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Peregrine Travel Centre

Premium Puglia

Premium Puglia

From $ 7,345 AUD

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Description

Dreamy beaches, inspiring architecture and ancient wonders come together on an eight-day Premium adventure through Italy’s Puglia region. Understated and unbelievably beautiful, this lesser-visited corner of Italy delivers in historical, cultural and natural sights. Begin in the coastal town of Bari, admire unusual trulli buildings in Alberobello, stay in a former palace in Nardo, explore ancient sassi homes in Matera and discover the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii. With a local leader by your side and expert guides joining you along the way, you’ll really get a kick out of this adventure.

Trip Name
Premium Puglia
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Spend two nights at your spectacular Feature Stay accommodation in Nardo. Once a 13th century Baronial Palace, then a 17th century Carmelite monastery, the historic property has been converted into a fabulous hotel with modern comforts.
  • Join an expert local guide to learn about and explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii, destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD.
  • Explore the truly unique town of Alberobello under the guidance of a local expert. Alberobello is famed for its thousands of fairy-tale trulli homes built in the 14th century.
  • Discover an awe-inspiring maze of ancient sassi homes in the town of Matera, believed to be the third-longest continuously inhabited human settlement in the world.
  • Visit a local olive oil producer on a farm that has been active since Roman times. Learn how production techniques have changed over the centuries, taste the farm’s olive oil, and dine on delicious regional specialties.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Many sites, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays). We recommend checking the opening times of anywhere you're interested to visit and making reservations where required/possible.

Day 1 - Bari
Benvenuto! Welcome to Puglia – the heel of Italy’s boot. Your adventure kicks off in the coastal city of Bari, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and fellow travellers joining you on your adventure. If you arrive early, why not wander the mazelike Old Town or see the 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola – a key pilgrimage site that holds some of St. Nicholas’ remains. You could also pop into a local cornetteria for a decadent Italian croissant. After your meeting, get to know your group over an included dinner, where your local leader will introduce you to Puglia’s cuisine.
Day 2 - Bari
Leave the coastline behind as you travel inland by private vehicle to the little town of Alberobello. Set among a tranquil landscape of olive groves, the town is famed for its unique beehive-shaped trulli (dwellings built from limestone in the 14th century). While the origins of the buildings are unclear, one theory suggests the houses were created to be easily dismantled in a feudal tax evasion scheme. Whatever their purpose, the buildings make the Apulia region unlike anywhere else in the world. Join a local guide for an insider’s look at the town, wandering through the Old Town quarter of Rione Monti, dotted with thousands of trulli, and Rione Aia Piccola. Your guide will point out the different shapes of spires and the religious symbols adorning the roofs. Finally, see the Church de Sant’Antonio – a huge cathedral built in the trulli style. You’ll then visit Polignano a Mare to explore another gorgeous coastal town popular for its beaches, rugged cliffside dwellings and bright turquoise waters. Tonight, you’re free back in Bari to find some dinner.
Day 3 - Nardo
This morning, visit a local olive oil producer on a farm that’s been active since Roman times. You’ll learn how production techniques have changed over the centuries, taste some of the olive oil for yourself and enjoy an included lunch of regional favourites. Then, visit the small city of Ostuni and explore its whitewashed streets flanked with Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine buildings. From here, travel to the quiet town of Nardo and join an expert local guide for a walking tour through the Old Town, where there are more than a dozen grand palazzos. Tonight, settle into your Feature Stay accommodation – three 13th century Baronial Palaces, once home to aristocracy from the Kingdom of Naples, which have been converted into a hotel by a local architect. Spend the evening exploring the palaces and grounds that feature artwork and sculptures by local artists. In Palazzo Mignano, you’ll find an excellent on-site restaurant offering Salento dishes and a panoramic view from the terrace.
Day 4 - Nardo
Before breakfast, you may like to take a walk through your Feature Stay’s historic ‘secret garden’ where it seems as if figures from days gone by could walk around the corner at any minute. Today head to the beautiful city of Lecce. With its ornate baroque buildings, lively university and ancient Roman ruins, Lecce’s narrow streets are a delight to explore. Let a local guide show you hidden corners and share the city’s history with you this morning. You’ll also have some free time to explore this historic city on your own before heading back to Nardo. Later this afternoon, join your group for a cooking class on traditional Puglia regional cuisine.
Day 5 - Matera
Enjoy a final morning at your Feature Stay hotel, sitting back with a coffee and soaking up the scenery. Then, it’s time to say goodbye and travel to Matera – an ancient city on a rocky outcrop. Along the way, stop at a local winery for some wine tasting and lunch before continuing to Matera. Matera is believed to be the third-longest continuously inhabited human settlement in the world. You’ll be exploring the city’s famous sassi houses in depth tomorrow, so this evening why not take a walk around Matera to discover its churches, traditional restaurants and thousands of years of human history.
Day 6 - Matera
Today, dive into Matera’s Old Town, made famous by sassi – more than 3000 stone houses formed from natural grottoes and tufo cliffs, some dating back as far as the 8th century. Join a local guide who will lead you through a labyrinth of staircases and alleyways that cut their way through limestone ravines, dipping in and out of ancient sassi houses as you go. Up until the late 1950s, the sassi were considered the ‘Shame of Italy’ due to the gruelling living conditions and poverty suffered by those who lived here – a result of the city’s rapid population growth. The Italian government intervened, and 15,000 inhabitants were forcibly relocated. Today, the sassi are undergoing extensive restoration, with some dwellings featuring exhibits that recreate inhabited caves. You’ll also visit an ancient underground neighbourhood, made up of houses, streets, cisterns and churches.
Day 7 - Naples
Begin the day by driving to the storied town of Pompeii, home to one of Europe’s most well-known archaeological sites – the ruins of Pompeii, caused by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD. Join a local guide to discover the remains of this once thriving Roman trading centre. After the eruption, the city was covered in a layer of ash and remained undisturbed until the 18th century, when the ruins were rediscovered. Walk among well-preserved villas, temples, theatres, markets and chariot-marked streets as your expert guide helps you to imagine what life here once looked like. You can also visit the Roman Forum and basilica, temples, public baths, and the tiny Odeon created for music recitals. Later in the day, travel to the buzzing city of Naples where you’ll join your group for a final dinner and a chance to look back on all you’ve seen on your journey.
Day 8 - Naples
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend more time discovering Naples, just get in touch ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
08-05-202515-05-2025AUD $ 8,455-
31-05-202507-06-2025AUD $ 8,370-
26-06-202503-07-2025AUD $ 8,615-
10-07-202517-07-2025AUD $ 8,345-
24-07-202531-07-2025AUD $ 7,820-
06-09-202513-09-2025AUD $ 8,315-
13-09-202520-09-2025AUD $ 9,265-
20-09-202527-09-2025AUD $ 8,445-
27-09-202504-10-2025AUD $ 8,215-
29-09-202506-10-2025AUD $ 8,215-
07-10-202514-10-2025AUD $ 7,960-
23-04-202630-04-2026AUD $ 7,345-
07-05-202614-05-2026AUD $ 7,640-
23-05-202630-05-2026AUD $ 7,930-
30-05-202606-06-2026AUD $ 7,930-
04-06-202611-06-2026AUD $ 7,345-
25-06-202602-07-2026AUD $ 7,345-
09-07-202616-07-2026AUD $ 7,345-
23-07-202630-07-2026AUD $ 7,345-
08-08-202615-08-2026AUD $ 7,640-
29-08-202605-09-2026AUD $ 7,640-
05-09-202612-09-2026AUD $ 7,930-
12-09-202619-09-2026AUD $ 7,930-
17-09-202624-09-2026AUD $ 7,930-
26-09-202603-10-2026AUD $ 7,930-
28-09-202605-10-2026AUD $ 7,640-
03-10-202610-10-2026AUD $ 7,640-
15-10-202622-10-2026AUD $ 7,345-
22-04-202729-04-2027AUD $ 7,345-
06-05-202713-05-2027AUD $ 7,345-
22-05-202729-05-2027AUD $ 7,345-
29-05-202705-06-2027AUD $ 7,345-
03-06-202710-06-2027AUD $ 7,345-
24-06-202701-07-2027AUD $ 7,345-
08-07-202715-07-2027AUD $ 7,345-
22-07-202729-07-2027AUD $ 7,345-
07-08-202714-08-2027AUD $ 7,345-
28-08-202704-09-2027AUD $ 7,345-
04-09-202711-09-2027AUD $ 7,345-
11-09-202718-09-2027AUD $ 7,345-
16-09-202723-09-2027AUD $ 7,345-
25-09-202702-10-2027AUD $ 7,345-
27-09-202704-10-2027AUD $ 7,345-
02-10-202709-10-2027AUD $ 7,345-
14-10-202721-10-2027AUD $ 7,345-

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (5 nights),Feature Stay (2 night)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map

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