Puglia & Basilicata

We begin our day in Lecce visiting some of the churches and the amphitheatre of the Roman city of Lupiae. When Lecce became part of the Kingdom of Naples, it took on a new cultural identity, becoming the ‘Apulian Athens’. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, this fostered the development of the ‘Lecce Baroque’ style, characterised by exuberant carving. We proceed to an off-the-beaten-track private visit to the Roca Vecchia Archaeological Park. We then visit the beautiful seaside city of Otranto, which was violently besieged by the Ottomans in 1480. Here, we visit the cathedral and the Byzantine Church of San Pietro.

Today we drive to the ancient site of Egnatia, a Messapian city which was also a strategic trading centre in the Roman period. We move on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello, before enjoying some free time to explore this city with its unique architecture at our own pace.

We spend all day in Matera, the European Capital of Culture for 2019. Carlo Levi, author of Christ Stopped at Eboli, gave a heart-breaking account of the desperate poverty he witnessed during his years of exile in Matera in the 1940s. We begin with an exploration of the extraordinary Sassi of Matera, a network of phenomenal rock-cut cave dwellings and frescoed Byzantine churches. In the afternoon, we have some free time for independent wandering.

Today we drive to Massafra to explore this lesser-known city, which is home to cave dwellings and wonderful Byzantine churches replete with frescoes. We continue to Taranto, to explore the outstanding National Archaeological Museum, one of the most important in all of Italy.

This morning we head to Metapontum, one of the most opulent cities in Manga Graecia. We visit the Temple of Hera before continuing on to Gioia del Colle to see the wonderful castle rebuilt by Frederick II. As well as the castle itself, we will also explore the National Archaeological Museum.

We start with a visit to Castel del Monte to see the spectacular 13th century hunting lodge of the Emperor Frederick II. We spend the afternoon in Trani where we visit the exquisite cathedral located on the sea front. Free time follows here afterwards.

We travel to Venosa to visit the 12th century abbey of the Holy Trinity, which houses an important Norman tomb. Next, we explore the Roman site of Venusia before continuing to Melfi to visit an impressive Norman castle. We also explore the National Archaeological Museum, home to a priceless Bronze Age statuette and the Roman sarcophagus of Rapolla.

This morning, after breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight home to London.