Apulia, the Heel of Italy
Delight in the many wonders of Italy on this affordable 8-day Apulia, the Heel of Italy tour that begins and ends in legendary Naples. Visit spectacular and undiscovered villages and towns as you travel throughout breathtaking southern Italy - the "heel of the boot" of the country. Everyday will bring exciting new discoveries as you visit such incredible places as Castel del Monte, Bari in the Apulia region, Castellana Grotto, Alberobello, Santa Maria di Leuca, Gellipoli Lecce, Manduria, Ostuni and marvel at the breathtaking Mediterranean.
Highlights abound on this tour that is filled with a rich culture, history, fascinating folklore and mouthwatering food. Discover fascinating insights into the local culture and customs of our diverse destinations. Fabulous experiences include a visit to the limestone caves of Castellana Grotto, sampling local olive oil when you visit Frantoio Ipogeo - an underground olive press in Gallipoli and tour a wine cellar in Manduria to learn about regional wines and take part in a wine-tasting. See the 13th-century Castel Del Monte as you travel to the gorgeous port of Bari, view the iconic Trulli houses with conical roofs in Alberobello and the baroque architecture in Lecci. Enjoy a leisurely stay in serene Fasano, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards and savor Naple's authentic Napoli pizza and espresso. This amazing tour is sure to provide the ideal vacation that you have dreamed of as you create happy memories to last a lifetime.
8 Days • fr. $1,479
Tour Includes
- A guided sightseeing tour of Naples
- A visit to Castel del Monte
- An orientation tour of Bari
- A visit to the limestone caves of Castellana Grotto
- See the Trulli houses in Alberobello
- An orientation drive in Santa Maria di Leuca
- A visit to Frantoio Ipogeo, an underground olive presse in Gallipoli
- A visit to Lecce
- A visit to a wine cellar in Manduria
- A visit to Ostuni
- A visit to an olive mill including olive oil tasting and a light lunch
- Headsets throughout the tour.
- Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi
Not Included
- Gratuities are included for services during the land stay of your vacation, except on Cosmos Lite vacations and unless otherwise noted above. This includes wait staff at included meals, and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person. Gratuities for your Tour Director, Local Hosts®, Local Guides, driver, and ship’s crew are not included in the vacation price (unless otherwise noted in pricing details) and are discretionary. Gratuities are not included on Cosmos Lite vacations and are discretionary.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
Hotel Details
- Holiday Inn Napoli in Naples, Italy (2 nights)
- Excelsior Hotel in Bari, Italy (1 night)
- Grand Hotel Tiziano E Dei Congressi in Lecce, Italy (2 nights)
- Sierra Silvana Hotel in Fasano, Italy (2 nights)
- The hotels listed are intended to be used on all departures however Cosmos reserves the right to substitute other hotels than those listed. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, the hotel substituted will be of equivalent quality to those listed. No refunds are provided for hotel changes and full cancellation penalties apply.
Day 1
ARRIVE IN NAPLES, ITALY Location Information Description
Naples, Italy
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring Naples, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Dinner
Holiday Inn Naploli
Day 2
NAPLES Location Information Description
Naples, Italy
Guided sightseeing this morning gives you an introduction to the eventful history of this city and its colorful traditions.
CASTEL DEL MONTE Location Information Description
Castel Del Monte, Italy
Depart Naples and travel into Apulia, the legendary “boot” of Italy. Stop at Castel Del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 13th century by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, and renowned for its unique octagonal shape.
BARI Location Information Description
Bari, Italy
Continue to the Adriatic coastline for an orientation of the beautiful port city of Bari. Today’s Distance: 204 mi/ 328 km
Breakfast
Excelsior Hotel
Day 3
CASTELLANA GROTTE Location Information Description
Bari, Italy
Head to Castellana Grotte to visit the famous limestone CAVES. This impressive system is a wonderland of captivating stalactites, stalagmites, and crystallized mineral deposits.
ALBEROBELLO Location Information Description
Alberobello, Italy
Next stop is Alberobello, renowned for its distinct conical-roofed Trulli houses.
LECCE Location Information Description
Lecce, Italy
Follow the coastline to lovely Lecce, the “Florence of the South". Today’s Distance: 107 mi/ 173 km
Breakfast
Grand Hotel Tiziano E Dei Congressi
Day 4
EXCURSION TO SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA & GALLIPOLI Location Information Description
Gallipoli, Italy
On your included excursion to Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost tip of Apulia, discover oriental art nouveau villas and beach huts from the early 20th century. On to Gallipoli, an ancient Greek city built on an island in the Ionian Sea. Enjoy the Old Town with its quaint ambiance, winding streets, and inviting squares. Discover Frantoio Ipogeo, an underground olive press buried in the tufa rock. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, workers pressed Gallipoli’s olive oil, and used it to light the city’s oil lamps. Return to Lecce. Time to marvel at its opulent Baroque buildings. Today’s Distance: 130 mi/ 210 km
Breakfast, Dinner
Grand Hotel Tiziano E Dei Congressi
Day 5
LECCE–MANDURIA–OSTUNI–FASANO Location Information Description
Manduria, Italy
On to Manduria, situated in the wine-growing region. Visit a wine cellar and get to taste some of the typical Primitivo.
Location Information Description
Ostuni, Italy
Next stop is Ostuni, only 42 miles from Greece, but characterized by its flat-roofed, white, Greek-looking town centre.
Location Information Description
Fasano, Italy
Overnight in Fasano, a peaceful town surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, not far from the Adriatic Sea. Today’s Distance: 109 mi/ 175 km
Breakfast, Dinner
Sierra Silvana
Day 6
FASANO Location Information Description
Fasano, Italy
Today is free to do as you like. Maybe loin an optional excursion to Matera and Altamura. The impressive “rock city” of Matera is home to the prehistoric sassi cave dwellings, while a guided tour of Altamura reveals the amazing stone-clad city, with free time afterwards to stroll through the Old Town on your own.
Breakfast, Dinner
Sierra Silvana
Day 7
FASANO Location Information Description
Fasano, Italy
Puglia is famous for its olive trees and, this morning, you’ll visit a traditional olive mill to taste some genuine olive oil, enjoy a light lunch, and stroll around the groves.
NAPLES Location Information Description
Naples, Italy
Later, travel back to Naples for a chance to treat yourself to a real espresso coffee shot or the most authentic pizza. Today’s Distance: 199 mi/ 320 km
Breakfast, Lunch
Holiday Inn Napoli
Day 8
NAPLES Location Information Description
Naples, Italy
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
- 45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price*
- 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
- 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
- On departure day and later: 100% of total price*
- *Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
- Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
- In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
- All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- A $250 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted theseall Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
- Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date. The payment policy may vary for group reservations.
- Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for intra-vacation air, as specified in the itinerary (“air-inclusive vacations”). Air-inclusive vacation pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of full land plus air deposit or land deposit plus full airfare price, depending on type of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
- For complete terms and conditions please visit the Globus Terms & Conditions for more information.