Overview
Unveil other surprising treasures, including the fascinating Castellana Grotte limestone caves, the conical-roofed trulli houses of Alberobello, and Lecce’s Baroque architecture. You’ll also enjoy an excursion to Santa Maria di Leuca with its art nouveau beach huts, and Gallipoli’s underground olive press and winding streets. Your budget-minded holiday in Italy is never short on great food and drink, including the chance to learn about regional specialities on your visit to a Primitivo wine cellar in Manduria and an olive oil tasting session in the countryside.
Before returning to Naples, relax for two nights in Fasano—surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Your affordable Italy tour of the Apulia region of Italy ends where it began—in Naples—where authentic Napoli pizza and espresso coffee await your return!
Itinerary
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring Naples, one of the oldest continuouslyinhabited cities in the world. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. (D)
The guided sightseeing tour this morning gives you an introduction to the eventful history of this city and its vibrant traditions. Depart Naples and travel into Apulia, the legendary "heel" of Italy. Stop to visit Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 13th century by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, and renowned for its unique octagonal shape. Continue to the Adriatic coastline for an orientation tour of the beautiful port city of Bari. Today's Distance: 204 mi/ 328 km (B)
Experience the famous limestone caves of Castellana Grotte. This impressive system is a wonderland of captivating stalactites, stalagmites, and crystallized mineral deposits. Next stop is Alberobello, renowned for its distinct conical-roofed "Trulli" houses. Follow the coastline to lovely Lecce, the "Florence of the South." Today's Distance: 107 mi/ 173 km (B)
On your included excursion to Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost tip of Apulia, discover art nouveau villas and beach huts from the early 20th century. On to Gallipoli, an ancient Greek city built on an island in the Ionian Sea. Enjoy the Old Town with its quaint ambiance, winding streets, and inviting squares. Discover Frantoio Ipogeo, an underground olive press buried in the tufa rock. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, workers pressed Gallipoli's olive oil, and used it to light the city's oil lamps. Return to Lecce. Time to marvel at its opulent Baroque buildings. Today's Distance: 130 mi/ 210 km (B)
On to Manduria, situated in the rural wine-growing region. Visit a wine cellar and get to taste some of the typical Primitivo wine. Next stop is Ostuni, only 42 miles from Greece, characterized by its flat-roofed, white, Greek-looking town centre. Overnight in Fasano, a peaceful town surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, not far from the Adriatic Sea. Today's Distance: 109 mi/ 175 km (B/D)
Today is free to do as you like. Maybe join the optional excursion to Matera and Altamura. The impressive "rock city" of Matera is home to the prehistoric sassi cave dwellings, while a guided tour of Altamura reveals the amazing stone-clad city, with free time afterwards to stroll through the Old Town on your own. (B/D)
Puglia is famous for its olive trees and, this morning, you'll visit a traditional olive mill. Taste some genuine olive oil, enjoy a light lunch, and stroll around the groves. Later, travel back to Naples for a chance to treat yourself to a real espresso coffee shot or the most authentic pizza. Today's Distance: 199 mi/ 320 km (B/L)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- 7 Breakfasts
- 1 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- Naples Holiday Inn Napoli (First-Class)
- Bari B&B Hotel Bari (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Lecce Eos (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Fasano Sierra Silvana (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Enjoy inside visits to Europe's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their holidays, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (3) Most Recent 'Apulia, the Heel of Italy' Reviews
Optional tour - "Apulian Delights" Farm Fresh Dinner & Pizzzica Show - I had expected that going to a farm we would be shown around the farm itself, but we were just given a short tour of the farm buildings and a brief history, followed by a dinner made from farm fresh ingredients, with about 3/4 hour of music & local dances - guests were encouraged to join in the dancing. Although I enjoyed the evening, I felt it was a bit pricey for what it was.
Optional tour - Caves of Matera with Altamura - took 2 hours to drive there, but the countryside was pretty on the way there. I enjoyed the walking tour of Matera to see the ancient cave houses, (we even saw a movie being made there), but felt that the walking tour of Altamura was a bit of a let down. I very much enjoyed the day, and felt this tour was worth the money.
The accommodation on the tour was fairly good, except for the location of the Holiday Inn in Naples - it's in the central business district, which isn't in a very pleasant area, with empty and derelict buildings surrounding it, and no food shops anywhere near. If you're a solo traveller I wouldn't recommend walking to the railway station on your own. Naples is very dirty, with garbage and graffiti absolutely everywhere, so except for using Naples as a base for visiting Pompeii, I personally wouldn't recommend spending much time there.
Cosmos no longer pay for portage, so you have to take your own suitcase to and from the bus each day, so I recommend you don't have a big or heavy one. Our coach driver was very good and I felt safe in his hands, as he maneuvered the huge bus through tiny streets and tight corners in the old towns. Our tour guide hasn't being doing it for very long, and to me it showed, (other tour members agreed with me). Unfortunately she wasn't as flexible as she should have been with passengers who requested a bathroom stop, or those who were struggling doing all the walking.
All in all an interesting and enjoyable tour, but not the best Cosmos tour I've been on. Thanks to Tracey for helping me organise the trip. I look forward to booking my next tour through Global Journeys again.
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Cosmos. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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