DETAILED ITINERARY

Sun 03 Oct 2010  Arrivals
O'night Santo Stefano D
The tour begins at Rome's Fiumicino Airport at 10.30am followed by lunch at the port of Fiumicino, where the Tiber meets the sea, before a group transfer to Santo Stefano in the Abruzzo. Welcome drinks and dinner in the ancient dining room at the accommodation.
 
Mon 04 Oct Castles and Monasteries
O'night Santo Stefano B
Today we visit the extraordinary castle of Calascio and the nearby octagonal church in what can only be described as an exhilarating setting. In the afternoon a visit to Campo Imperatore and a view of Italy's tallest mountain south of the alps.

Tue 05 Oct San Clement di Casauria
O'night Santo Stefano B
A free morning to enjoy the town of Santo Stefano. Afternoon visit to the renowned Romanesque monastery of San Clemente at Casauria.

Wed 06 Oct Scanno
O'night Santo Stefano B
The main part of the day is taken up with a visit to the hidden town of Scanno. Driving past turquoise mountain lake we visit some of the spectacular small hill towns in the area.

Thu 07 Oct  Sulmona & Vietri
Overnight Vietri B D
Leaving this morning to transfer to Vietri we stop first at the town of Sulmona, home of the poet Ovid. After lunch we head for the Amalfi coast and a change of pace.

Fri 08 Oct Paestum & Matera
O'night Matera B
In Paestum we view the best Greek ruins on the Italian peninsular and the delightful small museum from the painted tombs of ancient Poseidonia. Then onto Matera - Unesco world heritage sight, the “sassi” make up a unique and extraordinary urban landscape which we explore at our leisure.

Sat 09 Oct Matera
O'night Matera B
Guided tour of Matera. Afternoon free to explore the town and its shops.

Sun 10 Oct Matera & The Chapel of Original Sin
O'night Matera B
We travel to the chapel of The Original Sin - the Sistine chapel of Rupestrian wall painting. Wine tasting included.

Mon 11 Oct Trulli & Masseria
O'night Locorotondo B L
Travel to the area of the famous Trulli. After settling into our accommodation we have a delicious lunch featuring local produce, and a wine tasting at a local “masseria” just outside of the town. The afternoon is free to explore the town of Locorotondo.

Tue 12 Oct Castel del Monte
O'night Locorotondo B
Drive to the Emperor Frederick II's amazing octagonal hunting lodge of Castel del Monte, used by Umberto Eco as the concept for the octagonal library in Name of the Rose.

Wed 13 Oct Martina Franca, Alberobello
O'night Locorotondo  B
Visit stylish Martina Franca and then on to Alberobello, city of the Trulli.

Thu 14 Oct Ostuni & Lecce
O'night Locorotondo B D
In the morning we travel to the elegant town of Lecce where we have a guided tour and time off for shopping. Visit the white town of Ostuni in the afternoon. Final dinner in a characteristic local restaurant.

Fri 15 Oct Departure- Bari B
Transfer to Bari airport where the tour officially ends at around 10am.

TOUR PRICES:

Per person twin share: $ 7,800*
Single Room: $ 980
Room upgrades will be priced on application and will depend on availability

* Subject to final tour numbers and exchange fluctuations.
A non-refundable deposit of $ 1,600 per person is required to reserve a place on the tour.

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