The Grand Tour Venice to Puglia

Welcome to Venice. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and meet your Tour Leader and fellow travelers. This evening enjoy a spritz or prosecco accompanied by traditional Venetian cicchetti at a local cafe. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal or similar.

Explore Venice on foot with your Tour Leader before meeting a local guide for a tour of the historic centre. See St Mark’s Square, the exterior of Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, with time afterwards to explore independently. Overnight in Venice. (B)

Travel to Bologna and walk through its historic centre, including Piazza Maggiore, San Petronio Basilica and Palazzo del Podestà. Enjoy some free time before continuing to Florence. Overnight at Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similar. (B)

Discover Florence on a guided tour including the Duomo, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Santa Croce Basilica. The afternoon is free to explore independently or join an optional excursion to Pisa. This evening travel to Impruneta in the Chianti region for a traditional Tuscan dinner with regional wines. Overnight in Florence. (B, D)

Depart Florence for Rome, stopping in the medieval hill town of San Gimignano. Enjoy time to explore its UNESCO-listed historic centre before continuing to Rome. Overnight at Twenty One Hotel or similar. (B)

Meet your local guide for a tour of Vatican City, including the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Square, with skip-the-line entrance. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy dinner at a traditional Roman restaurant accompanied by live music. Overnight in Rome. (B, D)

Explore Rome with your Tour Leader, seeing Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. The afternoon is at leisure, or you may choose an optional guided visit to the Colosseum. Overnight in Rome. (B)

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Rome independently. Optional activities and excursions are available at additional cost. Overnight in Rome. (B)

Transfer to Rome railway station and travel by train to Bari. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at Excelsior Hotel Bari or similar. (B)

Meet your Tour Leader for a morning tour of Bari, including the historic centre and Basilica of San Nicola. Continue to Piazza Mercantile and see the ancient Column of Justice. The afternoon is free to explore independently. Dinner and overnight in Bari. (B, D)

Travel to Trani to see its striking waterfront Cathedral before continuing to Castel del Monte, the UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Frederick II. Continue to Alberobello, famous for its traditional trulli houses, and enjoy a welcome drink with local white wine and Apulian taralli. Dinner and overnight at Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri or similar. (B, D)

Travel to Matera and discover the UNESCO-listed Sassi, ancient cave dwellings  that form part of the historic city. Visit the Romanesque Cathedral and enjoy views across the Sassi before returning to Alberobello. Dinner and overnight in Alberobello. (B, D)

Travel to Locorotondo, one of Puglia’s characteristic white towns, before continuing to Ostuni. Enjoy free time to explore its historic centre before travelling to Lecce. Overnight at Hotel Delle Palme or Hotel Mercure President or similar. (B, D)

Enjoy a guided visit of Lecce, exploring its historic centre, Cathedral, Basilica of Santa Croce and Piazza del Duomo. Continue to Otranto for free time to explore independently. This evening enjoy dinner at Masseria L’Uliveto before returning to Lecce. Overnight in Lecce. (B, D)

Travel towards Bari through the landscapes of the Murge plateau, stopping in Martina Franca to explore its historic centre. Continue to a local masseria for a hands-on cooking experience, learning to prepare traditional Puglian pasta, followed by lunch. Later visit the coastal town of Monopoli before continuing to Bari. Overnight at Excelsior Hotel Bari or similar. (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to Bari Airport where your tour concludes. (B)