This 8-day self-driving Puglia itinerary to the sunny "heel of the boot", is the most easterly region of Italy. Surrounded by the sea like an island, Puglia offers beautiful beaches and an astonishing historical heritage made of castles, Baroque towns and local architecture as the famous "Trulli".
This roundtrip starts from Lecce, known for its incredible artistic and cultural heritage. Then it's a short drive to Otranto to explore its 15th-century Aragonese Castle and the beautiful 11th-century Otranto Cathedral. Next to the "White City" of Ostuni and Alberobello, stay in one of the quaint white cone-roofed Trulli houses. Enjoy a visit to Monopoli, a splendid little seaside town where you'll find the Castellana Caves nearby, an important speleological complex.
Your last stop is Matera, renowned for its ancient cave dwellings known as 'sassi', one of Italy's most fascinating and iconic images. This 8-day self-driving Puglia itinerary to the sunny "heel of the boot", is the most easterly region of Italy. Surrounded by the sea like an island, Puglia offers beautiful beaches and an astonishing historical heritage made of castles, Baroque towns and local architecture as the famous "Trulli".
This roundtrip starts from Lecce, known for its incredible artistic and cultural heritage. Then it's a short drive to Otranto to explore its 15th-century Aragonese Castle and the beautiful 11th-century Otranto Cathedral. Next to the "White City" of Ostuni and Alberobello, stay in one of the quaint white cone-roofed Trulli houses. Enjoy a visit to Monopoli, a splendid little seaside town where you'll find the Castellana Caves nearby, an important speleological complex.
Your last stop is Matera, renowned for its ancient cave dwellings known as 'sassi', one of Italy's most fascinating and iconic images.
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Highlights of this Trip
Stay in one of the quaint white cone-roofed Trulli houses
Explore heel of the boot on a roadtrip
Visit ancient cave dwellings in Matera
Itinerary
Day 1
Start Your Puglia Itinerary in Lecce
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It's a 2-hour drive from Bari airport to Lecce. Lecce is known for its incredible artistic and cultural heritage capable of capturing the eyes and heart of every visitor. Walking in its submerged streets in the warm and enveloping tones of the Lecce stone, admiring its ancient buildings will give you unique emotions. From the oldest monuments to the most famous squares, from the most beautiful beaches to the most intimate and hidden corners.
Accommodation
Palazzo Rollo★4 star
Activities
LecceOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Bari to Lecce
Destinations
Lecce
Apulia
Day 2
Lecce Sightseeing
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Explore Lecce in your own time. Half concealed beneath Piazza Sant’Oronzo is the long-buried ancient ruin of the Roman Amphitheatre. The amphitheatre is capable of seating 15,000 people and stands as a perfect example of Lecce's ancient origins. A must-see in Lecce is the cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, one of Italy's most beautiful squares. Cafés line the street to the amphitheatre and here you can sit and imagine the activities of a bygone era.
Accommodation
Palazzo Rollo★4 star
Activities
Roman Amphitheatre of LecceOptional Activity
Basilica of Santa CroceOptional Activity
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Lecce
Day 3
Otranto Sightseeing (50 km)
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Otranto is renowned for its 15th-century Aragonese Castle and the beautiful 11th-century Otranto Cathedral. On the harbour, you can climb the Torre Matta Tower to be greeted with panoramic views of the sea. Otranto has a rich and vibrant past as a Greek settlement, a Roman port and later being ruled by the Byzantines, the Normans and the Aragonese. Otranto manages to preserve its ancient atmosphere which you can enjoy as you stroll its maze of alleyways and whitewashed buildings.
Accommodation
Palazzo Rollo★4 star
Activities
OtrantoOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Palazzo Rollo to Otranto
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Lecce
Otranto
Day 4
Drive from Lecce to Ostuni and Alberobello
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Ostuni is known as the White City because of the characteristic colour of its houses. The historic centre of Ostuni, defined by its inhabitants "La Terra", was once entirely painted with white lime, which is only partly preserved today. The houses climb on the steep slopes of a hill and the village is characterized by winding streets, a succession of small squares, alleys and courtyards. After sightseeing, it is a 40-minute drive to Alberobello and stay in one of the quaint Trullo houses.
Accommodation
Charming Trulli
Activities
Ostuni
Cathedral of Ostuni
Transportations
Self-Driving from Palazzo Rollo to Ostuni
Self-Driving from Ostuni to Alberobello
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Lecce
Ostuni
Alberobello
Day 5
Trulli Sightseeing
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Continue your Puglia itinerary to Alberobello, a small UNESCO World Heritage inland village, is renowned for its historic centre of interesting white cone-roofed houses which have made its landscape unique and one of the most interesting in Italy. These limestone dwellings are remarkable examples of prehistoric buildings in this region. They feature two layers of walls to provide insulation, a gutter system to collect rainwater and fireplaces and ovens built into the walls.
Accommodation
Charming Trulli
Activities
Trulli of Alberobello
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Alberobello
Day 6
Visit Monopoli and the Castellana Caves
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Monopoli is a splendid little seaside town, where the white houses contrast with the blue of a sea that invites you to swim. The Castellana Caves are considered the most important speleological complex of Italy and Europe, located about 40 kilometres from Bari, in Apulia and are the result of the erosive action of an ancient underground river that has shaped limestone rock. For this reason, inside the Castellana Caves, you can get lost among the natural tunnels that snake in two paths.
Accommodation
Charming Trulli
Activities
MonopoliOptional Activity
Cathedral Santa Maria delle MadiaOptional Activity
Castle of Monopoli
Grotte di CastellanaOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Trulli of Alberobello to Monopoli
Self-Driving from Monopoli to Alberobello
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Alberobello
Monopoli
Castellana Grotte
Day 7
Matera Sightseeing
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Matera is renowned for its ancient cave dwellings known as 'sassi' and is one of Italy's most fascinating icons. Situated on a rocky outcrop, Matera is made up of a series of caves carved into the mountainside which now house museums, restaurants and bars. One of the most unique and spectacular places in Italy, Matera's remote location has kept it away from the masses which means it maintains its beauty.
Accommodation
Charming Trulli
Activities
Sassi di MateraOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Alberobello to Matera
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Alberobello
Matera
Day 8
End of Your Puglia Itinerary
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Drive back to Lecce and return your rental car.
Transportations
Private Driver from Alberobello to Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Alberobello
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What’s included?
7 nights accommodation
3 activities
7 breakfasts
Entrance fees
What’s not included?
Airport transfer
Alcohol beverages
Domestic flights
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Gratuities
Ground transportation
International flights
Laundry
Licensed English speaking guides
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 5,486/ per traveller sharing
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Benefits of this trip
Italy in 8 days
4-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer