Matera & PUGLIA Experience

Day 1 – Bari, the capital of Puglia
The old town preserves the history of the city, surronded by a boundary wall of which only the side on the sea now remanis, “La Muraglia”, which was lapped by the sea till 1930.
Proceeding along the wall, you reach the wonderful Basilica of San Nicola, a great romanesque church which hosts in the crypt the bones of the Saint stolen from Myra.
Leaving the Basilica, you reach later the Cathedral of San Sabino with its monastery.
Bari Vecchia is even really unique for the small streets lined with women who are skilled in the art of making orecchiette pasta by hand.
Their speed and precision will amaze you and you’ll have the opportunity to try yourself, bringing home the freshsest orecchiette you can find.
Transfer to Itria Valley for accomodation in a Luxury Masseria. Dinner and overnight

Day 2 – The Itria Valley
Breakfast and departure to the Itria Valley where, bathed in light and in the quiet of the countryside, we will be enchanted by the characteristic Trulli, by the beautiful olive groves and by the white farms, surrounded by stone walls and often fortified with towers and bastions.
We will not miss a visit to Alberobello, the capital town of Trulloes and a UNESCO’s world heritage site.
Transfer to Ostuni, the white town, so named for its distinctive façade of the houses whitewashed to defend in the past themselves from the plague.
During the day, visit of an old oilmill with small tasting of olive oil and private light lunch under millenary olive trees.
Back to your Masseria. Dinner on own and overnight

Day 3 – Lecce and Otranto
Today we travel South to reach Lecce, a baroque jewel.
Along the narrow streets of the old town, we will be astonished by the sumptuous Baroque facades, ancient walls and gates of the city, the remains of a Roman amphitheater, Piazza Oronzo and Piazza Duomo.
Private visit of a historic building in the center to discover the history of the family and to taste an aperitif with the owner.
In the afternoon, let’s take the opportunity to get to Otranto, steeped in the East.
Outpost of Western domination, Otranto was often conquered by the Turks, of whom we still feel the ancient domination thaks to the architecture.
The Aragonese Castle, the Cathedral of the martyrs, which houses the skulls of martyrs killed by the Turks in 1480, Porta Terra, … are backdrop to the masterpiece of the small village.
Back to your Masseria. Dinner on own and overnight

Day 4 – Matera, the town of cave dwellings
An unusual itinerary into the Sassi district, a UNESCO Heritage Site, discovering the hidden town.
From Piazza Vittorio Veneto you will admire the view of the Sasso Barisano and hypogeum surroundings.
Visit the exterior of the Romanesque Cathedral (1270) whose impressive facade is embellished by a beautiful rose window.
From the top of Civita, the ancient medieval town surrounded by tall bastions and aristocratic buildings, the tour takes you down into the Sasso Caveoso following a scenic route that winds around stairways, squares and alleys that often run along rooftops.
The tour stops off at Casa Grotta, a small museum dedicated to the farming population, and the rock church of Santa Lucia alle Malve (11th C.).
Lunch in a cave restaurant in Sassi districts.
Luxury accommodation in a boutique hotel in Sassi districts. 

Accommodation in Matera. Dinner on own and overnight

Day 6 – Flying on a balloon
Wake up early today to experience one of the most special experiences ever: a balloon flight.
We will be able to admire the land of the ravines from above, indented by deep furrows carved by the sea, or we will be able to reach the Ionian coast, or even the spectacular valley of the badlands, which recalls a lunar landscape.
Breakfast in a luxury farm to relax then by the pool.
Transfer to the park of the rock churches for a short walk and return to the city.
Relax and exclusive dinner in a selected restaurant.
Alternatively, we can spend a day cycling with a guided tour up to Montescaglioso, a delightful center of the Matera hill famous for an ancient Benedictine abbey.
Overnight in Matera

Day 7 – Monopoli and Polignano 

After breakfast we move to Monopoli and visit of the medioeval centre, that boasts an extraordinary number of churches and convents.
Breakfast and departure for Monopoli, from the evident traces of the commercial role that the port in Venetian style carried out in the past centuries.
Transfer to Polignano a mare for a walk in the historic center with beautiful terraces overlooking the sea. fish lunch in a renowned restaurant.
Transfer to Bari airport.
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