Remote Riches & Flavours of Southern Italy

As Your Tour Manager, Michael Trembath Welcomes You On This Journey

Your private transfer brings you to our hotel, the JR Hotels Grande Albergo delle Nazioni Bari. The afternoon is free for you to take at leisure. Perhaps relax along one of the beaches of this former Byzantine town. This evening, meet your fellow guests and Tour Host Team, including Italian wine expert Michael Trembath, during our Welcome Dinner at Ristorante Polvere di Stelle. For the next two nights, we relax within light-filled, sea-facing Panorama Rooms.

Our day begins with a walking tour to some of the city’s most prominent sites. At the Basilica of St Nicholas, we hear of the man whose enigmatic presence pervades not only this site, but the Christmas spirit in perpetuity. We cross the city’s principal squares, absorbing the atmosphere of this vibrant city. Then trace the extensive walls of the Swabian Castle, whose configuration has been gradually reshaped over 900 years. Bearing a close resemblance to the Basilica of St Nicholas, the Cathedral of St Sabino also commands an impressive bell tower. After being introduced to a resident of the city, we learn the secrets behind making authentic regional pasta dishes. Our efforts are rewarded as we sit down to a lunch of our own making, accompanied by some local wine. 

Continue your explorations of Bari on your own schedule this afternoon, or just relax at our hotel. We dine this evening at La Bul restaurant; Chef Antonio Scalera serves delicious Apulian cuisine with a modern twist.

Follow the coast south to Polignano a Mare this morning. Here we embark on a guided walking tour, following the town’s waterfront terraces for spectacular sea views. Our guide then brings us to the town’s historical centre, occupied by the Santa Maria Assunta church and the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Pausing for lunch, we see how the stony walls of Antiche Mura’s interiors reflect the region’s rugged, rocky waterfront in miniature. We sit down to dine in this delightfully rustic setting, where an extensive range of seafood dishes dominates the menu. 

Transferred to the small seaside town of Savelletri, we check into our luxurious accommodation, Borgo Egnazia. Upon entering, we follow a succession of internal archways, along white, high-ceilinged hallways. Our resort-style residence then opens to a series of terraced villas overlooking a network of tree-lined alleys and the property’s glorious twin outdoor pools. Testifying to the presence of good food and wine within, La Frasca, our hotel’s restaurant, is named for the age-old practice of hanging a twig over the door as a welcome to weary travellers. We savour an evening of fine food, wine and company here this evening.

During a tour of nearby Alberobello, we stand before some of the many trulli houses that command the landscape here. The distinctive limestone dwellings, with their conical roofs, were long ago granted World Heritage protection for exemplifying the durability of the dry-stone building technique. While here, we explore the neighbourhoods of Rione Aia Piccola and Rione Monti. Today’s lunch takes place at Michelin-starred EVO Ristorante, where we enjoy the innovative dishes of Chef Gianvito Matarrese. 

A short drive then brings us to Martina Franca, where Baroque architecture abounds within the remaining confines of the city’s ancient walls. In the small town of Cisternino, the occupants of whitewashed houses enjoy enviable outlooks across the alluring Itria Valley. Before leaving Cisternino, we enjoy a dinner of creative dishes at Osteria Bell’Italia.

We take a drive inland today, arriving in the town of Noci. The artisanal winemakers at A Mano Wines lead us in a tasting of their distinctive product line before hosting us for lunch. Take the opportunity for some independent exploration this afternoon, wandering Noci’s labyrinthine alleyways, where verdant vines creep across the whitewashed walls of humble homes, and sparsely populated squares induce quiet contemplation. We soon make our way back to Borgo Egnazia. This evening’s dining takes place at our hotel’s restaurant, Il Porticato, overlooking the property’s serene courtyard and swimming pools.

Today, we explore the town of Ostuni, finding ourselves entranced by its tiers of whitewashed buildings. Beginning at the vibrant Piazza della Libertà, we take in local landmarks, such as the Church of San Francesco and the Obelisk of Sant’Oronzo. One of Ostuni’s finest restaurants, the Michelin-starred Osteria Piazzetta Cattedrale, hosts us for lunch. Located opposite the town’s Romanesque Cathedral, the restaurant features a proud display of antique mirrors, which share the space with a robust wine collection. Following lunch, we continue to Lecce, which boasts a wealth of Baroque buildings. It’s here that we acquaint ourselves with La Fiermontina, one of Lecce’s finest hotels, and our home for the next three nights. We dine at Zéphyr Restaurant, within our hotel, whose modern take on the cuisine of the Mediterranean ensures our palates are delighted. 

Spend the morning absorbing the sights of Lecce. A walking tour brings us to the city’s well-preserved Roman Amphitheatre, and we admire the ornate facade of the Basilica of Santa Croce. Sample some local specialities as you select your preferred restaurant for lunch. Then take the rest of the afternoon to explore or relax on your own terms. An exceptional dining experience awaits us this evening at 3 Rane Ristoro. The unassuming setting of the restaurant belies the refined nature of its menu, which is complemented by Chef Maurizio Raselli’s personal and attentive service.

Discover more of Puglia today as we make our way to Gallipoli. The seaside town is rich in Baroque architecture and brimming with a network of laneways that lead to various cafes, restaurants and street food stalls. We adjourn to Cantina Coppola 1489 to enjoy lunch accompanied by the wines of its vineyard. Continue to the peninsula’s opposing coast to arrive in Otranto. Blessed with the turquoise waters of the Adriatic, and steeped in history, the coastal town is ringed by defensive walls which adjoin its imposing castle. Close by, we look upon Otranto’s cathedral and examine its storied mosaic floor. We take the road north on our return to Lecce, where we have a choice of dining options.