4-Day: Departure Karlsruhe Airport: Country Roads of Puglia & Southern Italy

Departure: Karlsruhe / Baden Baden Airport
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FK20241010 - Departure Karlsruhe Airport: Country Roads of Puglia & Southern Italy

With its ancient towns, rolling olive groves, and miles of coastline, it’s no reason not to visit Puglia on a guided trip.

Thursday

2024-10-10

1:15 pm

Monday

2024-10-14

10:55 pm

Deposit : € 349.50 Per item

Passenger Details

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Prepare to be captivated by the authentic charm and rich heritage of this breathtaking region as we journey through historic olive groves, marvel at UNESCO-recognized trulli, and delve into the subterranean cityscape of Matera. From the soothing shores of the Adriatic Coast to the quaint homes of the Trulli Valley, authenticity presides everywhere you go on our Puglia and Southern Italy trip!

Your trip includes

  • Round-trip airfare & transportations in Italy
  • 4 overnights in a 4-star hotel in Monopoli
  • Breakfast and dinner buffet daily
  • Day tour to Alberobello & Ostuni with a local guide
  • Tasting of olive oils at a farmhouse
  • Day tour to Matera & Altamura with a local guide
  • Tour in Bari with a local guide
  • Castel del Monte entry fee
  • Explore Europe Trip Leader
  • All hotel city taxes, fees and handling charges

Your trip highlighs

  • The sunny boot heel of Italy
  • Beachside resort serving Italian and local cuisine
  • The extraordinary limestone trulli houses of Alberobello
  • Ostuni’s picturesque cathedral and whitewashed Old Town homes
  • Explore Matera, known as the Subterranean City
  • The medieval streets of Bari's Old Town Vecchia
  • Castel del Monte, a masterpiece of medieval military architecture
  • Fresh and bright, Southern Italian cuisine

Daily itinerary

Day 1: Travel Day (October 10)

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled flight from Karlsruhe airport to Bari in Southern Italy.

Flight times: Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden – Bari 13:15 – 15:10

Welcome to Puglia! Transfer to your 4-star hotel in Monopoli near the beach by private bus and get settled in. After an included dinner buffet, the evening will remain for you to spend as you wish.

Included meals: Dinner

Day 2: Alberobello, Ostuni & Olive Oil Farm (October 11)

After an included breakfast buffet, we’ll head inland with our local guide to visit a farmhouse and groves of one of the largest olive oil-producing areas in the world. The thousand-year-old olive trees and perfectly preserved underground mill, both of which date back to pre-Roman times, make this farmhouse one of the most famous in Puglia. Enjoy a pure extra virgin olive oil tasting and learn about the history of olive oil production and how the family uses a 19th-century oil mill to create their oil. After some free time in Ostuni to visit its picturesque cathedral and whitewashed Old Town homes & have lunch, we’ll head to Alberobello. This town is famous for its UNESCO-recognized trulli, the iconic homes with symbols painted onto the roof to bring luck. We’ll embark on a guided tour with our knowledgeable local guide. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the town at your own pace, before we head back for an included dinner buffet at the hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Dinner

Day 3: Matera & Altamura (October 12)

After an included breakfast buffet, we’ll enjoy a day tour of the subterranean city of Matera with an expert guide:

  • Explore a historic bakery in Altamura, established in 1423, and savor the authentic flavors of the region during a traditional tasting experience
  • Visit Sassi di Matera, the two districts that make up Matera, which are known for their 9,000-year-old cave dwellings
  • Stroll through the Old Town, passing Matera Cathedral and the ruins of Castello Tramontano
  • Admire the architecture in Palazzo del Sedile

Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Dinner

Day 4: Free day in Monopoli (October 13)

After an included breakfast buffet, spend the day at your leisure in Monopoli or add optional excursion:

Guided Optional Excursion – Polignano a Mare & Caves Cruise
Transfer from Monopoli to spend time in the scenic seaside town of Polignano a Mare. Take a guided walk and enjoy free time to view white-washed buildings and stunning views of the sea. You’ll also have time to dip your toes in the water at the beach and visit the iconic La Monachile, known for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque surroundings. Later, explore the captivating shores of Polignano a Mare aboard a 2-hour scenic boat excursion.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Bari (October 14)

Included meals: Breakfast

After an included breakfast buffet, we’ll say farewell to our hotel and embark on a scenic drive to Bari and enjoy a guided tour on arrival:

  • Step inside the Castel del Monte, a 13th-century structure, known as a masterpiece of medieval military architecture
  • See Bari Cathedral, built atop the ruins of an Imperial Byzantine church destroyed in 1156 by William the Wicked
  • Explore the Old Town, the castle, Piazza Mercantile, and Piazza Ferrarese
  • Enter the Basilica of St. Nicholas, which contains the remains of the bishop whose penchant for anonymous gift-giving inspired the legend of Santa Claus

Spend the afternoon soaking in the charm of Bari before transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Flight times: Bari – Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden 20:55 – 22:55

 

BOOK IN ADVANCE AND SAVE

Early Bird: Book this trip by August 1 for only €879 and save €20!
Regular price after August 1 is €899 per adult

*Prices are per person, based on two adults sharing one room. Single room €200 extra (€50 per night).

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING PASSPORTS

A valid tourist passport is required for this trip. Please make sure that you are traveling with the appropriate passport.

Passport and Visa Requirements
A tourist passport is required for all trips outside of Germany.

Important passport rules are as follows:
If you have a passport with a SOFA stamp on any page (a “No-Fee” passport), you are provided permission to reside in Germany, NOT to travel outside of Germany. You have to have a tourist passport in addition to the SOFA/”No-Fee” passport to travel outside of Germany. You cannot travel with a RED Official passport as that is used only for the purpose of a mission or deployment. If you have a passport with a detachable SOFA card clipped inside, it is acceptable to travel with as that was issued originally as a tourist passport. If you are not sure: a tourist passport will be BLUE and will be valid for 10 years for adults. It cannot contain a SOFA stamp on any page or it is not acceptable. A child’s tourist passport (under 15 years of age) is valid for 5 years, but will not have a SOFA stamp in it anywhere. All of this information has been verified to be correct with the Grafenwoehr Passport Office.

Baggage Allowance
· One check-in bag (liquids allowed): max weight up to 10kg (22.00 lb). Max size 55cm H (21.5″) x 40cm W (15.5″) x 23cm D (9.05“)

Clothing & Packing
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. For sightseeing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a high-end restaurant or performance, you may also want to bring dressier attire. Also, please be respectful and avoid showing bare legs or shoulders when visiting churches or other religious sites (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health
There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Italy. However, it’s always advisable to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates.

Cuisine
In Puglia, the fertile countryside produces great quantities of olive oil, tomatoes, artichokes, fennel, peppers, and onions. The region’s simple cuisine exalts these natural ingredients alongside the abundant fresh seafood and local lamb and beef. Puglia is renowned for its homemade pasta, made from local durum wheat and often formed in unusual shapes such as the orecchiette (little ears). A hearty meal in Puglia is often finished with homegrown yellow or white melons, watermelons, or grapes. The incredible wine regions in Campania and Puglia grow grapes used to make flavorful white and red wines. Try varietals or blends made with Falanghina and Taurasi grapes while in Campania, and sip on some Negroamaro and Primitivo wines while in Puglia.

Transportation
Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Bari are included in price. Included transportation is by private bus. Most of the destinations are easily walkable.

Electricity
Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins. We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter.

Currency
The euro is the currency you’ll be using on your tour. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

We recommend you get travel insurance to reimburse you for unforeseen trip cancellation. Please follow this link to get a quote through Travel Insured.

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