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 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
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.
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.