Puglia the Heel of Italy

8 days from £1095

Bari • Castel del Monte • Trani • Egnazia • Torre Canne • Alberobello • Castellana Caves • Matera • Valley d'Itria • Lecce • Otranto

This holiday includes 7 breakfasts and 5 evening meals

The traditional and still relatively undiscovered region of Puglia beckons with countless examples of striking architecture and a relaxed culture to suit even the most laidback of lifestyles. Journeys made by the Greeks and Romans have left their footprint on the ‘Heel of Italy’ and you will marvel at the Romanesque churches and Baroque towns that intersperse thriving vineyards and abundant olive groves. Saunter along winding cobbled streets, absorbing the ambiance of Alberobello and explore the city of Bari, with the Cathedral of St Nicholas as its centrepiece. We have put together an enticing ensemble of historical visits and opportunities to experience the local culture, to enthral even the most seasoned of Italian travellers and to make sure that when it comes to choosing a holiday destination, Puglia will be your Achilles heel.DAY 1 LONDON • BARI
We begin with Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service™ to London Gatwick Airport for your direct scheduled British Airways flight to Bari Airport. On arrival we board our coach to the Nicotel Hotel in Barletta where we enjoy a welcome drink and evening dinner is included tonight.

DAY 2 CASTEL DEL MONTE • TRANI
We depart for a guided tour of Castel Del Monte, a medieval hilltop village with a castle as its crown and which dominates the long and low Puglian stretch of limestone plateau. Built by Frederick II in the mid-13th century, most probably as a hunting lodge. The area of Castel Del Monte is also well known for its wine production and you will have the chance to sample some of Puglia's best wines during a tour of a winery. In the afternoon we visit Trani, a charming coastal town, which showcases some of the finest Romanesque architecture in Puglia, including the beautiful Cathedral that dates back to 1096. The rest of the day is at leisure, then we return to our hotel. Dinner is included this evening.

DAY 3 BARI • EGNAZIA • TORRE CANNE
Today we first travel to Bari, which is the region's capital, important for its strategically located port and its Byzantine roots. In the Old Town, very much reminiscent of the Middle East, you will find St Nicholas' Cathedral, which is dedicated to the city's patron, St Nicholas of Myra, whose remains were taken from the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, now known as Turkey, in the late 2nd century. Later we arrive in Egnazia where the ancient city of Gnathia once existed. A guided visit to the archaeological park and entrance to its museum will provide you with a deeper insight into Puglia's rich history, which has been influenced by other civilizations for centuries. Excavation, which only began in 1912, has uncovered the Romanisation of this area, yet traces of Puglia's Greek heritage still remain. A mosaic depicting the Greek Goddesses of Charm, Beauty and Nature (the Three Graces) is now on display in the museum, as well as pieces of colourful Gnathia pottery. We pass the town of Monopoli and then continue to our hotel, the Hotel Del Levante in Torre Canne, our base for the next three nights. You will be greeted with a welcome drink at the hotel and also enjoy dinner here tonight.

DAY 4 ALBEROBELLO • CASTELLANA CAVES
Confined to this corner of Puglia and dominating the landscape are the typical trulli houses - circular, conical-roofed, white-washed houses, often adorned with various symbols and built without the use of mortar. Their origin is still unknown but a high concentration of trulli can be found in and around the town of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With over 1,500 dotting the narrow streets, we have time to explore these unique constructions. The Castellana Caves are a series of limestone caves accidentally discovered in 1938 and today one of Puglia's main attractions. After descending to a large cavern named La Grave, you will enjoy a guided tour. This evening we have dinner at a local masseria or farmhouse to enjoy some dishes that are typical of the region before returning to our hotel.

DAY 5 MATERA • VALLEY D'ITRIA
Today we travel to the distinctive town of Matera, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, due to the unique cave dwellings that remain there. Monks created this maze of living spaces and churches as they sought refuge from infidels at the end of the first Millennium and miraculously they are still largely intact. Later in the afternoon, we enjoy a visit to a local olive oil estate, where the local production can be sampled in much the same way as a wine tasting. We will also visit the Valley d'Itria that extends as far as Locorotondo, like a fertile lawn laced with vineyards, olive groves and the characteristic trulli structures, before returning to our hotel.

DAY 6 LECCE
En route to Lecce today we follow the old Appian Way. On arrival, we have included a guided tour to introduce you to this glorious city, with its opulent and intricate Renaissance and Baroque churches and palazzi that exude a real charm. These wonderful buildings are enhanced by the warm yellow tones of the local masonry and, as the setting sun casts the last rays of the day, the sandstone turns to hues of soft pink. In the afternoon we arrive at the Hotel President in Lecce, where we stay for the next two nights. A welcome drink is included.

DAY 7 OTRANTO
After breakfast we make our way to the most eastern city in Italy, Otranto, where we have arranged a morning guided tour. We will see the magnificent Romanesque Cathedral that houses a vast mosaic floor dating back to 1166, depicting a multicoloured ‘Tree of Life’ amongst other scenes of myths and legends. Otranto was home to early Greek settlements and later became a Byzantine stronghold. We make a brief stop at Cistercense monastery before we return to our hotel for our included dinner.

DAY 8 LECCE • BARI • LONDON
Today we board our coach for the journey to Bari airport and your direct British Airways flight to London Gatwick Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan HiTours transport for your journey home to your own front door.Duration 8 days, 7 nights in hotels: 2 Barletta, 3 Torre Canne, 2 Lecce.

Titan HiTours VIP Home Departure Service™

Check-in service by Titan staff.

Scheduled British Airways flights

Services of an experienced Titan HiTours tour manager

First class air-conditioned coaching with experienced drivers.

Accommodation as specified or of a similar standard.

Excursions, tours and entrances as detailed in itineraries

Hotel porterage (1 bag per person).

All airport taxes, security charges and UK Air Passenger Duty and applicable fuel surcharges.

Meals: Breakfast on days 2-8 & Dinner on days 1-4 and 7

Celebration offer - free bottle of wine or flowers (Valid for 2010 departures only)