Puglia: Salento history, nature and culture

Day 01: ARRIVAL IN LECCE

The journey begins on Day 1 in Lecce, the capital of Baroque. Upon arrival at Brindisi and transfer, you will start a leisurely guided tour of the city. Highlights include the Roman Amphitheatre, Piazza Sant'Oronzo, the Cathedral and Archbishop's Palace, and the magnificent Church of Santa Croce. You will have free time for a Lecce street food lunch and a recommended walk after dinner.

Day 02: LECCE - MELENDUGNO - OTRANTO - TORCITO - LECCE

Day 2 begins with a departure from Lecce towards Otranto, Italy's most easterly point. On the way, you will stop to admire the natural pool of the Grotta della Poesia in Melendugno. In Otranto, a mythical walled city, you will have a guided tour of the center, including the Castle and the Cathedral, which houses the skulls of 800 martyrs. In the afternoon, you will make an archaeological visit to the Masseria di Torcito in the Lecce countryside before returning to Lecce for the overnight stay.

Day 03: LECCE - PRESICCE - GALLIPOLI - ALBEROBELLO

Day 3 starts with a departure from Lecce to Presicce, an incredible village where you will discover the underground city and its ancient olive oil mills. You will then continue to Gallipoli, a charming sunset-side town. You will explore its fishing harbor, the mixture of narrow alleys and squares of the fortified old town, the Aragonese Castle, the Duomo, and the Chiesa della Purità. The day concludes with a transfer to Alberobello (with a possible lookout over the Porto Selvaggio coastal park) for dinner and an overnight stay in a typical trullo.

Day 04: ALBEROBELLO - LOCOROTONDO - OSTUNI - POLIGNANO A MARE

Day 4 starts in Alberobello, home to around 1000 impressive trulli (conical dry-stone houses). You will then continue to Locorotondo, a beautiful "rounded town" that offers a stunning view of a mosaic of vineyards and trulli. The journey continues to Ostuni, the "White City," a medieval town of bleached houses perched atop a hill, where you will visit Piazza della Libertà. You will then move on to Polignano a Mare to end the evening with an overnight stay.

Day 05: POLIGNANO A MARE - GROTTE DI CASTELLANA (OPTIONAL) - EVENING FLIGHT FROM BARI

Day 5 is spent visiting and relaxing in Polignano a Mare, with its well-preserved historic center perched on limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic. With an evening flight/train/bus from Bari, you have the option (not included, but bookable) to visit the beautiful Grotte di Castellana before heading to Bari airport or station, concluding your journey.