Apulia Lecce Exploration Self-Drive

Upon arrival at Bari or Brindisi airports, collect your hire car and drive to Alberobello. Settle in for your overnight stay in this unique town, renowned for its distinctive trulli houses.

After breakfast at the hotel, we explore Alberobello, renowned for its unique Trulli houses—traditional rural dwellings once used seasonally or permanently by small farmers. You will see a variety of Trulli, from the twin-vaulted structures to the impressive Trullo Sovrano, the largest in town, as well as the Church of St. Antonio, built using Trulli construction techniques. Following lunch, we visit the Castellana Caves, where the tour descends to an average depth of 70 metres along two routes—one kilometre (about 50 minutes) or three kilometres (approximately two hours). The caves feature diverse formations including stalactites, stalagmites, columns and crystals. Later, we continue to Polignano a Mare. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to rent a boat to explore the coastal caves. The old town is also worth a visit, and we recommend trying the local homemade ice cream. We return to Alberobello for the night.

After breakfast at the hotel, we travel north to Trani to visit the Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, constructed between 1056 and 1186. Its impressive portal is adorned with friezes and intricate carvings. We will explore the seaside and the historic centre, notable for its 5th-century palaces and a mix of Gothic and Baroque churches. Next, we continue to Castel del Monte, a striking 13th-century fortress commissioned by Emperor Frederick II. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Puglia’s most visited monuments, reflecting the power and grandeur of its era. We then arrive in Bari for lunch, followed by a guided tour of the city. Highlights include the 12th-century Basilica di San Nicola, built to house the relics of Saint Nicholas of Myra, and the Cathedral of Bari dedicated to San Sabino. We also visit the Norman-Swabian castle, originally built by Roger the Norman and later rebuilt by Frederick II, where you can admire the plaster-cast gallery. During the city walk, we see the Justice Column in Piazza Mercantile, historically used to punish debtors, and pass the old walls of Aragona before wandering through Bari’s historic centre. We return to Alberobello for the evening.

After breakfast, we depart for Altamura, renowned throughout Italy for its distinctive bread made from durum wheat semolina. From there, we continue to Matera, named European Capital of Culture in 2019. Our visit focuses on the Sassi districts—ancient cave dwellings carved into the rock that once housed a peasant civilisation and are now restored and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We explore key sites including the Church of San Pietro Barisano, Santa Maria di Idris, and San Giovanni, as well as the Church of Santa Barbara, noted for its remarkable frescoes. To gain insight into Matera’s social history, we visit the cave houses of Casalnuovo and Vico Solitario. We then return to Alberobello for the night.

After breakfast, we leave Alberobello and travel through the scenic Itria Valley, known as the Valley of the Trulli. Our first stop is Martina Franca, where the old town unfolds as a maze of narrow streets and whitewashed houses, designed historically for defence. We explore its charming alleys and admire notable features such as the grand Porta Sant’Etienne. Next, we continue to Ostuni, famously called the White City due to its dazzling white buildings, especially striking in the summer sun. Here, you can wander through the winding streets and stairways of the historic centre. Our journey ends in Otranto, a coastal town with a turbulent past marked by Saracen and Turkish pirate attacks. Positioned at Italy’s most easterly point, it lies just 75 kilometres from the Albanian coast. We stay overnight in Otranto.

After breakfast at the hotel, we explore Otranto, beginning with the Cathedral of Annunziata, renowned for its intricate mosaic floor, followed by a visit to the Aragonese Castle, a 15th-century fortress guarding the town. We then set off for Santa Maria di Leuca, stopping en route in Maglie to see the archaeological sites featuring Dolmens and Menhirs—ancient megalithic structures typical of the region. Santa Maria di Leuca marks the southernmost tip of the Italian peninsula, often referred to as the ‘heel’ of the boot. In the afternoon, we drive to Gallipoli on the Ionian coast, pausing at the Punta Pizzo Natural Park and along the coastline to enjoy beaches such as Baia Verde. In Gallipoli, we visit notable Baroque landmarks including the Basilica of Sant’Agata and the Basilica of St. Francesco, known for its ten ornate altars, as well as the Tafuri Palace and the Greek Fountain, which dates back to the 3rd century BC. We return to Otranto for the evening.

After breakfast, we set off early to Lecce, renowned for its stunning historic centre and often called the ‘Florence of the South’. We explore the remarkable Baroque architecture, including Piazza del Duomo, the Basilica of the Holy Cross, and the Palace of the Celestini. The city’s ancient gates mark the old town’s boundaries, while Roman remains such as the amphitheatre in Piazza Sant’Oronzo offer a glimpse into Lecce’s rich past. We stay overnight in Lecce.

After breakfast, we will drive to either Bari or Brindisi Airport for the return of your hire car, marking the end of your journey.