Tour Puglia, Puglia : mediterranean fragrances

This tour will introduce you to the discover of the southeastern region of Apulia, the only place where you can see the "trulli" ,whitewashed cones made of stones held together without mortar, often located in wheat field and olive grove, where they serve as miniature barns. But they are at their most picturesque when clustered together in the hundreds, to form a town. This is Alberobello, and it's a wonderful site you will never forget. Many are still private residences, but there are dozens that you can visit, because they house souvenir shops or artisan workshops.
A bit southern you'll have the chance to see a wonder of nature: the Caves of Castellana, the deepest caverns in Europe, known world wide for its splendid caverns and extraordinary alabaster concretions.
Another attraction you will visit is Castel del monte one of the finest castle in Europe, dominating an entire valley. Frederick II's favorite hunting lodge, it is an octagonal stone castle with eight towers and eight trapezoidal rooms on each floor.
The last day you will see one of the most visited sites in the south of Italy: "i Sassi di Matera" the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region. At the end of 1993, UNESCO declared the Sassi of Matera 'a patrimony of humanity to be handed down to future generations' and lists it among the 395 wonders of the world. Here, great masters of cinema have set films in this penetrating and evocative atmosphere; the most recent is Mel Gibson with his masterpiece " The passion of the Christ".

ITINERARY

1 Day:
Half day visit of Ostuni. Situated on three hills and an important Greco-Roman city in the first century AD, its old centre spreads across the highest of the hills, a gleaming white splash of sun-bleached streets and cobbled alleways, dominating the plains below. The maze of well-preserved winding streets makes for a fascinating amble, the town buzzes on summer nights.

2 Day:
Excursion to Castellana for the visit to the spectacular set of underground caves. The largest of the caverns, La Grave, 60 m below ground, was used as the local rubbish dump until its accidental discovery in 1938. The most impressive is the Grotta Bianca, a shimmering sea of white stalagmites and stalactites. Then continue to Alberobello, the best place to see and visit the famous "Trulli" dwellings. They are cilindrical, whitewashed buildings with grey conical roofs tapering out to a point or sphere, often adorned with painted symbols.

3 Day:
Full day excursion to Bari and Trani. Bari is the capital of Puglia, from which depart many ferries to Albania, Croatia and Greece. In Bari you could wander around the old city. Its labyrinth of seemingly endless passages weaving through courtyards and under arches was originally designed to spare the inhabitants from the wind and throw invaders into a state of confusion. Trani has lovely medieval quarter and the town cathedral literally perched at the edge of the water. Continue to Castel del Monte for the visit of the most extraordinary of all Puglia's castles and one of the finest surviving examples of Swabian architecture. Begun by Frederick in the 1240s, the Castel is a high, isolated fortress precisely built around an octagonal courtyard.

4 Day:
Full day excursion to the penetrating and evocative town of Matera where you can see the unique "Sassi", houses built in the rocks which are now part of the U.N.E.S.CO. world heritage sites. Recently Mel Gibson set here his film " The passion of the Christ". On route back to the hotel, stop in a tipical farm house for a taste of oil and other tipical foods.

5 Day:
At disposal for optional excursions and departure.

OPTIONAL VISITS / EXCURSIONS

Lecce and the baroque
Full day excursion to the delightful little town of Lecce. It is famous for its own subspecies of architecture, called "barocco leccese", characterized by extremely ornate carvings that cover the entire surface of churches and palaces.

The place of St. Padre Pio
Full day excursion to San Giovanni Rotondo. It is a very important pilgrims destination as here lived Padre Pio, a Capuccino priest recently nominated Saint by the Pope. St. Pio is one of the most venerate personality of catholic religion.

Tremiti Islands
Full day excursion (in summer period) to this small group of 3 islands, 40 km off the Gargano coast, by hydrofoils or catamarans. You'll appreciate the sea crystal clear, the sandy beach in S.Domino island, the plentiful birdlife and the flocks of seagulls in the uninhabited island of Capraia.

Monte Sant'Angelo
Perched almost 800m up in the highest and coldest settlement of Puglia. Pilgrims have trudged up the switchback paths and roads for centuries to visit the spot where the archangel Michael is said to have made four separate appearances, making the sanctuary here one of the earliest Christian shrines in Europe and one of the most important in Italy.