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Puglia and the South - Undiscovered Italy

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  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • What's Included
  • FAQ
  • Dates

Enjoy rest and relaxation on the shores of the Adriatic, and take in the often-overlooked delights of Italy’s sun-kissed southern 'high heel'.


Full of included highlights, this hugely enjoyable holiday is based on the shores of the Adriatic and lifts the veil on a fascinating region of Italy. Discover the stunning, ancient, whitewashed hill-town of Ostuni, Alberobello and its conical trulli houses, and visit the extraordinary caves at Matera, as well as Monopoli and Polignano a Mare on an optional excursion. A visit to Baroque gem Lecce – the Florence of the South – and the opportunity to discover Castellana's famous cave network, wine-producing Locorotondo and elegant Martina Franca, on an optional excursion, complete a wonderful stay.

Highlights
  • Take in Alberobello’s traditional, conical trulli houses
  • Explore Lecce's Baroque buildings and Roman ruins
  • Witness hilltop Ostuni’s white walls gleaming in the Italian sun
  • Discover the UNESCO-listed wonders of Matera's Sassi cave-dwellings
  • Spend seven nights beside the brilliant blue Adriatic Sea
  • Visit the medieval village of Cisternino
  • Have the chance to visit the Castellana Caves and Locorotondo on an optional excursion
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from Bari Airport to the hotel is approximately one hour.
Entrance Fees
Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable. This applies to excursions that are included in the price of your holiday and to excursions booked as optional extras.
Meals in Italy
Guests on half-board arrangements will be served a three-course evening meal, and can expect a first course of traditional pasta or soup, a main meat or fish course accompanied by one or two types of vegetable, and a simple dessert of fruit, cake or Italian ice cream. Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Italian hotel room tax
Some regions of Italy have introduced a room tax of between 1€ and 3€ per person per night, payable directly by the guest to the hotel on check-out. You will be advised by your tour manager in resort if a particular hotel is implementing this charge.
Airport development fees
An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Travelling to Europe after Brexit
New rules apply when travelling to European Union countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. Note that these new rules do NOT apply when travelling within the United Kingdom or to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. You do require government issued ID when travelling by air though. Passport - British passport holders need to have at least six months validity left on their passport and it needs to be less than ten years old; passports which have a longer validity than ten years are not valid for travel once the tenth anniversary of issue has passed. These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland where you can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay. Visa - If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania; if you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. Travel to Ireland will not change and stays there will not count towards the 90-day total. European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Towards the end of 2022, it is likely that non EU citizens will be required to apply online for an authorisation to visit most European countries. The current details suggest there will be a charge of €7 per person and the authorisation will be valid for all trips made to the EU in a three year period from issue. We will advise you of confirmed details prior to your tour’s departure. Border Control - At border control, you may need to show proof of your return journey - your travel documentation issued by us will be sufficient for this. You will also need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens if manual checks are required. Healthcare Cover - You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad which covers pre-existing conditions. You should understand the terms and conditions of your travel insurance and be happy with its cover for healthcare and travel disruption. Newmarket sell a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Ask our travel consultants for more information. You should also apply for a UK Global Heath Insurance Card (GHIC) which lets you get urgent state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Note GHIC is only valid in EU countries and not in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Mobile Roaming - Roaming charges have been re-introduced by some UK providers when visiting the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Prior to travel, please do check with your phone operator for the most up to date information.
Dining and meals in Italy
Guests on half-board arrangements will be served a three-course evening meal, and can expect a first course of traditional pasta or soup, a main meat or fish course accompanied by one or two types of vegetable, and a simple dessert of fruit, cake or Italian ice cream. Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.


An authentic dining experience in Italy can often be a bit different to the Italian food that international tourists might be used to, but it’s one of the best ways to truly appreciate the finer cultural differences of this tourist hotspot. From simpler, but more frequent, courses to regional dishes, here are some points to note when dining in Italy.  


The first major difference you’re likely to notice is that the dining experience as a whole is much longer; you’ll enjoy a much more social experience than the average dinner back home with multiple smaller courses spread across a longer period of time. While each meal will be prepared to order, you may notice that dishes are served cooler than you might be used to – Italian dishes are rarely served piping hot to preserve the more delicate flavours of each ingredient and to provide a more enjoyable dining experience. The final thing to bear in mind is that it may be tricky to find Italian classics in the same form as they are at home. For instance, while Spaghetti Carbonara is a staple in historic Rome – and made traditionally using egg yolks rather than cream – you’ll often find it replaced with a wild boar ragù in Tuscany.
Travelling to Europe
Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.



Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.



Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").



Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.



European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Due to commence in 2025, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.

Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from Bari Airport to the hotel is approximately one hour.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Italian hotel room tax
Some regions of Italy have introduced a room tax of between 1€ and 4€ per person per night, payable directly by the guest to the hotel on check-out. You will be advised by your tour manager in resort if a particular hotel is implementing this charge.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Destinations
  • Europe
  • Italy
Tour Types
  • Cycling
  • History
  • Beach Tours
  • Coach tours (worldwide)
  • Ruins-Archaeology
  • Sightseeing

Location: Torre Canne

Fly to Bari, meet your tour manager and board the coach to transfer to your comfortable beachside hotel in Torre Canne. Settle in, and depending on your flight time, perhaps enjoy a refreshing drink on the terrace before dinner.

Meals: No Meals

Location: Torre Canne

Today, you're free to rest, relax in the hotel and make the most of your waterside location. Take a dip in the pool, pay a visit to the hotel’s fitness centre or simply curl up with a book on a terrace or in a lounge. If you feel like exploring further afield, you can rent bicycles from the hotel, or stroll into the nearby fishing port and the small resort of Torre Canne to see its tiny harbour and lighthouse.<br/><br/><br/>Alternatively, you can join the optional excursion to visit the white-washed houses and the imposing Bell Tower of Monopoli. After which, it is on to breathtaking Polignano a Mare, perched on a cliff edge overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic, it offers some of the best beaches in Italy.

Meals: No Meals

Location: Torre Canne, Apulia

The first of our included excursions is a perfect introduction to the unique region of Apulia, or Puglia. It begins with a visit to the stunning hill-town of Ostuni, one of Southern Italy’s most spectacular locations, its whitewashed houses and cobbled streets set on three hills. The town’s maze of alleyways is perfect for wandering and opens out to reveal some spectacular views, while the old town's beautiful squares offer several bars and cafés from which to watch the world go by.<br/><br/><br/>Leaving Ostuni, we'll travel back, across the vine- and olive-covered landscape dotted with conical trulli houses, to Alberobello. Here, hundreds of the whitewashed buildings with their tapered roofs cluster together to create one of Italy’s most arresting sights.<br/><br/><br/>Return to Torre Canne for dinner, at the end of a fascinating day.

Meals: No Meals

Location: Lecce

The Baroque treasure-chest of Lecce is one of Southern Italy’s most appealing cities. Today’s included tour will include the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of this historic trading centre, where elegant buildings, ornate churches and marbled courtyards reflect the town’s past importance. Explore the old town, which surrounds the ruins of a great Roman amphitheatre, one of several Roman remnants in the city, before we return to Torre Canne in time for dinner.

Meals: No Meals

Location: Torre Canne

Spend another day relaxing at your hotel, perhaps enjoying a dip in the pool or the sea, or catching some sun in the hotel’s gardens.

Meals: No Meals

Location: Province of Matera

Saving the best of our included excursions till last, today you'll head into the neighbouring province of Basilicata, to Matera. This enthralling labyrinth of a town is a cultured oasis in and otherwise sparsely populated landscape, and is famed for the extraordinary Sassi. This maze of ancient cave-dwellings was inhabited as recently as 40 years ago, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Arriving in Matera in time for lunch (payable locally), you’ll have the opportunity to discover the history of this fascinating place, with its chiese rupestri (churches hewn from the rocks), and to wander through its ancient streets and colourful piazzas.<br/><br/><br/>After a fascinating day you’ll head back into Puglia and return to the shores of the blue Adriatic.

Meals: No Meals

Location: Locorotondo, Torre Canne, Martina Franca, Castellana Grotte

The final day of your holiday offers a last chance to rest and relax at the hotel or in Torre Canne, or to join a last optional excursion – this time into the Apulian countryside. First stop on the tour will be the extraordinary caves at Castellana, an underground network of towering stalagmites and stalactites and vast, cool caverns formed over the centuries. Wrap up warm in the cool temperatures then emerge to and head to your second stop – the majestic, whitewashed, circular hill-town of Locorotondo. Here, the surrounding vineyards are famed for their crisp white wines, and you'll visit a local cellar for the opportunity to taste the local vintages, as well as some other regional specialities, before you round off an enjoyable day with a short call in the historic town of Martina Franca, where an enthralling Baroque heart is hidden behind the modern buildings of the new town.

Meals: No Meals

Location: United Kingdom

Say goodbye to your Apulian hosts, and board the coach to begin your journey back to Bari airport where you'll check in for your flight home at the end of a fascinating, relaxing tour of Puglia.

Meals: No Meals

Included
  • Seven nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel del Levante, Torre Canne
  • Tours of Lecce and the cave network at Matera
  • A tour of Apulia, Cisternino, Ostuni and Alberobello
  • Coach travel and transfers throughout
  • Return flights to Bari
  • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Not Included
  • Tipping and Gratuities
    -
Yes
If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania; if you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total.
We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. Please make sure that you make us aware of any requirements.
Since 1983
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.
Our company’s mission is to enrich lives and improve wellbeing through travel. A big part of that is ‘Travel for Good’. Our ‘Travel for Good’ hub is our first step in a long journey to reduce carbon, offset anything we produce as a company and travel without harming the planet or the people of the destinations we go to.
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.<br/><br/>
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

You will have the option to book your own flights independently with the operator.

Dates Price Availability
26-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights 		Departing Edinburgh Flight Included £1809.00
26-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1530.00
26-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Stansted Flight Included £1652.00
26-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1107.00
21-Oct-2025
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1661.00
21-Oct-2025
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £981.00
24-Mar-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1323.00
24-Mar-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1364.00
24-Mar-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1008.00
31-Mar-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1341.00
31-Mar-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1382.00
31-Mar-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1026.00
14-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1463.00
14-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1503.00
14-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1107.00
21-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1391.00
21-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1431.00
21-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1035.00
28-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1341.00
28-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1382.00
28-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1026.00
05-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1508.00
05-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1553.00
05-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1062.00
12-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1476.00
12-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1517.00
12-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1071.00
19-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1476.00
19-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1517.00
19-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1071.00
26-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1562.00
26-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1607.00
26-May-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1116.00
02-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1494.00
02-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1539.00
02-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1125.00
16-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1566.00
16-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1611.00
16-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1197.00
23-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1575.00
23-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1620.00
23-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1206.00
01-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1634.00
01-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1679.00
01-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1206.00
08-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1562.00
08-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1607.00
08-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1134.00
15-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1553.00
15-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1598.00
15-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1125.00
22-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1553.00
22-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1598.00
22-Sep-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1125.00
06-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £2183.00
06-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £2228.00
06-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1800.00
13-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1454.00
13-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1499.00
13-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1071.00
20-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1454.00
20-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1499.00
20-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1071.00
27-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1454.00
27-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1499.00
27-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1071.00
03-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing London Gatwick Flight Included £1454.00
03-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Departing Manchester Flight Included £1499.00
03-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Tour Only £1071.00

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This tour is operated by Newmarket Holidays

8 days from £981 pp exc.flights; Enquire
Start:UK
Finish:UK
Group size:25 - 49
Suitable for: 21-98
Physical rating:Low
Tour operated in: English
map
Tour Reference: 20628
Contact us
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2 Call directly 0203 7939446