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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Simply Puglia

Eight-day escorted Puglia coastal escape from London with trains and guided tours

Illustration of Simply Puglia

Great Rail Journeys operates Simply Puglia, an eight-day escorted holiday in southern Italy based at a four-star beachside hotel near Polignano a Mare on the Adriatic coast. Departing from London Gatwick, the tour combines guided exploration of three historic cities with leisurely free days for independent discovery. Days unfold between the coastal hotel and visits to Lecce, celebrated as 'the Florence of the South' for its Baroque architecture; Bari, where Roman and Byzantine heritage fills the old port city; and the UNESCO-listed trulli homes of Alberobello, with their distinctive cone-shaped stone houses built from the 14th century. Regional trains connect the main destinations, while coach transfers and a Tour Manager handle logistics throughout. All meals and an unlimited drinks package are included, along with access to the hotel's private beach, pools and spa. Free days allow you to relax in place, explore Polignano's clifftop lanes, or venture independently to neighbouring coastal towns such as the white-walled city of Ostuni.

What to know before you look closer

  • The group size can reach 40 people, which may limit the intimacy of some guided experiences
  • Most free days require independent exploration; unguided travel on regional trains is suggested but not arranged
  • The hotel is described as set 'a short drive' from Polignano a Mare, not in the town centre itself

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Polignano a Mare

    Flying direct 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 hotel a short drive from Polignano a Mare. Regional airport passengers will have private transfers waiting. The four-star hotel is set in extensive grounds on the Puglian coast with a private golden-sand beach and spa (available late May to late September). This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. All meals, unlimited drinks and snacks from 10am to 10pm are included.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Polignano a Mare

    Exploring Polignano a Mare

    Your first morning on the Puglian coast is free to enjoy at leisure, unwind at the hotel, stroll the grounds or relax at the private beach. After lunch, take a short drive to Polignano a Mare, a beautiful coastal town perched on a limestone cliff with winding whitewashed streets, scenic coves and the Blue Flag beach Lama Monachile. Wander historic streets, browse boutiques or try the local 'caffe speciale'. Return to the hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Polignano a Mare

    Discovering the historic city of Lecce

    After breakfast, travel to Monopoli to board a train to Lecce. Enjoy a guided tour of this city famed for its Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings, attractive squares and leafy lanes, dubbed 'the Florence of the South'. The tour ends at a traditional café for a Leccese coffee and 'pasticciotto' pastry. Free afternoon to explore, with a picnic lunch near Piazza Sant'Oronzo by the Roman amphitheatre. Return by train to Monopoli then coach to the hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Polignano a Mare

    A day at leisure in Puglia

    A full free day to discover Puglia independently. Relax at the hotel or private beach, catch the shuttle into Polignano, or head further afield on Italy's regional trains. The 'white city' of Ostuni is a short train ride away, with its labyrinth of cobbled lanes, arches and staircases, and a 13th-century cathedral. Lunch and dinner are available at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Polignano a Mare

    Touring the port city of Bari

    Travel by train to Bari, Puglia's capital. A guided tour of the Old Town explores the 11th-century Romanesque Basilica di San Nicola, a Swabian Castle and grand piazzas. Free time afterwards to visit museums, enjoy a picnic lunch on the seafront promenade, sample street food or relax at a café. Return to the hotel by train and coach in the late afternoon for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Polignano a Mare

    A free day to enjoy the laid-back Puglian atmosphere

    A day at leisure, relax at one of the hotel's pools or on its private beach. After lunch, optionally hire a taxi or shuttle to Monopoli to explore its Baroque cathedral, pretty houses and faded stone palaces, its 16th-century fortress castle and Old Port. Return to the hotel at leisure for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Polignano a Mare

    Viewing the 'trulli' houses of Alberobello

    Travel by coach to Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO-listed limestone 'trulli' houses, curious cone-shaped homes dating to the 14th century, originally built without mortar to evade tax collectors. Free time to explore the whitewashed stone houses spreading across the hillsides. Return to the hotel for lunch, with the afternoon free 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

    Enjoy a relaxed morning to soak up the views before transferring by coach to Bari airport for the return flight to London Gatwick, where the holiday comes to a close.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Afternoon walk through Polignano a Mare's whitewashed streets and visit to the Blue Flag beach at Lama Monachile, set in a limestone cove
  • Day 3Guided tour of Lecce's Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings, ending with traditional Leccese coffee and pastry at a local café
  • Day 5Train journey to Bari and guided tour of the Old Town exploring the 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola and Swabian Castle
  • Day 7Coach excursion to Alberobello to explore the UNESCO-listed cone-shaped trulli houses that spread across the hillsides

Included

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

Not included

  • Cancellation and travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes standard class regional train travel between Monopoli and Lecce, and to Bari, as well as all coach transfers throughout the tour.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London Gatwick through the entire holiday. Guided tours of Lecce and Bari are included; other days allow independent exploration.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights at a four-star hotel, all meals, unlimited drinks package between 10am and 10pm, all rail and coach travel, return flights from London Gatwick, and all guided tours and excursions.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates six departures in 2027: April, May, June, August, September and October. Price is GBP 1,299 (approximately USD 1,735) for all departures.
What accommodation is provided?
Seven nights at the Pietrablu Resort and Spa, a four-star hotel in Polignano a Mare with extensive grounds, pools, private golden-sand beach and spa facilities (available late May to late September).
Are regional departures available?
Yes. Passengers can depart from regional UK airports; private transfers are arranged. UK rail connections from your local station are available as optional extras with fully flexible tickets.

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