Discover the best of Italy's sun splashed southern landscapes, from the undiscovered Salento coast with its crystal clear waters to the mysterious cone shaped "trulli" farmhouses sprinkled throughout Puglia's interior. Walk to whitewashed hilltop villages first colonized by ancient Greeks. Puglia, sometimes referred to by its ancient Roman name, Apulia, is a quiet region along the "heel" of Italy's southern coast. This land is best known for its whitewashed cone shaped peasant houses, narrow country lanes bordered by low stone walls and its sea of olive trees, some over a thousand years old. On our Puglian adventure, we will visit small towns and villages where an ancient culture has been formed by centuries of eastern Mediterranean influences. The gentle disposition of the Puglian people and the rich agricultural heritage of this region blend to create a masterpiece of healthy living and an appreciation for a more leisurely pace. On our southern Italian adventure, we will explore deep into this region following along the Adriatic coast and venturing inland to visit its "trulli" houses, Baroque palaces, rich farmland and the relaxing landscapes of Puglia's vibrant countryside.

Day 1 - Egnazia - Rendezvous in Bari. Enjoy a welcoming lunch in a seaside restaurant in the quaint fishing village of Savelletri overlooking the Adriatic shores. Take an afternoon stroll along isolated beaches to the 5th-century B.C. Greek ruins at Egnazia for a look into the earliest civilizations to occupy the Puglian coast.

Day 2 - Ostuni - Morning visit to a local cheese maker for a mozzarella making demonstration. Walk along farm lanes among the thousand year old olive trees and dry stone walls that dominate the quiet Puglian countryside. Discover Ostuni, an ancient whitewashed hilltop town appearing like white sugar cubes against the warm Puglian sun. Take a casual tour of this Greek influenced historic town. Tonight, dine at Il Frantoio, a 600 year old masseria and guest house farm estate known throughout Puglia for its superior quality olive oils, biologically grown produce and its host Signor Balestrazzi.

Day 3 - The Val d'Itria - Walk in the verdant and beautiful Itria valley, a fairytale land of hilltop villages, green pastures, vineyards, fruit farms, narrow stone wall bordered laneways and photographic clusters of Puglia's unique trulli houses. From Locorotondo, a circular white hilltop town built of polished limestone, walk to Martina Franca, known for its Baroque architecture. Check out the historic sites and its boutiques before lunch in a local trattoria. An afternoon walk will take us to Alberobello, a World Heritage Site and heart of the Trulli district.

Day 4 - Otranto - Walk among the sand dunes and seaside villages of the Salento. Stop at a quiet cove where local Italians enjoy "La Dolce Vita" while relaxing in the Italian sun. Visit the old city of Otranto, surrounded by a moat. Tour its narrow winding cobblestone streets and its Renaissance cathedrale with a 12th-century mosaic floor and crypt. Dine this evening overlooking the town harbor's flickering lights.

Day 5 - The Salento Coast - Embark on one of the Salento's great walks, through small plot farms, olive groves, sheep pastures and open grass lands to the Cape of Otranto, a dramatic route with limestone cliffs, ancient towers and beach resorts drawn by the azure colors of the southern Adriatic Sea. Celebrate your great Puglian walking adventure with Salentino specialties complimented with garden fresh herbs at our final evening together.

Day 6 - Lecce or Brindisi - Homeward bound. Morning visit and casual guided tour of Lecce, regarded as the "Florence of the South" for its baroque palaces and Roman artifacts. Bid a final farewell to the Puglian landscapes and take a train to Rome, or continue to the international airport in Brindisi. As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Arrivederci and Buon Viaggio !

NEED MORE TRIP INFORMATION? E-mail or call our professional travel advisers at Club Toscana Reservations at 1-866-563-4248 toll free 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (EST) Mon. to Fri., 8:30 am to 1:00 pm Sat. They are ready to answer your trip questions and arrange all your pre and post-trip travel needs for a truly all-inclusive European Active Vacation.

Please note that the above itinerary is typical for this trip and can be adjusted to accommodate optional route daily distances & effort levels, your daily walking pace and interests, and special local events. Weather conditions and trail repairs, etc. can also alter the routes.
In an effort to enhance this itinerary to help you get the most out this destination and your traveling experiences with Club Toscana, we are always in the process of researching additional local routes, accommodations and interesting places to visit.

Masseria Il Melograno - Monopoli (1 night) - a 17th-century fortified farmhouse impeccably restored into a luxurious five star Relais & Chateaux hotel, nestled in a large grove of centuries-old olive trees with citrus gardens and a welcoming pool.
Masseria Torre Coccaro - Fasano (2 nights) - brings authentic rustic charm and five-star luxury together, with a tapered garden pool, a renowned restaurant and a spa located in an underground cave.
Masseria Montelauro - Otranto (2 nights) - an old fortified farmhouse, lovingly restored into a luxury inn with attention to its original nature, its furnishings and all the colors and fruits that characterize the surrounding countryside.

Note: The above Michelin rated hotels are subject to accommodations availability upon trip request. Alternative accommodations meet or excede the above selection in ratings, settings, amenities and views.