Flight to Puglia
Day 1 Arrive to Bari
You will be met at the airport by our representative and transferred by coach to the 4 star Palazzo Virgilio in Brindisi, located approximately an hour and a half away. You will enjoy a welcome drink upon arrival and then spend seven nights here on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day
2 Welcome Meeting
After a fine breakfast in your hotel, you are invited to a welcome meeting with your representative who will introduce you to Puglia, talk you through your programme for the week and also recommend things to do and see during your time at leisure in Brindisi. You are then free to discover the area at your leisure for the day.
Day
3 Oil Tasting, Ostuni & Cisternino
After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel by coach and brought to a traditional farmhouse known locally as a masseria. Here, you will get to sample some authentic Puglia olive oil, known and loved for its aroma and distinctive flavour. You really haven’t tasted proper olive oil till you’ve tried Puglia olive oil. Afterwards, you will visit the medieval town of Ostuni, where delightful whitewashed alleys lead you to the majestic cathedral. You will have some free time for lunch before visiting the lovely town of Cisternino in the afternoon. Boasting a small and utterly charming old town centre that has remained intact for centuries, Cisternino features whitewashed houses, narrow streets, historic churches and a stunning central piazza. After exploring this beautiful town you will be returned back to your hotel by coach.
Day
4 At Your Leisure
Today you have a day to spend as you wish. We recommend you explore the area of Brindisi where there is plenty to discover. Awash with historic buildings and streets, we recommend you visit the impressive ‘Castello Rosso’ or ‘Red Church’, so-called due to the rose tinted stoned used to build it and be sure to try some seafood during your time here as Brindisi will offer up some of the best you’ve tasted.
Day
5 Locorotondo, Alberobello & Lunch in a Masseria
Day 5 will see you picked up after breakfast to be transported to Locorotondo, considered to be one of Puglia’s prettiest towns. It is perfect for a lazy stroll around the quaint town and simply soaking in the atmosphere and undeniable beauty. Afterwards, you will visit the fairytale town of Alberobello. Puglia’s picture-perfect town is famous for its conical-roofed dry stone huts, also known as trulli and in this UNESCO World Heritage site, you will find more than your fair share of sights at which to marvel. On your guided tour, you will get to explore its narrow pedestrianised streets, little shops selling local produce and quaint cafés, boasting the perfect espresso, before enjoying a traditional lunch at a local masseria. You will be brought back to your hotel later by coach.
Day
6 At Your Leisure
Spend another day at your leisure today, the perfect time to get some well-earned rest and relaxation in. If you are still thirsty for activities, your Topflight representative can talk you through excursions and activities that are available or simply recommend a good local restaurant or bar.
Day
7 Lecce & Otranto
This morning, after breakfast, we will set out, by coach, to discover the baroque city of Lecce, often called the Florence of the South, thanks to its rich cultural and historical features. Here, you will enjoy a guided tour, where you’ll take in the sights, including the ancient Roman amphitheatre and the Basilica di Santa Croce. We will then pay a visit to Otranto, Lecce’s historic seaside town and port. Here we will also enjoy a guided tour, taking in sights, such as the majestic castle and the Romanesque cathedral, which dates all the way back to 1088. You will also discover the sea-front promenades, which look out onto white sandy beach and turquoise waters, and boast a healthy selection of succulent seafood restaurants.
Day
8 At Your Leisure & Depart for Dublin
After breakfast you will check out of your hotel. You will have some time to bid farewell to Brindisi and perhaps enjoy lunch and a final Aperol Spritz, before being transferred back to the airport for your evening flight.