Fly & Drive Puglia

After a rich breakfast in your agriturismo we suggest you to take a ride to discover The Gargano peninsula and the Umbria Forrest. In one place you have the sea with many good beaches, the Foresta Umbra National Park with many hiking trails, lakes, medieval towns with picturesque historic centers, important religious pilgrimage sites and fantastic food. Except in the forest, much of the Gargano is covered with citrus groves and olive trees. Besides the forest we invite you to visit also the cost of Gargano. Phenomena of unique beauty in the world are the sea caves. Along the coast between Peschici and Mattinata is a continuous succession of natural masterpieces of architecture, excavated by water and wind. Along the cost don’t forget to stop in Vieste. The Cathedral, as well as the Castle, built by Frederick II who wanted to fortify the town, after being razed to the ground by the Venetians, stands out majestic and imposing. Vieste is located just 20 km from Peschici, reachable through a truly impressive and exciting, made of bends and wonderful cliffs that are thrown into the waters of the Gargano.

After breakfast check out and departure from your agriturismo in Margherita di Savoia to Altamura. Along the way we suggest you to stop in TRANI, one of the most beautiful little towns on the Adriatic coast of Puglia. Its white cathedral is a symbol of the whole region and a nice walk in the old town is not to be missed. As a second stop we suggest you is Castel del Monte, the gorgeous castle built around 1240 by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, is included in the World Heritage List. The castle was built directly on a rocky bank, in some places cropping out, and is well known for its octagonal shape. Eight octagonal towers are inserted on each of the eight corners. The wall curtains, built in the local calcareous stone, are marked by a string-course moulding. Eight windows with one light open on the lower floor, seven mullioned windows and only one three mullioned window, facing the city of Andria, on the upper one.  The octagonal shaped, courtyard is characterized, as the whole building, by the chromatic contrast between the colours of the utilized materials: coral crushed stone, limestone and marbles. The slab representing a parade of knights and a fragment of an anthropomorphous figure are the only remains of the sculptures once making a fine show there. Arrival in Agriturismo in the area of Altamura. Welcome drink.

After breakfast it is possibile to spend the whole day for the visit of Matera.   Matera is one of a kind. It is a protected heritage town of Unesco and has been designated as European Cultural Capital for 2019. It is mostly kown for its picturesque sassi districts, a large ravine divided into two parts with cave dwellings and rupestrian churches dug into the soft limestone. The Sassi date from prehistoric times and were used as housing until the 1950's when residents, primarily living in poverty stricken conditions, were relocated.  Today the sassi districts are a fascinating sight that can be viewed from above and explored on foot.

Guided tour in dutch or in English is possible with supplement and reservation (see below).

After breakfast check out and departure to the southest part of Puglia, the Salento. Along your way don’t forget to pay a visit to Alberobello, the town of Trulli. Alberobello is undoubtedly the capital of the Trulli: the historic center is made up entirely of these particular pyramid-shaped buildings that make it unique in the world. These ancient conical constructions in dry stone have prehistoric origin. The visit of Alberobello should include Monti: the district with 1030 trulli including also the ‘trulli siamesi’, with a double facade double caratterizzati da doppia facciata, double pinnacle, low fireplace and no windows. Than  Aja Piccola, a village made up of a network of narrow and winding alleys and the Trullo Sovrano,  unique two-story trullo, today it houses a museum. Stop in Martina Franca to visit a typical wine estate where local typical wines are produced. Tasting of 3 wines with some local delicacies: taralli, capocollo and salame, frise, cheese.

In the afternoon arrival in the area of Mesagne in your new accommodation, a fantastic Masseria in the heart of Salento, the most typical and rich area of Puglia, the very heart of the mediterranean. Accommodation in your agriturismo and welcome drink with local hand made products.

Day at your disposal for visiting Lecce, the capital town of the Baroque style. Lecce is very beautiful during the day and incredibly charming at night. Guided tour in private basis at approx. Please inform the time you prefer for the guided tour and we will do our best to confirm it. It lasts approximately 1h30/2 hours. At the end of the tour a tasting of local products including the famous “Burrata”. Lecce is the world famous capital of the Baroque architectural style; the heart of the city is Piazza Sant’Oronzo with elegant cafes and wonderful mosaics that embellish the floor. Founded over 2000 years ago during the Magna Graecia period of Southern Italy, Lecce shares all of the major characteristics of some of Italy’s most recognised historical sites of Italy such as Rome, Florence and Napoli, with classic stone work and a rediscovered Romanamphitheater at it’s centre; but it’s not this that gives Lecce it’s nickname “The Florence of the South“, but rather the local stone that is used all over for almost every building and has been the stable export and industry of the city for multiple generations.  Afternoon at leisure. It is also possbible to take part to a cooking class including shopping in the local market and dinner with wines.

After breakfast we suggest a relaxing tour of this area that is incredibly charming, rich of light, palms, olive groves and the golden colour of the earth. It will be amazing driving slowly in a tangle of narrow roads that connects many small villages where life is still calm and where you will find the real taste of this land including food and wine. And besides the outback there is the magnificent coast of the Ionian sea where  Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo stand out. This area of the sea coast is named the Italian Caribbean thanks to the colour of the sea and the long very white sandy beaches. Small coves, beautiful beaches, nice restaurants and a special atmosphere in any season of the year make of this area a wonderful place to experience the Mediterranean sea at it best.

After breakfast departure to the airport. When you have enough time we suggest a stop to visit the charming fishermen’s old town of Polignano, on the Adriatic coast. It is located on a deep gorge overlooking the Adriatic sea on a steep rocky cliff of karst nature. Because of the karst nature of the cliff there is a number of caves on the sea that were inhabited by the prehistoric men. Of these marine caves the Palazzese grotto, is the most enchanting one and should be seen.  The historic centre of Poligano is well preserved. Its network of winding alleyways among the typical white houses and small courtyards lead to terraces with amazing views over the Adriatic sea. Departure.