Prinsotel - Apulia

Reserved area

Apulia

APULIA 10 days

Day 1:

Arrival of the group in the surroundings of the GARDA LAKE, accommodation in hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 2:

After breakfast, departure to the region APULIA. Late in the afternoon arrival in the area of MANFREDONIA. Accommodation in hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 3:

After breakfast, departure for a full day excursion along the GARGANO COAST with panoramic tour

till VIESTE, then MONTE S.ANGELO, ancient town where the oldest Sanctuary in Europe rises, built in a grotto on the spot where the Archangel Michele appeared and one of the most ancient places of Pilgrimage in Europe. Continuation to SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO, located in the centre of the Gargano and linked to the figure of the famous Padre Pio, destination of many pilgrims during the year. Return to MANFREDONIA and visit of the paleocristian Basilica of S. Leonardo, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Siponto and the Castle of Manfredonia. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 4:

After breakfast departure for a full day excursion to BARLETTA/TRANI/CASTEL del MONTE. In Barletta visit of the Castle of Frederic II and of the Cathedral dating back to the XII century. Then to Trani with the historical centre, the Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, one of the most beautiful in Apulia thanks to its perfect position near the sea and the Swabian Castle and further on to Castel del Monte with its majestic Castle: an octagonal base cornered by eight towers reaching 29 m. height, a “timpano” doorway and slim windows, built by Frederic II in 1240 ca. and the most famous among many Apulia-Swabian Castles. Continuation in the area of ALBEROBELLO or OSTUNI. Accommodation in hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 5:

After breakfast departure to the CASTELLANA GROTTOS, upon arrival visit of Italy’s most well

known Karst-formation complex: during the journey, which takes approx three hours, one can admire the black cave, the cavern of monuments, the cavern of the owl, the little nativity cavern and the last to be discovered but by far the most spectacular: The White Grotto, described as the most beautiful in the world. Further on to ALBEROBELLO, the heart of the Itria Valley, picturesque agricultural and touristic centre, formed in large part by its typical conical constructions, very well known as “Trulli”. Then continuation to MARTINA FRANCA, elegant Baroque town and visit of the historical centre with the Ducal Palace and the Collegiata of St. Martino, where the altars of polychromatic marble as well as a splendid canvas depicting the last supper can be admired. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 6:

After breakfast departure for a full day excursion to BARI, ALTAMURA and MATERA. In Bari, main town of the region Apulia and commercial centre of the South, visit of the Basilica of S. Nicola, patron Saint of the town, and of the Swabian Castle. Then Altamura with the visit of the rocky church of Madonna delle Tre Porte and the historical centre and Matera, famous for its historical centre, in particular for its most characteristic quarters the Sasso “Caveoso” and the Sasso “Barisano” that together with the Sasso “Civita” build a complex urban centre today very well known as the Sassi of Matera: here the famous actor/producer Mel Gibson set his film “The Passion of the Christ”. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 7:

After breakfast, departure for a full day excursion to LECCE, GALLIPOLI and OTRANTO. Located in the “Salento”, the land between the Adriatic and the Ionic Sea, Lecce is a nice town where an architectonic and exclusive decorative style is born: the so called Barocco Leccese. Due to this style it is known as “the Florence of the South”. The visit starts by Porta Napoli and previews the suggestive Via Palmieri with many noble palaces, Piazza Duomo, Piazza S. Oronzo, the Dom, dating back to XVII century, the Episcopal Palace, the Basilica of Santa Croce, the most important building representing the Leccese Baroque in Apulia and the Roman Amphitheatre, dati

ng back to II century. Then to Gallipoli, whose old town dominates a little Island, called “the Town” and visit of the Cathedral of Sant’Agata. Then continuation to Otranto with its Castle (XV century), the Byzantine Basilica of San Pietro and the Cathedral with its mosaic flooring, famous example of the Romanic Apulia architecture. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 8:

After breakfast, departure for a full day excursion to TARANTO and BRINDISI. In Taranto walk in the ancient village with its noble Villas recently restored with S. Cataldo’s Romanesque Cathedral and S. Domenico’s Church. Stop at the swing Bridge, mechanical structure of the second half of the XIX century. Panoramic tour through the promenade Vittorio Emanuele III and going out of the ancient town, view on the little sea. Then continuation to Brindisi with an important harbour from which ferries leave mainly to Greece, Dubrovnik and to many other destinations in the Adriatic Sea. The historical centre is still confined in the ancient Aragon walls dating back to XV century. Very interesting is the visit of the archaeological site of the ancient quarter S. Pietro degli Schiavoni, where you can admire an area dating back to the Roman period with a thermal complex and some houses. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 9:

After breakfast departure to URBINO. Late in the afternoon arrival in Hotel, accommodation, dinner and overnight.

Day 10:

After breakfast, departure and end of our services.

Rate includes:

- 1 H.B. in a middle-class Hotel in the surroundings of the GARDA LAKE

- 2 H.B. in a middle-class Hotel in the area of MANFREDONIA

- Full-day guide service on the GARGANO

- Full-day guide service TRANI/CASTEL DEL MONTE

- 5 H.B. in a middle-class Hotel in the area of ALBEROBELLO/OSTUNI

- Half-day guide service ALBEROBELLO/MARTINA FRANCA

- Full-day guide service BARI/ALTAMURA/MATERA