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Puglia: Italy's Undiscovered Coast 2008 - Detailed Itinerary

TBA

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart US/Fly overnight to Bari

Depart from the U.S. for Italy. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Arrive in Bari/Begin your Trip Extension

You arrive at the airport in Bari, Italy, where a VBT representative meets you and helps you transfer (approximately 1 hour) to your centrally located hotel in Matera. At the hotel, you receive a city information package to help guide your independent stay in this unique city and distinctive hotel. The rest of the day is free to discover and dine on your own.

Hotel: Hotel Sant Angelo

Day 3 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Matera

Matera has been made known in the U.S. by Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of the Christ. This is the town of the Sassi, ancient quarters that are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and shrouded in archaic allure. Matera bears unique signs of history and prehistory. It is a city of art and folk wisdom, considered one of the most ancient settlements in the world because it has been continuously inhabited as far back as the Paleolithic era. The town has a unique legacy of 100 rock-hewn churches, whose magnificent Greek and Byzantine frescoes were inspired by the mysticism of solitary monks. The town is 400 meters (1,312 feet) above sea level and has a vertical structure, half-open like an amphitheater, extending over a wide plateau. It can be explored by climbing the steps and narrow roads that meander inside the ancient quarters, which cover two distinct valleys, and admired from the top as you enter the city. During the day, you can visit the Romanesque-Apulian Cathedral overlooking the two valleys of the Sassi, see a typically furnished old cave-dwelling that shows how the population lived here only 50 years ago, and explore various crypts and underground churches. At night, Matera becomes particularly fascinating.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Sant Angelo

Day 4 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent Exploration of Matera/Join VBT Air Package guests

Late this morning, transfer to your centrally located hotel in Bari. Your transfer to Bari is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. from the Matera hotel reception area. You have the rest of the day free to discover the ancient district of Bari, which is within walking distance of the hotel. Stroll the pedestrian district featuring the beloved San Nicola Church, old fishermen's houses and a lot of cozy bars and restaurants on the sea promenade. In the evening, pick one of them and sample the local cuisine. VBT Air Package guests arrive throughout the day.

Meals: B  Hotel: Palace Hotel Bari

Day 1 of AIR PACKAGE Depart US/Fly overnight to Bari

Depart from the U.S. for Italy. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of AIR PACKAGE Arrive in Bari

Upon arrival at the Bari airport, meet your transfer driver outside customs and transfer to your hotel. At the hotel, you receive a city information package to help you explore Bari on your own. Please note: If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 1 p.m. You may store your luggage with the Reception Desk. You have the rest of the day free to discover the ancient district of Bari, which is within walking distance of the hotel. Stroll the pedestrian district featuring the beloved San Nicola Church, old fishermen's houses and a lot of cozy bars and restaurants on the sea promenade. In the evening, pick one of them and sample the local cuisine.

Hotel: Palace Hotel Bari

Day 1 of BIKE TOUR All guests meet in Bari/Transfer to Savelletri

VBT No-Air Package guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at 12.30 p.m. in the lobby of our Bari Hotel (Hotel Palace Bari – Via Lombardi, 13 – Bari - phone +39 080 5216551). If your arrival at the Bari hotel is scheduled later than 12:30 p.m., or if you are delayed, you must take a taxi at your own expense to the first hotel (taxi cost from the Bari railway station is approximately 80 euros/$115 USD; from the Bari airport, the cost is approximately 100 euros/$145 USD). Please contact the hotel to advise of any travel delays or changes, and the staff will pass your message along to your VBT Trip Leaders. In the event of delays or other problems with your arrival, please see page 3 of this document “For Travel-Related Emergencies.” VBT highly recommends flying to Italy at least one day before the tour begins; this allows you to rest and recover from jet lag before you begin sightseeing and cycling. VBT Air Package and Pre-Trip Extension guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at 12:30 p.m. in the main lobby; they will be wearing VBT staff garments. Once the group has assembled, transfer by private motorcoach (approximately 1 hour) to Savelletri. Please plan to eat lunch before you meet your VBT Trip Leaders. The Masseria Torre Coccaro, and its sister resort, Masseria Torre Maizza, are 5-star resorts set in historic fortified farms of the type that distinguishes this region. Masseria is the local name for these large farms, which began to be fortified around the 16th century in areas around Brindisi that were vulnerable to attacks by pirates and brigands. These fortified farms feature high boundary walls, angular towers, drawbridges and watchtowers. Inside the walls, families lived and worked with their own church, oil mill, cisterns for water, oven to bake bread, storage rooms for tools and hay, stables, and everything they needed to conduct a simple life. In a separate section, their padrone lived in a more comfortable house. After settling into this distinctive accommodation, join your Trip Leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session early in the afternoon. Then take a short warm-up ride along quiet country roads and past 800-year-old olive groves to Egnatia. Egnatia is the ancient Messapican (and later Roman) town built on the coast, testifying to the economic and military importance of this area through the 10th century. A short stop at the archeological museum of Egnatia allows you to see precious finds such as sculptures, jewels, funeral equipment and the particular pottery produced here, called “gnathia.” Later, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception on the elegant hotel patio. Dinner is at the hotel restaurant and is prepared with local products and herbs produced on the farm.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Masseria Torre Coccaro

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Savelletri and Monopoli

After breakfast, cycle along the coast on quiet roads, completely surrounded by ancient olive trees with interesting shapes. Puglia ranks first in Italy in the production of olive oil, wine, and hay, and second for tobacco and almonds. Continue to Monopoli, where you stop to visit the beautiful cathedral as well as the fish and fruit market. Spend free time here exploring and eating lunch on your own. Walk the maze of pedestrian streets in Monopoli's old city center and see why they make the city so intimate and unique. In the afternoon, cycle back along the coast to your beautiful hotel. The options are many: Stop to swim at the private beach club, play golf on the 9-hole course, relax by the beautiful lake-shaped pool or get a massage at the Aveda spa center. Tonight, dinner is in the hotel restaurant.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Masseria Torre Coccaro

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Ostuni

This morning, ride along the coast toward the whitewashed city of Ostuni. On your way, visit a fortified masseria that houses the Church of San Lorenzo and an oil museum. Built in the 17th century by the Cardinal Rocco, this farm hosts an interesting collection of ancient oil-making tools. For lunch, the group visits Armando and his wife, Rosalba, at Il Frantoio, a family-run masseria. The estate extends over 150 acres and includes a “secret garden” planted with orange and lemon trees, in addition to a well-preserved underground oil mill. Our hosts have collected many interesting gadgets over the years, from ancient dresses and hats to a gramophone and precious books. Each piece has its own interesting story. Lunch is prepared using produce grown on the farm. Try a sampling of five different extra-virgin oils that Rosalba uses to flavor her focaccia, pickles, preserves, and delicious Laganari pasta. (On some dates we stop at a different masseria: Parco di Castro. This farm is also a good example of a local working estate, offering authentic country-meals prepared from vegetables and olives grown on site. We eat in the white courtyard under century-old stone vaults). Afterward, shuttle or continue cycling to your hotel in Ostuni. This evening, you are free to have dinner on your own and stroll Ostuni's narrow, whitewashed limestone streets. Admire the graceful towers, staircases, arches, balconies and carved doorways, many of which are adorned with colorful pots of flowers or garlic and tomato crowns left to dry in the sun.

Meals: B, L  Hotel: Hotel la Terra Alternate Hotel: Relais Sant'Eligio .   Located in the beautiful town of Ostuni, this historic hotel has been restored with modern comforts and quality standards in mind - offering superb hospitality on the Adriatic Coast. You can relax in the courtyard or on the panoramic terrace. You could also enjoy the atmosphere of this charming property by relaxing in the internal courtyard, in two small squares or in the panoramic terrace. The Restaurant Hostaria Antica Posada, where you still can see the vaults of the ancient building, offers the typical gastronomy of Puglia.

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR Alberobello/The Itria Valley

This morning, shuttle to Alberobello in the Itria Valley. The shuttle drives through a region dotted with trulli houses. A trulli is a unique type of building characteristic of this region, consisting of a cylinder topped by a large cone of local stones and assembled without any mortar. It is believed that trulli originated as storage sheds built for agricultural implements. Much later, they became dwelling places, with adjoining buildings added as the families living in them grew. Many trulli are still used and inhabited today, and some of their roofs show mysterious chalk marks, either to ward off the evil eye or to bless the house. The trulli of Alberobello in particular have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the visit to Alberobello, start cycling to Locorotondo, where you stop for lunch. In the afternoon, continue cycling mostly downhill through the gorgeous countryside, back to Ostuni. Tonight dinner is at a local trattoria: This unforgettable meal includes ancient medieval recipes, like black orecchiette pasta served in an edible bread dish.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Hotel la Terra Alternate Hotel: Relais Sant'Eligio .   Located in the beautiful town of Ostuni, this historic hotel has been restored with modern comforts and quality standards in mind - offering superb hospitality on the Adriatic Coast. You can relax in the courtyard or on the panoramic terrace. You could also enjoy the atmosphere of this charming property by relaxing in the internal courtyard, in two small squares or in the panoramic terrace. The Restaurant Hostaria Antica Posada, where you still can see the vaults of the ancient building, offers the typical gastronomy of Puglia.

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Otranto/Walking tour of Otranto

Take a final stroll in Ostuni, then take a morning shuttle further south in the region to discover another area of Puglia: Salento. Begin biking before lunch at Melpignano. In Curzi, notice the impressive quarries where big ivory sandstones (called chianche in the local dialect) are extracted for use in local construction. Continue your ride into a very quiet park, shaded by big olive trees and old oaks, as you head toward the sea to Otranto. Lunch is on your own in Otranto, in one of the many simple fish restaurants or pizzerias. Later, a local guide meets us near the castle and conducts a walking tour of this picturesque sea town. Founded by the Greeks, Otranto is surrounded by great ramparts and walls. From late spring onward, its atmosphere is extremely lively with local craft studios selling clay whistles, baskets, hand-dyed fabric and ceramics. The city's highlight is certainly the huge, 800-square-meter floor mosaic representing the Tree of Life, created in the year 1163 by a monk in the Otranto cathedral. After the visit, cycle flat country roads catching sight of menhirs and dolmens, a testament to the region's prehistoric past, and arrive at the Masseria Montelauro. After settling in, you may want to swim or relax with a good book. Later tonight, shuttle to Otranto to eat dinner on your own at one of the many outdoor cafés or restaurants. If you prefer, opt for dinner at the masseria.

Meals: B  Hotel: Masseria Montelauro Alternate Hotel: Tenuta Centoporte .   This recently opened property is surrounded by centuries-old olive trees and is only a few miles from the Salento southern coast. It is located close to the ruins of an ancient abbey, built during the 5th to 6th centuries, called Le Centoporte (“100 doors”), after which the hotel is named. With its seaside color scheme (the walls are bright white and windows are aqua-green), Tenuta Centoporte is the perfect place to enjoy the Mediterranean culture.

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Discover the coast of Salento

After breakfast, set out on the best bike ride of the week. Starting in the interior of Salento, stop to visit a local host (the grandmother of one of our local Trip Leaders), who offers a demonstration of handmade sagne and orecchiette pasta and shares some of her sauce recipes. Then continue cycling on flat country roads and through little villages to the coastal town of Castro Marina, where you stop to visit the Zinzulusa caves, which date to the Paleolithic era. Relax there with a picnic lunch prepared by your Trip Leaders. Continue on to Santa Cesarea, a quiet town set on the edge of the sea. Then follow the cliffs to the town of Porto Badisco, famous for its azure waters as well as the prehistoric Cervi Grottoes. In Porto Badisco, take time for a dip before resuming your cycling to Cape Otranto, the easternmost tip of Italy. Cycle back to the masseria in time to freshen up before a special farewell dinner at the masseria's restaurant.

Meals: B, L, D  Hotel: Masseria Montelauro Alternate Hotel: Tenuta Centoporte .   This recently opened property is surrounded by centuries-old olive trees and is only a few miles from the Salento southern coast. It is located close to the ruins of an ancient abbey, built during the 5th to 6th centuries, called Le Centoporte (“100 doors”), after which the hotel is named. With its seaside color scheme (the walls are bright white and windows are aqua-green), Tenuta Centoporte is the perfect place to enjoy the Mediterranean culture.

Day 7 of BIKE TOUR Transfer to Lecce/Free day in city/VBT No-Air Package ends

VBT No-Air Package guests: After breakfast, transfer to the Brindisi airport, arriving at approximately 11:30 a.m. Important: Flight departures from Brindisi prior to 1:30 p.m. are not recommended; those departing earlier must make transfer arrangements at their own expense from the last hotel in Otranto to Brindisi (approximately 1½ hours). Taxi cost to the Brindisi airport is approximately 80 euros/$102 USD. VBT Air Package and Post-Trip Extension guests: Transfer to the Hotel Patria Palace in Lecce, an elegant and centrally located 5-star hotel, at about 10:30 a.m. Once there, you receive a city information package. The rest of your day is free for exploring the many wonders of this wonderful Baroque city, called “the Southern Florence.” Lecce is rightly acclaimed as one of the capitals of the Baroque, a style which here has acquired unrivalled originality and exuberance due to the skill with which local architects and stonemasons worked the soft, malleable, pink-tinged local stone, called pietra dorata. Explore the Piazza Sant'Oronzo, the city's main square and the heart of local activities for centuries. The square is partly occupied by the Roman amphitheater and made up of narrow, winding streets, full of charm. The gem of the city is Piazza Duomo, closed on three sides by the cathedral and two palaces belonging to the church. The side that is open on the narrow street creates an intimate atmosphere, despite the considerable size of the square — one of the largest in Europe. Tonight, dinner is on your own.

Meals: B  Hotel: Patria Palace Hotel

Day 8 of AIR PACKAGE Depart for U.S.

After breakfast, transfer to the Brindisi airport for your flight to Rome or your flight back to the U.S. VBT recommends that you check the transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder” the night before your flight. The transfer is prearranged with the reception desk and is prepaid by VBT. Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served. Please note: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Meals: B

Day 1 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Begin your optional Rome extension

If you have chosen the optional Rome extension, you then transfer to the airport in Brindisi. Upon arrival in the Rome airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. VBT's local representative meets you and helps you transfer by private car to your hotel. (The representative will meet you outside the customs area in your arrival terminal and will be holding a VBT sign.) At this time, please verify with your airport representative the time of your transfer from the Rome hotel to the airport on your departure day. At the hotel, you receive a city information package with a city map that will help you explore the city. You have the rest of the day free to relax or explore. An optional walking tour of Baroque Rome will be available. Highlights include Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the most famous Baroque Churches, Campo dei Fiori, Palazzo Farnese e Spada, and the Jewish Ghetto. This three-hour program may be booked with your hotel VBT representative upon arrival in Rome (it may not be booked in advance of travel). The approximate price is 30 euros per person and includes the services of our local English-speaking guide.

Hotel: Hotel dei Mellini

Day 2 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Rome

Today's opportunities are endless. You might visit the Forum, the political and commercial center of ancient Rome when the empire was at its greatest power. Various emperors constructed the temples, monuments and other buildings here over a period of nine centuries. Today you can still see the Curia, where the Roman Senate met. Take a walk up the Palatine Hill, where tradition says the first settlers of Rome built their huts under the direction of Romulus, and which was later the home of Caligula, Nero, Tiberius and Domitian. Or you can step out of Italy while you're still in Rome with a visit to the Vatican, an independent state. The Vatican museums are filled with magnificent art that goes far beyond such well-known pieces as the Pieta and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. Tour Rome's famous Catacombs, located in tunnels carved out of rock along the Via Appia (“Appian Way”). Or spend an idyllic afternoon in the gardens of the Villa Borghese, one of Europe's most elegant parks. And by all means, do as the Romans do — sip espresso, savor Italian wine, and even in the middle of the rush of modern European life, take the time to enjoy la dolce vita. After a full day of independent exploration, retire to your hotel or perhaps enjoy one of Rome's fine restaurants. Another optional walking tour of Ancient Rome is available also today. Highlights include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Capitolio, Marcello Theatre, and the Jewish Ghetto. This two-hour program may be booked with your VBT representative upon arrival in Rome (it may not be booked in advance of travel). The approximate price is 20 euros per person and includes the services of our local English-speaking guide.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel dei Mellini

Day 3 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Rome

You have another day to continue exploring Rome on your own

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel dei Mellini

Day 4 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Depart for U.S

After breakfast*, transfer to the airport for your flight home. VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” The transfer is prearranged with the reception desk and is prepaid by VBT**. * Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served. ** Please note: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Meals: B