Enchanting Puglia Tour: 6-Day Self-Drive Experience
Itineraries of Taste Collection — where ancient stone, olive groves, and coastal light converge
This Puglia self-drive tour traces a carefully curated route from Rome through the heel of Italy, weaving together UNESCO heritage sites, Baroque architecture, and a food culture rooted in centuries of tradition. Across six days, travelers move at their own pace between storied towns and working farms, guided by local experts who bring each destination to life. The itinerary is rated Easy, making it accessible for a wide range of travelers seeking depth without physical strain.
From the winding lanes of Bari Vecchia — where women still shape orecchiette by hand outside their doorways — to the whitewashed cliffs of Polignano a Mare and the thousand trulli of Alberobello, the south of Italy reveals a layered identity that rewards slow, attentive travel. Each overnight stay is in a four-star hotel with breakfast included, placing comfort and regional character on equal footing.
The route also dedicates meaningful time to the craft of Puglian food production. A stop at a working oil mill near Ostuni introduces travelers to the nuances of extra-virgin olive oil, while tastings at local farms illuminate the traditions behind products such as puccia bread and local cheesemaking. Evening meals are built around regional ingredients, reinforcing a connection to place that extends well beyond the sightseeing hours.
The tour opens in Rome with a guided walk through the ancient and Baroque city before transferring south to Puglia, ensuring that travelers arrive with historical context already in hand. The final departure from Bari closes a loop that is both geographic and culinary, offering a coherent narrative from the capital to the coast.
Tour Highlights
Guided tour of Rome covering the Colosseum, Imperial Forums, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.
Walking tour of Bari Vecchia, including the Cathedral of San Nicola, the Norman-Swabian Castle, and the orecchiette-making street of Via Arcobasso.
Visit to Polignano a Mare, a coastal village of Arabic origin perched above turquoise waters and celebrated worldwide through the song Volare.
Exploration of Alberobello's Rione Monti, home to over 1,000 trulli and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Guided visit to an olive mill near Ostuni with a structured tasting of multiple extra-virgin olive oils from local groves.
Guided tour of Lecce, the Baroque capital of Salento, taking in Piazza del Duomo, the Roman amphitheater, and the Museum of Cartapesta.
Visit to Otranto's Aragonese Castle and Cathedral, followed by a dinner built around the fresh seafood and produce of the Adriatic coast.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Check in to your Rome hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the city freely. In the evening, a transfer takes you to Trastevere for dinner featuring traditional Roman dishes accompanied by live music. The following morning begins with a guided tour covering the Colosseum exterior, the Imperial Forums, the Capitol, Altare della Patria, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona, with a tasting stop for typical Roman sweets before lunch at a local trattoria.
After breakfast, transfer to Bari and check in to your hotel. A local guide leads a walking tour along the seafront promenade into the historic center, visiting the Cathedral of San Nicola, the Norman-Swabian Castle, and Via Arcobasso, the narrow lane where residents produce hand-rolled orecchiette pasta in the open air. The evening is free to explore Bari's restaurants independently.
Depart Bari for Polignano a Mare, where lunch is served at a local restaurant before an afternoon visit to the historic village set dramatically above the Adriatic. The route continues south to Lecce, where hotel check-in and a free evening await, setting the stage for the full Baroque tour the next morning.
A guided tour of Lecce covers Porta Napoli, Piazza del Duomo, the Episcope, the Diocesan Museum exterior, the Column of Sant'Oronzo, the Roman amphitheater, and the Charles V Castle housing the Museum of Cartapesta. A tasting of puccia, the regional flatbread, punctuates the morning. The afternoon transfers to Otranto for a visit to the Aragonese Castle and Cathedral, followed by a dinner based on local products before returning to Lecce.
The day begins in Ostuni, the White City, with free time to walk its hilltop old town before a stop at a local olive mill for a guided tour and tasting of multiple extra-virgin olive oil varieties. The route continues to Alberobello, where lunch is taken independently and a guided visit of the UNESCO-listed Rione Monti district follows. Transfer to Bari for check-in and a farewell dinner based on local Puglian specialties.
Breakfast at the hotel concludes the program. Time is available before end of services, allowing for a final stroll or any last purchases before departure from Bari.
What Is Included
Included
- 5 nights accommodation in 4-star hotels with breakfast daily
- Guided tour of Rome with local guide
- Dinner in Trastevere with live music
- Guided tour of Bari Vecchia with local guide
- Lunch in Polignano a Mare at a local restaurant
- Guided tour of Lecce with local guide
- Tasting of puccia in Lecce
- Dinner in Otranto based on local products
- Visit to olive mill in Ostuni with guided EVO oil tasting
- Guided visit of Rione Monti in Alberobello (UNESCO site)
- Farewell dinner in Bari based on local Puglian products
- Tasting of typical Roman sweets during Rome tour
Not Included
- Flights and international transportation
- Lunches and dinners not specified in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to museums and monuments unless stated
- Personal travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses and shopping
- Any services not listed under Included
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Puglia Journey
Spaces on guided itineraries of this depth are limited. Secure your booking now to guarantee hotel availability and guided experiences throughout the route.
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