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8-Day Self-Drive South of Puglia and Matera

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Overview

Discover the best spots in southern Puglia and explore Matera's unique cave dwellings on this self-drive tour.

Your trip to Puglia begins in Bari, the regional capital. You'll wander the streets of Alberobello, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its famous Trulli— cone-shaped, whitewashed houses that are unique to this part of Italy.

From there, you'll travel to Matera, famed for its sassi , or cave dwellings, and explore the Lucanian Dolomites. You'll continue on to the Salento Peninsula, stopping at Lecce, the provincial capital, and using Otranto as a base for your explorations of the tip of the peninsula and the area's crystal-clear beaches.

Along the way, you can hike, swim, or simply relax and enjoy views of some of southern Italy's most iconic towns and landscapes.
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Beach & Sea
Hiking & Trekking
Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Italy!

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Welcome to Italy!

Arrive in Bari and pick up your rental car at the airport. Drive towards the historic centre of Bari to kick-off your trip and take some time to explore this pretty port city. Stroll through Bari Vecchia's cobbled streets and discover architectural beauties such as the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the Cathedral of Saint Sabinus, and the Petruzzelli Theater, Italy's fourth-largest theatre. Then, head southeast through the Puglian countryside to Alberobello; the drive will take around one hour.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Sant' Antonio3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Bari

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla to Bari

    Rental Car from Bari to Alberobello

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bari

    Alberobello

Day 2

Alberobello Village of the Trulli

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Alberobello Village of the Trulli

After breakfast today you'll discover Alberobello, the village of the trulli. These small buildings with conical roofs served as housing for peasants and agricultural workers and are still lived in today. In the afternoon you have several sightseeing options. You can rent bicycles and explore the Itria Valley, visit the Castellana Caves with its underground cavities, wander around the beautiful village of Locorotondo or visit the white city of Ostuni. The choice is yours!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Sant' Antonio3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Trulli of Alberobello

    LocorotondoOptional Activity

    Grotte di CastellanaOptional Activity

    OstuniOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Alberobello

    Locorotondo

    Castellana Grotte

    Ostuni

Day 3

UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera

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UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera

Today, you'll take the road towards Matera, located in the Basilicata region, bordering Puglia. On arrival, you set off to explore this magnificent city and its "sassi", cave dwellings dug into the rock, in a veritable labyrinth of winding alleys. Designated European Capital of Culture in 2019, it is considered one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. It is advisable that you to hire a local guide to make the most of the beauties of this unique city. It is unforgettable.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Sant' Antonio3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Matera

    Sassi di Matera

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Alberobello to Matera

    Rental Car from Matera to Alberobello

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Alberobello

    Matera

Day 4

Explore de Lucanian Dolomites

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Explore de Lucanian Dolomites

Today you'll drive to Lucanian Dolomites Regional Park in Basilicata to discover two of the most beautiful villages in the region. It will take you about two hours and 15 minutes to reach the park, but it will be worth your time. Pietrapertosa and Castelmezzano seem to spring from the rocky mountain peaks of the Lucanian Dolomites. As you walk the narrow cobbled streets of the villages, you'll discover the rural soul of the region. After your visit, drive three hours to Lecce.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Palazzo Belsanti3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Parco Regionale delle Dolomiti Lucane

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Casa Albergo Sant'Antonio to Dolomiti lucane

    Rental Car from Dolomiti lucane to Province of Lecce

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Alberobello

    Basilicata

    Lecce

Day 5

Sighsteeing in Lecce

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Sighsteeing in Lecce

Today you'll explore Lecce, nicknamed the Florence of the South. This will be a highlight of your trip to Puglia. From its Roman ruins to its baroque masterpieces, this city is an architectural gem. Lecce's baroque style combines mythological creatures, fantastic characters, floral and flamboyant motifs, and, in the most prestigious palaces, proud coats of arms. You'll need to focus on the details to appreciate the dazzling whole.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Palazzo Belsanti3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lecce

    Roman Amphitheatre of LecceOptional Activity

    Basilica of Santa CroceOptional Activity

    Piazza Sant'OronzoOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Lecce

    Apulia

Day 6

Explore Otranto

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Explore Otranto

After breakfast, you'll take the road to Otranto, which is 45 minutes by car from Lecce. Once you arrive, go on a beautiful coastal walk to the Punta Palascia lighthouse, which overlooks the symbolic border between the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea. After your hike you'll be able to go for a dip in the aquamarine waters. In the afternoon, you'll have free time to visit Otranto's medieval historic centre, its Aragonese castle and its cathedral with a colourful mosaic floor.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Masseria L’Uliveto3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Otranto Hike

    Otranto

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Province of Lecce to Otranto

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Lecce

    Otranto

Day 7

Discover Southern Salento

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Discover Southern Salento

Today you'll travel one hour south to the tip of the Salento Peninsula to see the meeting point between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. You'll visit two small towns on the peninsula, Santa Cesarea Terme, known for its thermal baths, and Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost town in Italy. If swimming or relaxing on the beach sounds appealing, Marina di Pescoluse, known as the Maldives of
Salento is your best bet.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Masseria L’Uliveto3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Santa Maria di Leuca

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Otranto to Apulia

    Rental Car from Apulia to Otranto

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Otranto

    Santa Maria di Leuca

Day 8

Drive Back to Bari

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Drive Back to Bari

Today is the final day of your trip to Puglia. It will take you about two hours to drive to the Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport from Lecce, and you'll want to arrive early to turn in your rental car. Depending on your flight time, you could stop en route at Monopoli or Polignano a Mare to stretch your legs and enjoy a cappuccino.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Otranto to Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Otranto

Included in Price

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 8 activities
  • 7 breakfasts
  • Ground transportation

Not Included in Price

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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