

Self-Drive Apulia & Matera
Highlights
Chance of sampling several Slow Food Presidia products - high-quality, traditional foods and beverages at risk of “extinction” such as The Capocollo cold cut of Martina Franca, the Primitivo wine of Manduria and many more!
Explore the famous Sassi di Matera, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Alberobello, with the Trulli traditional rural homes, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Enjoy a wonderful boat tour in Polignano a Mare
Visit the most beautiful towns of Puglia with an expert private guide
Fascinating Roman ruins, baroque architecture, charming white towns perched on top of the countryside's hills, amazing food and mesmerizing beaches along the coast... Puglia has it all. Whether you're after history, art, culture, food, wine or nature, this region will offer you all of it in abundance.
During this itinerary, participants will have the unique chance of sampling several Slow Food Presidia products (high-quality, traditional food and beverages at "risk of extinction”) and will taste authentic regional dishes at restaurants selected among those recommended by the Slow Food association in their “Osterie d’Italia” guide: small “trattorie” that still use fresh, local produce for traditional recipes.
Slow Food is an organization that promotes local food and traditional cooking. It was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1986 and has since spread worldwide. Promoted as an alternative to fast food, it strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds, and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem. It promotes local small businesses and sustainable foods. It also focuses on food quality, rather than quantity. It was the first established part of the broader slow movement. It speaks out against overproduction and food waste. It sees globalization as a process in which small and local farmers and food producers should be simultaneously protected from and included in the global food system.
Included
Itinerary
Arrival in Bari Airport and pick up of your car rental. Proceed to your hotel in Bari for check-in and relax. Enjoy your Welcome dinner with typical dishes of the area and then return to your hotel in the evening.
Overnight stay in Bari at the iH Hotels Bari Oriente.

After breakfast, go south towards Polignano al Mare, one of the most famous seaside resorts of Apulia. Meet your personal tour guide for a visit of the city and then enjoy a boat ride to admire the coast. Lunch and afternoon at leisure. Return to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Bari at the iH Hotels Bari Oriente.

Departure after breakfast towards Martina Franca, in the heart of the region, and check in at your hotel. Walk or drive to the centre of the town to enjoy another welcome dinner at an "Osterie d'Italia" typical trattoria: Ristorante La Tana, a truly special location dedicated to the Slow Food Philosophy of Apulia (Slow Food is an organization that promotes local food and traditional cooking).
Return to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Martina Franca at Masseria San Michele.
After breakfast, meet with your private guide in front of the Grotte di Castellana for a visit of these wonderful caves located at a depth of 70 metres, along a stretch of almost 2 kilometres. After the caves, continue to the enchanting town of Alberobello for lunch. Here you will enjoy local cuisine and
specialities, with delicious dishes and wines served at a local “Trattoria”, part of the "Osterie d'Italia" Slow Food project (Slow Food is an organization that promotes local food and traditional cooking).
After lunch, walking tour around the Trulli to visit the little shops, galleries and artisan laboratories selling homemade cheese and Taralli - savoury crackers typical of this region. Return to Martina Franca for a relaxing evening. Tonight, we suggest a stroll around the beautiful historical town centre, stopping at the Partenope pastry shop in Corso Italia to try their famous cakes and pastries.
Overnight stay in Martina Franca at Masseria San Michele.

After breakfast, departure towards Cisternino, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Meet with your private guide for a visit of the old town centre, stopping to admire the little shops along the way selling a famous regional cured ham (called Capocollo), then finish the tour with another superb lunch at a typical
restaurant where culinary delights such as Capocollo ham, along with the other dishes and local
wines from the Puglia region, will be served. After lunch, proceed to visit the white village of Ostuni and its
old historical centre. Short stop a a local dairy producer, to sample some of their amazing cheese. Back to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Martina Franca at Masseria San Michele.

After breakfast, depart to Lecce. Meet up with your guide for a half-day private tour of the city to
discover the so-called Baroque Pearl. After the tour, we suggest to try the local breads, pizzas and the famous Pucce Leccesi (a traditional bread with olives, tomatoes and other toppings). In the afternoon, continue towards Manduria to visit the Wine Museum and taste the local Primitivo wine, accompanied with typical savoury snacks. Return to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Martina Franca at Masseria San Michele.

After breakfast, departure for Matera, known as the “City of Stones”, for a guided visit. This city is one of the most extraordinary and intact examples of a Troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region. The oldest
“Sassi” (ancient homes carved into the rocks) are about 7000 years old. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon,
visit to a local farmhouse to sample their extraordinary wines. Return to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Martina Franca at Masseria San Michele.

After breakfast, check-out and departure.
Additional information
Hotel options

Bari
The iH Hotels Bari Oriente is a 4 star hotel located in the heart of Bari, in the Murat district, a few steps from the historical Petruzzelli Theatre. It is housed in a majestic building of the XVIIIth century. The roof garden on the sixth floor offers, in the warm season from May to September, an enchanting view of the city and the dome of the famous Theater, where it is possible to sip cocktails and enjoy delicious aperitifs.

Martina Franca
Masseria San Michele is a stunning fortified structure dating back to 1700, with an adjoining consecrated church dedicated to the homonymous saint. The Masseria is immersed in the heart of the Valle d'Itria in an oasis of peace.
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Booking Summary
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Start your holiday when and with who you want! Our Independent Holiday Packages are NOT group tours with set departure dates. Available daily, they are pre-designed, purpose built, packaged itineraries full of memorable experiences delivered by our hand-picked local partners.

This specially designed program allows travellers to recongise governments and companies around the world who have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols so consumers can experience "Safe Travels".

Our Exclusive Packages have been carefully created with our preferred overseas travel partners with package inclusions on offer exclusively to Entire Travel Customers.
Excluded
- International airfares and taxes
- Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
- Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
- Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
- Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
- Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
- Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package
Important notes
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FLEXI CAR HIRE CREDIT: This self-drive package includes a $800 ($100/day) Flexi Car Hire Credit. This provides the flexibility of selecting a vehicle based on your own preferences and requirements. As each location has vehicle limitations, please speak to our team for options.
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We work with a selection of hotels in each location. All bookings are subject to availability, which means our team will confirm your specific hotels upon confirmation and payment of deposit. The package price is based on 4-star accommodation.
Blackout dates may apply during festive season.
FAQs
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In some cases, we are the sole representative in Australia for the overseas travel operator. In other circumstances the product developed has been exclusively built for Entire Travel Group and can’t be found elsewhere.
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Our motto for Independent Holiday Packages is start your holiday when and with who you want!
Our Independent Holiday Packages are NOT group tours with set departure dates. Group Tours have specific set departure dates, and of course, you are travelling with unknown passengers in a coach. These tours are great for certain travellers and there are many reputable tour operators providing a wide range of options around the world.
At Entire Travel Group, our focus is Independent Holiday Packages. Available daily, they are pre-designed, purpose built, packaged itineraries full of memorable experiences delivered by our hand-picked local partners.
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