Apulia and Basilicata Self Drive

<p>Pick up your rental car in Bari and start discovering beautiful Apulia. During your stay in this area you will be able to visit: Alberobello the small town has been made a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unusual districts of trulli, the characteristic white-washed conical-roofed houses of the area. Martina Franca lovely historic centre with its memorable maze of winding alleys. Locorotondo listed among the Borghi più belli d'Italia (the most beautiful villages in Italy) and renowned thanks to its wine. Polignano a Mare lovely historic whitewashed centre perched on cliffs, overlooking the Adriatic sea. You will also visit a local food or cheese producer and taste typical mozzarella, enjoy a guided tour in Alberobello area with pic-nic. Three overnight stays and dinners in Bari province at a typical country-resort / Apulian masseria</p>

<p>Move from Bari province to Lecce area. Along the route suggested a break for a stroll in the white city of Ostuni on a hilltop that makes you feel like a wedding cake-topper. During your stay in this area you will be able to visit Gallipoli the beautiful town on the west Ionian coast and its evocative underground oil mill, carved entirely by hand in carparo. Galatina, one of Apulia’s hidden gems, a pretty place to meander and gaze at the monumental portals and ornate iron balconies. Lecce, a Baroque masterpiece, due to the intricate decorations dating back to 17th century covering facades and doorways of the buildings. The town is also famous for the traditional papier-mâché art, a malleable mixture of paper and glue, which becomes hard when dry and can be painted and adorned. You will also take part in a papier-mâchè class at a cartapesta artisan. Not to be lost beaches such as Baia dei Turchi, Torre dell'Orso, Santa Cesarea. Four overnight stays and dinners in Lecce province at a typical country-resort / Apulian masseria</p>

<p>Move to Basilicata region, reaching Matera. The town, awarded European Capital of Culture 2019, is one of the most interesting and unusual destinations in Italy, characherized by an extensive cave-dwelling districts, the so called sassi (stones). In 1993 the fascinating town was made a UNESCO World Heritage site, for being "the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem". The sceneries are so evocative and primordial that many films have been shot here such as Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ (2004), Wonder Woman (2017. Themyscira was modeled after the city of Matera), the remake of Ben Hur with Morgan Freeman (2016), just to name a few. Enjoy a guided visit of the town and its surroundings. Two overnight stays with breakfast in Matera area</p>

<p>Back to Bari crossing the Murge plateau. Along the route you might consider a detour to Castel del Monte. The enygmatic castle is well known for its octagonal shape having reference to mathematical and astronomical symbols. Built on a rocky bank in the 1240's by the emperor Frederick II of Swabia has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Drop car off in Bari.</p>