Southern Visions 7 Day Premier Walking Trip

This is a beautiful Southern Visions’ seven (7) day premier, guided walking trip through the region of

Puglia, Italy, which lies in the heel of the boot, along the sun drenched Adriatic Sea. Puglia offers

access to the freshest seafood, crowd-free open spaces, irresistible desserts and pastries, distinct

wines, and the 50 million olive trees that make Puglia the world’s leading producer of Olive Oil. Come

to Puglia and hear the voices of the past call out over the trulli houses…..we promise, once you

discover it, Puglia will leave a lasting impression

Trip Highlights

Matera, Alberobello, Otranto and Lecce Walking Tours

Guided Tour of the Countryside of Montescaglioso

Olive Oil Mozzarella Demonstrations and Tastings

Two (2) Pugliese Cooking Lessons

Private Food and Wine Tasting

Monopoli Market Visit and Botanical Garden Visit

Farewell Party and Dancing

WHAT YOU GET!!!

An outstanding adventure travel

experience

Peace of mind you are with the most

professional travel and tour company

in Puglia

Local, native guides with knowledge of

the secrets and mysteries of the region

6 nights lodging at 4 and 5 star hotels

and resorts

7 breakfasts

5 Dinners

6 Lunches

All luggage transfers

Guest Shuttles

Tour through the majestic botanical

gardens

Professional Olive Oil Tasting and Walk

in the Olive Groves

Professional cooking lesson(s)

Professional Mozzarella Making Demo

and Tasting

Daily snacks and happy hours

Daily professional walking and shuttle

tours

Detailed Maps and Route Notes

€2999.00

€999.00 Single Supplement

We will meet in the lobby of the Hotel Leon d’Oro of Bari (in front of the main station) at 10:00 a.m.

You will find your Guide in a red and orange Southern Visions t-shirt.

We suggest you arrive at least the night before – please check for flights or night trains from Milan,

Rome, and Venice, arriving in Bari between 6 and 8 p.m. the night prior to our first day. (See the end

of itinerary for recommendations on arriving and departing from the area).

Day 1

Matera Walking Tour

Laterria Rizzi Food and Wine Tasting (buffet) for lunch

Dinner and Apertivo at Rivelli Restaurant (inside hotel) www.ristoranterivelli.com Lodging: Palazzo Gattini www.palazzogatini.it

Your adventure begins at 10:00 am when our local SV guide meets you at in the lobby of the Palazzo

Gattini Hotel in the amazing ancient town of Matera perched on a beautiful hillside and gazing upon

hundreds of ancient cave dwellings known as Sassi. Immediately you will be swept from the world you

know to a land given over for gone which has emerged triumphant and beautiful in its pure connection

with the past and how time is once again brought round to reveal there is always a new way of looking

at things. We will then immerse you in depth into the art of flavor and freshness that is Southern Italian

cuisine with a spectacular buffet lunch and wine tasting in one of Matera’s signature restaurants,

Latteria Rizzi. After lunch we will walk you back to your lovely hotel for an afternoon to enjoy yourself

on your own time. You will have time for a look around the area and for an all important afternoon

Italian coffee drink, the Espressino. Be sure to make time to stop by the Laboratorio Ceramica Piero

Colapietro or Pasquale Dilena where we will watch the craftsman make traditional decorative ceramics.

We will meet in the hotel lobby at 6:30 for an apertivo and conversation, before heading to the hotel’s

inviting restaurant, Rivelli Restaurant.

Day 2

Optional Dawn walk to Old Bakery

Morning and Afternoon Activities: Tour the Countryside of Montescaglioso

Late Afternoon visit to local ceramist and Panificio

Lodging: Palazzo Gattini www.palazzogatini.it

You can choose to start your day with a walk at dawn to a local bakery for a tour. Later in the morning,

we will all meet in the hotel lobby and drive out of town for a lovely walking tour through the Italian

countryside. We will walk up to the St. Michael Montescaglioso. On our way up, we will stop at a

farmhouse in Masseria San Felice and have our lunch. Our day of beautiful walks will culminate at the

Abbey di San Michele, before heading back to the hotel by shuttle. There will be a nice period in the

afternoon to hit the pool, have a nap, or visit a local ceramist studio and a Panificio to learn how pane is

made. Dinner is scheduled to be an on your own event to enjoy the evening life at your own leisure. If

you are in the mood for traditional Italian fare, try the antipasti caldi at Trattoria Lucana; or if pizza is

what your heart desires, visit Oi Mari. Be sure to get plenty of rest before another packed day of

activities begins tomorrow!

Day 3

Shuttle Ride to Puglia with lunch and cooking lesson at Masseria Murgia Albenese

Afternoon Walking Tour of Alberobello

Lodging and Dining: Masseria Torre Maizza ***** www.masseriatoreemaizza.com

We begin our day by shuttling to the most famous hotel in Puglia, Masseria Torre Maizza, where along

the way we will experience the beautiful hilltop towns of Puglia whose Greek influence is apparent in

their whitewashed exteriors. The landscape is highlighted by seemingly deserted paths through ancient

olive groves covered with blankets of poppies and surrounded by meticulously built little walls of stone.

We will stop for lunch at Masseria Murgia Albenese for a visceral culinary experience as we receive a

cooking lesson and lunch from the masseria’s staff. Next, we will stop to take a walking tour of

Alberobello, where if you pay special attention, you will hear voices of the past echoing off the 1400+

Trulli (conical roofed homes and businesses), and come to understand why Alberobello is the postcard

capital of Puglia. Finally, we will arrive at the Masseria Torre Maizza where you will be able to relax in

absolute luxury while your dinner is prepared in its renowned kitchen. Welcome!

Day 4

Transfer to Vivai Capitanio Botanical Gardens www.vivaicapitanio.it/capitanio_eng/botanical_garden

Transfers to Monopoli Market, lunch in Polignano

Dining: La Peschiera http://www.peschierahotel.com

Lodging: Masseria Torre Maizza ***** www.masseriatoreemaizza.com

This morning we set out to transfer to Vivai Capitanio to visit the Botanical Gardens, which are set in the

beautiful landscape of Apulia, represented by secular olive trees introduced by the Greeks 2500 years

ago. After the gardens, we will transfer to Monopoli to visit the open air market and do some

sightseeing. We will then move to Polignano to lunch by the sea, and then stretch our legs a bit with a

walk along the north seaside to San Vito – those guests needing a pick me up are invited to stop for a

local coffee at their leisure – take time to enjoy the special seaside air. We will venture back to our

hotel to prepare for a gorgeous dinner by the sea at La Peschiera, known for their fresh seafood,

excellent wine selection and picturesque views of the Adriatic Sea. Today is a day for la dolce vita!

Day 5

Mozzarella and Olive Oil Tastings

Lunch: Masseria Il Frantoio www.masseriailfrantoio.it

Wine Tasting – Masseria Liveli www.masserialiveli.it

Dinner: Da Sergio

Lodging: Otranto –Masseria Montelauro ****www.masseriamontelauro.it

Today is a day of rich, sensory experiences, primarily focusing on tasting the region. After a lovely

farewell breakfast at Torre Maizza we shuttle you to Crovace for one of the freshest mozzarella tastings

in the region. Next, we move to an olive oil tasting at Masseria Il Frantoio – a lovely farmhouse in

Ostuni, which is very proud of their excellent oils bio cultivated from century old trees. We will revel in

our cheese and oil tasting with a beautiful walk through the area, and lunch at the Masseria Il Frantoio,

and savor the Apulian cuisine. Next, we will transfer to Ostuni, La Citta Bianca (the white city) which is a

stunning temple on the hill and gateway to the sea, for sightseeing and an ice cream break. Finally, we

will head toward our hotel, stopping at Masseria Liveli for a wine tasting. We will stay in the beautiful 4

Star Masseria Montelauro two kilometers from the Otranto city center in the peaceful silence of the

countryside. We will bring you into Otranto this evening for an amazing dinner at Da Sergio.

Day 6

Walking Tour: Torre Badisco to Capo d’Otranto

SV Farewell Party with Maneka Folklore Band

Lodging & Dining: Otranto –Masseria Montelauro ****www.masseriamontelauro.it

We will start our day with a transfer out of Otranto for a walking tour from Torre Badisco to Capo

d’Otranto. This hike will allow us to fully experience the diversity of this region, which is one part beach

resort, one part middle-eastern, many parts Italian and every part enjoyable. We will treat ourselves to a

relaxing picnic lunch before you can choose to transfer back to the hotel or to the Otranto to visit the

Cathedral. However you choose to spend your afternoon, be sure to prepare for an amazing farewell

party Southern Italian style with a fabulous local band playing the rousing native rhythms and followed

by a fond farewell dinner from your expert guides.

Day 7

Morning Guided walk of Lecce

Farewell from the Southern Visions Team

We will shuttle you to Lecce, known as the Florence of the south, to a papier-mâché making studio

before enjoying our last lazy cappuccino gathering. We will continue with a professionally guided

walking tour of this amazing architectural gem of a city and the opportunity to continue your journey on

your own. Of course, if you would like to stay longer, Southern Visions will help you extend your stay or

guide you in the right direction home. Always keeping in mind you will be changed for the better after

Puglia, for it is a place that has changed us all.

All tours finish in Lecce where the shuttle will take our guests to the station or to Brindisi airport.

WHAT YOU GET!!!

An outstanding adventure travel experience

Peace of mind you are with the most professional travel and tour company in Puglia

Local, native guides with knowledge of the secrets and mysteries of the region

6 nights lodging at 4 and 5 star hotels and resorts

7 breakfasts

5 Dinners

6 Lunches

All luggage transfers

Guest Shuttles

Tour through the majestic botanical gardens

Professional Olive Oil Tasting and Walk in the Olive Groves

Professional cooking lesson(s)

Professional Mozzarella Making Demo and Tasting

Daily snacks and happy hours

Daily professional walking and shuttle tours

Detailed Maps and Route Notes

€2999.00

€999.00 Single Supplement

ARRIVING AND DEPARTING - LOGISTICS

After reviewing the following information, please inform us of your arrival and departure plans on the

Personal Information Form.

Arrival

We suggest you arrive at least the night before – please check for flights or night trains from Milan,

Rome, and Venice, arriving in Bari between 6 and 8 p.m. the night prior to our first day.

Conclusion of the trip

On the last day of the trip, an SV shuttle is available to the Lecce train station and to Brindisi airport. The

shuttle stops at the rail station, where you can catch an afternoon train for Rome or Milan (if you catch

the train to Milan you can change in Bologna to Florence). To Rome there is one train at noon and one

after 5.00 pm; to Milan there is one train at around 2.00 pm and then one in the evening arriving the

next morning.

Flight arrangements

We recommend flying into Milan or Rome. You can then catch a flight to Bari (airport code: BRI) from

either city. Or, if you don’t mind the longer travel time and the possibility of delays, you can take the

train to Bari. You can see below.

Getting from the Bari airport to the Bari train station

A taxi ride from the airport to the train station takes 25-30 minutes and costs around €20. An Autolinee

Tempesta bus ride to the Bari train station takes approximately 30 minutes and costs €4,15.

Taking the train to Bari from Rome, Milan or Florence

The trip from Rome takes about 5 hours; from Milan it’s about 8 ½ hours; from Florence, expect

approximately 7 ½ hours of travel.

Train travel in Italy

We suggest purchasing rail tickets and making reservations through your own travel agent. For more

information on rail travel in Italy, visit the web www.trenitalia.com. There you can purchase tickets and

book your seat by using your credit card.

You can purchase Italian rail tickets from any train station in Italy, but some very small stations. Many

stations are equipped with automatic ticket machines, from which you can purchase tickets and

reservation coupons for travel in Italy and for principal cross-border routes. The machines accept cash,

credit card and ATM card with your PIN.

If you travel on one of Italy’s faster trains, including Eurocity, Intercity and Eurostar, you’ll be charged a

supplemental fare in addition to the regular ticket price. If you travel on these trains without your

supplemental ticket, you’ll be fined. Eurostar and Intercity trains require a seat reservation for travel at

all times. For travel on intercity trains, reservations are not mandatory; however, you may want to pay

the extra reservation charge for a guaranteed seat, simply for peace of mind. If you know you’ll be

taking the train during a peak local travel period, such as a holiday, you’ll definitely want to make

reservations or you risk standing for your entire trip. Italy’s slower train (Rapido, Espresso, Regionale,

Inter regionale and Locale) don’t require a reservation or a supplement ticket.

Boarding the train

To find your platform, which will be listed at least 10 minutes prior to departure, check the small TV

screens or the larger schedule boards in the main station area. If you are travelling without reservations,

you’ll need to validate your “open” ticket by stamping it at one of the small yellow machines located on

each train platform (the machine stamps the date and the time on the open ticket to prevent multiple

uses). If you forget to stamp your ticket before boarding, tell the on-board ticket inspector immediately

to avoid a supplementary fee.

WHERE TO STAY BEFORE & AFTER YOUR TRIP

BARI

PALACE HOTEL

Via Lombardi 13

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5216551

www.palacehotelbari.it

GRAND HOTEL LEON D’ORO

Piazza Aldo Moro 4

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5235040

www.grandhotelleondoro.it

HOTEL VILLA ROMANAZZI

Via Giuseppe Capruzzi 326

70124 Bari

tel. +39 080 5427400

www.villaromanazzi.com

HOTEL ADRIA

Via Zuppetta 10

70121 Bari

tel. +39 080 5246699

www.adriahotelbari.com

HOTEL BOSTON

Via Piccinni 155

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5216633

www.bostonbari.it

HOTEL VICTOR

Via Nicolai 71

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5216600

www.victorservice.com

MATERA

LA CASA DI LUCIO

Via S. Pietro Caveoso, 66

75100 Matera

Tel. +39 0835 312798

www.lacasadilucio.it

HOTEL SANT’ANGELO

Rione Pianelle - Piazza San Pietro Caveoso

75100 Matera

tel. +39 (0)835 314010

www.hotelsantangelosassi.it

LOCANDA DI SAN MARTINO

Via Fiorentini, 71

75100 Matera tel +39 0835 256600

info@locandadisanmartino.it

HOTEL RIDOLA - Albergo in dimora storica

Via Morelli 13

75100 Matera

tel. +39-0835-318811

info@hotelridolamatera.it

ALBERGO DEL SEDILE

Recinto Sedile n. 4 - Piazza del Sedile

Matera

tel +39.0835.333436

www.albergodelsedile.it

HOTEL IN PIETRA

Via San Giovanni Vecchio, 22

75100 Matera

tel +39 0835 344040

www.hotelinpietra.it

ALBERGO ITALIA

Via Ridola 5

75100 Matera

tel: 0835 333561, 0835 337689

www.albergoitalia.com

LECCE

Hotel Patria Palace

Piazzetta Riccardi

73100 Lecce (Lecce), Italy

+39 0832 245111

www.patriapalacelecce.com

Hotel delle Palme

Via Di Leuca, 90

73100 Lecce (LE), Italy

+39 0832 347171

www.hoteldellepalmelecce.it

Grand Hotel Tiziano

Viale Porto d'Europa, s/n

73100 Lecce

tel. +390832 272111

www.grandhoteltiziano.it

B&B Palazzo Rollo

Via Vittorio Emanuele II, n°14

Lecce

Tel. +39.328.9540585 - +39.0832.307152

www.palazzorollo.it

FINAL THOUGHTS

Please be sure to note these important contact numbers, should you need assistance before, during, or

after your trip:

Puglia: +39.340.264.4128 or +39.080.416.0030

U.S.A: +1.713-540-0989

All tours operated by Active Cultures LLC