The enchanting Italian region of Puglia is famous for its historic cities, quaint fishing villages and exquisite cuisine. From Naples to Bari, Lecce, Martina Franca, Matera and back again, we’ll delve into the area’s many splendours – touring historic towns, discovering local traditions and indulging in a tasting or two along the way.

Southern Italy beguiles every sense. On this enchanting journey we’ll step back in time to the days of the Roman Empire in the historic Bay of Naples, explore the pastel-hued cliffside villages of the Amalfi Coast, tour cascading Victorian-inspired gardens and revel in the opulence of the Italian Baroque period. All the while savouring exquisite regional delicacies and gaining a unique insight into local cultures and centuries-old traditions of the Mezzogiorno.

Your Fly & Tour Package Includes:

• $3000 flight credit per person

• 7 night Secrets of Puglia guided tour with Back-Roads Touring, Naples return

• 7 night Enchanting Southern Italy guided tour with Back-Roads Touring, Naples return

Includes:

• Hand-picked accommodation

• 11 meals

• Experienced Tour Leader & Driver

• Premium mini-coach transportation

• Tour highlights plus more

Rate is per person twin share and based on travel 08-22 June 2024

Solo traveller pricing available, speak with your travel consultant

Secrets of Puglia Itinerary:

Day 1 - Naples (Italy)

A hub of intoxicating culture and historic masterpieces – we’ll meet the group in the vibrant city of Naples. After settling in, tonight we’ll have the opportunity to get to know one another over a delicious welcome meal. Accommodation: Palazzo Salgar (or similar)

Day 2 - Naples – Andria – Bari

After breakfast, we’ll board the mini-coach and hit the road to the first stop of our journey: Andria. Whilst we’re here, a local expert will reveal how mozzarella and burrata are made – and we’ll have the chance to taste both delicious cheeses before we move on to bustling Bari. First, we’ll uncover the city’s seaside charms and rich history with a local guide. Then, we’ll enjoy the rest of the evening to delve into the vibrant food scene at our leisure. As the birthplace of orecchiette pasta, we recommend sampling the local hand-made delicacy in one of the trattorias of Bari’s Old Town. Accommodation: Hotel Excelsior Bari (or similar)

Day 3 - Bari – Ostuni – Lecce

Today, we’ll leave Bari behind as we make tracks to Ostuni – also known as the ‘White City’ thanks to its plenitude of white-washed houses. Upon arrival, we’ll learn the secrets behind some traditional cuisine at a cooking demonstration and savour our sumptuous creations for lunch. Appetites satiated, we’ll move on to magnificent Lecce where we’ll enjoy an in-depth walking tour. Resplendent church facades and intricately detailed gargoyles – our local guide will take us around the exquisite Baroque architecture that gives the city its distinctive character. Later, the evening is ours to explore. Accommodation: Hotel Santa Chiara (or similar)

Day 4 - Lecce – Gallipoli – Lecce

This morning, we’ve an appointment to keep at an underground olive mill museum in the historic fishing port of Gallipoli. Here, we’ll uncover the age-old technique of how local farmers extracted ‘green gold’ to be exported across Europe. Then, we’ll enjoy some free time to wander at our leisure – before returning to Lecce. Impressive sandstone buildings, upmarket boutiques, winding alleyways and spectacular piazzas await. Accommodation: Hotel Santa Chiara (or similar)

Day 5 - Lecce – Manduria – Martina Franca

Today, we’ll make our way into the stunning Manduria region. We’ll savour a tasting of the region’s famous Primitivo wine – a unique blend that draws its intense flavours and deep colours from the region’s indigenous grapes. Following that, we’ll move on to our final stop of the day: the beautiful Martina Franca. Accommodation: Relais Villa San Martino (or similar)

Day 6 - Martina Franca – Alberobello and Castellana Caves – Martina Franca

Our first stop of the day will be Alberobello – a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s famous for its charming cone-topped trulli. After learning more about the limestone buildings on a locally guided walking tour, we’ll move on to the spellbinding Castellana Caves. This expansive cave system boasts a unique landscape of stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over 2 million years. You’ll have some free time to explore at your own pace – however visiting the breathtaking Grotta Bianca is a must! Back in Martina Franca, we’ll have the evening to explore the city at our leisure or relax back at our hotel after a busy day. Accommodation: Relais Villa San Martino (or similar)

Day 7 - Martina Franca – Altamura – Matera

This morning we’ll explore the medieval streets of Altamura with a local guide – with an included bread tasting session at a quaint local bakery to round off our visit. Then, our journey continues onwards to the mesmerising city of Matera: the jewel of the Basilicata region. We’ll embark on a walking tour of the ancient Sassi cave dwellings – with our local guide providing a fascinating insight into Matera’s extraordinary history. Later, we’ll enjoy some relaxation time back at our hotel – before coming together for tonight’s final group dinner. Accommodation: Albergo Italia (or similar)

Day 8 - Matera – Naples

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to beautiful Matera as we hit the road again. Coming full circle this afternoon – our tour will end in Naples.

Enchanting Southern Italy Itinerary:

Day 1 - Naples (Italy)

A hub of intoxicating culture and historic masterpieces – we’ll meet the group in the electric city of Naples. Our included dinner tonight is a chance to get to know each other better – and sample some sumptuous Italian cuisine. Here’s to an incredible journey ahead! Accommodation: Palazzo Alabardieri (or similar)

Day 2 - Naples – Pompeii – Paestum

This morning will begin with a walking tour of Naples’ historic centre. A local guide will lead us into the labyrinthine of streets in search of the Cappella Sansevero – the home of the Veiled Christ, one of the finest sculptures in the world. Then, we’ll be transported back in time with a visit to one of the world’s most famous archaeological wonders: Pompeii. After spending some time exploring this fascinating site with a local guide, we’ll continue to the World Heritage-listed city of Paestum – where we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure. Accommodation: Il Granaio dei Casabella (or similar)

Day 3 - Paestum – Minori

This morning, we’ll be welcomed at a local farm – where we’ll view the resident buffaloes and be lucky enough to observe the preparation of light, fresh mozzarella. We’ll then take a guided tour of Paestum – home to three of the world’s best-preserved Greek temples. Visiting the magnificent temples, Roman Forum and the Ampitheatre, we’ll uncover the enthralling history of this glorious archaeological site with a local guide. Then? A kitchen piled high with fresh local produce awaits us back at the farm. Time for a cooking lesson! Our hard work will be rewarded as we savour our own creations at lunch with the host family. Today’s ventures will end in quaint Minori, our base for the next five days. Accommodation: The Minori Palace Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 - Minori – Ravello and Tramonti – Minori

Today’s first stop is the hilltop town of Ravello – where we’ll visit the grand Villa Rufolo and the splendid Villa Cimbrone. Then: we’ll move on to a local lemon grove for an afternoon with a zesty twist. Amalfi is famous for its succulent and fragrant lemons, so there is no better place to dive into a tasting of limoncello and lemon-infused local specialties. Back in Minori, the evening is yours to spend at your leisure. More relaxed than its glitzy cousins, Amalfi and Positano, Minori’s small-town grace and atmospheric seafront will undoubtedly capture your heart. Accommodation: The Minori Palace Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 - Minori – Amalfi and Positano – Minori

The dramatically set cliffside town of Amalfi is nothing short of magnificent. After wandering the sun-filled piazzas and pretty beachside on an orientation tour, we’ll venture onwards to the blissful town of Positano. Enjoy some free time here to explore the picture-perfect cascade of terracotta houses, lively restaurants and alluring boutique storefronts, before returning to Minori. We’ll spend the afternoon learning the intricacies of ceramic decorating from a local artisan. Then, will have plenty of time to enjoy Minori’s coastal charms at our leisure. Accommodation: The Minori Palace Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 - Minori – Capri – Minori

A tour highlight beckons today! After breakfast, we’ll take a short ferry across to the picturesque island of Capri and enjoy a ride on the charming funicular railway – which will whisk us away from the port and into Capri town’s elegant piazza. We’ll orientate ourselves around the village – strolling through the lanes of chic cafes and exclusive boutiques, before relishing in some free time to explore at our own pace. Upon returning to Minori later this afternoon – we’ll have a free evening to indulge in a little dolce vita. We recommend finding a restaurant in town and sampling the local specialty of scialatielli – a thick pasta with a heritage dating back to medieval times. Accommodation: The Minori Palace Hotel (or similar)

Day 7 - Minori – Maiori, Cetara and Vietri sul Mare – Minori

Today’s agenda will see us explore some hidden gems of the Amalfi Coast. First: Maiori – a beautiful village that is home to the largest beach in the area and an array of grand historical buildings, including the church of Santa Maria a Mare. We’ll continue the adventure with a stop at the fishing village of Cetara before landing in Vietri sul Mare – a town famous for its hand-painted, vividly coloured ceramics. After a full day of exploring, we’ll enjoy some free time back in Minori. And tonight? We’ll come together and clink glasses over a delicious farewell dinner. Accommodation: The Minori Palace Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 - Minori – Palace of Caserta and Sant’Agata de’ Goti – Naples

For the final day of our tour, we’ll say goodbye to the Amalfi Coast and move on to the 18th-century Royal Palace of Caserta – an exquisite example of the Italian Baroque period. Then: from the royal to the rustic. Our next stop will be a farmhouse in Sant’Agata de’ Goti, where we’ll taste fabulous Falanghina wines produced from black grapes grown in the Campania region. For one last Italian indulgence, we’ll sit down to a pairing with local produce for lunch – before concluding our journey back in Naples.