La Dolce Vita: Bari & The Heart of Puglia
10 Days of Cultural Immersion
Experience Bari's medieval charm, Matera's cave dwellings, Alberobello's trulli houses, and Lecce's Baroque beauty while staying in historic boutique hotels
Prime Fall Season: Sept 27 - Oct 6, 2025
Visit during olive harvest season with perfect 22°C weather, fewer tourists, and vibrant local festivals in historic piazzas
Authentic Puglian Experiences
Learn traditional pasta-making, visit historic wineries, explore coastal caves, and enjoy al fresco dining in olive groves
Experience the Magic of Puglia
Journey through Italy's enchanting heel, where timeless traditions and modern comfort unite. This 10-day adventure explores Puglia's pristine coastlines, historic towns, and celebrated cuisine. From vibrant Bari to the iconic trulli of Alberobello, each stop reveals authentic Italian experiences crafted to immerse you in local culture.
Stay in select 4-star hotels while enjoying traditional Puglian cuisine and UNESCO World Heritage sites with expert guides. Our intimate group size allows for flexible exploration and personal attention. Perfect for food lovers, history enthusiasts, and cultural explorers, this Puglian journey creates lasting memories of Italy's magnificent south.
Arrival in Bari
Departure - September 27, 2025
Begin your Italian journey with Air Canada's evening flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Rome Fiumicino, followed by a short connection to Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport.
Welcome - September 28, 2025
Welcome to sun-drenched Puglia! Upon arrival in Bari, your personal English-speaking guide will warmly welcome you at the arrivals hall. Relax in comfort as your private coach transfers you to the elegant Hotel Boston 4*, your home base for the next 8 nights in the heart of Bari.
Exploring Bari
1
Old Bari Tour
Immerse yourself in Bari Vecchia's medieval charm on a 2-hour walking tour through labyrinthine streets. Discover hidden churches, bustling piazzas, and watch local women making orecchiette pasta on their doorsteps – a tradition passed down through generations.
2
Street Food Experience
Savor Bari's most beloved street foods: crispy panzerotto stuffed with molten mozzarella, freshly baked focaccia barese drizzled with local olive oil, and traditional sgagliozze (fried polenta squares). Enjoy these authentic treats with refreshing water and classic Peroni beer while mingling with locals.
Matera: City of Caves
The Ancient Sassi
Journey through the spectacular Sassi of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 and celebrated European Capital of Culture 2019. Wander through ancient cave dwellings carved into limestone cliffs and discover mysterious underground chambers.
Lucanian Feast
Savor an authentic Lucanian brunch at a historic Masseria nestled among rolling vineyards. Experience local specialties like cruschi peppers and handmade orecchiette pasta.
The Southern Sistine Chapel
Complete your journey at the breathtaking Crypt of Original Sin, whose magnificent 8th-century frescoes have earned it the title "Sistine Chapel of Southern Italy." Marvel at beautiful Byzantine-style churches adorned with centuries-old frescoes.
Alberobello and Locorotondo
Trulli Houses
Step into the enchanting world of Alberobello's iconic Trulli houses, cone-shaped dwellings that have earned UNESCO World Heritage status. These remarkable limestone structures, dating back to the 14th century, create a fairytale-like landscape unique to this region.
Masseria Visit
Immerse yourself in an authentic Puglian experience at a centuries-old Masseria in the picturesque Itria Valley. Savor carefully curated wine tastings paired with traditional delicacies, while learning about the rich agricultural heritage of these historic farmhouses.
Locorotondo
Discover one of Italy's most beautiful villages, where pristine white-washed buildings adorned with distinctive 'cummerse' (pointed roofs) line circular streets. This perfectly preserved medieval town offers breathtaking views over the Itria Valley's patchwork of vineyards and olive groves.
Natural Wonders and Coastal Gems
Polignano a Mare
White and perched on a cliff, overlooking a dreamy inlet, Polignano a Mare stands as one of the most beautiful Apulian towns overlooking the Adriatic. The eleventh edition of the Traveler Review Awards 2023, compiled by Booking.com, named it the world's most welcoming resort for 2023.
Free time for lunch at their own expense.
Grotte di Castellana
The Castellana Caves offer an unmissable opportunity to admire one of the most amazing natural places in wonderful Puglia. After the visit, return to Bari hotel. Dinner at their own expense. Overnight.
Historical Marvels
Journey through time to discover Puglia's most magnificent architectural treasures.
Castel del Monte: An Octagonal Wonder
Stand in awe before Emperor Frederick II's enigmatic fortress, a UNESCO masterpiece where perfect octagonal geometry creates an architectural puzzle. Its golden limestone walls combine elements of Classical, Islamic, and Gothic design in a way that has mystified scholars for centuries.
Trani Cathedral: Romanesque Pearl of the Adriatic
Gaze upon the pearl of Romanesque architecture, where pristine white limestone seems to float above the azure Adriatic. This 12th-century marvel showcases soaring Norman arches, delicate rose windows, and a bronze door that's stood sentinel for over 800 years.
Lecce: The Baroque Splendor
Known as the "Florence of the South," Lecce dazzles with its extraordinary baroque architecture and masterful limestone craftsmanship developed over two millennia.
Legend tells that King Malennio founded Lecce after seeing a she-wolf beneath an oak tree. Today, this historic city is renowned for its sumptuous baroque façades that transform streets into open-air galleries. Visitors can explore its architectural treasures at leisure, stopping to sample the famous pasticciotto at local cafés, with time provided for lunch in the historic center.
The Baroque Canvas
Lecce's churches and palazzos showcase Italy's most spectacular baroque architecture, creating theatrical streetscapes of artistic excellence.
Master Craftsmanship
Local artisans carved the region's soft limestone into intricate masterpieces, adorning façades with elaborate cherubs, gargoyles, and flowing vines.
Golden Light
The warm Puglian sunlight illuminates the ornate baroque details, transforming the city into a living gallery of architectural artistry.
Coastal Gems
Experience the allure of Puglia's coastline through two magnificent cities: Otranto's ancient fortified harbor and Ostuni's gleaming white cityscape.
Otranto
Discover Italy's mesmerizing easternmost city, where crystal-clear waters meet ancient fortifications and stunning Byzantine mosaics in the historic cathedral.
Ostuni
Wander through the enchanting "White City," where sun-bleached limestone buildings create a maze of winding medieval streets perched dramatically above olive groves.
Culinary Experiences
Street Food Tour
Wander through Bari's charming old town while savoring authentic panzerotto - crispy fried pockets of molten mozzarella - and warm, herb-infused focaccia barese drizzled with local olive oil.
Masseria Tastings
Discover Puglia's finest wines and regional specialties at centuries-old Masserias, where traditional recipes are paired with estate-produced wines in stunning countryside settings.
Olive Oil Experience
Step into a historic Masseria featuring a beautifully preserved medieval underground mill, where you'll learn the art of olive oil tasting and enjoy a farm-to-table brunch featuring seasonal Puglian ingredients.
Tour Details
A 10-day expert-guided journey through Puglia's cultural treasures, featuring luxury accommodations and authentic experiences from $5999 per person.
Luxury Accommodations
8 nights at the prestigious 4-star Hotel Boston, perfectly situated in the heart of Bari with modern amenities and traditional Italian charm.
Expert-Led Experiences
10 days of enriching exploration through Puglia's historic towns and coastal gems, led by knowledgeable local experts.
Premium Service
Starting from $5999 per person, including private luxury transfers, authentic meals, and priority access to historic sites. Perfect for groups of 15-19 travelers.
Your adventure includes expert-led cultural tours, private luxury transfers, carefully selected authentic meals, and priority access to historic sites and attractions. International airfare and travel insurance available separately. Reserve your spot today to experience the authentic charm and timeless beauty of Italy's hidden gem, Puglia!