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13-Day Venice to Apulia via Bologna and Urbino

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Overview

This is a journey through food culture and history, discovering some of the unique UNESCO sites in Italy at each destination. Starting from the romantic Venice, where your guide will take you to see the city from the Canal Grande, you’ll proceed to the foodie capital of Italy, Bologna. Here, you’ll have the chance to taste local specialities and experience Italian culinary Heritage.

You will then explore one of the most precious hidden gems in Italy, Urbino, listed as a UNESCO site and the birthplace of Raphael. Then you will proceed to the world-famous region of Apulia, dotted by olive trees and whitewashed houses. Discover the Barocco leccese and the Sassi di Matera, as well as Alberobello’s Trulli. The tour ends in the unmissable Rome, the Eternal City, a city that will cast a spell on you with its Grande Bellezza.

This tour is a mix of the most iconic and off-the-beaten-path destinations; it includes gastronomy experiences based on local cuisine and products to offer you authentically Italian travel experiences and share our century-old culinary traditions.

This itinerary is based on train travel and other forms of public transport to encourage guests to travel like locals, for immersion in Italian daily life and a more sustainable travel style.
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Beach & Sea

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Venice, Grand Canal Tour

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Arrival in Venice, Grand Canal Tour

Upon arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport, you will meet your private water taxi to take you to your hotel and check in. Later, you will join a tour along the Grand Canal. On this tour, you will explore the quaint waterways, with their many picture-perfect bridges on the quieter side of Venice. Your local and friendly guide will entertain you with stories of the palaces and their owners. The facades of these stunning buildings are only visible from the water and were built to be most appealing from that viewpoint.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Continental Venice4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Grand Canal Tour of Venice

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Boat from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Hotel Continental Venice

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Venice

Day 2

Murano and Burano islands

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Murano and Burano islands

Today you will discover the lagoon of Venice and its most beautiful islands by joining a tour of the Venetian lagoon and its most famous island. You will then head to Burano, famous for the colourful houses of the fishermen, who, according to legend, have painted their houses with bright colours to be able to recognise them in the typical local fog. In Murano, you will see a demonstration on the modelling of glass by the glassblowing masters who will give life to vases, glasses and many other beautiful objects from the local tradition.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Continental Venice4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Murano and Burano Island Tour

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Venice

Day 3

Travel to Bologna and Private Food Walking Tour

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Travel to Bologna and Private Food Walking Tour

Today, you will discover Bologna, a city rich in history, education, art and culture, in this private walking tour. Your knowledgeable and passionate guide will take you to all the main attractions like Piazza del Nettuno, the San Petronio Basilica, and the city's iconic towers, Torre Asinelli and Torre La Garisenda. Your private guide will share these medieval skyscrapers' local tales and history. Finally, the tour stops at the ancient and mesmerizing Quadrilateral Market, where you will have the chance to taste some delicious samples of Emilia Romagna cuisine.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel NH Bologna De La Gare4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bologna Private Walking Tour

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Venice to Bologna

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Venice

    Bologna

Day 4

FICO Eataly World – Full Day Entrance

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FICO Eataly World – Full Day Entrance

This morning depart to a gourmet adventure at FICO Eataly World and discover the incredible Italian food heritage. After breakfast, make your way to the FICO shuttle bus stop, very near your hotel, and you’ll be there in a few minutes. In just one place, you can learn about the culture, traditions, and craftsmanship that make Italian food the most famous in the world. Experience this unique park as you prefer: wine and food tastings, tours to explore crops, animals, and factories, classes, multimedia rides, and restaurants. You will take the shuttle back and return to your hotel at the end of the day.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel NH Bologna De La Gare4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    FICO Eataly World

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Bologna

Day 5

Travel to Urbino, and Private Walking Tour

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Travel to Urbino, and Private Walking Tour

After breakfast, you will board your local train to Pesaro and then private transfer to your hotel in the idyllic countryside nearby Urbino. Later, you will depart for a private walking tour of the charming Urbino, whose city centre is listed in UNESCO heritage sites and the birthplace of Raphael di Sanzio, one of Italy’s most prolific Renaissance artists. Follow your private guide across fascinating places in the historic centre of Urbino. Finally, you will reach Fortezza Park for a final breathtaking panoramic view of the architecture at the centre and the hills and mountains surrounding it.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Residenza Ambrogi Luxury Suites Urbino

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Urbino Walking Tour

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Bologna to Pesaro

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Bologna

    Urbino

Day 6

Morning at Leisure, Travel to Apulia

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Morning at Leisure, Travel to Apulia

Enjoy the morning at your leisure in the lovely Urbino countryside or enjoy some more time in the enchanting city centre, strolling pebbled alleys and shopping for local products. In the afternoon, you will board your train to Bari. Once there, private transfer to your hotel in the heart of the Apulian countryside, one of Italy's loveliest undiscovered gems. You will be immersed in an oasis of a classically Mediterranean natural beauty, spangled with white rural buildings. You will undoubtedly take pleasure in its facilities, shut the world off and delve into the peaceful countryside.

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    Accommodation

    Borgo dei Lecci Puglia

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free time in Urbino

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Pesaro to Bari

    Private Driver from Bari to Fasano

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Urbino

    Selva di Fasano

Day 7

Self-Guided Excursion to Alberobello

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Self-Guided Excursion to Alberobello

After breakfast, you will take a private transfer to the town of Alberobello, famous for its Trulli, a circular 14th-century limestone building with a characteristic conical roof. Thanks to the 1,500 Trulli located inside the city, Alberobello is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy time at leisure and stroll through the fairytale-like town, whose homes are used for shops, restaurants, or lodging for tourists, while others are privately owned homes. Don’t miss the church of St. Anthony and indulge yourself in local shopping. You can have lunch at a typical trattoria and return to your hotel by private transfer. 


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    Accommodation

    Borgo dei Lecci Puglia

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Trulli of Alberobello

    Church of Saint Anthony of Padua

    Free Time in Alberobello

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Borgo dei Lecci Puglia to Alberobello

    Private Driver from Alberobello to Borgo dei Lecci Puglia

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Selva di Fasano

    Alberobello

Day 8

Day Trip to Matera and Private Walking Tour

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Day Trip to Matera and Private Walking Tour

In the morning, you will jump in a private transfer to the hilltop city of Matera, where you'll enjoy a walking tour of the Sassi. This is a well-preserved cave home cut into the soft rock, considered to be some of Italy's first human settlements and for this, is it listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
Your professional guide will take you on an extraordinary journey through History, and you will be amazed by the landscape dotted with civil and religious buildings carved into the rock. This place was inhabited from the Paleolithic era until the first half of the 20th century!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Borgo dei Lecci Puglia

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Sassi di Matera

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Borgo dei Lecci Puglia to Matera

    Private Driver from Province of Matera to Borgo dei Lecci Puglia

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Selva di Fasano

    Matera

Day 9

Day at Leisure in Apulian Countryside

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 Day at Leisure in Apulian Countryside

Enjoy the full day at your leisure, taking pleasure in the peaceful atmosphere of your hotel, immersed in the countryside dotted by olive trees and whitewashed houses, relax at the swimming pool or go for a walk in the enchanting surroundings. Otherwise, you may want to make your way to some of the most famous nearby towns that are just a few kilometres away: Polignano a Mare, perched on a cliff on the Adriatic sea, Locorotondo, one of the most visited towns of Puglia in the heart of the Valle d'Itria and also Ostuni, known as the "white city". This is due to the characteristic white colour dominating the ancient city centre.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Borgo dei Lecci Puglia

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    Activities

    Polignano a Mare

    Locorotondo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Selva di Fasano

    Polignano a Mare

    Locorotondo

Day 10

Daytrip to Lecce, Private Walking Tour With Food Tasting

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Daytrip to Lecce, Private Walking Tour With Food Tasting

After breakfast, you will take a private transfer to Fasano railway station and reach Lecce by train. Once there, enjoy a guided walking tour of the capital of Salento, famous for its baroque architecture. This guided walking tour will help you find out the artistic beauties, traditions and the typical flavours of Lecce. You will remain enchanted visiting the historic streets with the amazing buildings and the wonderful monuments.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Borgo dei Lecci Puglia

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Leece Walking Tour

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Borgo dei Lecci Puglia to Fasano

    Train from Fasano to Lecce

    Train from Lecce to Fasano

    Private Driver from Fasano to Borgo dei Lecci Puglia

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Selva di Fasano

    Lecce

Day 11

Travel to Rome, and Baroque Rome Walking Tour

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Travel to Rome, and Baroque Rome Walking Tour

You will take a private transfer from your hotel to Bari and board your train to Rome in the morning. After checking in at your hotel, you will discover the beauty and power of Baroque Rome on a guided walking tour. You will then take an unforgettable promenade through the delightful Centro Storico, including the beautiful Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. This is the most impressive and best-preserved ancient Roman building, an archetype of modern architecture.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bettoja Hotel Massimo d'Azeglio4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Baroque Rome Walking Tour

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Borgo dei Lecci Puglia to Bari

    Train from Bari to Rome

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Selva di Fasano

    Rome

Day 12

Colosseum Tour

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Colosseum Tour

Skip the line and discover the secrets of the most famous monument in the world: the Colosseum - an icon of Rome! After departing from the Colosseum, you will visit its surrounding ruins, including the Palatine Hill with the Roman Forum archaeological area. From above Palatine Hill, make sure you have your camera ready!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bettoja Hotel Massimo d'Azeglio4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Colosseum, Roman Forums and Palatine Hill

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rome

Day 13

Arrivederci!

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Arrivederci!

It’s time to say goodbye! You will meet your driver who will take you to the airport for your return flight.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bettoja Hotel Massimo d'Azeglio to Rome Airport Inn

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rome

Included in Price

  • 12 nights accommodation
  • 15 activities
  • 12 breakfasts
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits

Notes

Also included:
-Medical insurance
-Carbon offset to make your tour carbon neutral.
-Your Italian Friend 24/7 concierge assistance
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