Departure from…at.. (hr). Free lunch enroute to Basilicata. Arrival in FERRANDINA (Province of Matera), check in at the reserved hotel, welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to MATERA, listed as part of the International World Heritage (UNESCO) since 1993 thanks to its “Sassi”, ancient districts whose dwellings, settled along the ravine steep slope, have been carved out of its soft local limestone. We’ll walk through the “Sasso Caveoso” valley and its labyrinth of narrow roads and stairways, old cellars and cisterns, to reach the “Casa-grotta”, a typical rock dwelling, still holding its traditional furnishings. Before lunch in a 15th century’s masseria (farmhouse), we’ll be offered the opportunity to taste Matera’s local products. In the afternoon we’ll drive to MONTESCAGLIOSO to enjoy a walk through its picturesque town center, and catch sight of the outstanding Abbey dedicated to S. Michele Arcangelo. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast and check out at the hotel for our transfer to APULIA after visiting METAPONTO’s very interesting Archaeological Site, corresponding to its ancient Greek colony settlement. Our tour includes exploring remains dating back to the town’s origins (7^th cent. B.C.), as well as Apollo Lykaios’ Temple (in the sacred area) and the Theatre (in the ancient public Agora) built over the remains of a previous circle-shaped public building named Ekklesiasterion. Our tour will also include visiting the National Museum and the nearby Tavole Palatine (15 out of the 32 columns of a 6^th century’s Doric Temple dedicated to Hera). We’ll continue our driving to reach TARANTO. After lunch in  a local restaurant, we’ll visit the National Archaeological Museum (housed in the Palazzo Pantaleo) to admire its very important Magna Graecia’s collection, the town’s Cathedral and Doric Temple. Transfer to GALLIPOLI (Province of Lecce), check in at the reserved hotel, welcome cocktail, dinner (optional night stroll along Gallipoli’s suggestive old town). Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to LECCE. Our city tour includes visiting the Basilica of Santa Croce, the highest expression of Lecce’s Baroque, the nearby Palazzo dei Celestini, the Roman Amphitheatre, Duomo Square and its neighbouring streets also catching sight of the Church of S. Irene. Lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon drive to OTRANTO and visit of its Medieval town and Cathedral. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast and check out at the hotel and departure to OSTUNI, also known as “the white citadel”. Visit of its picturesque old town enjoying a walk among its cascading whitewashed houses, narrow little streets, stairways and rampart arches, catching sight of its late 15^th century’s Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, with interiors redecorated in 19^th century’s style. We’ll continue our tour reaching LOCOROTONDO, a charming circle-shaped little town with panoramic views over the Itria Valley and its suggestive landscape. After a short walk around its old town, lunch in a typical local restaurant and departure to MARTINA FRANCA. Walking tour and visit of its Collegiate Church dedicated to St. Martin. Transfer to the reserved hotel, check in, welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to CASTELLANA GROTTE to explore one of the best-known and most important speleological site in Italy. Transfer to ALBEROBELLO, the Italian “capital of Trulli”, listed in the International World Heritage (UNESCO) since 1996. Here we’ll take an enjoyable walk among these original dome-topped dwellings to learn about their architecture and origins. Lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Martina Franca and rest of the afternoon free. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.