Itinerary

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart U.S./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

Upon arrival at the airport in Bari, Italy, claim your luggage and clear customs. A VBT representative will meet you and help you transfer (approximately 1 hour) to your centrally located hotel in Matera. VBT provides you with a City Information Packet to help guide your independent stay in this unique city. At the hotel, our local expert will be available at a set time to answer your questions and offer an optional, private-guided walk to help you make the most of the city. Dinner tonight is on your own.

Day 1 of AIR PACKAGE Depart U.S./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 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 ancient 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 clings to a hillside, half-open like an amphitheater, before 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. From the uppermost streets, you can admire breathtaking views.

During the day, visit the Romanesque-Apulian Cathedral overlooking the two valleys of the Sassi, see a typically furnished cave-dwelling that shows how the population lived here 50 years ago, and explore various crypts and underground churches. At night, Matera becomes particularly fascinating.

Day 2 of AIR PACKAGE Arrive in Savelletri

You arrive at the airport in Bari, Italy, where a VBT representative meets you and helps you transfer (approximately 1 hour) to your first masseria in Savelletri.

Upon arrival in Savelletri, you have the rest of the day free to discover the peaceful countryside and relax at our luxurious 5-star deluxe masseria. Masseria Torre Coccaro offers numerous amenities. You can play golf at the 9-hole course, get a massage at the Aveda hotel spa, spend the afternoon relaxing on the private sand beach, stroll through the large orchards, vineyards and olive groves or even explore the surroundings following the route directions prepared by VBT. By contacting the hotel in advance, you may also rent a boat or practice outdoor sports like tennis, sailing, horseback riding. Whatever you choose you will be amazed by the simple and quiet rhythm of life here, the friendliness of local people, and the delightful smell of the air of Puglia.

VBT Air Package guests arrive throughout the day.

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

After a morning on your own exploring more of Matera, transfer to Savelletri and your first masseria. Your transfer is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. from the Matera hotel reception area.

Upon arrival in Savelletri, you have the rest of the day free to discover the peaceful countryside and relax at our luxurious 5 star deluxe masseria. Its amenities are many: you can play golf at the 9-hole course, get a massage at the Aveda hotel spa, spend the afternoon relaxing on the private sand beach, stroll through the large orchards, vineyards and olive groves or even explore by bicycle following the route directions prepared by VBT. By contacting the hotel in advance, you may also rent a boat or practice outdoor sports like tennis, sailing, horseback riding. Whatever you choose you will be amazed by the simple and quiet rhythm of life here, the friendliness of local people, and the delightful smell of the air of Puglia.

VBT Air Package guests arrive throughout the day.

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

VBT No-Air Package guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at 2 p.m. in the lobby of our first masseria. To get to the masseria, we suggest that you contact the hotel and ask for their shuttle. The shuttle is available at special rates for our guests, and must be booked in advance to avoid long waits. If your arrival at the masseria is scheduled later than 2 p.m., or if you are delayed, please contact the hotel and the staff will pass your message along to your VBT Trip Leaders. A taxi to the masseria from the Bari railway station is approximately 100 euros/$150 USD; from the Bari airport, the cost is approximately 110 euros/$165 USD. The hotel shuttle is available at a lower price, depending on how many guests share it. Please check with the hotel directly. Alternatively, you may consider traveling from Bari (or even Rome) by train. The closest railway station to the masseria is FASANO. Note that if you take a train from Rome to Fasano you may need to connect in Bari. Once in Fasano call the masseria to arrange for a taxi or shuttle pickup (approximately a 10-minute drive). 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-Extension guests: This morning continue exploring the surroundings on a self-guided walk, or maybe join in an optional cooking class organized by the Masseria. Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at 2:00 p.m. in the main lobby; they will be wearing VBT staff garments. Please plan to eat lunch before you meet them.

The Masseria Torre Coccaro, and its sister Masseria Torre Maizza, are 5-star deluxe resorts set alongside each other on the kind of historic fortified farms for which this region is known. “Masseria” is the local name for these large farms, which were fortified around the 16th century in areas around Brindisi, 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 alongside their own church, oil mill, cisterns for water, oven to bake bread, storage rooms for tools and hay, stables, and everything else needed for day-to-day life. In a separate section, their padrone, or master of the farm, lived in a more comfortable house.

After meeting your VBT Trip Leaders, join them for a safety and bike-fitting session. Then take a short warm-up ride along quiet country roads past 800-year-old olive groves to Egnatia, an ancient Messapican (and later Roman) coastal town of great economic and military importance in the 10th century. A short stop at its archaeological museum reveals 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.

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Savelletri and Monopoli

After breakfast we 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 and 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 pool or get a massage at the Aveda spa center. Tonight, dinner is in the hotel restaurant.

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 olive oil museum. Built in the 17th century by the Cardinal Rocco, this farm hosts an interesting collection of ancient oil-making tools.

For lunch, we visit 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, and 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 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. 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.

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR Alberobello/The Itria Valley

This morning we shuttle to Alberobello in the Itria Valley, through a region dotted with trulli houses, unique to this region. A trulli is a unique type of building characteristic of this region, consisting of a whitewashed, cylindrical roundhouse topped by a large cone of local stones -- all assembled without 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 families grew. Many trulli are still used and inhabited today, and some of their roofs show mysterious chalk marks, either to ward off evil or to bless the house. The trulli of Alberobello in particular have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After our visit to Alberobello, we cycle with a local expert to Locorotondo, where we 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.

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Otranto/Discover Otranto

Leave Ostuni and take a morning shuttle further south to discover another area of Puglia: Salento. Begin biking 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 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.

After lunch, discover 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 our visit, cycle flat country roads catching sight of menhirs and dolmens, a testament to the region's prehistoric past, and arrive at our last masseria. After settling in, you may want to swim or relax with a good book. Later tonight we shuttle to Otranto for dinner on your own at one of the many outdoor cafés or restaurants. If you prefer, opt for dinner at the hotel.

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Discover the Coast of Salento

After breakfast we set out on the best ride of the week. Starting in the interior of Salento, stop to visit a local host (the grandmother of one of our 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. Relax on the way with a picnic lunch prepared by your Trip Leaders.

Continue 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 and prehistoric Cervi Grottoes. In Porto Badisco, take time for a dip before continuing to Cape Otranto, the easternmost tip of Italy. We cycle back to the hotel in time to freshen up before a special farewell dinner at the masseria's restaurant.

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. 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. 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, arriving at about 10:30 a.m. Your VBT Information Packet for Lecce includes a self-guided city walk that will help you explore the many wonders of this beautiful Baroque city, called “the Southern Florence.” Lecce is rightly acclaimed as one of the capitals of the Baroque, a style known for its unrivalled originality and exuberance, thanks to the skill with which local architects and stonemasons worked the soft, 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's centerpiece is the Roman amphitheater. Narrow streets fan out into the city's charming quarters from here. The gem of the city is Piazza Duomo, closed on three sides by the cathedral and two palaces belonging to the church. Though this is one of the largest squares in Europe, it has an intimate feel that invites a picnic lunch from a local bakery and people-watching. Tonight, dinner is on your own.

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: 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.

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

If you have chosen the optional Rome extension, you will transfer to the airport in Brindisi from Lecce. Upon arrival in the Rome airport, claim your luggage. 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 the hotel, our local Rep will be available to answer your questions and present an optional guided walk designed for VBT guests. You have the rest of the day free to relax or join our optional walking tour of Baroque Rome. 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's VBT representative upon arrival in Rome or in advance of travel. The approximate price is 30 euros per person and includes the services of our local English-speaking guide.

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 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, or 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 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.

You might also discover more of Ancient Rome on an optional walking tour. 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.

Day 3 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Rome

You have another day to continue exploring Rome on your own

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.

Puglia: Italy's Undiscovered Coast 2012

Pre and Post Trip Extensions

Pre-Trip Extension

Matera 2012 - 2 nights for only $345

Make your own discoveries in Matera, an ancient city of rock-hewn buildings made famous by the movie, The Passion of the Christ. Walk the historic streets and steps to explore the more than 100 churches built into the rock. Admire the magnificent Greek and Byzantine frescoes, inspired by monks, painted inside these underground houses of worship. Visit the Sassi ancient quarters, or tour the Romanesque-Apulian Cathedral. And along the way, learn the fascinating history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and prehistoric city.

Available only with the Air Inclusive Package.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $145.

Post-Trip Extension

Rome 2012 - Puglia - 3 nights for only $495

Discover the Eternal City at your leisure as you spend three nights in Italy’s timeless capital. History, art and architecture abound here, from Greek sculpture to Roman ruins.

Marvel at the grandeur of the Vatican, where St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel await. Stroll through the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum and the Coliseum. Linger with locals on the Spanish Steps, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome, or just spend a relaxing afternoon at a quiet outdoor café. Many attractions are within walking distance of your centrally located hotel.

Available only with the Air Inclusive Package.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $295.

Accommodations

Hotel Relais La Casa di Lucio

The small, intimate Hotel Relais La Casa di Lucio – located in the fascinating Sassi district of Matera – is comprised of two renovated ancient palaces and their courtyards. Its ten adjacent guestrooms surround the courtyard, and the hotel itself is nestled among the stone city’s narrow lanes and network of stairs. Each room is designed to mirror the Sassi’s hypogeum houses, with the front dug from tufa and the rear carved into the rock. Each room features a large modern bedroom and ample amenities. Its sister property, the Hotel Sant’ Angelo Sassi, is just a few steps away and features a restaurant and spa.

Masseria Torre Coccaro

The ancient, fortified Masseria Torre Coccaro was built in the 16th century. It is known for its watchtower and the century-old olive groves and carob trees that surround it. Today it keeps the simple and characteristic whitewashed look of old masserias, but this 5-star deluxe resort is a relaxing oasis of tranquility where food is still finely prepared from local products grown on the property. The onsite Aveda Health Club has a unique setting in a series of caves. Its Jacuzzi pools are kept at different temperatures and its Hamam Turkish bath offers beauty treatments and relaxing massages. Its beautifully designed swimming pool is nestled among the olive trees and palms for a refreshing dip.

Ostuni Palace Hotel

The newly opened Ostuni Palace Hotel is in the heart of Ostuni. It is a stylish property, with an ancient atmosphere that exudes comfort and elegance. The welcoming staff is happy to show guests the beauty of the hotel and of Ostuni. Breakfast is served in the vaulted-ceiling restaurant. Its cozy bar overlooks a small square, which contributes to the property’s warmth.

Masseria Montelauro

The Masseria Montelauro Farmhouse, built in 1878, was restored with full respect for its original design and architecture. Its gardens retain all the colors and fruits that have always adorned the countryside. You’ll enjoy its modern amenities, too, including the swimming pool; set in the inner court, it is surrounded by an inviting orchard.

Patria Palace Hotel

The Patria Palace Hotel enhances the baroque scenery of Lecce’s historical center, called “the Southern Florence” for its beautiful buildings, churches and squares. The hotel brings to life an 18th-century marquis palace.
Each room is unique, personalized with original frescoes and equipped with all modern comforts.

Hotel Giulio Cesare

This family run hotel is located a few steps from the Tiber River and a 10-minute walk from Piazza Del Popolo. Once a patrician villa, it has been recently redecorated in an elegant, classical style. You’ll enjoy the garden and a quiet lounge with an antique fireplace. These and other touches keep this 4-star hotel feeling very much like a family home. Breakfast, served in the garden, is said to be one of the best in Rome, because many of the products are grown by the owner in his fields north of the city, Internet is available for guests at the reception desk, and drinks in your room’s minibar are complimentary.

Rating Level

Easy

This tour offers easy terrain throughout the trip. Ideal for beginning cyclists.