The Private Coast: Bari, Matera & Lecce

Bari, Matera

Transfer - Private - Bari - Matera [Airport, 1 hr] - Vehicle/Driver, Italy Welcome Package, Insider Dining Recommendations: Matera

Meet your private driver and vehicle at Bari Airport for a transfer to Matera. Approximate travel time is 1 hour.. A Welcome Package will be provided and will include any relevant documents or tickets required for your trip.. Dining in Matera is as atmospheric as the city itself, where candlelit tables and ancient stone walls set the stage for deeply rooted Lucanian flavors. For a memorable evening carved into the Sassi, Ristorante Francesca remains a long-standing favorite, celebrated for refined regional dishes served in a warm, historic setting. Nearby, Regiacorte offers an elevated interpretation of local cuisine, pairing seasonal ingredients with elegant presentation and views over the ravine. Guests seeking a relaxed yet character-rich atmosphere may enjoy Oi Marì, known for honest, comforting cooking inspired by southern Italian tradition, while Tierra Osteria Contemporanea brings a modern, creative lens to Matera’s culinary heritage. For classic flavors in an iconic setting, Trattoria del Caveoso sits just steps from the rock churches and cave dwellings. Wherever you dine, expect a strong sense of place, unhurried service, and dishes best enjoyed as the city’s stone glow deepens after sunset. Kindly speak with your Destination Expert to secure a reservation.

Accommodation: Palazzo Gattini (B) (Deluxe Room), Bari

Matera

Walking Tour (1.5 hrs) - Private, Bread Making Class (2 hrs) - Private Tour, Belvedere Views at Sunset - Self-Guided

Enjoy a privately guided walk of Matera, a city which has gained international fame for its ancient town, the "Sassi di Matera" (meaning "stones of Matera"). The Sassi originate from a prehistoric settlement, and are suspected to be some of the first human settlements in Italy. These unique Sassi are houses dug into the calcareous rock itself, and during your tour you'll have the chance to enter the Casa Grotta which will show you first hand how the Matera settlers used to live, seeing the kitchen, bedroom, and even the stables for animals. You'll also enter one of the cave churches, a place where the ancient Sassi people used to pray.. Make your way to one of the most well-known local bakeries, among the first to bring fresh bread into the homes of the citizens of Matera. People would prepare the dough at home and bring it to the oven to be cooked. The owner won the trust of families by choosing the best local grains, but above all, he did so by embracing an ethic of transparency and absolute respect for what he put on the table every day for the citizens. It's here where you'll get to enjoy a bread-making class, unveiling the secrets and traditions related to the bread of Matera, with an English-speaking translator on hand. During the leavening phase, the flavors will be your guide through the discovery of traditional bakery products. And yet smell, hearing, sight, and touch will be activated by the colors, sounds, and scents that the bakery’s oven will give. Put your hands in dough, taste the local specialty, and even leave with your own bread.. As evening approaches, Matera reveals its most unforgettable view from across the ravine. This self-guided experience invites you to make your way to Belvedere Murgia Timone, where the Sassi unfold in layered stone as the light shifts from honeyed gold to deep amber. Linger at the overlook as cave dwellings glow one by one, church bells echo softly, and the ancient city feels suspended in time. With no schedule to follow, take photos, sit quietly with the view, or simply watch dusk settle over Matera before returning at your own pace to enjoy dinner or a relaxed evening in town.

Accommodation: Palazzo Gattini (B) (Deluxe Room), Matera

Matera, Savelletri di Fasano

Matera to Savelletri di Fasano via Grotte di Castellana & Alberobello (with Lunch, 8 hrs) - Private Transfer

Meet your private driver and guide for a transfer to Savelletri, visiting the Castellana Caves and Alberobello en route. The Castellana Caves (Grotte di Castellana) are the most spectacular natural highlight of Puglia, and a site of immeasurable national significance. Here you can descend into a network of caves formed nearly 90 million years ago, with a range of colors and contours and stalactites and stalagmites that amount to a truly majestic sight for anyone who enters. Afterward, continue to Alberobello, modern capital of Trulli, and UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its peculiar cone-shaped buildings with whitewashed walls and stone roofs. While here, enjoy a 4-course lunch accompanied with a wine tasting in a lovely Trulli house-restaurant. After your meal, embark on a walking tour of the city. In the narrow streets of Alberobello you can admire workshops with artisans at work. You’ll also have a chance to step inside a typical trulli house to see the architectural style and structure, and learn how people used to live in these unique buildings. Conclude your day on arrival in Savelletri.

Accommodation: Masseria Torre Maizza (B) (Superior Room), Matera

Savelletri di Fasano

Locorotondo & Cisternino (with Wine Tasting, 6.5 hrs) - Private Tour

With your private guide and driver, head to Locorotondo, officially one of the "Borghi piu belli d'Italia", the most beautiful villages in Italy. In addition to its picturesque appearance, the town is also known for its wine production. The historic part of town is circular and perched on the top of a hill. It's a maze of little lanes lined with historic buildings, some humble and faded, others retaining rather grand baroque archways and architectural details. You'll have some time to explore the town before you head toward a nearby local winery to enjoy a guided visit to the property, followed by a wine tasting paired with local cold cuts. Afterward, make a stop at the village of Cisternino, where you'll have some time to explore the quaint, whitewashed streets, and dine independently before returning to Savelletri.

Accommodation: Masseria Torre Maizza (B) (Superior Room), Savelletri di Fasano

Savelletri di Fasano

Monopoli & Polignano (7 hrs) - Private Tour

Departing with your private guide and driver, you'll head to the baroque seaside town of Monopoli, an area first settled in 500 BC. Starting from the old port, take a nice stroll along the old ramparts, and through the main gate. You'll reach the castle of Charles V, continuing past its walls and along the promenade to a view of the 15th-century cathedral and its baroque bell tower. Winding through tiny alleys and out through another main gate, you'll leave Monopoli behind and drive to Polignano, famous for its ice cream production. Formerly called Polis-nea, or new town, it was built on the top of the cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. A nice stroll reveals a wonderful panorama of beautiful terraces, where the old town shimmers with its white and limestone houses, and the marine caves add a special charm. If you're interested, a table can be reserved for you to enjoy an independent lunch at one of Polignano's most desirable restaurants, offering a great view. Some free time will be provided before returning to Savelletri.

Accommodation: Masseria Torre Maizza (B) (Superior Room), Savelletri di Fasano

Savelletri di Fasano, Lecce

Savelletri di Fasano to Lecce (1 hr) - Private Transfer, Baroque Charms of Lecce Walking Tour (2 hr) - Private, Insider Dining Recommendations: Lecce

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a transfer to Lecce. The approximate drive time is one hour.. With a private guide, embark on a two hour walking tour of Lecce. From the 16th to the 18th century, Lecce flourished under a period of great splendor and was embellished with Rococo and Baroque monuments. The city is an open-air museum, with an abundance of churches and noble palaces. See the 2nd century Roman Amphitheater, once capable of seating 20,000 spectators. You'll visit the stunning 14th-17th century Santa Croce Basilica, featuring a richly decorated facade including a large rose window representing the triumph of Baroque art in Lecce. Nearby you’ll be able to admire the Government Palace, a former convent of the Celestine monks. Enjoy some free time at Piazza del Duomo, one of southern Italy’s most impressive squares, allowing you to discover objects crafted by artisan workshops according to ancient traditions, or perhaps a local delicacy.. Lecce’s dining scene blends rustic Salento tradition with contemporary flair, best enjoyed in the soft glow of evening. For an elevated experience, Primo Restaurant is widely praised for inventive tasting menus that reimagine local ingredients with precision and elegance. For a more traditional setting, Alle Due Corti serves classic Apulian dishes in an intimate courtyard, where regional recipes take center stage. A relaxed yet polished option, Mamma Elvira Enoteca pairs thoughtful local wines with seasonal small plates, while La Putea and Le Zie Trattoria Casereccia offer comforting, home-style cooking and a lively local atmosphere. Kindly speak with your Destination Expert to secure a reservation.

Accommodation: Patria Palace (B) (Deluxe Room with Baroque View), Savelletri di Fasano

Lecce

Cathedral Secrets in Otranto (4.5 hrs) - Private Tour

Set out with a private driver and guide for a half-day exploration of the enchanting seaside town of Otranto, where you'll visit Italy's largest medieval mosaic nestled in the heart of Otranto's Cathedral. Embark on a journey along the Adriatic coast of southern Italy, arriving at the awe-inspiring Otranto's Romanesque cathedral, a masterpiece consecrated in 1088 and home to a magnificent twelfth-century mosaic. Count Roger I, along with Bishop Jonathas, adorned it in 1163, showcasing a mosaic floor boasting intriguing representations of the months, Old Testament tales, and more. The basilica's interior, a sublime blend of nave and aisles featuring columns from a temple of Minerva, boasts a mosaic pavement from 1166. A crypt, supported by forty-two marble columns, adds to the cathedral's mystique. Unveiling a hidden narrative, the Cathedral harbors the Chapel of the Dead, where 800 skulls of martyred Otranto citizens bear witness to the city's tragic past. In 1480, Turkish pirates seized the city, beheading those who refused to forsake Christianity; their skulls are hauntingly displayed behind tall glass windows in the cathedral's far right corner. After your exploration, indulge in leisurely free time in Otranto before concluding the day with a return transfer to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Patria Palace (B) (Deluxe Room with Baroque View), Lecce

Lecce

Ostuni & Olive Oil Tasting (4.5 hrs) - Private Tour

Departing with your private guide and driver, you'll head to Ostuni, reminiscent of a Greek village for its typical white-painted architecture. Take in a stunning view of the Adriatic coast and centuries-old olive trees that separate the town and the sea. Your walking tour within the old city center begins at the ancient walls—a fabulous panoramic photo opportunity. Follow the walls to the Old Town’s Piazza della Libertà where the Town Hall and the column dedicated to Sant' Oronzo stand. Explore the medieval part of the city with its narrow side streets and whitewashed buildings; then you will reach the 15th century Cathedral of Assunta, built in Romanesque-gothic style. Step inside and enjoy the cool of this charming monument to parochial life. Leaving Ostuni you will drive towards Cisternino where you’ll visit a modern oil press and enjoy an olive oil tasting. See and learn how olive oil is produced using modern technology. Taste for yourself the finished product in a tasting room inside one of the cone-shaped trullis that date back to the 17th century. Five types of oil are offered along with bruschetta bread.

Accommodation: Patria Palace (B) (Deluxe Room with Baroque View), Lecce

Lecce, Bari

Transfer - Private - Lecce - Bari [with Gallipoli Tour (6.5 hrs)] - Vehicle/Local Guide/Driver

Transfer to Bari today with your private driver, stopping to tour Gallipoli along the way. Upon arrival, meet up with a private local guide and embark on a walk along the intricate labyrinth of winding streets of the old town, linked to the modern new city by a 16th century bridge. Discover beautiful churches and spot the many historic buildings, including a nice view of the 13th century Byzantine castle, later reworked by the Aragonese, and the old 14th century city walls - fortifications which originally featured 12 defensive bastions. Admire the 'Greek' Fountain, shrouded in mystery. This work was formerly believed to be a 3rd century BC relic, making it the oldest fountain in Italy, but has since been attributed to the 16th century by archaeologists and scholars, a finding which is still debated to this day. Afterward, rejoin your private driver and continue to Bari.

Accommodation: Vis Urban Suites & Spa (B) (Charming Room), Lecce

Bari

Airport - Vehicle/Driver

Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.

Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport) ( ), Bari