Discover Puglia and the Island of Sicily

Itinerary Highlights

Visit the ancient city of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the city of caves
Explore beautiful Alberobello, famed for its ‘trulli’ whitewashed stone huts
Discover Sicily’s world-famous active volcano, Mount Etna
Experience the Valley of the Temples in Sicily, a collection of ancient Greek temples

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout

16 nights from £11,499 per person

Jackie

Travel Specialist

01244 435 177

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect Europe holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

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Though beloved by all, and a popular holiday spot, Italy still holds lesser-known lands awaiting your discovery. A prized jewel among hidden gems, Puglia is a paradise of sweeping seafronts, baroque-style streets, and Ancient Greek architecture. Lecce and Sicily aren’t far away, and bring similar stunning vistas, along with bustling markets serving luscious cuisine and peaceful beaches.

On this tour, you’ll traverse the highlights of Puglia, Lecce, and Sicily, with overnight stays at a selection of luxury hotels, elevating every experience to perfection. See the Trulli of Alberobello, Lecce’s Roman ruins, and the Valley of Temples, for breathtaking cultural experiences. To relax, you can enjoy various spa treatments, yoga sessions, cooking classes, and, of course, mesmerising scenery at every twist and turn along the way.

Every aspect of your tour is tailor-made to suit your idea of the perfect journey. Call our Travel Specialists today to create your ideal venture through the secrets of Puglia and Sicily.

Itinerary

Day 1 Fly from UK to Bari

Fly into Bari. From here, take a private transfer to the ancient city of Matera for a two-night stay at Sant'Angelo Luxury Resort.

Day 2 Matera, Puglia

Spend a full day exploring Matera. Discover the Sassi Di Matera, the museums of Museo Laboratorio della Civilta Contadina, and the Crypt of Original Sin for a dose of culture.

Day 3 Savelletri Di Fasano, Puglia

Head to Savelletri Di Fasano for a day of adventures, catered to your interests. Aspiring chefs can enjoy an immersive cooking class in Apulia, while golfers can practice their swings on the 18-hole San Domenico Golf Course. To relax, sip a cocktail at Cala Masciola Beach Club, and relish a delicious fish lunch at Borgo Egnazias hotel’s lavish restaurant before checking in for a three-night stay.

Day 4 Savelletri Di Fasano, Puglia

Take a day excursion to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Trulli of Alberobello in the southern region of Puglia. They’re an incredible sight if you’re intrigued by unique buildings, and they date all the way back to the 14th century. Used as temporary field shelters and storehouses, and sometimes permanent homes, these buildings have a distinct prehistoric style, with pyramidal, domed, or conical roofs built from corbelled limestone slabs. Take your time wandering through the streets of Alberobello to see what else you can discover.

Day 5 Savelletri Di Fasano, Puglia

Indulge in a day of relaxation at Borgo Egnazia’s Vair Spa with a Happiness Spa Day Package. This includes a 20-minute ‘Aromatic introduction’, an olfactory test to understand your body’s needs to calm and decompress, followed by a bathe in the luxury thermal baths, and a personalised massage based on the results of your test. Leave the spa feeling deeply relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for the next day of your adventure.

Day 6 Lecce

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a pleasant journey to Lecce, located in Italy’s southern Apuila region. You will stay here for two nights, in the esteemed Palazoo Bozzi Lecce Hotel.

Day 7 Lecce

Immerse yourself in the romance of Lecce with a walking tour through its winding streets. Bordered by baroque buildings, the town bursts with the timeless allure of Italy’s past. Explore the Cattedrale di Lecce in the central Piazza del Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Croce, and the Roman Sant’Oronzo Column and amphitheater. Every corner holds a new wine bar or café where you can take a break from exploring and soak up the atmosphere.

Day 8 Fly to Sicily

Fly from Bari over to Catania Airport in Sicily. In the early evening, enjoy a laid-back wine-tasting experience in Noto, another baroque-style town that is cherished for its production of delectable wines. Then, head to your next hotel, Monica Delle Terre Nere on Zafferana Etnea Wine Estate for a two-night stay. Set on the slope of Mount Etna, this hotel offers exquisite views both up into the mountains above, and the elegant town below.

Day 9 Zafferana Region, Sicily

Experience the vistas visible from your hotel window firsthand today with a trip to Mount Etna. This is the highest Mediterranean island mountain and the most active stratovolcano in the world. Its eruptive history can be traced back 500,000 years, and its ongoing activity heavily influences volcanology, geophysics, and other Earth sciences today. Spend your time exploring the mountain and photographing the views from its peak.

Day 10 Noto, Sicily

After breakfast, you’ll begin your journey to Noto, with a short stop in Syracuse for a walking tour of its Ancient Greek ruins, baroque piazzas, and medieval streets. Then head southwest to Noto, which is perched on the Hyblaei Hills, and hosts your next base, Country House Villas Doarata. This beautiful hotel places you just 20 minutes from Noto’s prettiest beaches and hidden coves. Stroll the streets of Noto, and visit the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, a lively historic avenue with shops, cafes, and captivating Italian architecture.

Day 11 Noto, Sicily

Choose your ideal beach for a day of sandcastles, swimming, and summer reading in the shade. Agua Beach boast crystal clear waters, while the secluded Spiaggia di San Lorenzo allows complete peace and privacy. After this, enjoy an evening meal at W Villa Dorata Country Restaurant, which offers an impressive menu of Sicilian delicacies.

Day 12 Agrigento, Sicily

Visit Agrigento in the Sicilian hilltops for a history-rich day of discovery. It’s known for the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas in the Valley of Temples, an admirably well-preserved collection of Greek temples. Via Atenea runs through the heart of the city, offering an array of shops, trattorias, and bars. With a wide sandy coastline, the seaside is spectacular here, and another great spot for a day at the beach. In the evening, check in to your next accommodation, the stunning Villa Athena.

Day 13 Agrigento, Sicily

Dedicate a day to exploring Agrigento’s Valley of Temples. You’ll find several 6th-century-BC Greek temples, which are excellent examples of ancient Greek architecture. They’re set beside a well-curated museum that houses over 5,500 historical artefacts illustrating the history of the city.

Day 14 Palermo, Sicily

Venture to beautiful Palermo and check in at your next hotel, Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel for a three-night stay. Villa Igiea is an Art Nouveau palazzo settled on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, overlooking the Gulf of Palermo. It’s in a heavenly location, boasting equally wonderful amenities, glamorous enough to please royalty, artists, Hollywood stars, and the political elite. Enjoy a state-of-the-art gym, a soothing spa, tennis courts, and luxury accommodation with dreamy views.

Day 15 Palermo, Sicily

Become a real Sicilian with an immersive day in the hotel kitchen creating traditional baked treats. The villa’s very own pastry chefs will take the lead, showing you how to craft Italy’s beloved cannoli, and cassata (a round ricotta cake). These delicate sweets offer insight into Italy’s history with every ingredient, their recipes dating back to around 1000AD. Once finished, share out your creations and enjoy the rich flavours.

Day 16 Palermo, Sicily

Head into Palermo itself today to wander its multicultural streets. The architecture of this city reflects all the civilisations that have travelled through it for millennia. You’ll see Byzantine mosaics, Arabesque domes, Gothic palaces, and souk-like markets. Visit the stunning sights of Cappella Palatine, Palazzo dei Normanni, and Nercato di Ballarò, a bustling street market that captures the magic of the city.