Authentic Apulia Self-Drive from Naples

In the morning, pick up your car rental at Naples airport or the Napoli Centrale Rail Station then head to Mount Vesuvius for a nature walk through history, geology and nature. Spend some time enjoying the wonderful sweeping views over century-old crops and traditions including a light lunch on the slopes of Vesuvius. Expected arrival late in the afternoon in Salerno area. Overnight in Salerno area.

After breakfast, depart for Matera, one of the oldest cities in the World, dating back to the Paleolithic period. Known as the Citta dei Sassi (the City of the Stones), a Unesco World Heritage Site, a complex of cave houses carved into the mountain. The architecture of the Sassi di Matera (the Stones of Matera) tells of man's ability to perfectly adapt himself to the environment. Ride in a traditional Ape Calessino vehicle through the alleys of the city. Continue to your hotel in Altamura, located in heart of the Apulia region, best known for its cathedral. Optional excursion(s): Sassi of Matera (shared or private); Olive Oil Tasting (shared). Overnight in Altamura (1 night).

Depart for Alberobello to discover the Trulli, hundreds of white cone-shaped limestone constructions, which point their pinnacles to the sky. The "Casa Pezzolla" Territory Museum displays furnishings and tools that recreate life in the Trulli as it was in the past. Stop for tasting wine and local products. Continue to admire the blinding splendor of Locorotondo, suspended between dream and reality. The white of the limestone envelops everything and acts as a dazzling backdrop to the baroque architecture in local stone. Not to miss the Gnumeredde Suffuchete, lamb meat rolls, cooked for a long time in terracotta pans. Optional experience(s): Alberobello tour (shared). Overnight in Martina Franca (1 night).

After breakfast, discover Ostuni, the White City, with its medieval village rich of narrow streets and houses, in a maze as a reminiscent of an Arab kasbah. Walk the old city, with its picturesque views of alleys, steep stairways, courtyards and small squares overlooked by white houses embellished with geraniums, craft shops, typical restaurants and small stores. The fifteenth-century Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral stands at the centre of the village. Continue for a boat trip from Santa Maria di Leuca in the blue sea of Puglia. Overnight in Lecce (2 nights).

Today, enjoy a day at leisure exploring the historic Baroque city. A city that will surprise you with its artistic beauties, its churches, its archaeological sites and its natural parks. Optional eperience(s): Private Lecce Walking Tour.

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for Manduria, the Land of the Messapi and the renowned Primitivo of Manduria Doc wine. Not to miss a visit to the Wine Museum, including a wine tasting. Continue to the Itria Valley, characterized by charming villages, historic towns, wooded slopes, vineyards and mile after mile of olive groves and the intriguing ‘trulli’ houses that dot the countryside, which gives the region an almost fairytale atmosphere. Overnight in the ancient town of Conversano. Overnight in Conversano (1 night).

After breakfast, depart for Polignano a Mare, a medieval village perched at the top of a high and jagged coast, the birth town Domenico Modugno, one of the fathers of the Italian pop music, author and performer of songs such as "Volare". Polignano has a fascinating historic city full of Arab, Byzantine, Spanish and Norman traces, such as the remains of the four defense towers that surrounded the ancient part of the town. In the afternoon, continue to Bari, the capital of the Apulia region. Take a walk through the labyrinth maze of side lanes and houses of the old city, now completely restored. Optional experience(s): Private Walking Tour of Bari