A discovery of the ancient agricultural traditions of Southern Italy
A wonderful discovery of the fantastic landscape of the Val d'Itria and Salento, the two southern portions of Apulia. The route takes you from Alberobello, a fairytale village with its unique and mysterious "trulli", to the countryside of Ostuni, the "White City". During your holidays, you will alternate short hikes and fun activities for kids allowing them to see the ancient agricultural traditions of this awesome region, not to mention the fantastic food....you'll never be lacking in pasta, pizza and ice cream. All the aforementioned, needless to say is always under the sun of Southern Italy!
Highlights:
- Visits and hikes through the trulli of Alberobello, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Accommodation in a "Masseria", a typical farm surrounded by a sea of olive trees.
- Various workshops to discover the ancient traditions of the Apulia region
- Visit to the Castellana Caves, the biggest speleological site in Italy
Day 1: UK/Bari
Arrival in Bari and transfer to Ostuni and a typical countryside farm, a "masseria" in the middle of olive trees. Dinner and overnight in Masseria.
Day 2: Ostuni and the olive trees (1hr 30min walking, + 100m – 150m)
Pleasant morning hike to Ostuni, where we enjoy a meeting with a local craftsman, who specializes in the production of objects from the wood of olive trees. Free time to discover this charming town, enjoy a homemade ice cream. Back in the Masseria, we will have a nice time playing fun games in the countryside and learn how to make the typical salty "tarallucci". Dinner and overnight in Masseria.
Day 3: Egnazia archeological site and Ostuni beaches by bike (16km cycling, + 200m)
Nice day dedicated to the kids and the sea. In the morning private transfer to the very well preserved Messapian and Roman site of Egnazia. After a short visit, we will cycle back to the Masseria, passing by the beaches of the maritime park of the coastal dunes where it is possible to stop for a swim. Dinner and overnight in Masseria.
Day 4: Free day
Today you have a free day in or away from the Masseria. Your leader is at your disposal to be able to organize a day's cycling excursion to the sea nearby for another swim in the Adriatic Sea or set up a workshop to produce natural soap from olive oil or even a treasure hunt in the countryside surrounding the Masseria.
Alternatively you can just relax under the beautiful olive trees... Dinner and overnight in Masseria.
Day 5: The sanctuary of S.Biagio, wicker baskets and olive tree branches (2hrs 30min, +150m – 150m)
Beautiful hike towards the sanctuary of San Biagio, an old church set on top of the hill surrounding the Masseria. Fantastic panorama over the plains of Ostuni and the sea. We head back to the masseria, where we learn how to make baskets from olive tree branches picked in the countryside. Transfer to Alberobello in the afternoon and accomodation in a hotel with a swimming pool. Dinner not included and overnight in Alberobello.
Day 6: Alberobello, trulli and Italian pasta (1hr 30min, -50m +50m)
Guided visit of the city of the "trulli", on the UNESCO World Heritage list. We will follow our guide, Mimmo, to discover all the secret of these strange circular, white buildings. In the afternoon we will learn how to make traditional pasta from Puglia, the "orecchiette". Dinner and overnight in Alberobello.
Day 7: Castellana Caves (2hrs 30min walking, - 70m + 70m)
Free morning to enjoy the swimming pool, then in the afternoon transfer to visit Castellana caves, the largest speleological complex in Italy. Visit the 70m deep white cave. Transfer back to Alberobello. Dinner and overnight in Alberobello.
Day 8: Departure
In the morning, transfer to Bari airport.
Grade: easy, with flat or almost flat walks, suitable for children.
Accommodation: in double / triple in the hotel or apartments:
2 nights in hotel * with swimming pool in Alberobello
5 nights in a typical farmhouse in Ostuni
Equipment: good and solid trekking shoes, wind and water proof jacket, bathing suit, hat, sun glasses and sun cream, alpenstock, gourd 1 liter minimum. Dishes for the pic nic. A rucksack (15/30 litres) for your trekking day.
Getting there: the destination airport is in Bari. Welcome by our guide at the airport. According to the schedule of customers arrival in Bari, we will set 2 meeting times and it will be provided 2 transfers from the airport to the hotel by public bus. The last day transfer to Bari airport.
Supplements price per person
Single room supplement for the whole tour €165
Supplement for August departure €40
Reduction for 3 - 7 year old in room with their parents €90
Reduction for 8 - 14 year old in room with their parents €70
Transfert extra aéroport Bari-Ostuni (prix pour minibus 1-4 pax) 100€
Transfert extra aéroport Bari-Alberobello (prix pour minibus 1-4 pax) 80€
Extra night in Masseria at Ostuni in HB single/double €85 / €65
Extra night Alberobello in BB hotel 3*single/double €60 / €45
Extra night in Bari in BB hotel 2* single/double €75 / €45
Included:
- 2 group transfers hotel airport on day 1 and 1 group transfer on day 8
- Every transfer by public and private bus and trains as scheduled
- Accommodation in ensuite rooms with breakfast double/triple/quadruple room
- Lunches and dinners as detailed in the itinerary
- Entrance to Egnazia archaeological site and the Castellana caves
- Cycling excursion on day 3
- All activities detailed in the itinerary
- English speaking guide
- Tourist taxes
Not included:
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Lunch on day 1 and day 4
- dinner on day 5
- Cycling excursion on day 4
Trips Note
Destination: Apulia
Travel Style: family adventures
Interest: Beaches and coastal hiking/ Winter sun
Comfort: Charming
Grade: Easy
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: J F M A M J J A S O N D
Group size: From 4 to 15 people
Airport: Bari or Brindisi
