Sv puglia premier guided walking 2011
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Transcript of Sv puglia premier guided walking 2011
Seven (7) Day Premier Guided Walking Trip 2011 This is a luxurious Southern Visions seven (7) day premier guided walking trip through the region of Puglia, Italy, which lies in the heel of the boot, along the sun-‐drenched Adriatic Sea. Puglia offers access to the freshest seafood, crowd-‐free open spaces, irresistible desserts and pastries, distinct wines, and the 50 million olive trees that make this region the world’s leading producer of olive oil. Come to Puglia and hear the voices of the past call out over the trulli houses…we promise, once you discover it, Puglia will leave a lasting impression. Trip Highlights
• Pugliese cooking class • Mozzarella making demonstration & tasting with local cheese artisan • Olive oil & wine tastings • Several DECADENT dinners at famous local establishments • Farewell party with local band
2011 Trip Dates
• April 16-‐22 (featuring Masseria Torre Coccaro www.masseriatorrecoccaro.com/en/home in place of Masseria Torre Maizza & Tenuta Cento Porte www.tenutacentoporte.it/ in place of Masseria Montelauro)
• May 30-‐June 5 (featuring Masseria Torre Coccaro www.masseriatorrecoccaro.com/en/home in place of Masseria Torre Maizza & Tenuta Cento Porte www.tenutacentoporte.it/ in place of Masseria Montelauro)
• October 3-‐9 • Custom dates also available
Day 1 We will meet in the lobby of Bari’s Hotel Leon d’Oro (in front of the main train station) at 10:00 a.m. You will find your guide holding a Southern Visions sign. Guests are expected to make their own travel arrangements to Puglia. We suggest you arrive no later than the night before the start of your tour. Please see the end of this itinerary for information on arriving to and departing from the area, as well as hotel recommendations. Matera walking tour Food & wine tasting buffet lunch at Latteria Rizzi Welcome aperitivo & Dinner at Ristorante Rivelli
Lodging: Matera – Palazzo Gattini www.palazzogattini.it/_sito_eng/home_eng.html Your adventure begins in amazing Matera (in the Basilicata region bordering Puglia), perched high on a beautiful hillside and only recently seen by foreign eyes. After a walking tour of the sassi (ancient cave dwellings restored for current use as homes, shops, and restaurants), we will immerse you into the art of flavor and freshness that is Southern Italian cuisine with a spectacular buffet-‐style lunch and wine tasting at one of Matera’s signature restaurants, Latteria Rizzi. After lunch, we will walk you back to your lovely hotel and give you some time to explore the area on your own. Be sure to make time to stop by the Laboratorio Ceramica Piero Colapietro or Pasquale Dilena, where you can watch local craftsmen make traditional decorative ceramics. And don’t forget to visit a nearby bar for your first espressino, Southern Italy’s signature afternoon coffee drink. Our group will rejoin in the hotel lobby at 6:30 for a welcome aperitivo before heading to the hotel’s inviting restaurant, Ristorante Rivelli. Day 2 Optional dawn walk to traditional bakery Tour of Montescaglioso countryside Lunch at Masseria San Felice Lodging: Matera – Palazzo Gattini www.palazzogattini.it/_sito_eng/home_eng.html You will have the option to start your day with a dawn walk to a local bakery for a tour and demonstration of traditional bread-‐making. Later in the morning, we will all meet in the hotel lobby and drive out of town for a lovely walk through the Montescaglioso countryside. Along the way, we will stop at a restored farmhouse, Masseria San Felice, for lunch. Our journey will culminate at the Abbey di San Michele. From there, we will return to the hotel by shuttle. Dinner will be on your own to allow you to enjoy the evening at your pace. If you are in the mood for traditional Italian fare, try the antipasti caldi at Trattoria Lucana. If pizza is what your heart desires, visit Oi Mari’ or Da Mario. Be sure to get plenty of rest tonight before another activity-‐packed day tomorrow! Day 3 Shuttle into Puglia Lunch & cooking class at Masseria Murgia Albanese www.murgiaalbanese.it/ Alberobello walking tour Dinner & Lodging: Savelletri – Masseria Torre Maizza www.masseriatorremaizza.com/index.php?id=0|1&lang=en After breakfast, we will shuttle to one of the most famous hotels in Puglia, Masseria Torre Maizza. Along the way, we will see beautiful hilltop towns whose Greek influence is apparent in their whitewashed exteriors. The landscape is filled with seemingly deserted paths through ancient olive groves covered with blankets of poppies and surrounded by meticulously-‐built stone walls. We will stop at Masseria Murgia Albanese for a cooking class and lunch with the staff. We will also stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello for a walking tour. As we wander through the 1500+ trulli (whitewashed buildings with conical stone roofs unique to Puglia), that make up Alberobello’s historic center, it will become readily apparent why this town is the postcard capital of the region. After a fun-‐filled day, we will arrive at the hotel, where you can relax in absolute luxury while your dinner is prepared in its renowned kitchen. Day 4 Tour of Vivai Capitanio Botanical Gardens www.vivaicapitanio.it/capitanio_eng/botanical_garden.html
Visit to Monopoli market Lunch in Polignano Seaside walk from Polignano to San Vito Dinner: La Peschiera www.peschierahotel.com/?lang=eng Lodging: Savelletri – Masseria Torre Maizza www.masseriatorremaizza.com/index.php?id=0|1&lang=en We will begin the day with a tour of the Vivai Capitanio Botanical Gardens, set in Puglia’s beautiful landscape filled with the olive trees that the Greeks introduced 2500 years ago. Our journey continues in the picturesque coastal town of Monopoli, where we will visit the open-‐air food market and do some sightseeing. We will have lunch in Polignano, which is perched on limestone cliffs high above the sea, and then stretch our legs a bit with a walk north along the shore to the quaint fishing village of San Vito. You will have time for a leisurely coffee here in case you need a bit of a pick-‐me-‐up. Then we will shuttle back to our hotel to prepare for a gorgeous seaside dinner at La Peschiera, known for their fresh seafood, excellent wine selection, and stunning views of the Adriatic. Today is a day for la dolce vita! Day 5 Mozzarella making demonstration & tasting at Crovace House Lunch & olive oil tasting at Masseria Il Frantoio www.masseriailfrantoio.it/ Wine tasting at Masseria Liveli www.liveli.it/ Dinner: Da Sergio Lodging: Otranto – Masseria Montelauro www.masseriamontelauro.it/en/default.asp Today is filled with rich sensory experiences, focusing primarily on the flavors of the region. After a lovely last breakfast at Torre Maizza, we will shuttle to Crovace House for a fresh mozzarella making demonstration and tasting with local cheese artisan Dina. We will continue to Masseria Il Frantoio, a lovely farmhouse near Ostuni known for excellent olive oils that are bio-‐cultivated from their century-‐old trees. After a beautiful walk around the property, we will enjoy a delicious lunch featuring typical Pugliese cuisine, fabulous cheeses, and of course house-‐made olive oil. Next, we will shuttle into La Città Bianca (The White City) of Ostuni for sightseeing and a gelato break. Then we will head south toward our hotel, stopping at Masseria Liveli for a wine tasting. Our destination is the beautiful four-‐star Masseria Montelauro, located in the peaceful silence of the countryside two kilometers from Otranto’s city center. After checking in, we will bring you into town for an amazing dinner at Da Sergio. Day 6 Walk from Torre Badisco to Capo d’Otranto Picnic lunch Farewell party with Maneka Folklore Band Dinner & Lodging: Otranto – Masseria Montelauro www.masseriamontelauro.it/en/default.asp After breakfast, we will transfer to Torre Badisco for an invigorating walk to the Cape of Otranto. This hike will highlight the diversity of this area, which is one part beach resort, one part Middle Eastern, many parts Italian, and every part enjoyable. After a relaxing picnic lunch, you can choose to return to the hotel to relax or head into Otranto to tour the Cathedral. Whichever option you chose, your day will end with an amazing Pugliese-‐style farewell party featuring a fabulous local band playing rousing rhythms and a memorable farewell dinner hosted by your guides. Day 7 Morning walking tour of Lecce
Farewell from the Southern Visions Team After breakfast, we will shuttle to Lecce, known as the Florence of the South, for a walking tour highlighting its amazing architectural gems and a visit to a papier-‐mâché studio. We will also enjoy a cappuccino and Pasticciotto Leccesse (a signature local pastry filled with yummy custard cream) at Caffè Alvino, the oldest coffee bar in the region. We will finish up around 12:00 p.m. and guide you to the Lecce train station, shuttle you to the Brindisi airport, or help you extend your stay in the area. We hope your time in Puglia will have changed your life for the better, as it has all of ours. WHAT YOU GET!!!
• An outstanding adventure travel experience • Peace of mind that you are with the most professional cycling company in Puglia • Local guides with insider knowledge of the region’s secrets and mysteries • 6 nights lodging at 4-‐ and 5-‐star hotels and resorts • 6 breakfasts • 6 lunches • 5 dinners • Daily snacks and happy hours • Guest shuttles and all luggage transfers • Exceptional, detailed maps and route notes • Aluminum walking stick • Daily walking & shuttle tours • Special activities
o Pugliese cooking class o Tour of majestic botanical gardens o Mozzarella making demonstration & tasting o Olive grove walk & oil tasting o Winery visit & tasting
Services available at additional cost
• Optional shuttles from/to Bari or Brindisi airport or train station • Room upgrades • Rental of prepaid local cellular phone
Arrival and Departure Logistics
After reviewing the following information, please inform us of your arrival and departure plans. Please be sure to note these important contact numbers, in case you need assistance before, during, or after your trip – Puglia: +39 340 264 4128 or +39 392 185 7704; USA +1 800 737 5760.
Flight arrangements We recommend flying into Milan or Rome. You can catch a flight to Bari (airport code: BRI) or Brindisi (airport code: BDS) from either city. Or, if you prefer to see the countryside and perhaps enjoy a pre-‐tour stay in another Italian destination, you can make your way to Puglia by train. The trip from Rome takes about 5 hours; from Florence, it’s about 7 ½ hours; from Milan, expect approximately 8 ½ hours of travel. Transportation between the Bari airport and train station A taxi ride between the airport and train station takes 25-‐30 minutes and costs around €20. An Autolinee Tempesta bus takes approximately 30 minutes and costs €4.15. Booking Italian train travel You can purchase Italian rail tickets from any train station in Italy. Many stations are equipped with automatic ticket machines, from which you can purchase tickets and reservation coupons for travel throughout Italy and for principal cross-‐border routes. The machines accept cash, credit card, or ATM card with PIN. There are sometimes unpredicted system outages in the smaller stations, so we recommend booking your entire journey in advance of your trip (see below) or at a major train station at the start of your trip. For more information on train travel in Italy, visit www.trenitalia.com. There you can purchase tickets and make seat reservations with your credit card. There is also a great website called www.raileurope.com where you can purchase individual rail tickets as well as rail passes. Another option is to purchase tickets and make reservations through your own travel agent. If you travel on one of Italy’s faster trains, such as Eurocity, Intercity, or Eurostar, you’ll be charged a supplemental fare in addition to the regular ticket price. If you travel on one of these trains without a supplemented ticket, you’ll be fined. Don’t panic, though; it is almost impossible not to get the proper ticket nowadays, especially if you buy online or from a machine, where the supplement is automatically included in the cost. Intercity and Eurostar trains require a seat reservation. Reserving a seat is not mandatory on other trains; however, you may want to pay the extra charge for a guaranteed seat, especially if you travel during a peak period or local holiday. Otherwise, you risk having to stand for a part or all of your trip. On Italy’s slower trains (Rapido, Espresso, Regionale, Inter Regionale, and Locale), reservations and supplemental tickets are not necessary. Boarding the train The platform number will be listed at least 10 minutes prior to departure on the small TV screens and larger schedule boards in the main station area. If you are traveling without a seat reservation, you will need to validate your “open” ticket by stamping it at one of the small yellow machines located on each train platform (the machine stamps the date and time on the open ticket to prevent multiple uses). If you forget to stamp your ticket before boarding, tell the on-‐board inspector immediately to avoid a supplementary fee.
WHERE TO STAY BEFORE & AFTER YOUR TOUR BARI PALACE HOTEL Via Francesco Lombardi 13 70122 Bari Tel +39 080 521 6551 www.palacehotelbari.it/eng/index.html GRAND HOTEL LEON D’ORO Piazza Aldo Moro 4 70122 Bari Tel +39 080 523 5040 www.grandhotelleondoro.it/e_index.php HOTEL VILLA ROMANAZZI Via Giuseppe Capruzzi 326 70124 Bari Tel +39 080 542 7400 www.villaromanazzi.com MATERA LA CASA DI LUCIO Via San Pietro Caveoso 66 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 531 2798 www.lacasadilucio.it/en/ HOTEL SANT’ANGELO Piazza San Pietro Caveoso 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 531 4010 www.hotelsantangelosassi.it/en/ HOTEL IN PIETRA Via San Giovanni Vecchio 22 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 534 4040 www.hotelinpietra.it/page/home_e.php ALBERGO ITALIA Via Ridola 5 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 533 3561 www.albergoitalia.com/eng/
HOTEL ADRIA Via Zuppetta 10 70121 Bari Tel +39 080 524 6699 www.adriahotelbari.com/english/hotel.php HOTEL BOSTON Via Piccinni 155 70122 Bari Tel +39 080 521 6633 www.bostonbari.it/index.php?&lang=en HOTEL RIDOLA Via Morelli 13 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 531 8811 www.hotelridolamatera.it/index.php?lang=en ALBERGO DEL SEDILE Recinto Sedile 4 (Piazza del Sedile) 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 533 3436 www.albergodelsedile.it LOCANDA DI SAN MARTINO Via Fiorentini 71 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 525 6600 www.locandadisanmartino.it/en/hotel/
LECCE HOTEL PATRIA PALACE Piazzetta Riccardi 73100 Lecce Tel +39 083 224 5111 www.patriapalacelecce.com/eng/index.htm HOTEL DELLE PALME Via Leuca 90 73100 Lecce Tel +39 083 234 7171 www.hoteldellepalmelecce.it
GRAND HOTEL TIZIANO Viale Porto d'Europa 73100 Lecce Tel +39 083 227 2111 www.grandhoteltiziano.it/index_en.asp B&B PALAZZO ROLLO Via Vittorio Emanuele II 14 73100 Lecce Tel +39 083 230 7152 www.palazzorollo.it/palazzorollo/