Your Adventure Awaits
Perfectly Puglia & Basilicata
Sinking into the soul of Southern Italy feels like discovering a well-kept secret where time slows to the rhythmic pulse of the Adriatic tide and the scent of sun-baked wild fennel. In Puglia, luxury is redefined within the fortified walls of ancient masserie, where rustic limestone farmhouses have been transformed into sanctuaries of minimalist elegance, offering private olive grove dips and dinners served under a canopy of stars. As you drift toward the rugged heart of Basilicata, the prehistoric grandeur of Matera unfolds in a breathtaking tapestry of stone; here, cave dwellings blend Paleolithic mystique with silk linens and candlelit thermal baths carved directly into the tufa rock. From cruising the turquoise grottos of the Polignano coast in a vintage Riva boat to savoring hand-pressed ocher oils and bold Aglianico wines, a journey through these regions is a masterclass in la dolce vita, where the opulence of the past meets the effortless, sun-drenched sophistication of the present.
History & Culture
Art de Vivre
Price On Request
When To Go?
Highlights
Accommodations
Experience the remarkable Pugliese village inspired Borgo Egnazia, lauded as one of Italy's most recognizable and revered luxury hotel. And then, there is the enigmatic Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita in Matera where each of the unique 18 cave rooms are carved into the stone face of the hill, offering a one-of-a-kind experience like no other in Italy.
Experiences
When heritage combines and an effortless showcase of the hedonistic lifestyle, culinary & gourmet and a time-honored tradition to perfecting the arts and craftsmanship, then you have to stand up, sip your espresso and go "Andiamo!"
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive Bari / Savelletri di Fasano
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Arrive into Bari’s Karol Wojtyla Airport as we embark into the heart of the enchanting old city of Bari Vecchia. Witness local ladies making pasta by hand sitting outside their houses with amazing speed and precision. Visit the Basilica of St Nicholas and the beautiful Cathedral of St Sabino - fine examples of Apulian Romanesque architecture. Visit the St Sabino crypt, built in pure baroque style. Complete your tour at Piazza Mercantile's column of justice, a white marble column with a stone lion, to which they used to tie insolvent debtors.
Thereafter, we transfer to Savelletri di Fasano where you will arrive at the gorgeous Borgo Egnazia, a unique place and visionary interpretation of a typical Apulian village, surrounded by millennial olive groves, where you will be spending 3 gorgeous nights in one of Italy’s most stunning resort hotel.
DAY 2: Savelletri di Fasano (Sea & Trulli)
After breakfast, we take an excursion to the striking cliff top town of Polignano a Mare, home to the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships. Weather-permitting, enjoy a private modern skiff to experience the bewitching scenery of the dramatic sea caves. Returning back on shore, visit the picturesque historical centre and spend time wandering the white-washed streets and alleys.
After lunch, we will be greeted with our private Fiat 500 vintage car as we make a scenic drive through the Apulian countryside to Alberobello to discover the secrets of the famous "trulli" houses - cone-shaped dwellings unique to the region and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will also visit the stunning Sant’Antonio Church, constructed in 1927 and the only church in the world to be built in the trulli style.
DAY 3: Savelletri di Fasano (Excursion to Ostuni & Martina Franca)
Morning begins with a cheese-making experience in the ancient traditions of Puglia. Meet a local artisan at his farm for demonstrations of the art of "burrata" making. Thereafter, continue to a "Masseria" for an insightful tour of an ancient olive mill. We then enjoy a unique picnic-styled lunch in the heart of an ancient olive grove! Next, continue to Ostuni, the famous "Citta Bianca" white city, a stunning hilltop jewel with breathtaking sea views. Enjoy a walk through the stunning array of whitewashed houses, a genuine and charming example of Mediterranean architecture.
Later, a short drive takes us to the baroque city of Martina Franca where we will sit in a quaint piazza and enjoy an exclusive tasting of locally-produced salami with the producer. Enjoy other typical Pugliese products while soaking in the stunning architecture and relaxed atmosphere of this truly authentic Italian town. Martina Franca is known for its abundance of artisan workshops where artisans make traditional products just as they were made in the past. Take a short stroll to one of the best leather shops where you will have the unique experience of selecting the leather, buckle and accessories and making your own belt.
DAY 4: Savelletri di Fasano / Lecce
Enjoy a leisure morning and thereafter, we continue our sojourn to Lecce, capital city of the Salento Province and known as "Florence of the South" for its stunning Baroque masterpieces and buildings. Enjoy lunch in a local "trattoria" before joining a walking tour revealing the secrets of its imposing architecture and stories of the city. Visit the Roman Amphitheatre in Piazza St Oronzo, get a taste of arts and culture visiting a "papier-mache" workshop, visit the Basilica di Santa Croce, Lecce's most exquisite Baroque monument and spend some time at Piazza del Duomo, one of the finest squares in Southern Italy.
DAY 5: Lecce (The Salento Peninsula)
Today, we experience the charms of the Salento Peninsula, known as the “heel of Italy’s boot” dotted with olive groves, dreamy beaches and charming towns. One of these towns that we will visit is the coastal gem of Otranto. Dominated by its walled historic center consisting of the Aragonese Castle, built in the 15th Century as a defensive fortification against the marauding Ottomans. Worth a visit as well is the Cathedral of Otranto, renowned for its stunning mosaic floor dating back to the 12th Century during the Normans era.
Thereafter, we drive inland from the coast to the wine-producing town of Tuglie, home to the legendary Mottura Winery, established since 1927 where local grape varietals such as Primitivo and Negroamaro are still grown, harvested and produced combining ancient techniques with Mottura’s innovation. Shortly, a drive to the Greek town of Gallipoli ensues as we visit its charming Old Town surrounded by late-medieval walls with scenes of its traditional fishing port, baroque churches and a labyrinth of narrow streets – home to many traditional shops, handicrafts and homely cafes and restaurants. Enjoy leisure time before returning to Lecce.
DAY 6: Lecce / Taranto / Matera
We leave Lecce and head west today to the medieval old town of Taranto, founded in 706 BC by the Spartans and dubbed as the "City of Two Seas". We visit the Cathedral of San Cataldo dating from the 11th Century and Castel Sant'Angelo, built by Ferdinand of Aragon in 1492 which marks the boundary between old and new city.
Later, we enter into the province of Basilicata to the amazing UNESCO-listed ancient town of Matera and join a walking tour of the town's stunning ancient "Sassi" caves. Perched high on a beautiful hillside, explore the stunning array of cave dwellings and wander the lanes of cave-filled cliffs that were settings for Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ". Later, check in to the amazingly-gorgeous Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, a wonderfully-restored cave dwelling converted into a modern luxury boutique hotel!
DAY 7: Matera
This morning, we travel to the town of Altamura where you will stop at a DOP bread producer for a lesson in traditional bread-making. Here, you will make your own dough and have a chance to sample some incredible focaccia. Head back to Matera to meet your guide who will take you on a lovely and gentle hike in the gorges. This wild and stunning landscape around Matera is distinctly different from the terrain in Puglia and our guide will bring the area to life as you explore ravines and old cave dwellings. This evening, we have arranged for you to have dinner prepared by the executive chef of Sextantio and served in the stunning cave church. This is truly unique and unforgettable experience and a great way to celebrate the wonderful journey you have had in Puglia and Basilicata.
DAY 8: Matera / Departure Bari
After an unforgettable week’s sojourn in Puglia, we transfer to Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport for your onward journey in Italy and beyond.
Featured Hotels
Borgo Egnazia
Borgo Egnazia is a paradise for lovers of southern Italy and all it entails (we’re talking mostly burrata, of which huge balls are casually laid on at breakfast). Anywhere that encourages the olive-oil-soaked consumption of this speciality before noon gets our vote – and that’s before we’ve covered the bougainvillea-draped buildings, golden sunsets, aperitivo-friendly town squares and flawless restaurant offering (from pizza tavern to Michelin-starred dining). And we'd be remiss not to mention the fantastic staff – no one knows Puglia like they do.
Privileges
Complimentary Breakfast
Priority Room Upgrade at check in*
$100 hotel credit for F&B, spa
Early check in/late check out subject to availability*
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Imagine awaking in a stone cave in southern Italy that’s been updated with modern amenities while maintaining its centuries-old aesthetic. The hotel is situated within a labyrinth of UNESCO-listed caves and has been renovated using traditional techniques and tools. The caves are ancient dwellings carved into the stone face of the hill upon which Matera is perched. What Sextantio found upon entering were beautifully carved arches in heavily pocked stone walls and floors covered in rubble. He took on the project with unparalleled sensitivity, not only preserving the original spaces, but renovating with traditional tools and construction materials.