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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Discover Puglia

Seven-day escorted tour of Puglia's UNESCO towns by rail and coach from Bari

Illustration of Discover Puglia

Ffestiniog Travel's Discover Puglia is a seven-day escorted tour that explores the historic towns and cultural landmarks of southern Italy's Puglia region, the heel of Italy's boot. The tour departs from London, arriving in Bari on the Adriatic coast, and concludes in Gallipoli after six nights in two bases: four nights in Bari and two nights in Lecce. Led by a Ffestiniog tour leader and supported by local English-speaking guides, the itinerary balances structured excursions with free time. You will walk through Bari Vecchia's medieval alleys, tour Alberobello's UNESCO-listed trulli dwellings, visit Matera's famous cave dwellings with lunch in a cave restaurant, and travel by scenic rail southwards along the coast to Lecce, where baroque architecture, Renaissance gardens, and artisan workshops await. A coach excursion covers Otranto and Gallipoli, both coastal towns steeped in history. Accommodation, flights, rail travel, all coach transfers, guided tours, two dinners, and two lunches are included, making this an ideal choice for couples and history-lovers seeking guided comfort with pockets of independence.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departing date is currently listed: October 2026.
  • The rail journey is one leg of a multi-day itinerary; most travel days use coach or are based in the same hotel.
  • Hotels are on a bed-and-breakfast basis; only two dinners and two lunches are included in the seven-day package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Bari

    London to Bari

    Fly from London to Bari and transfer to our hotel for a 4-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Bari

    Explore Bari

    A day based in Bari, including a half-day guided tour of the city. Bari is a port city on the Adriatic coast and the capital of the Puglia region. Step back in time and wander through one of Italy’s most atmospheric old towns – Bari Vecchia. This walled part of the city is a labyrinth of twisting alleys, cobbled streets and small piazzas. Within the thick stone walls you will find 40 churches and the 11th Century Basilica St Nicholas. This evening we have a welcome dinner in a local restaurant (included).

  3. Day 3overnight: Bari

    Castellana Caves & Alberobello

    No trip to Puglia would be complete without a visit to these two sites. We visit the spectacular limestone caves and experience a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage town of Alberobello, which is home to the white-washed beehive-shaped stone dwellings known as “trulli”.

  4. Day 4overnight: Bari

    Matera – “Basilicata’s Jewel”

    Depart by road to visit another of Southern Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage towns, Matera in the Basilicata region. Once again we have a local guide who will provide a tour around the city which is famous for its cave dwellings. Lunch is included in one of Matera’s cave restaurants.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lecce

    By Rail to Lecce

    Travel by rail southwards along the coast to Lecce, in the heart of the Salento Peninsula and often called the “Florence of the South” for a 2-night stay. This afternoon we will have a guided tour exploring baroque palaces, artisan workshops, Renaissance gardens and 19th Century villas.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lecce

    Otranto & Gallipoli

    A full day excursion by coach to the towns of Otranto and Gallipoli. First, we head to Otranto, a charming coastal town rich in history and culture, where we visit its Cathedral, dating back to 1088. We continue our journey to Gallipoli and have lunch (included) before taking a guided tour of the old town with its 14th Century walls and the stunning Cathedral of St. Agatha. Return by coach to Lecce in time for our farewell dinner (included).

  7. Day 7

    Homeward Bound

    Morning coach transfer to Bari Airport for our flight to London, arriving early afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Half-day guided tour of Bari Vecchia, the walled medieval old town with labyrinthine alleys, cobbled streets, small piazzas, and 40 churches.
  • Day 3Guided tour of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage town of white-washed beehive-shaped trulli stone dwellings.
  • Day 4Visit to Matera, another UNESCO World Heritage town famous for its cave dwellings, with lunch in a cave restaurant.
  • Day 5Scenic rail journey southwards along the coast from Bari to Lecce, followed by a guided tour of baroque palaces, artisan workshops, Renaissance gardens and 19th-century villas.
  • Day 6Coach excursion to Otranto to visit its Cathedral dating to 1088, then to Gallipoli with its 14th-century walls and Cathedral of St. Agatha.

Included

  • Flights in Economy Class
  • All rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • All coach transfers as stated
  • Welcome & farewell dinners & 2 lunches
  • All excursions as stated
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • All local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour plus local English speaking guides

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, the scenic rail journey from Bari to Lecce in Standard Class is included, along with all coach transfers and flights from London in Economy Class.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes, a tour leader from Ffestiniog Travel accompanies the group throughout, and local English-speaking guides lead tours at each destination.
Which hotels are included?
Four nights at the Boston Hotel in Bari and two nights at Hotel delle Palme in Lecce, both on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
What meals are included?
Welcome and farewell dinners, plus lunches in Matera's cave restaurant and in Gallipoli. Breakfast is included daily at the hotels; other meals are at your own expense.
How much free time is there?
Free time to explore on your own in Bari (Day 2) and Lecce (Day 5), in addition to the guided tours.
When does the tour run?
The only listed departure is October 2026, priced from £2,650 per person.

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