The Queen of the Seas is an 8-day itinerary that leads to the discovery of the most authentic Puglia, from the crystalline waters of Salento to the wild landscapes of the Gargano, passing through timeless villages and iconic locations of Southern Italy. The journey visits charming cities such as Lecce, Otranto, and Gallipoli, the characteristic trulli of Alberobello, the villages of the Itria Valley, the spectacular Matera, the evocative Castellana Caves, and continues to Castel del Monte, Monte Sant’Angelo, and San Giovanni Rotondo. An experience that combines the sea, culture, spirituality, unique landscapes, and food and wine traditions, offering a complete immersion into the soul of Puglia and Basilicata.
Arrival in Puglia – Arrival at Bari or Brindisi airport. Accommodation in a hotel in the Itria Valley area. Free evening, dinner, and overnight stay.
Lecce – Otranto – Gallipoli – Half board at the hotel. Departure for a visit to the historic center of Lecce. Visit to the most significant monuments of Lecce Baroque: Piazza Sant’Oronzo, Church of San Matteo, Church of the Rosary, Piazza Duomo, and Santa Croce. Transfer to Otranto. In the afternoon, visit to the historic center of Otranto, the easternmost city in Italy. Visit to the cathedral with the Chapel of the 800 Martyrs, the crypt, and the mosaic (one of the largest in the world) created by the monk Pantaleone. Continuation to Gallipoli on the Ionian side of Salento. Brief visit to the historic center of the city, which preserves numerous monuments, churches, and noble palaces of significant architectural value.
Alberobello – Locorotondo – Cisternino – Ostuni – Half board at the hotel. Visit to Alberobello, the capital of the Trulli and a symbol of all Puglia. Visit to the Rione Monti (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Trullo Church, the Siamese Trullo, and other enchanting corners of this unique town. In the afternoon, traveling along the magnificent SS of the Itria Valley, we will make short stops in the small white villages of Locorotondo and Cisternino until reaching the magnificent White City of Ostuni. Visit to the Ancient Village. Ostuni is built on a hill overlooking hectares of ancient olive groves that slope down toward the sea. Stop for a visit and tasting at an oil mill.
Matera – Altamura – Half board at the hotel. Departure for Matera, the magnificent city of the Sassi (a UNESCO World Heritage site) perched on the gravina of the same name and carved into the limestone rock. We will visit the upper part with the Civita, which is dominated by the magnificent Romanesque Cathedral, and the lower part with the Sasso Barisano. In the afternoon, there will be a short stop in Altamura to discover this fantastic town rich in monuments, located in the Alta Murgia National Park.
Castellana Caves – Martina Franca – Half board at the hotel. Departure for Castellana Grotte to visit its beautiful caves, which preserve stalactite and stalagmite formations unique in the world, including the White Cave. In the afternoon, visit to Martina Franca, a magnificent Baroque town considered the capital of the Itria Valley. Martina Franca is famous for its noble palaces and its churches finely decorated with the typical white stone, very similar to that of Lecce.
Trani – Castel del Monte – Breakfast and departure for Trani, a magnificent seaside town north of Bari. Visit to its Cathedral, a symbol of Apulian Romanesque architecture, and the Castle built by Frederick II of Swabia to defend the port. In the afternoon, visit to Castel del Monte (a UNESCO World Heritage site) with its unique octagonal plan and 8 octagonal towers on every corner. Continue to the Gargano. Arrival at the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.
Manfredonia – Monte Sant’Angelo – San Giovanni Rotondo – Half board at the hotel. Visit to Manfredonia with its ancient village. Transfer to Monte Sant’Angelo, a symbolic site for Christian pilgrims. Visit to the ancient village and the Grotto of the Archangel, which was already a pilgrimage stop during the era of the Crusades. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, free visit to San Giovanni Rotondo to see the sites of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. Visit to the new sanctuary designed by architect Renzo Piano, the ancient convent church, and the small church where the Saint used to pray.
Departure – Breakfast, transfer to the airport. Departure for the return journey.
