Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Explore Puglia

Escorted 8-day Puglia holiday from one coastal hotel with rail day trips

Explore Puglia, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys runs this 8-day, 7-night escorted holiday through Puglia in southern Italy, flying travellers from London Gatwick direct to Bari before settling them into one hotel for the entire stay, the all-inclusive GranSerena Hotel on the beach at Torre Canne. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and days alternate between hotel-based relaxation and guided excursions. Two of the outings run by train, to Lecce on day 3 for a Baroque city tour and a Leccese coffee, and to Bari on day 5 to see the Basilica di San Nicola and a Swabian Castle. Coach trips reach the hilltop towns of Locorotondo and Martina Franca, the sassi cave dwellings of Matera, and the trulli houses of Alberobello. With one hotel base for all seven nights and meals and drinks covered there, this suits travellers who want a low-effort trip built around included food and guided access to Puglia's UNESCO sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • Meals and drinks taken away from the Torre Canne hotel are not included; the operator's exclusions list covers only meals and drinks eaten en route.
  • Day 4 is a free day at leisure; the optional trip to Monopoli is not guided and requires arranging your own taxi or shuttle bus.
  • The evidence for this tour does not list current departure dates; confirm availability with the operator before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Torre Canne

    Flying south to Italy's Adriatic coast

    Your holiday begins at London Gatwick, where you meet the Tour Manager and travel group before flying direct to Bari. On arrival, transfer to the waterfront hotel in the charming coastal village of Torre Canne. The resort hotel boasts a beachfront location on the edge of the Valle d'Itria, with access to a private beach and indoor and outdoor thermal swimming pools next to the Terme di Torre Canne spa. After checking in, enjoy a welcome drink before dinner at the hotel, with drinks included.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Torre Canne

    Exploring Puglia's charming towns

    Visit the circular hilltop town of Locorotondo, renowned for its sparkling white spumante wine, with free time to wander the peaceful labyrinthine streets of the historic centre. Continue to nearby Martina Franca to explore its captivating Baroque architecture including the majestic St Martin's Basilica. Return to the hotel for lunch; the afternoon is free to relax at the pool, on the beach or visit the Terme di Torre Canne thermal baths.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Torre Canne

    Discovering the historic city of Lecce

    Transfer to Fasano Station and board a train to Lecce for a guided tour of this city dubbed 'the Florence of the South', known for its Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings. The tour ends at a traditional café to sample a Leccese coffee with almond milk and 'pasticciotto' pastry. Free afternoon to explore, with picnic lunch near Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Return by train to Fasano then coach to the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Torre Canne

    A free day to enjoy the laid-back Puglian atmosphere

    A day at leisure to relax at the hotel's pools or private beach. Lunch is available at the hotel. Optional taxi or shuttle bus to Monopoli, where a Baroque cathedral, pretty houses and faded stone palaces await. Monopoli's Old Port is overlooked by a 16th-century fortress castle. Return to the hotel at leisure for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Torre Canne

    Touring the port city of Bari

    Travel by train to Bari, Puglia's capital, for a guided tour of the old town on a headland edging into the Adriatic Sea, including the 11th-century Romanesque Basilica di San Nicola and a Swabian Castle. Free time to continue sightseeing, visit museums, enjoy picnic lunch on the seafront promenade or sample street food. Return to the hotel by train and coach in the late afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Torre Canne

    A day trip to see Matera and its sassi houses

    Coach excursion to Matera in neighbouring Basilicata, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognised for its ancient sassi cave dwellings dug into the cliffside, inhabited until the 1950s and named European Capital of Culture in 2019. Featured in the James Bond film 'No Time to Die'. Guided tour through winding streets and Palaeolithic-era abodes, followed by free time to explore boutiques, craft shops, bars and cafés. Picnic lunch with beautiful views. Return by coach to the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Torre Canne

    Viewing the trulli houses of Alberobello

    Coach to Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO-listed limestone trulli houses dating to the 14th century. Originally built without mortar so they could be quickly dismantled to evade tax collectors. Free time to explore the whitewashed stone houses spreading towards the surrounding hillsides. Return to the all-inclusive hotel for lunch; free afternoon to relax by the pool or on the private beach before the final dinner in Italy.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    Final breakfast at the hotel before transferring by coach to Bari airport for the return flight to London Gatwick or Manchester.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A visit to the hilltop town of Locorotondo, known for its sparkling spumante wine, followed by Martina Franca's Baroque St Martin's Basilica.
  • Day 3A train from Fasano to Lecce for a guided tour of the Baroque city dubbed 'the Florence of the South,' ending with a Leccese coffee and pasticciotto pastry at a traditional cafe.
  • Day 5A train to Bari for a guided tour of the old town, taking in the 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola and a Swabian Castle.
  • Day 6A coach excursion to Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site of sassi cave dwellings inhabited until the 1950s and featured in the James Bond film 'No Time to Die.'
  • Day 7A coach trip to Alberobello to see its UNESCO-listed limestone trulli houses, built without mortar since the 14th century so they could be quickly dismantled to evade tax collectors.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Return flights from London Gatwick to Bari
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day in Torre Canne
  • Unlimited drinks package each day between 10am–10pm in Torre Canne (exclusions apply)
  • Unlimited consumption of a selection of sweet and savoury snacks between 10am–10pm in Torre Canne
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Meals and drinks en route (not at the hotel)
  • Flight upgrades (available at extra cost)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes standard-class rail travel from Fasano to Lecce and from the Torre Canne area to Bari, both there and back, alongside all coach travel on the tour.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes, a UK Tour Manager travels with the group from start to finish.
What hotel is used?
All seven nights are spent at the GranSerena Hotel in Torre Canne, a 4-star, all-inclusive property with a private beach and thermal pools.
Which trains are used?
Standard-class trains run from Fasano to Lecce on day 3 and from the Torre Canne area to Bari on day 5, both there and back.
What is not included?
Meals and drinks away from the hotel, and flight upgrades, are not included in the price.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes guided walking tours through the historic centres of Lecce, Bari, Matera and Alberobello; no hikes or strenuous activity are mentioned.

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