating a picturesque Mediterranean haven. Explore the ancient wonders of Matera, with its 14th-century castle dominating the skyline, and delve into the Baroque splendor of Lecce and the historical richness of Otranto, immersing yourself in the cultural tapestry of southern Italy's hidden gems.

Jump to the Day-by-Day Itinerary

Journey's Small Group Tour through Puglia Features:
  • POLIGNANO A MARE: Amazing perspectives of Sea
  • ALBEROBELLO: The crown of the Apulia region, exotic Trulli huts,
  • MATERA: The beauty of the Basilicata, Sassi Cave dwellings
    OTRANTO: The history of Martyrs, Amazing Beaches and Stunning Village
  • LECCE: Baroque buildings, Roman columns and ampitheater
  • Journey Tour Captain from beginning to End

THIS IS WHY WE SUGGEST JOURNEY FOR YOUR ITALIAN VACATION:

  • Handpicked Deluxe Hotels and Villas in the hearts of the cities and villages
  • No Up-Selling on tour (compare with other tour companies), No Big Buses or Groups
  • UNIQUE IN THE INDUSTRY DINING: Exclusive to Journey: Our amazing included Dinners feature Unlimited Premium Beverages; 11 Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners/Apericena, 1 Tasting/Lunch
  • Skip-the-Long-Line Admissions with special access sightseeing with our Expert Italian Guides
  • English-Speaking Tour Captains relate to you, Friendly Italian Expert Guides delight you with their knowledge.
  • On Tour Transportation: Experience our Mercedes Vans while on tour.
  • No Hidden Costs: Fees, taxes and gratuities excluding the Tour Captain
See the complete Day-by-Day Itinerary
Journey's Unique Approach to Puglia

Featuring unique experiences with Journey's modern approach to travel with a great balance of activity and leisure time.

  • Consider our Pre-Tour Optional Experience in Polignano a Mare: Add a night to recover from your Transatlantic Flight.

    TRIP COMMENCES: POLIGNANO A MARE, 2 Days/2 Nights
    THE CROWN OF APULIA

    MATERA, 2 Days/2 Nights
    BEAUTIFUL BASILICATA

    TRIP FINALE: LECCE, 3 Days/3 Nights
    FLORENCE OF THE SOUTH

Hotels on this itinerary may not have elevators in all locations. Guests must be physically fit to enjoy the Journey. Journey's hotels are located in the Historic Centers and locations travelers desire; while on tour include all tourism/city taxes, daily breakfast with table service or buffet, WiFi, and portage.

Daily Itinerary at a Glance

The Secrets and Treasures of Puglia
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.

DAY 1-2: POLIGNANO A MARE (Use Bari Airport)
DAY 3–4: LECCE
DAY 5-6: MATERA
DAY 7: DEPARTURE DAY (Bari Airport)

 

Our Day-by-Day Itinerary

DAY 1: PUGLIA ADVENTURE BEGINS 

One of our most asked about itineraries begin in the heart of Polignano a Mare.

Discovery WalkDiscovery 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 Dinners IconJourney 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.

Journey Hotels IconAccommodation in Polignano a Mare, 2 Nights with breakfast

Deluxe Hotel: Covo dei Saraceni, Villa Stay, or Similar

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DAY 2: POLIGNANO A MARE 

Journey Dinners IconBreakfast included daily

Sightseeing IconToday'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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DAY 3: ALBEROBELLO & THE TRULLI HOUSES TO MATERA 

Sightseeing IconToday'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 for our second chapter of our Journey.

Journey Dinners IconWelcome 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. 

Journey Hotels IconAccommodation in Matera - 2 Nights with Breakfast 

Deluxe Hotel: Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa, Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort or Similar


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DAY 4: EXPLORING MATERA

Sightseeing IconToday'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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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. 

Sightseeing IconToday'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.

 Journey Dinners IconWelcome 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. 


Journey Hotels IconAccommodation in Lecce, 3 Nights with breakfast

Deluxe Hotel: Risorgimento Resort and Spa or Patria Palace Hotel

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DAY 6: EXPLORING LECCE 

Sightseeing IconToday'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 

Sightseeing IconToday'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.

Journey Dinners IconOur 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.