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Puglia All Inclusive - Undiscovered Southern Italy

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You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
8 days From £1,399 £1,299 per person
4.3 stars(482 reviews)
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Unwind on an all-inclusive fly-rail exploration of undiscovered Puglia in the heel of Italy, uncovering labyrinthine ports, white-washed villages and unique ancient dwellings

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Save up to £200pp on Europe 2025 holidays, when you book by 31st January 2025.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: 25PUF

About the tour

Experience traditional Italy on a relaxing all-inclusive, fly-rail holiday to the unspoilt heel of southern Italy.

Based in a spa hotel overlooking the beautiful coast of Monopoli, just 50 meters from a gorgeous white sandy beach, we explore the undiscovered region of Puglia, dotted with historic ports, white-washed villages and unique ancient dwellings.

Discover the spectacular trulli homes of Alberobello and the sassi houses in the incredible cliffside town of Matera in Basilicata.

Uncover the cities of Lecce and Bari while soaking up the amazing scenery and appealing culture of this laid-back region.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Visiting Matera and its intriguing 'sassi' cave dwellings
Visiting Matera and its intriguing 'sassi' cave dwellings
Inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, these stunning natural caves are found in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera, a breathtaking rugged setting which is known as ‘the jewel of Basilicata’.
Discover the unique ‘trulli’ houses of Alberobello
Discover the unique ‘trulli’ houses of Alberobello
Explore this delightful town on a fascinating guided tour and see the curious ‘trulli’ homes constructed from limestone and recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Touring and exploring the historical city of Lecce
Touring and exploring the historical city of Lecce
Known as ‘the Florence of the South’, marvel at the Baroque wonders of Lecce on an insightful guided tour of this ancient city in the heel of Italy, followed by a traditional Leccese coffee and pastry.
Unwinding in a relaxing 4-star coastal hotel
Unwinding in a relaxing 4-star coastal hotel
Stay on the Puglian coast in a base that is ideally located for exploring this unspoilt corner of Italy, with hotel features including pools, a private beach and drinks from 10am until 10pm each day.
Travelling back in time to the vibrant city of Bari
Travelling back in time to the vibrant city of Bari
Explore the Old Town of Bari at your own pace and discover the ancient charm of this historical port city, a place of cultural importance which was once part of both Roman and Byzantine empires.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Flying south to Monopoli on the Adriatic coast

Our holiday begins when we meet our Tour Manager and group of co-travellers at London Gatwick*, before flying to Bari. On arrival in the city on the east coast of Italy, we transfer to our spa hotel on the outskirts of Monopoli, a relaxing all-inclusive base ideally situated for exploring this charming and unspoilt part of Italy.

Our hotel is surrounded by pine forest and is just 50 metres from a white sandy beach. With free time after check-in, you could unwind on the beach or in the spa. Or you might prefer to lounge by the outdoor swimming pools with a cooling drink.

This evening, we enjoy dinner at the hotel with drinks included - as they are between 10am and 10pm each day.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – Exploring Puglia’s charming towns

Puglia has picture-perfect landscapes of vineyards and olive groves, and today you discover some of the region's most beautiful towns. First we visit the circular town of Locorotondo, renowned for its sparkling white Spumante wine. Here, you have free time to wander the peaceful labyrinthine streets of the historic centre, among whitewashed buildings and stone churches.

We continue to nearby Martina Franca where there's also time to look around. In the heart of the historic Old Town, is the sandy-coloured Baroque façade of St Martin's Basilica on the main square.

Returning to our hotel for lunch we then visit the town of Polignano a Mare. With winding streets of white-washed buildings, this beautiful coastal town is perched on top of a limestone cliff overlooking the sparkling blue ocean. The sparkling Adriatic attracts sunworshippers to Polignano's Blue Flag beach, who get to view cliff divers jumping into the sea from great heights.

Back at the hotel this evening, we enjoy dinner with drinks.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Discovering the historic city of Lecce

Travelling by coach to Fasano Station, we board a train for a journey to Lecce and enjoy a guided tour of this city, known for its Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings, attractive squares and leafy lanes.

With its elaborate architecture and winding alleys, Lecce has been dubbed 'the Florence of the South'. The main square, Piazza del Duomo, sits in the shadow of Lecce's cathedral and its bell tower. Our tour ends at a traditional café, where we sample a Leccese coffee, made with almond milk and poured over ice, with 'pasticciotto' - a southern Puglian pastry filled with custard or ricotta.

With a free afternoon to continue exploring, you could enjoy your picnic lunch near Piazza Sant'Oronzo in view of the Roman amphitheatre - a partially buried archaeological treasure excavated in 1938, where gladiator tournaments were once held. The streets are lined with cafés, bars and restaurants, and shops offering local produce such as olive oil, wine and ceramics.

We return by train to Fasano and transfer by coach to our hotel in time for dinner and drinks.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – A free day to enjoy the laid-back Puglian atmosphere

With a day at leisure, you could choose to relax at one of the hotel's pools, or on its private beach, spending a peaceful day soaking up the Italian sunshine.

Lunch is available at your hotel, and afterwards you make like to make your way to Monopoli. In the town's charming old quarter is a Baroque cathedral, pretty painted houses and faded stone palaces. The town respects siesta time but the colourful, flower-filled streets become livelier in late afternoon, when artisan craft shops, small boutiques and specialist grocery stores reopen.

Monopoli's Old Port is overlooked by a 16th-century fortress castle, and its striking whitewashed houses contrast with the translucent blue Adriatic Sea. During the afternoon you could enjoy this peaceful scene from a harbour café. The sleepy fishing harbour comes to life at dusk and dawn, when wooden blue and red fishing boats cast off and fishermen return with their catch.

Dinner with drinks at the hotel this evening is the perfect way to round off an enjoyable day of unwinding.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Touring the charming port city of Bari

This morning you travel by train through bountiful countryside to Bari, Puglia's capital and a city overflowing with cultural charms. Bari's long history as a trading port is explored on a guided tour of the gorgeous Old Town, tucked on a headland edging into the Adriatic Sea. Home to the 11th-century Romanesque Basilica di San Nicola and a Swabian Castle, along with some stunning grand piazzas, you're transported back in time as you hear stories of this former Roman and Byzantine port city.

Afterwards, you're free to continue sightseeing at your own pace. Maybe visit one of the Old Town's many museums or enjoy your picnic lunch on the long seafront promenade, which has views of the city walls and crystalline sea. You might also like to sample the city's thriving street food or relax at a stylish bar or alfresco café with a glass of local wine. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon, ready for dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – A day trip to Matera and its astonishing ‘sassi’ houses

A highlight of any trip to this part of Italy is an excursion to Matera. We leave Puglia by coach this morning to travel to this spectacular town in neighbouring Basilicata. The rugged hilltop town of Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised for its ancient 'sassi' cave dwellings dug deep into the cliffside. This fascinating town has been favoured among directors as a film location over the decades, and features in the James Bond film No Time to Die.

After a short break on arrival, our guided tour takes us through the maze of winding streets and fascinating Palaeolithic-era abodes, some of which were inhabited until as recently as the 1950s. Matera has flourished in recent years - it was European Capital of Culture in 2019 - and there are many boutiques, craft shops, bars and cafés to discover.

You have a free afternoon here to enjoy your picnic lunch while taking in beautiful views and could also explore the newer part of Matera, where stalls and shops sell delicious local produce. In the late afternoon, we return to our coastal hotel for dinner and drinks.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Viewing the curious ‘trulli’ houses of Alberobello

After breakfast, we travel by coach to the charming town of Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO-listed limestone 'trulli' houses. These curious cone-shaped homes date back to the 14th century and are one of Puglia's must-see attractions. Originally built without mortar so they could be quickly dismantled and easily rebuilt - which allowed occupants to evade tax collectors - 'trulli' houses are now emblematic of the region.

Free time to explore allows you to step back in time to an almost forgotten era of Italy, admiring the delightful, white-washed stone houses which spread out towards the surrounding hillsides.

You return to your all-inclusive hotel near Monopoli in time for lunch. You may like to spend a free afternoon relaxing by the pool or on the private beach overlooking Puglia's rugged coastline before dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Homeward bound

After breakfast this morning, we check out of our hotel on the beautiful Puglian coast and transfer to Bari airport for our return flight to London Gatwick or chosen regional airport.

On the journey back to the UK, there's time to look back on the wonderful places we have visited during this lovely all-inclusive holiday to Puglia. After saying goodbye to our Tour Manager, fellow travellers and new friends, no doubt you will head home with many impressions and some special memories of your time in southern Italy.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Porto Giardino Resort & Spa, Monopoli

Porto Giardino Resort & Spa, Monopoli

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Upgrades

Flight upgrades
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Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 482 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (238)
  2. 4 stars
    (186)
  3. 3 stars
    (41)
  4. 2 stars
    (12)
  5. 1 star
    (5)

RUSHMER

4 stars

Submitted 13/Nov

Enjoyable and varied trip but meal experiences a bit like "school dinners". Location not good for meaningful use of "free time".

Collected by Trustpilot

Anon

5 stars

Submitted 7/Nov

Lovely hotel and food was outstanding. Enjoyed the excursions and our tour manager was excellent and always helpful.

Collected by Trustpilot

Christine Reaney

4 stars

Submitted 7/Nov

Great holiday. Nightmare at Stanstead. .

Collected by Trustpilot

Pamela

4 stars

Submitted 7/Nov

My husband and I were delighted with our holiday. Pietrablu Hotel restaurant 's staff were very professional and friendly.

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blackju

4 stars

Submitted 4/Nov

Visited some lovely villages and towns (especially Matera, Alberobello, Lecce, Polignaro and Martina Franca)......most travel was by coach, just a couple of rail trips. Group size was rather large (39 pers) so toilet breaks took rather a long time. Comfortable hotel with reasonable food.....buffet style and a lot of people eating at the same time so restaurant was exceedingly noisy at times. Really enjoyed.

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Anthony Blane

4 stars

Submitted 4/Nov

Excellent organisation, first rate tour guide, disappointing hotel and eating arrangements

Collected by Trustpilot

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