THE ALTERNATIVE SOUTH – APULIA & BASILICATA
BARI / MANFREDONIA / MATERA / LECCE / ALBEROBELLO (7 NIGHTS)
The South Italy is not only the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, the wonderful island of Sicily or the nice Calabria. There is s
also the “other” South Italy. The south-west part of Italy, including Apulia & Basilicata is so rich in art and history and is
a marvellous area for a memorable vacation. The Apulian crystal-clear sea, the Gargano peninsula, the small houses
“trulli” in the Itria Valley, the Romanesque art mixed with the Byzantine and Arab ones, the famous Castel del Monte, the
Sassi of Matera and the wonderful Baroque town of Lecce are only a few of the sites that you may visit during your stay
in this part of Italy.
1 NIGHT IN BARI , 2 NIGHTS IN MANFREDONIA, 1 NIGHT IN MATERA, 2 NIGHTS IN LECCE,
1 NIGHT IN ALBEROBELLO. (Bed & Breakfast meal plan - MINIMUM 2 PAX)
Suggested itinerary with independent visit, no guided tour:
DAY 01 – BARI
Today you may spend your entire day visiting Bari. A long, straight road, the wide and well-lit Corso Vittorio Emanuele, divides the city into two distinct parts
as if drawing the boundaries between two different periods in history. “Bari Vecchia”, the Old Town, is a mix of ancient streets and medieval churches and
courtyards. It stands in contrast to the industrious, dynamic, modern city, with its long wide roads along which have risen the many buildings which bear
testimony to the city's prodigious urban development. Walking along a stretch of the Imperatore Augusto Promenade we come to the Basilica of San Nicola.
This is one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in Apulia. The building of the Basilica was commissioned by Abbot Elia in 1087 to
preserve the remains of St. Nicholas from Myra and was finished in 1197. The inside of the Basilica is made especially attractive by the numerous supporting
capitals, designed as truncated pyramids and decorated on all four sides while the outside of the structure has a solid, compact appearance with apses enclosed
within a masonry curtain. The façade is flanked by two towers connected to the wings of the transept by a continual series of great arches. The decoration of
the portals stands out, as does the vestibule set on columns supported by stone griffins. Continuing along the Imperatore Augusto Promenade and then taking
the Corso Senatore De Tullio we come to Castello Svevo, built by Frederick II over Norman ruins. It housed the magnificent court of Isabelle of Aragon e
Bona Sforza, who had the large bulwarks with angular spear-shaped towers built in 1500, overlooking the moat. Walking down a medieval alleyway you come
to the wonderful Cathedral of San Sabino, an excellent example of 12th century Romanesque Apulian architecture. Other churches of historical and artistic
interest in the Old town are the Romanesque Basilica of San Gregorio, the Convent of San Benedetto; San Marco; Sant’Agostino; the Vallisa; and the
Church of Jesus. The Archway of Marvels and Nicolo' Puccini's house are also worth visiting. Other places not to be missed in the old part of town are the
Piazza Mercantile and the Colonna infame, once used as a pillory for insolvent debtors. More modern buildings also worth a visit, like the Teatro
Petruzzelli, Teatro Margherita, Palazzo Fizzarotti and the Library of Santa Teresa dei Maschi. Overnight at the hotel in Bari.
DAY 02 – BARI / CASTEL DEL MONTE / TRANI / BARLETTA / MANFREDONIA (150 Km)
Breakfast at the hotel and departure by car to the North west part of the region. After approx.
55 Km of driving your first stop will be at the imposing Castel del Monte. This unique
medieval manor house standing on top of a hill in the Apulian Murgia, was built in the first
half of 1200 for Frederick II of Swabia, to serve as a manor house and hunting lodge.
Various architectural elements and styles are harmoniously brought together in this one
building: Classical, Renaissance, Romanesque, Gothic and Arabic. Due to its shape and
function, Castel del Monte is significantly distinguished from the other castles open to the
public in Apulia. The octagonal shape on which the entire building is structured on one side
represents a rigorous architectural design, while on the other recalls rather symbolic aspects
that make a visit to the castle even more interesting. After visiting Castel del Monte you will
drive for approx. 35 Km and then you will arrive in the sea village of Trani. Of all the
places that merit visiting in Trani, one of the most significant is the Swabian Castle. This
was commissioned by Frederick II and is strategically positioned as protection of the port
and the town. It rises above the sea to defend its city and has a quadrangular plan, a large
central courtyard with four towers at each corner. Another monument to be visited is the
Trani Cathedral, the construction of which was finalised in 1143, dedicated to St. Nicholas
the Pilgrim and defined the “Queen of all Cathedrals” in Apulia. The cathedral stands out for being a double church, a solution that was chosen after finding
the relics of Saint Nicholas the Pilgrim, stored in the crypt of the church. It was built with a ground plan of a Latin cross and completely divided into three
naves by a double series of columns, a unique aspect among the Romanesque cathedrals of the region. The rich art inside, and its famous façade in the Pisan
style, boasting a rose window and surrounded by protruding animals, and the plastic decoration of the portal makes the stop into this church as a real must
during the visit. Another monument typical of Romanesque architecture is the Chiesa Santa Maria di Colonna built between the end of the XI Century and
the beginning of the XII Century by Goffredo of Siniscalco. After visiting Trani, you will drive North and after just 15 Km we will reach another sea village,
Barletta. A main attraction for visitors to the town is the sea, with a long sandy coastline comprising beaches and hotels, ideal for families and children. The
Swabian Castle is definitely worth a visit. Other places worth a visit are the Colosso Eraclio, a large bronze statue, and the nearby S. Sepolcro Basilica, built
in the 12th century, displaying interesting Oriental influences. Sites of particular historical interest include Palazzo della Marra , a stunning 16th century
Puglian palace. After the visit, departure from Barletta to Manfredonia. Overnight at the hotel in Manfredonia.
THE ALTERNATIVE SOUTH – APULIA & BASILICATA
DAY 03 – MANFREDONIA / NATIONAL PARK OF GARGANO or MANFREDONIA / RELIGIOUS ITINERARY
Breakfast at the hotel. If you are a sea lover well, we suggest a tour of the Gargano
peninsula, one of the most beautiful sea location throughout Italy. The Gargano is really
a different world. It is a rocky spur of Karst formation, a natural area isolated from
outside influences. Gargano has plenty of history, nature, art and tourism; it is a full
experience to visit it. Along its coasts the towns on the sea welcoming and vibrant.
Starting from Manfredonia and for next 80 Km, you will admire outstanding fishing
villages, a wonderful coastline and a really unforgettable sea. The main villages worth
visiting are Mattinata set on two hills and surrounded by olive groves and woodland
and sprayed by the splendid sea of the Garganic headland. Then, you can stop in
Pugnochiuso, famous for its white sand and its magnificent bays (with Baia delle
Zagare and Baia di Pugnochiuso on top). Then, driving along the embracing coastal
road, the next stop in Vieste is a real must. This is the most important town of Gargano
peninsula. With its typical white houses, its little streets and the characteristic shops you
will surely have a good time during the visit. Other suggested stops along the coast are
the village of Peschici with its cliffs and the white rocks that reflect the blue sea in
which they lie, and above all Rodi Garganico. The old town of Rodi is fascinating and
rich with atmosphere, characterised by the closeness of the red roofed houses, built one
upon the other in order to be better protected from pirate attacks. The castle and the city
wall are still standing today together with two of the original towers. Last but not least, do not forget to drive by the “Umbra Forest” It is a forest of 11.000
ha, that grows wildly without any human intervention. A great number of equipped trekking paths for visitors are available and they could be a great
opportunity to discover this prosperous area. If your main interest is the religious arts and traditions, you may want to enjoy a more religious itinerary. The
Gargano is also named “Holy Mountain” because of the old devotion, since the V century, to the cult of the Archangel Michael. After just 20Km of driving,
you may visit the sanctuary of St. Archangel Michael. Inland of Gargano at 843 m above sea level, Monte Sant’Angelo overlooks west the Tavoliere
(Tableland) of Apulia and south the Gulf of Manfredonia. Another very important religious destination is San Giovanni Rotondo, which attracts pilgrims
from all over the world. A great number of pilgrims go to the Convent of the Capuchins of the XVI century, where Padre Pio lived for fifty years. In the
Convent the tomb and the cell, where he lived and died, are also worth a visit. Not far from San Giovanni Rotondo, there is the town of San Marco in Lamis;
with its Convent of San Matteo. The convent was built to give shelter to the pilgrims on the way to Monte S. Angelo to the St. Michael’s Cave, along the
ancient Via Sacra Longobardorum. Overnight at the hotel in Manfredonia.
DAY 04 – MANFREDONIA / GRAVINA DI PUGLIA /
ALTAMURA / MATERA (155 Km)
Breakfast at hotel and departure to the south are of the region toward the fascinating
area of “Apulian Murgia”. You will drive along the very typical “Murgia” scenery.
The inhabitants of this area are mainly farmers who produce wine, oil and almonds.
During your trip, after driving for about 120 Km, you cannot miss a stop in Gravina
di Puglia. The city is located along the western Murgia, in an area full of hollows
and gravines. Its lands border the area between Puglia and Lucania. To give a better
idea of this land, the word “Gravina” means the natural large and deep break in the
land where first inhabitants used to live. The historic centre of Gravina is divided in
two districts: Piaggio and Fondovico. In the Piaggio district you can visit the Finya
Library, the oldest in Puglia and the Museum of Religious Art, located in the
building that once hosted the diocesan seminary. Certainly worth a visit and built
outside the residential area, the Suevian Castle built by Frederick II and the
wonderful Romanesque Cathedral. After visit in Gravina, you will drive again for
just 13 Km before arriving in Altamura. In 500 b.C. the megalithic walls after
which the city was named (Altamura means ’High Walls’) were built. The town was
subject to a long period of different dominations concluded by the arrival of
Frederick II (1232), who gave a fresh impetus to the city by building the magnificent
Cathedral, one of the four Palatine Basilicas in Apulia, and repopulating it with Arab, Greek and Jewish populations. In that period, the city was given its
characteristic layout made of “claustri”, small squares surrounded by alleys. But this area is well known for its local gastronomic specialities. Anybody
visiting must taste its bread, so good that it is served as a standalone dish in most restaurants. There are several traditional recipes based on bread and tourists
can taste them in on of the many local restaurants. After visiting Altamura, you can then proceed to Matera where you will arrive by car in about 30 minutes.
Check in at the hotel and visit the unforgettable centre of Matera. For the first time traveller to Matera, the discovery of a town so old and unusual is a real
breathtaking experience. The ancient district of the city, the Sassi, has been recognized as a world heritage by UNESCO in 1993 and seem an enormous
sculpture that has been carved out of the rock along the side of a ravine. That is why this natural set design has been used many times for movies. The Sassi
district is built along the right bank of a ravine that presents itself as a labyrinth of winding streets, neighbourhoods, squares, caves, rock churches and cantinas.
Some parts of the buildings are literally carved out of the rock, while other parts have been constructed or added. The roofs of the houses would have served
one of two purposes: as a pathway upon which people could walk; or as the floor of the home above it. There are also some churches of various periods that are
worth a visit such as the Romanesque Cathedral, the Church of San Giovanni or the Baroque Church of San Francesco.
Overnight at the hotel in Matera.
THE ALTERNATIVE SOUTH – APULIA & BASILICATA
DAY 05 – MATERA / LECCE (153 Km)
After breakfast at the hotel, departure from Matera to Lecce (153 Km). You will not have any
stop during the trip as we want to let you spend as more time as possible in the outstanding
Lecce city centre. If you are a wine lover you may stop in one of the many wineries of this
area as it is one of the best are for the production of white wine. Arrival in Lecce and check
in at the hotel. Lecce is marked by its own Baroque Style called Leccese in Italian, which
can be found in all the monumental buildings of the centre. The style is characterized by a
particular richness and exuberance in its decorations which seem to want to hide the
buildings rather than decorate them. The practical flair and conceptual creativity of Lecce’s
master sculptors found an easy application thanks to the use of a particular material, pietra
leccese, or poor man’s marble, a stone, particularly soft and easy to work but which hardens
over time. Lecce has an enormous architectural and artistic heritage, so important that the city
was also called the “Florence of the South” or “Pearl of the Salento”. In Lecce visitors are
surrounded by an open air museum, where the pietra leccese stone is the common
denominator of buildings, churches and fortifications. The suggested starting point for a
walking visit is the central Piazza Duomo which stands in the older part of the city featuring
also the Cathedral, the Bishop’s Residence, Seminary and Bell Tower. After that you can
continue the visit by walking along the Church of Santa Chiara (a stop inside is highly suggested) and you will arrive in Piazza S. Oronzo with the famous
Roman Amphitheatre The building was originally composed by a double order of stands, of which only the lower part survived. Next to it you can find a preRoman necropolis in which were found Messapian inscriptions. Another attraction of this square is the S. Oronzo Column, an original Roman column (25
metres high) holding the S. Oronzo copper statue. After the Roman Amphitheatre you will find the Church of San Marco and the Church of Santa Maria
delle Grazie, both worth an inside visit. One of the city’s most beautiful chuch is the Basilica of Santa Croce with its baroque style. Its construction began in
1353 but, due to several reasons, it took more than two centuries to complete its construction in 1699. The Basilica has a cross-vaulted roof with a
hemispherical cupola. The façade is completed by the great rose window, finished in 1646, decorated with floral friezes, bunches of fruit and cherubs. Do not
miss a visit of the extremely rich internal decoration and especially the altar of St Francesco di Paola with twelve bas-reliefs depicting the life of the Saint.
Overnight at the hotel in Lecce.
DAY 06 – LECCE / OTRANTO / MAGLIE / GALLIPOLI / LECCE
(130 Km)
Breakfast at the hotel. For those wanting to spend time in Lecce there are further
attractions to be visited then the Castromediano Museum (including a rich collection
of Messapi documentation, Apulian and Attic vases, terracotta's, inscriptions, Roman
statues) and historical buildings like Palazzo Vernazza and Palazzo dei Celestini,
both from 1500. You may also have fun by just walking along the lovely and relaxing
promenade of this beautiful city.
For those interested in something “off the beaten path”, we suggest to spend the whole
day experiencing the magic of Salento coast. You will drive to South for approx. 40
Km and arrive in Otranto. This city offer lots of interesting things to do for a holiday.
Walking around the old part of the town, you will be fascinated by the old district
enclosed within the Aragon walls, with white houses and little streets paved with bare
stone. The imposing Otranto Castle is dominating the city for centuries. Its history is
mainly linked to the sad event of the Turkish siege in 1480 and following which the
Aragon decided to extend the existing fortress with large towers equipped with
canons. Following your visit to the castle you can walk among the streets of one of the
most beautiful medieval districts in Italy and visit the magnificent Otranto
Cathedral. The church is characterised by its Romanesque-Pugliese style façade dominated by the impressive Renaissance rose window with Gothic-Arabic
influences containing the skulls of decapitated citizens during the battle of 1480. More over, a very beautiful mosaic is certainly the most appealing work to be
found in this building and even the crypts are particularly interesting. After visiting Otranto, you will literally cross the Apulian countryside and travel west.
After driving for just 17 Km, your next stop will be in Maglie. The city is well known throughout Italy as the “Burano of Salento” thanks to its unique and
traditional laces handicraft. The Baroque Cathedral contains valuable XVIII-century art works by local painters and Baroque Lecce stone altars. The Church
of Santa Maria della Scala raises on the layout of the Medieval church that has the same name. Once again, do not forget that you are in the wine territory of
Apulia, so if you want you have time for a relaxing “wine stop. Later you may proceed again to west and reach Gallipoli where you will arrive after driving for
approximately 35 Km. Gallipoli is the real Salento Coast pearl. The city is divided into two parts: the Borgo, which is the new part of the city, and the Historic
Centre built on an island of limestone and connected to the mainland via an arched bridge. Even though there are churches, castles and monuments, the entire
historic centre of Gallipoli perched on the island is probably the main reason to visit the area. The small island is 1.5 km wide and is characterised by a mix of
converging alleys and little streets. The walls, the embankments and the towers that have defended the city for centuries from invaders, today are the protection
against heavy seas and give the city a unique charm, attracting visitors from all over the world. The Cathedral, in pure Baroque style, contains paintings and
internal friezes of particular interest. You can admire an Hellenistic Fountain and, in front of it, the Sanctuary of Madonna del Canneto. Gallipoli features also
magnificent white beaches and crystal seas.
Overnight at the hotel in Lecce.
THE ALTERNATIVE SOUTH – APULIA & BASILICATA
DAY 07 – LECCE / OSTUNI / ALBEROBELLO (103 Km)
Breakfast at the hotel and drive North. After 70 Km, your first stop will be in Ostuni. This is a very important
cultural centre in Salento. The city is located 8 kilometres from the Adriatic coast. Ostuni’s charm lies in the
characteristic white walls of the houses in the old town. All the houses in the historic centre are only painted
using white lime paint. This is why the town is also called "the white town", “the queen of the olive groves"
and the "city of the crib". The entire old town, known as the “Terra” to distinguish it from the more recent
"Marina", is worth a visit. It is presented as collection of age-old buildings coated in white limestone and one
on top of the other. By strolling among any of the streets you will climb to the top of the city where the
Ostuni Cathedral is located. The church is a masterpiece of the Gothic-Romanesque style, and the exterior
façade with its particular rose window will immediately ravish your attention. Close to the Cathedral you can
either have a stop at the panoramic terrace of Largo Castello and then at Piazza della Libertà that separates
the old and the new town. After visiting Ostuni, you will drive again North and discover the beauty of the
Itria Valley. The Valley is characterized by a flourishing vegetation where olive trees stand (Apulia is also
well known in Italy for its delicious olive oil production). The trees are cultivated in “masserie”, small typical
local stone fortresses. This area is also famous throughout the world for its “trulli”, white dry-stone houses
with conical roofs made of lapidary stones. After 33 Km from Ostuni, you will arrive in Alberobello. Check
in at the hotel (if possible you will be accommodated in the typical “trulli” or “masserie” in order to let you
experience the life inside one of these unique constructions) and then free time to visit the city centre. Thanks
to the recognition as a world heritage by UNESCO in 1996, Alberobello is the “heart” of the Itria Valley. The
most typical parts of the town include the Monti district, comprising 1030 trulli on a hillside; it has some of
the oldest buildings still very well preserved. The tallest trullo in the area, Trullo Sovrano, is on two floors
and houses a museum. The roofs of the trulli are embellished with decorations and pinnacles of various
shapes, often symbolising religious signs or signs of the zodiac. Another important site is the Church of San
Antonio and the Basilica Minore dei Santi Medici, housing pictures of Madonna di Loreto and the twin
saints Cosma and Damiano. Overnight at the hotel in Alberobello.
DAY 08 – ALBEROBELLO
Breakfast in hotel and end of our services.
RATES PER PERSON
OPTION A - 4* ACCOMMODATION
01Jan17 – 24Mar17 25Mar17 – 20Apr17 21Apr17 – 14Jul17
01Nov17 – 23Dec17
01Sep17 – 31Oct17
Sgl
Dbl
Tpl
€ 1.025,00
€ 670,00 p.p.
O.R.
€ 1.120,00
€ 735,00 p.p.
O.R.
€ 1.200,00
€ 790,00 p.p.
O.R.
OPTION B - 3* ACCOMMODATION
01Jan17 – 24Mar17 25Mar17 – 20Apr17 21Apr17 – 14Jul17
01Nov17 – 23Dec17
01Sep17 – 31Oct17
Sgl
Dbl
Tpl
€ 855,00
€ 530,00 p.p.
O.R.
€ 860,00
€ 550,00 p.p.
O.R.
€ 890,00
€ 570,00 p.p.
O.R.
HOTELS:
BARI.: 3* Hotel BOSTON or similar
4* Hotel VILLA ROMANAZZI or similar.
MANFREDONIA: 3* Hotel GABBIANO or similar
4* REGIO HOTEL MANFREDI or sim.
MATERA: 3* Hotel IN PIETRA or similar
4* Hotel S. ANGELO or similar
LECCE: 3* Hotel EOS or similar
4* Hotel S. CHIARA or similar
ALBEROBELLO: 3* Hotel LANZILLOTTA or similar
4* Hotel LA CHIUSA DI CHIETRI or sim.
15Jul17 – 31Aug17
€ 1.215,00
€ 805,00 p.p.
O.R.
15Jul17 – 31Aug17
€ 935,00
€ 590,00 p.p.
O.R.
RATES INCLUDE:
- 7 nights accommodations in b/b basis (1 night in Bari,
2 nights in Manfredonia, 1 night in Matera, 2 nights in
Lecce and 1 night in Alberobello) – General information
on destination
RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Car Rental – Entrance fees to churches, museums and
momuments – Eventual parking fees – Anything not
mentioned in “Rates Include”
** FOR ITINERARIES BETWEEN 2 SEASONS AND DURING “FIERA DEL LEVANTE” IN BARI (10 / 20 September)
RATES ARE ON REQUEST **
CHD POLICY (All Year): 0/2 Free, 03/05 reduction 50% on dbl rate (max 1 child sharing room with 2 adults) - Cot Suppl. O.R.