• Leisurely exploration of Puglia

• Wonderful Norman architecture at Bari, Trani & its surroundings

• Visit to spectacular Matera in nearby Basilicata

• Stay in Lecce - the jewel of the Salento

• Excellent food and wine

• Explore the pretty towns of the Valle d’Itria & Salento

• Comfortable 4* hotel in central Bari & 5* hotel in historic Lecce

Puglia in ancient times was known as Apulia. Like much of southern Italy and Sicily it was ‘discovered’ by the Greeks who founded several coastal settlements. These were absorbed into the Roman world through conquest in late Republican times. With the end of the Roman Empire, Apulia had to fend for itself, highly prized not just for its agricultural riches of olives, wheat and wine but above all for its ports. These provided access for those who wished to travel to the East. Then there were those who came from the East to invade, primarily the Byzantines and the Arabs; and eventually from the north, the Normans, the first of the many non-Italian dynasties to establish their ‘kingdoms’ in the peninsula's heel.

Whilst warlords, tyrants, nobles and monarchs came and went, the rich land of Puglia played a major part in the wider struggle between popes and emperors which convulsed much of Italy in those times. Who controlled Puglia and from where? In brief answer, no one who lived locally. The Norman de Hauteville dynasty and their German Hohenstaufen successors were both based in Palermo. The French House of Anjou and the ‘Spanish’ Houses of Aragon, Habsburg and Bourbon-Parma were based mostly in Naples. This template of foreign domination from afar is reflected in the buildings and cuisines imported via these dynasties, their viceroys and aristocratic families who settled in Puglia.

Our early autumn visit captures Puglia at its best where we enjoy superb wine, food and some of the south’s loveliest towns; Martina Franca, Trani, Otranto, Ostuni, Alberobello, Lecce and fascinating Matera in nearby Basilicata.

We shall be based in two comfortable hotels to the north and south of the region. The 4* JR Oriente in Bari is an early nineteenth century art nouveau palazzo a few minutes’ walk from Bari’s historical centre. It has a roof garden, bar and bistrot. In Lecce, we stay at the 5* Patria Palace Hotel, ideally situated in the heart of the historic centre where all that we shall see is just a glorious passeggiata away. Puglia has superb local cuisine so we shall eat and drink well. The pace of the visit will be gentle with free time to explore independently.

Day 1: Friday 1 October – We fly from Gatwick to Bari arriving at midday. We transfer the very short distance to Bari and check into the 4* JR Oriente for a three-night stay. After lunch (not included), we shall have a short orientation walk of Bari’s historical centre, visiting two of Puglia’s finest Romanesque buildings: the Cathedral of San Sabino and the Basilica of San Nicola. We pause for time to rest, our first early evening group dinner taking place a short distance away in the old town - wine, water & coffee are included with all group lunches and dinners.

Day 2: Saturday 2 October – This morning through the countryside to visit the enigmatic Castel del Monte, the most important Norman castle in Puglia. Built for Frederick II in 1240, it is unique both in terms of its octagonal plan and its detailing. We continue to the Adriatic coast to Trani, an important port from where many a Crusader set off for the East where we pause for a group lunch in one of Trani’s renowned fish restaurants. In the afternoon, our short walk through this charming port features small churches and medieval palaces of great charm, including Trani’s beautifully articulated cathedral, which we shall visit. We return to the hotel where the evening will be at leisure.

Day 3: Sunday 3 October – Today, we travel into neighbouring Basilicata to spend the day at Matera, a unique place and well worth a visit. It was used by both Pier Paolo Pasolini and Mel Gibson as ‘Jerusalem’ for their respective films on The Passion of Christ and more recently in the latest James Bond. The houses and churches hewn from the natural rock, I Sassi, together with the later more conventional churches and palaces, are a ‘must see’. Following lunch (not included) and a visit to the local Picture Gallery, we return to our hotel. In the evening, we dine as a group in Bari.

Day 4: Monday 4 October – We depart Bari with our luggage and drive southwards into the Valle D’Itria, an area of Puglia known as the Murge introducing us to the famous limestone structures known as trulli houses. We begin at its edge in Martina Franca, its historic centre full of Baroque enthusiasm with a large cathedral and Ducal Palace, both of which we shall visit. We continue the short distance to Alberobello which is the best place to view these curious constructions of un-mortared limestone with conical roofs where we shall also have a group lunch. In the afternoon, we pause in Ostuni, standing proud on a hill, a whitewashed gem, where we visit the fine local cathedral. We continue southwards to Lecce and check into our second hotel of the week, the 5* Patria Palace for a three-night stay. This evening will be free.

Day 5: Tuesday 5 October – Today is devoted to the great architectural jewel of Puglia, Lecce. The beauty of this town cannot be described in words – it is more than just a renaissance and baroque ‘set piece’ – it cannot be missed! We spend the morning visiting a selection of its finest churches and monuments ending at lunchtime (lunch is not included). Afternoons and evenings in Lecce are dominated by shopping, eating, drinking and hectic socialising, too good a theatrical opportunity to miss - your afternoon and evening will thus be free to explore.

Day 6: Wednesday 6 October – From Lecce we drive down to the heel of Italy to the coastal town of Otranto and en route, we visit Galatina. In one of the town’s churches the finest cycle of frescoes in southern Italy lie utterly unvisited – a ‘mini Assisi’, most likely painted by artists from Umbria. We continue to Otranto where you will be free to have lunch, not included. Otranto is a lovely sea-side town dominated by those twins of medieval power, a fine Castle and a Cathedral. On our return to Lecce our final group dinner will be in our hotel restaurant.

Day 7: Thursday 7 October Following our visits, we drive the short distance to Bari Airport for our early afternoon departure to London Gatwick.

Price £3370 Without flights £3170   Deposit £475 per person 

Single Supplement £695 Classic Double Room for Sole Occupancy -Bari. Superior Double Room for Sole Occupancy - Lecce

Hotels:

Premier Inn, Gatwick North Terminal 1 night pre tour £115 (room only) if required – please advise

4* JR Oriente Bari (Comfort Double/Twin Room) 3 nights inc breakfast

5* Patria Palace Hotel Lecce (Deluxe Double/Twin Room) 3 nights inc breakfast

Flights British Airways (subject to change - based on 2026 departures)

BA2602 Depart London Gatwick (South Terminal) 0740 arrive Bari 1140

BA2603 Depart Bari 1230 arrive London Gatwick (South Terminal) 1435

Price includes 3 dinners & 2 lunches with wine, water & coffee, all local transfers, entry fees & gratuities, services of James Hill

Not included Travel to/from Gatwick, 1 night at Gatwick Premier Inn, 3 dinners & 4 lunches

Please note our tours generally involve a significant amount of standing and walking, sometimes across uneven ground, or over cobbled streets, or up and down steps and inclines. We do not have an upper age limit for participants, but we require you to have a level of fitness which does not affect other participants' enjoyment of the tour. Please also note that many palaces, gardens, villas, museums and galleries have limited seating and perhaps do not have lifts. You should be able to walk at a reasonable pace and/or stand for at least twenty minutes without aid or requiring a rest. If you are in any doubt, please do contact us for advice on the tour’s suitability for you.