Southern Visions 7 Day Casual Walking Trip

This is a beautiful Southern Visions’ seven (7) day casual, guided walking trip through the region of

Puglia, Italy, which lies in the heel of the boot, along the sun drenched Adriatic Sea. Puglia offers

access to the freshest seafood, crowd-free open spaces, irresistible desserts and pastries, distinct

wines, and the 50 million olive trees that make Puglia the world’s leading producer of Olive Oil. Come

to Puglia and hear the voices of the past call out over the trulli houses…..we promise, once you

discover it, Puglia will leave a lasting impression

Trip Highlights

Matera, Alberobello, Otranto and Lecce Walking Tours

Guided Tour of the Countryside of Montescaglioso

Olive Oil Tastings

Mozzarella Making Class

Pugliese Cooking Lesson

Private Food and Wine Tasting

Monopoli Market Visit

WHAT YOU GET!!!

An outstanding adventure travel

experience

Peace of mind you are with the most

professional travel and tour company

in Puglia

Local, native guides with knowledge of

the secrets and mysteries of the region

6 nights lodging at 4 and 5 star hotels

and resorts

7 breakfasts

4 Dinners

5 Lunches

All luggage transfers

Guest Shuttles

Tour through the majestic botanical

gardens

Professional Olive Oil Tasting and Walk

in the Olive Groves

Professional cooking lesson(s)

Professional Mozzarella Making Demo

and Tasting

Daily snacks and happy hours

Daily professional walking and shuttle

tours

Guided tour of Monopoli Market

Detailed Maps and Route Notes

€2099.00 per person based on double

occupancy

€599.00 Single Supplement

We will meet in the lobby of the Hotel Leon d’Oro of Bari (in front of the main station) at 10:00 a.m.

You will find your Guide in a red and orange Southern Visions t-shirt.

We suggest you arrive at least the night before – please check for flights or night trains from Milan,

Rome, and Venice, arriving in Bari between 6 and 8 p.m. the night prior to our first day. (See the end

of itinerary for recommendations on arriving and departing from the area).

Day 1

Matera Walking Tour

Latteria Rizzi Food and Wine Tasting (buffet) for lunch

Dinner: Trattoria Lucana www.trattorialucana.it

Lodging: Hotel Sant’Angelo www.hotelsantangelosassi.it

Your adventure begins at 10:00 am when our local SV guide meets you at Leon D’Oro. Our day begins

with a gorgeous walking tour of Matera, where, immediately you will be swept from the world you know

to a land given over for gone which has emerged triumphant and beautiful in its pure connection with

the past and how time is once again brought round to reveal there is always a new way of looking at

things. We will then immerse you in depth into the art of flavor and freshness that is Southern Italian

cuisine with a spectacular buffet lunch and wine tasting in one of Matera’s signature restaurants,

Latteria Rizzi. After lunch we will walk you back to your lovely hotel for an afternoon to enjoy yourself

on your own time. You will have time for a look around the area and for an all important afternoon

Italian coffee drink, the Espressino. Be sure to make time to stop by the Laboratorio Ceramica Piero

Colapietro or Pasquale Dilena where we will watch the craftsman make traditional decorative ceramics.

We will meet in the hotel lobby at 6:30 for an aperitivo and conversation, before heading to dinner at

Trattoria Lucana for some traditional Italian fare – may we suggest the antipasta caldi?

Day 2

Morning and Afternoon Activities: Tour the Countryside of Montescaglioso

Late Afternoon visit to local ceramist and Panificio

Lodging: Hotel Sant’Angelo www.hotelsantangelosassi.it

Today’s events start with a drive out of town for a lovely walking tour through the Italian countryside.

We will take a breathtaking walking in the protected area of Natural Park of Rupestrian (dug into caves)

Churches, characterized by cliffs, ravines, caves and gorges where we can find pre-historical settlements

as well as medieval monastic communities. Birdwatchers can enjoy the widest variety of species in Italy.

We will walk up to the St. Michael Abbey in Montescaglioso. On our way up, we will stop at a farmhouse

in Masseria San Felice and have our picnic lunch. Our day of beautiful walks will culminate at the St.

Michael Abbey, before heading back to the hotel by shuttle. There will be a nice period in the afternoon

to hit the pool, have a nap, or visit a local ceramist studio and a Panificio to learn how pane is made in a

huge ancient oven alike they used to do in the past. Dinner is scheduled to be an on your own event to

enjoy the evening life at your own leisure. If you are in the mood for a real feast, try Ristorante Rivelli; or

if pizza is what your heart desires, visit Oi Mari’or Da Mario. Be sure to get plenty of rest before another

packed day of activities begins tomorrow!

Day 3

Shuttle Ride to Puglia with lunch and cooking lesson at Masseria Murgia Albanese

www.murgiaalbanese.it

Afternoon Walking Tour of Alberobello

Lodging and Dining: Masseria San Martino www.masseriasanmartino.com

We begin our day by shuttling to our next hotel in Puglia, Masseria San Martino, where along the way

we will experience the beautiful hilltop towns of Puglia whose Greek influence is apparent in their

whitewashed exteriors. The landscape is highlighted by seemingly deserted paths through ancient olive

groves covered with blankets of poppies and surrounded by meticulously built little walls of stone. We

will stop for lunch at Masseria Murgia Albanese for a visceral culinary experience as we receive a

cooking lesson and lunch from the masseria’s staff. Next, we will stop to take a walking tour of

Alberobello, where if you pay special attention, you will hear voices of the past echoing off the 1400+

Trulli (conical roofed homes and businesses), and come to understand why Alberobello is the postcard

capital of Puglia. Finally, we will arrive at the Masseria San Martino where you will be able to relax

before dinner at our hotel.

Day 4

Transfer to Vivai Capitanio Botanical Gardens

http://www.vivaicapitanio.it/capitanio_eng/botanical_garden.html

Transfer to Monopoli Market, lunch in Polignano

Aperitivo at Crovace House with Mozzarella Class

Walking Tour in Cisternino

Dinner: Il Cucco

Lodging: Masseria San Martino www.masseriasanmartino.com

This morning we set out to transfer to Vivai Capitanio to visit the Botanical Gardens, which are set in the

beautiful landscape of Apulia, represented by secular olive trees introduced by the Greeks 2500 years

ago. After the gardens, we will transfer to Monopoli to visit the open air market and do some

sightseeing. We will then move to Polignano where you are free to explore and have lunch on your own

or with your fellow travel mates After lunch we will stretch our legs a bit with a walk along the north

seaside to San Vito – those guests needing a pick me up are invited to stop for a local coffee at their

leisure – take time to enjoy the special seaside air. Our next stop takes us to the Crovace House for a

mozzarella show and aperitivo with local dairy runner, Dina. We finish our day with a journey to the

town of Cisternino for a walk of the town and dinner at Il Cucco. We are sure this activity filled day will

provide you a restful night’s sleep.

Day 5

Olive Oil Tastings http://www.masserialamacavallo.it/Il%20frantoio%20Locopagliaro.htm

Wine tasting

www.liveli.it

Lodging: Otranto – Hotel Valle dell’Idro www.otrantohotel.com

Today we will start with a journey to an old olive oil mill in Locopagliaro, for a talk with the owner and

an olive oil taste. Next, we will transfer to Ostuni, La Città Bianca (the white city) which is a stunning

temple on the hill and gateway to the sea, for a walk through the town. We invite you to lunch on your

own at one of the fabulous establishments in the city. Finally, we will head toward our hotel, stopping at

Masseria Liveli for a wine tasting. We will spend our evening in the city of Otranto, where you will check

into the Hotel Valle dell’Idro. You are having dinner on your own in Otranto, which boasts a beautiful

azure blue coastline, well-priced restaurants, and cultural activities. We have a feeling you will return

how saying “I left my heart in Otranto”.

Day 6

Walking Tour: Otranto and Capo d’Otranto

Lunch: Seaside Restaurant

SV Farewell Party at Ristorante da Sergio Garibaldi

Lodging Hotel Valle dell’Idro www.otrantohotel.com

We will start our day with a walking tour of Otranto to see the old town and fish market. This walk will

allow us to fully experience the diversity of this region, which is one part beach resort, on part middle-

eastern, many parts Italian and every part enjoyable. We will lunch at a seaside restaurant and enjoy the

breeze from the Sea and postcard style views. After lunch, you can return to the hotel to relax, or join us

in a transfer to Porto Badisco and tour the Capo d’Otranto. However you choose to spend your

afternoon, be sure to prepare for an amazing farewell party Pugliese style starting with an aperitivo on

the hotel terrace, and dinner at Ristorante da Sergio Garibaldi.

Day 7

Morning Guided walk of Lecce

Farewell from the Southern Visions Team

We will shuttle you to Lecce, known as the Florence of the south, to a papier-mâché making studio

before enjoying our last stop at Caffé Alvino, the oldest coffee bar in the region for a cappuccino and

local dessert, pasticciotto leccese. We will continue with a guided walking tour of this amazing

architectural gem of a city and the opportunity to continue your journey on your own. Of course, if you

would like to stay longer, Southern Visions will help you extend your stay or guide you in the right

direction home. Always keeping in mind you will be changed for the better after Puglia, for it is a place

that has changed us all.

All tours finish in Lecce where the shuttle will take our guests to the station or to Brindisi airport.

ARRIVING AND DEPARTING - LOGISTICS

After reviewing the following information, please inform us of your arrival and departure plans on the

Personal Information Form.

Arrival

We suggest you arrive at least the night before – please check for flights or night trains from Milan,

Rome, and Venice, arriving in Bari between 6 and 8 p.m. the night prior to our first day.

Conclusion of the trip

On the last day of the trip, an SV shuttle is available to the Lecce train station and to Brindisi airport. The

shuttle stops at the rail station, where you can catch an afternoon train for Rome or Milan (if you catch

the train to Milan you can change in Bologna to Florence). To Rome there is one train at noon and one

after 5.00 pm; to Milan there is one train at around 2.00 pm and then one in the evening arriving the

next morning.

Flight arrangements

We recommend flying into Milan or Rome. You can then catch a flight to Bari (airport code: BRI) from

either city. Or, if you don’t mind the longer travel time and the possibility of delays, you can take the

train to Bari. You can see below.

Getting from the Bari airport to the Bari train station

A taxi ride from the airport to the train station takes 25-30 minutes and costs around €20. An Autolinee

Tempesta bus ride to the Bari train station takes approximately 30 minutes and costs €4,15.

Taking the train to Bari from Rome, Milan or Florence

The trip from Rome takes about 5 hours; from Milan it’s about 8 ½ hours; from Florence, expect

approximately 7 ½ hours of travel.

Train travel in Italy

We suggest purchasing rail tickets and making reservations through your own travel agent. For more

information on rail travel in Italy, visit the web www.trenitalia.com. There you can purchase tickets and

book your seat by using your credit card.

You can purchase Italian rail tickets from any train station in Italy, but some very small stations. Many

stations are equipped with automatic ticket machines, from which you can purchase tickets and

reservation coupons for travel in Italy and for principal cross-border routes. The machines accept cash,

credit card and ATM card with your PIN.

If you travel on one of Italy’s faster trains, including Eurocity, Intercity and Eurostar, you’ll be charged a

supplemental fare in addition to the regular ticket price. If you travel on these trains without your

supplemental ticket, you’ll be fined. Eurostar and Intercity trains require a seat reservation for travel at

all times. For travel on intercity trains, reservations are not mandatory; however, you may want to pay

the extra reservation charge for a guaranteed seat, simply for peace of mind. If you know you’ll be

taking the train during a peak local travel period, such as a holiday, you’ll definitely want to make

reservations or you risk standing for your entire trip. Italy’s slower train (Rapido, Espresso, Regionale,

Inter regionale and Locale) don’t require a reservation or a supplement ticket.

Boarding the train

To find your platform, which will be listed at least 10 minutes prior to departure, check the small TV

screens or the larger schedule boards in the main station area. If you are travelling without reservations,

you’ll need to validate your “open” ticket by stamping it at one of the small yellow machines located on

each train platform (the machine stamps the date and the time on the open ticket to prevent multiple

uses). If you forget to stamp your ticket before boarding, tell the on-board ticket inspector immediately

to avoid a supplementary fee.

WHERE TO STAY BEFORE & AFTER YOUR TRIP

BARI

PALACE HOTEL

Via Lombardi 13

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5216551

www.palacehotelbari.it

GRAND HOTEL LEON D’ORO

Piazza Aldo Moro 4

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5235040

www.grandhotelleondoro.it

HOTEL VILLA ROMANAZZI

Via Giuseppe Capruzzi 326

70124 Bari

tel. +39 080 5427400

www.villaromanazzi.com

HOTEL ADRIA

Via Zuppetta 10

70121 Bari

tel. +39 080 5246699

www.adriahotelbari.com

HOTEL BOSTON

Via Piccinni 155

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5216633

www.bostonbari.it

HOTEL VICTOR

Via Nicolai 71

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5216600

www.victorservice.com

MATERA

LA CASA DI LUCIO

Via S. Pietro Caveoso, 66

75100 Matera

Tel. +39 0835 312798

www.lacasadilucio.it

HOTEL SANT’ANGELO

Rione Pianelle - Piazza San Pietro Caveoso

75100 Matera

tel. +39 (0)835 314010

www.hotelsantangelosassi.it

LOCANDA DI SAN MARTINO

Via Fiorentini, 71

75100 Matera tel +39 0835 256600

info@locandadisanmartino.it

HOTEL RIDOLA - Albergo in dimora storica

Via Morelli 13

75100 Matera

tel. +39-0835-318811

info@hotelridolamatera.it

ALBERGO DEL SEDILE

Recinto Sedile n. 4 - Piazza del Sedile

Matera

tel +39.0835.333436

www.albergodelsedile.it

HOTEL IN PIETRA

Via San Giovanni Vecchio, 22

75100 Matera

tel +39 0835 344040

www.hotelinpietra.it

ALBERGO ITALIA

Via Ridola 5

75100 Matera

tel: 0835 333561, 0835 337689

www.albergoitalia.com

LECCE

Hotel Patria Palace

Piazzetta Riccardi

73100 Lecce (Lecce), Italy

+39 0832 245111

www.patriapalacelecce.com

Hotel delle Palme

Via Di Leuca, 90

73100 Lecce (LE), Italy

+39 0832 347171

www.hoteldellepalmelecce.it

Grand Hotel Tiziano

Viale Porto d'Europa, s/n

73100 Lecce

tel. +390832 272111

www.grandhoteltiziano.it

B&B Palazzo Rollo

Via Vittorio Emanuele II, n°14

Lecce

Tel. +39.328.9540585 - +39.0832.307152

www.palazzorollo.it

FINAL THOUGHTS

Please be sure to note these important contact numbers, should you need assistance before, during, or

after your trip:

Puglia: +39.340.264.4128 or +39.080.416.0030

U.S.A: +1.713-540-0989

All tours operated by Active Cultures LLC