DAY 1 - Monday, May 6th, 2024

Departure from New York (or from another airport upon request with cost evaluation), Airline and time to be determined.

DAY 2 - Tuesday, May 7th, 2024

MORNING

Arrival in Bari and transfer to the hotel.
Complimentary aperitif at the hotel with tastings of local typical products.

AFTERNOON

Guided walk in the historic center of Bari.
Along the way, we can admire Piazza Federico II of Swabia with two arches on the sides, the San Sabino Cathedral, razed to the ground by William the Wicked in 1256 and later rebuilt, Carmine Street, one of the busiest streets in the city leading to the Basilica of San Nicola (see photo), a grand example of Romanesque architecture, the Church of San Marco dei Veneziani dedicated to the Venetians who helped Bari drive out the Saracens. Finally, along Via Venezia, which provides a panoramic view of the city, we reach Piazza Mercantile.

EVENING

Welcome dinner with a typical Apulian menu, featuring “orecchiette” with turnip greens, in the festive atmosphere of San Nicola.

DAY 3 - Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

FULL-DAY TRIP

The tour first takes us to Polignano a Mare, the birthplace of Domenico Modugno, the author of the famous song “Nel blu dipinto di blu” known worldwide. Polignano is characterized by its white houses overlooking the deep blue sea and its old town perched on a high cliff above the sea.
Its history tells us that it was the seat of the Greek colony of Neapolis. We continue with a visit to the Castellana Caves (see photo), discovered in 1936, which we explore with a specialized guide to discover this incredible natural spectacle. We conclude our journey with another gem of this region, Alberobello, famous worldwide for its trulli, a unique village that attracts tourists looking for a fairytale landscape.

Return to the hotel and participation in the San Nicola festivities in Bari, with a stroll along the characteristic Bari waterfront and dinner in a local restaurant featuring regional specialties.

DAY 4 - Thursday, May 9th, 2024

MORNING

Visit to the fish market (see photo) located near the port, a lively and authentic place where fishermen display their catch.
Visit to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF SANTA SCOLASTICA.
Inside the medieval Benedictine monastery of Santa Scolastica, you will find the Archaeological Museum of Bari. The collection of works on display provides a broad perspective on the architectural, archaeological, artistic, and historical values that make the Old Town unique.
The restoration of the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Scolastica, a complex project started in 2011 and inaugurated on June 30, 2022, houses the historic collection of the PROVINCIAL MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES of Bari, an institution founded in the late 19th century.

AFTERNOON

San Nicola festivities continue.

EVENING

Participation in the social Pizzica dance with dinner.

DAY 5 - Friday, May 10th, 2024

FULL-DAY TRIP

A tour of high-quality food products that distinguish Puglia, visiting three towns known for their specialties: Gioia del Colle for dairy processing, particularly mozzarella; Altamura, renowned for its hard durum wheat bread with unparalleled taste; and Bitonto, famous for olive production and known as the city of olives, with numerous olive groves producing a particular variety called “Cima di Bitonto”, from which a highly prized extra virgin olive oil is produced. Tastings will be offered at local establishments for each of these food products.

A stop at Castel del Monte (see photo), with its octagonal shape, can be enjoyed along the way. This fortress was built by Frederick II of Swabia and is an example of medieval architecture that harmoniously blends classical architectural elements with typical Arab decorations.

Return to the hotel for dinner after the tour.

DAY 6 - Saturday, May 11st, 2024

MORNING

Transfer to Lecce with a stop in Ostuni, known as the White City for its dazzling white stone buildings, whitewashed houses, and cobblestone streets. It is considered one of the most charming destinations in all of Puglia. It’s just a few kilometers from the magnificent Adriatic Sea.

AFTERNOON

Guided tour of Lecce, famous for its baroque-style buildings. In the central Piazza del Duomo, you’ll find the Lecce Cathedral with a double facade and a bell tower. The Basilica of Santa Croce is characterized by sculptures and a rose window. Nearby are the Column of Sant’Oronzo, from Roman times, which hosts a bronze statue of the city’s patron saint, and the Roman amphitheater (see photo), located below street level.

EVENING

Dinner featuring local cuisine.

DAY 7 - Sunday, May 12nd, 2024

FULL-DAY TRIP

Visit to Gallipoli (see photo), known as the “Beautiful City,” boasting a rich and fascinating history, a picturesque historic center, and golden beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. From historic churches to local markets and seafood restaurants, every corner of Gallipoli has something unique to offer. Additionally, a visit to Otranto, considered the easternmost town in Italy, with a wonderful old town within defensive walls that still bear signs and symbols of various dominations that have passed through. It was invaded by the Turks in 1480, who landed on the so-called “Baia dei Turchi,” one of the most beautiful beaches in Puglia, and conquered the city. The historic center of Otranto, in addition to being included in the “Most Beautiful Villages of Italy” club, has also been recognized as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site and Messenger of Peace.

Return to the hotel with dinner featuring local cuisine.

DAY 8 - Monday, May 13rd, 2024

FULL-DAY TRIP

Visit to the CERAMICS MUSEUM of Grottaglie housed in the Episcopio Castle. It is the most important museum in Puglia dedicated to the art of ceramics, representing the combination of this ancient art with the town of Grottaglie. The museum currently features five different sections to explore. A city tour includes visits to characteristic shops showcasing their artistic productions. There will be a meeting with the museum director to discuss the artisanal vocation of the region. Additionally, there will be a ceramics workshop (see photo) at one of the artisanal studios.

DAY 9 - Tuesday, May 14th, 2024

FULL-DAY TRIP

A guided tour of the Grecia Salentina with a specialized guide. You’ll visit some of the 11 villages (Calimera, Carpignano Salentino, Castrignano de’ Greci, Corigliano d’Otranto (see photo), Cutrofiano, Martano, Martignano, Melpignano, Soleto, Sternatia, and Zollino) that make up this region and have preserved Greek dialects and traditions, reviving the Griko culture. In recent decades, efforts have been made to preserve and reclaim Griko culture and language, which had nearly been lost since the Norman conquest in the 11th century until the last decades of the previous century. Griko is a language that includes expressions from modern Greek and Neolatin vocabulary, and the Italian parliament has recognized the linguistic minority in the municipalities where Griko is spoken. In Italy, there are two Griko-speaking communities, the Grecìa Salentina and the Bovesia in Calabria, in the Reggio region.

You’ll also visit the MULTIMEDIA MUSEUM of Grecia Salentina in Corigliano d’Otranto, where the most important testimonies of the region are exhibited.

Return in the afternoon for a cooking workshop and dinner.

DAY 10 - Wednesday, May 15th, 2024

MORNING/AFTERNOON

Transfer to Vieste or a Masseria in the area, with a stop in Manduria to visit one of the wineries that produce the famous Primitivo di Manduria wine (see photo), followed by a tasting. Manduria is famous for its red Primitivo wine, located in the upper Ionian Salento, 10 km from the sea. It is strategically located, equidistant from Taranto, Lecce, and Brindisi. Along the way, there will be a stop in Taranto for a guided tour of the historic center, where you can admire the revolving bridge, churches, and significant monuments, Castel Sant’Angelo, known as the Aragonese Castle, and the Doric temple.

EVENING

Arrival in the evening in Vieste at the hotel. After dinner featuring Gargano specialties, take a stroll along the characteristic streets of the village.

DAY 11 - Thursday, May 16th, 2024

FULL-DAY TRIP

Visit to the picturesque village of Mattinata, which boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the Gargano: kilometers of pebbles smoothed by the crystal-clear sea and a lovely array of caves, coves, and small beaches accessible from the sea.
You can choose to visit Manfredonia or continue to San Giovanni Rotondo for those interested.
In Manfredonia, you can see the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore of Siponto, the Swabian-Angevin Castle, and the HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF FIREFIGHTERS AND THE ITALIAN RED CROSS.
The entire museum’s path is filled with memories and rich with testimonies. It’s like taking a leap into the past and being filled with the charm and wonder that we had as children when we looked at this world of heroes with enthusiastic eyes.
In San Giovanni Rotondo, a town in the center of Gargano where Padre Pio from Pietrelcina preached, there’s the Church of Padre Pio (see photo), designed by architect Renzo Piano in 2004. It’s a pilgrimage site for devotees of the Capuchin friar and can accommodate 10,000 people.

Return in the evening to Vieste for dinner.

DAY 12 - Friday, May 17th, 2024

RELAX DAY OR FULL-DAY TRIP

A day of leisure and relaxation in Vieste or a full-day trip to the Tremiti Islands (see photo) with a local guide. The Tremiti Islands are the only Italian archipelago in the Adriatic Sea, located about 12 miles off the coast of Gargano in northern Puglia. The Tremiti Islands are a small piece of paradise thanks to their crystal-clear sea, clean seabed, pleasant climate, pure air, lush vegetation, unspoiled and wild nature, bays, promontories, low sandy coasts, as well as high, rocky cliffs that plummet into the sea.

Farewell dinner with tastings of local specialties before departure.

DAY 13 - Saturday, May 18th, 2024

Transfer to Bari Airport, via private motor coach, for a flight.
Lunch and snack served on board. Same day arrival.