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Monopoli

Alberobello, the capital of the original conical dwellings known as Trulli, is considered to be among the most famous attractions in Apulia! Its old districts with their cluster-like settlements of Trulli (about 1400) date back to the 17th century and lie along the sides of two hills separated by the village main street: should you have the opportunity of a panoramic view over the town centre, you would see its Trulli roofs look like funny conical hats curiously placed on a fairytale characters' heads! Walk with your tour guide and you will learn about Alberobello's original history. Take a stroll through the village's narrow winding streets while enjoying your free time shopping or tasting a good Italian "gelato".

From the pier only about a 30-minute drive will take you to Alberobello. During the drive enjoy the views of green olive groves, golden wheat fields, and blue skies depict the colors of the countryside.

Upon arrival, you will follow a walking tour admiring the enchanting Trulli with their whitewashed walls and grey pointed roofs, which are the unmistakable symbol of Alberobello, listed among the UNESCO sites in 1996. Enjoy the characteristic districts of Monti and Aia Piccola to learn about the ancient architecture of these unique houses with your tour guide and you will hear that the number of Trulli-houses rapidly increased during the 17th century as the Counts of Conversano obliged farmers to build temporary houses to avoid tax burdens for themselves. Strange symbols and cute pinnacles on Trulli cone roofs are the main pictures you will see while shopping or reaching the top of Rione Monti hill to visit the Church of Saint Anthony built in the shape of a Trullo in 1926, and you can actually figure out now how a family could live in such small houses. At the end of the guided walk, some free time will be given for your own exploration and/or shopping.

Alberobello is renowned also for its countryside dotted with Trulli shaped Farmhouses and very old olive trees...it is worth a visit especially if you wish to experience local specialties.

From Alberobello, a short drive will take you to a picturesque Masseria (Farmhouse) is waiting for you: the location and setting are perfect to taste specialties such as Apulian focaccia (bread) along with some typical local wine.

At the conclusion of the farm visit, reboard the coach for the scenic drive back to the port.

Experience the scenic beauty and Old-World charm of Bari, during a memorable half-day walking tour of this historic city.

Depart the pier and after an approximately 45-minute drive towards the Swabian Castle,

Swabian Castle

Originally built by Frederick II upon earlier Norman fortifications, the Swabian Castle's present appearance is the result of modifications carried out by the Aragonese family in the 1500s, when the castle became the residence of Isabel of Aragon.

Bari

Upon arrival in Bari's city centre, commence your walking tour of the Old Town to explore the historic sites and gain an insight into the local lifestyle. Along the way, an external visit is made to the Cathedral of Saint Sabino. Dedicated to Saint Sabino, this Apulian-Romanesque style cathedral was built in the second half of the 12th century.

Next, your walking tour proceeds through Strada del Carmine before arriving at the Basilica of Saint Nicholas.  

Basilica of Saint Nicholas

The symbol of Bari, the basilica houses the mortal remains of Saint Nicholas.  According to a local legend, 62 sailors went to Myra, Turkey in 1087, stole the saint's remains and brought them to Bari. Consecrated in 1197, the church is one of the masterpieces of the Apulian-Romanesque style, and features an imposing limestone façade flanked by two large bell towers.  The interior hosts two unique examples of Medieval sculpture: a ciborium with figured capitals, and the bishop's throne, known as 'Elia's Chair'.  The basilica is a place of pilgrimage, particularly for believers from Eastern Europe.  The impressive, ornately-decorated crypt is adorned with rich colours.  Leaving the basilica, proceed for the short walk to Via Venezia, Piazza Mercantile and Piazza Ferrarese.

Following your walking tour, some free time is made available to further explore the Old Town's narrow cobbled streets and squares, impressive façades of Medieval buildings and ancient walls.  You may also sip a cappuccino at a local café and watch the locals going about their daily routine.

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board the coach for the approximately 45-minute return drive to the pier.

Matera is located in one of the political regions in the South of Italy called Basilicata. It is renowned for its landscape since the old town centre lies along the sides of a deep ravine split into two by a very small hill known as Civita, where the Medieval town has been built. The result is that the whole city looks like a butterfly, whose "body" corresponds with the Civita and the two wings with the two winding "branches" of the ravine where the very old Sassi Districts have been built. Sassi can easily be translated as Stones into English, curiously referring to the origin of the settlements you're going to visit, partly built and partly carved out of the soft ravine limestone: houses and grottoes, or churches and grottoes at the same time, where life in the past was really hard and the economy was based upon the pasture, because agriculture was quite impossible in a stone context! Many times you will be told that Sassi had to be considered as one of Southern Italy's examples of poverty, but they have been transformed into the most important cultural heritage nowadays, so you will easily understand the reason why such a strange settlement has been listed among the UNESCO sites.

You will travel approximately 2 hours South West inland to reach the magnificent Matera, admiring the rich vegetation of Apulian countryside as well as its highest hills covered with wheat, the main ingredient to produce traditional yellowish-colored bread known as Pane di Altamura (Altamura's bread, after the name of a town close to Matera which is renowned for its DOP semolino bread).

Upon arrival in Matera your tour guide will lead you through narrow lanes and staircases, to explore the timeless picturesque UNESCO Sassi Districts: you will hear stories about "vicinati" (neighbourhoods in English), a real lifestyle with people living in humid one-room-house-caves arranged around little yards, labyrinths of winding streets, rock churches and cantinas, sharing everything they had with families living nearby. Visit one of the typically furnished cave-houses and learn about how some of the locals lived in these caves as recently as 1960s!

Your - typical in this region - set-menu lunch will be served in one of its most famous restaurants and taste local specialties along with local Aglianico wine.

After lunch about 60-minutes free time will be given for own exploration and at an appointed place and time re-board your coach for the approximately 2hours journey back to Monopoli.

Panoramic clifftop terraces

After a 30-minute drive from the pier to Polignano, you will follow your licensed guide from the bus drop-off point to the terraces. These are the tops of the hundreds of cathedral-like marine caves eroded into the cliff by the sea, now paved and transformed into amazing terraces affording breathtaking views of the crystal-clear sea water, nearby coastal villages and the caves themselves.

Polignano Town Centre

Follow your tour guide through Polignano's characteristic town centre with its typical Mediterranean atmosphere and narrow winding streets. All around is a riot of colourful flowers and greenery created in both public and private spaces thanks to the mild climate and the local folk's creativity. You will wander along narrow lanes carved out of the old defensive walls and continue to catch glimpses of Polignano's astounding grottoes.

Here people are used to decorate their homes both inside and outside, just because climate is so mild that locals are allowed to transform a public open space into family's or neighborhood's garden.

Mr Volare statue

A short stroll takes you to a small square nearby with a bronze statue of Domenico Modugno welcoming visitors with open arms.

You then have approximately 45 minutes free to explore further or try a delicious "gelato" before rejoining the coach for the drive back to the ship through ancient Apulian olive groves with some last glimpses of the crystal clear waters and with Mr Volare's white cliffs still lingering in your mind.

Explore Monopoli, or Alberobello, Bari, Brindisi, Ostuni, Lecce or Matera at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Monopoli at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Monopoli, or Alberobello, Bari, Brindisi, Ostuni, Lecce or Matera at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace.

Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Monopoli at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.