Discover the highlights of Puglia from your base near picturesque Polignano a Mare, exploring ancient towns and white-washed villages along the scenic Adriatic coast

Your holiday begins at London Gatwick, where you meet the Tour Manager and travel group before flying direct to Bari. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel a short drive from Polignano a Mare. If you are flying from regional airports, private transfers will be waiting for you on arrival.

Set in extensive grounds on the Puglian coast, our four-star hotel has a private golden-sand beach and spa, available from late May to late September. Benefitting from a quiet location, this relaxing base is ideally situated for exploring this charming and unspoilt part of Italy, often referred to as the 'Jewel of Puglia'.

This evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. All your meals are included on this relaxing holiday, as well as unlimited drinks and selection of snacks from 10am to 10pm at our hotel.

Your first morning on the stunning Puglian coast is yours to enjoy at leisure. You could choose to unwind at the hotel, taking a stroll around the lush grounds or relaxing at the private beach on the crystal-clear Adriatic.

After lunch at our hotel, we take a short drive to the town of Polignano a Mare. With winding streets of whitewashed buildings, this beautiful coastal town is perched on top of a limestone cliff overlooking the ocean. Polignano is renowned for its stunning coastline, with sparkling waters, scenic coves and its Blue Flag beach, Lama Monachile.

Polignano has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with ancient Greek and Roman history. In the town centre, you can wander the historic streets, browse local boutiques or perhaps visit a café to try the local speciality, 'caffe speciale' - a coffee made with cream and lemon zest. This evening, we head back to our hotel for dinner.

After breakfast this morning, we head to Monopoli to board a train to Lecce. Here, we enjoy a guided tour of this city known for its Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings, attractive squares and leafy lanes.  

With its elaborate architecture and winding alleys, Lecce has been dubbed 'the Florence of the South'. The main square, Piazza del Duomo, sits in the shadow of Lecce's cathedral and its bell tower. Our tour ends at a traditional café, where we sample a Leccese coffee, made with almond milk and poured over ice, with 'pasticciotto' - a southern Puglian pastry filled with custard or ricotta. 

  With a free afternoon to continue exploring, you could enjoy your picnic lunch near Piazza Sant'Oronzo in view of the Roman amphitheatre - a partially buried archaeological treasure excavated in 1938. The streets are lined with cafés, bars, restaurants and shops offering local products such as olive oil, wine and ceramics. Later, we return by train to Monopoli, then return to our hotel by coach in time for dinner. 

Today brings an opportunity to discover the charms of Puglia independently, with a full free day. You may choose to relax at the hotel or the private beach, or catch the shuttle into the town of Polignano to explore further.

Alternatively, you could head further afield on Italy's regional trains. The 'white city' of Ostuni is one of the most beloved towns in Puglia and is a short train ride away. On approach, it becomes clear how Ostuni got its nickname - in a walled citadel perched atop a hill, the whitewashed buildings shine like a pearl amongst the surrounding ocean of olive groves.

Ostuni's Old Town boasts a labyrinth of cobbled lanes, arches, and staircases, providing endless exploration with every corner bringing a new perspective. Visit the 13th-century cathedral with its mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture or grab an aperitivo at a café on the Piazza della Libertà and take in the laid-back atmosphere. Lunch and dinner are also available in the hotel restaurant.

This morning, we travel by train through the countryside to Bari, Puglia's capital and a city overflowing with cultural charms.

Bari's long history as a trading port is explored on a guided tour of the old town, tucked on a headland edging into the Adriatic Sea. Home to the 11th-century Romanesque Basilica di San Nicola and a Swabian Castle, along with stunning grand piazzas, we're transported back in time as we hear stories of this former Roman and Byzantine port city.   

Afterwards, you're free to continue sightseeing at your own pace. Maybe visit one of the Old Town's many museums or enjoy your picnic lunch on the long seafront promenade, which has views of the city walls and the crystalline sea. You might also like to sample the city's thriving street food or relax at a stylish bar or alfresco café with a glass of local wine. We return to our hotel by train and coach in the late afternoon, ready for dinner this evening.

With a day at leisure, you could choose to relax at one of the hotel's pools or on its private beach, spending a peaceful day soaking up the Italian sunshine. 

  Lunch is available at the hotel, after which you may like to hire a taxi or ride a shuttle bus to Monopoli. In the town's charming old quarter is a Baroque cathedral, pretty houses and faded stone palaces. The town respects siesta time, but the colourful, flower-filled streets become livelier in the late afternoon when artisan craft shops, small boutiques and specialist grocery stores reopen. 

  Monopoli's Old Port is overlooked by a 16th-century fortress castle, and its striking whitewashed houses contrast with the translucent blue Adriatic. You could enjoy this peaceful scene from a harbour café in the afternoon. The fishing harbour comes to life at dusk and dawn when wooden fishing boats cast off and fishermen return with their catches. You can return to our hotel at leisure to enjoy dinner this evening. 

After breakfast, we travel by coach to the town of Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO-listed limestone 'trulli' houses. These curious cone-shaped homes date to the 14th century and are one of Puglia's must-see attractions. Originally built without mortar so they could be quickly dismantled and easily rebuilt - which allowed occupants to evade tax collectors - 'trulli' houses are now emblematic of the region. 

  Free time to explore allows you to step back in time to an almost forgotten era of Italy, admiring the delightful, whitewashed stone houses, which spread out towards the surrounding hillsides. 

  We return to our hotel in time for lunch, after which the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may like to spend a free afternoon relaxing by the pool or on the private beach admiring the coastal views stretching out for miles before our final dinner in Italy this evening. 

Beauty and history collide in southern Italy, and this last week has been a showcase of both. We admired glittering scenes of the Adriatic and wandered whitewashed lanes in clifftop Polignano a Mare, our base for the week. Tours of Bari and Lecce provided insight into Puglia's fascinating history, culture and cuisine, and an excursion to Alberobello transported us into the past. As well as captivating excursions, time at leisure offered opportunities to explore Puglia independently, gaining new perspectives on this special region.  

Enjoy a relaxed morning to soak up the views before we transfer by coach this afternoon to Bari airport for our return flight to London Gatwick, where your holiday comes to a close.

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

On excursion days, a picnic lunch will be provided by the hotel.

The 4-Star Pietrablu Resort and Spa is situated a short drive from Polignano a Mare on the beautiful coast of Puglia. Its seafront location gives it a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for making the most of the hotel's facilities which include a private beach, tennis court, spa and two outdoor swimming pools. You will be staying in an air-conditioned suite which has a patio area or balcony and comes equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, minibar, tea & coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.