EXCLUSIVE LUXURY TOUR OF PUGLIA, ITALY
15th May - 21st May 2024
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
Exclusivity of the beautiful Masseria Valente, a fortified farmhouse dating back to the 1700’s, situated between the white town of Ostuni & the Ionian sea. Join Diva Destinations on this breathtaking journey through Puglia, staying in the Masseria Valente, a fortified farmhouse dating back to the 1700's exclusive to Diva Destinations.
Puglia is one of the most delightful and historic regions of Italy, located in the southern region, forming the heel of Italy's boot. It’s also the olive oil capital of Italy! When it comes to picturesque destinations, Puglia is a real hidden gem. This stunning coastal region will captivate you with its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality. Puglia offers a unique blend of ancient traditions, mouthwatering cuisine, and idyllic towns, making it an irresistible destination if you're seeking an authentic Italian experience. Calling all history enthusiasts, Puglia is a treasure trove of ancient architecture and historical sites.
During your stay, we’ll take a trip to the town of Ostuni, known as the ‘White City’ due to its whitewashed buildings that gleam under the sun. We’ll also visit one of the most iconic images of Puglia, the whimsical town of Alberobello, renowned for its distinctive 14th-century dry stone huts with their famous conical roofs, known as ‘Trulli.’
If you're a food lover then you'll find Puglia a paradise for your taste buds as we indulge ourselves in the region's culinary delights. Puglia is a destination that offers a captivating blend of history, natural beauty, and gastronomic delights. As we explore the fairytale-like Trulli of Alberobello, indulge in the flavours of Puglia's cuisine, or taste the Olive Oil of the region, Puglia promises an unforgettable and enriching experience. So, join us in May 2024 as we venture off the beaten path and uncover the treasures of this hidden gem known as Puglia.
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Diva Destinations hosts throughout your stay
7 days/6 nights Bed & Breakfast in Masseria Valente
Half day escorted tour in Ostuni and Polignano
Half day escorted tour in Locorotondo and Cisternino
Full day escorted tour in Alberobello and Matera
Cooking class at Masseria Valente
Wine tasting at Cellar Pastini
Olive Oil tasting
Food tasting in Alberobello
Half day in Lecce with 2-hour escorted tour
All private transportation by minibus during excursions
100% financial protection
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Meals not stated
Flights to/from Italy
Airport transfers to Masseria Valente
Tips (not mandatory in Italy)
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CLASSIC ROOM - with veranda 3 ROOMS LEFT - £3,740 | $4,750 Sole Occupancy
£2,500 | $3,150 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
DOUBLE BEDROOM APARTMENT with living room & sofa & large shared outside terrace 1 LEFT
£2,699 | $3,450 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
£4,200 | $5,300 Sole Occupancy
DOUBLE BEDROOM DELUXE APARTMENT with living room & sofa & large shared outside terrace SOLD OUT
Apartments are in the main ancient farmhouse building with a terrace & a view of the green olive trees, the sea and the White City
Kindly note the USD$ rates are subject to currency exchange rates and may vary at the time of booking
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Wednesday 15th May 2024
Your Diva Destinations hosts will meet you at Masseria Valente where we will have the day at leisure. Feel free to chill out and take a dip in the pool before we have our first group dinner at a local restaurant (payable locally) We can arrange your private airport transfers to Masseria Valente.
Thursday 16th May 2024
After breakfast we depart by private transfer to Ostuni, one of the prettiest towns in the Brindisi province of Puglia. Here we have an escorted tour of the town. This charming, fortified hill town is known as La Città Bianca (The White City) due to its whitewashed buildings and city walls which give it a very exotic feel, more Greek or Middle Eastern than Italian. The stark white of the town is broken up by some beautiful historical architecture, all of which stands out majestically from its surroundings.
From Ostuni we depart by private coach to Polignano, which is arguably one of the most spectacular spots in the region, perched atop a 20 metre-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic and dates back to the 4th century BC. We embark on a guided tour of Polignano before transferring back to Masseria Valente for lunch and the afternoon at your leisure. We will have our group dinner at a local restaurant (payable locally)
Friday 17th May 2024
After breakfast we’ll enjoy a cooking class at the Masseria, preparing the typical pasta of Apulia and bring home the secrets of local cuisine! Spend the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon at your leisure either chilling by the pool or going to the local beach. At 4pm we depart to the historic town of Lecce, a Baroque masterpiece, known as the “Florence of the South” The town is built in the local soft creamy limestone with beautiful architectural surprises around every corner as well as its typical small squares and unexpected alleyways, standing out as one of the most beautiful cities of art in Puglia. Here we start with a walking tour of the town followed by free time to explore and shop and have some dinner before returning to the Masseria.
Saturday 18th May 2024
After breakfast we take our private transfer to Matera where we’ll have an escorted tour of the town. Matera is one of the most interesting, unusual and memorable destinations in Italy and is one of the oldest, still inhabited cities in the world - a magical place that preserves evidence of human settlements since the Palaeolithic period in its natural caves carved into the rock. The caves of Matera had been inhabited for centuries and until the 1950s hundreds of families were still living crowded into cave-houses here. In 1993 the town was made a UNESCO World Heritage site, for being "the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem". And ever since, Matera has become steadily more popular as an off-the-beaten-track tourist destination. Matera was the one of the filming locations for Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ, with shots showing the Sassi and the gorge below. After our tour there will be time for lunch (payable locally)
After lunch we continue on to Alberobello where we’ll have a private escorted tour of this unique and picturesque town which has also been made a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unusual districts of Trulli, the characteristic white-washed conical-roofed houses of the area. After our tour we’ll have a food tasting hour of some typical foods of the area on a panoramic terrace. We then head home to Masseria Valente for our group dinner (payable locally)
Sunday 19th May 2024
After breakfast we are transferred by private coach to Cisternino where we have our private escorted tour. The white-washed city of Cisternino is listed as one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy. Originally founded by Greek settlers, it became the Roman town of Sturnium before being destroyed by Hannibal during his Puglian campaigns. The result is an interesting medieval centre full of fascinating alleyways with archways that wind through the narrow bleached streets fronted by staircases, with balconies awash in flowers and characteristic little courtyards. We then continue on to Locorotondo for our next escorted tour. Locorotondo is a small town and is officially one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. As well as its picturesque appearance the town is also known for its wine production. It’s here we start our wine tour of Cellar I Pastini, ending with the tasting of a selection of their wines. After our tour we return back to Masseria Valente for the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. We will take our group dinner at a local restaurant (payable locally)
Monday 20th May 2024
We spend the last day at Masseria Valente chilling and relaxing. In the afternoon we’ll have a guided walk around the Masseria’s olive-tree fields, visiting the underground oil farm with a spot of Olive oil tasting. In the evening we’ll have our final group dinner in the Masseria’s restaurant (payable locally)
Tuesday 21st May 2024
Time to say our fond farewells.
We can arrange your airport transfers from Masseria Valente
Puglia Holiday | 15th – 21st May 2024 | £3740 Sole Occupancy Classic Room Full Balance
Important Information about our Hosted Group Holidays:
Kindly note we do require a minimum number to guarantee our hosted group holidays. In the unlikely event we do not reach the numbers required we will refund your deposit in full. In the meantime we request you do not book any other elements for this trip including flights or other transport/accommodation arrangements until we guarantee departure.
Your Hotel - Masseria Valente
Located halfway between the historic centre of Ostuni and the sea, Masseria Valente has 10 rooms and 2 ancient stone mini-apartments finished down to the smallest detail with a beautiful swimming pool and sun terrace, gardens and olive groves.
Masseria Valente is a fortified farmhouse dating back to the end of the 1700s and has recently been restored according to the canons of stone architecture, typical of the Puglia region, enhancing its historical characteristics.
Your buffet breakfast is full of homemade desserts, bread, organically grown oil, milk, jams we produce, seasonal fruit, cereals, fresh yoghurt, freshly squeezed orange juice and good coffee.
Another feature of Masseria Valente is the completely renovated underground oil mill and the cisterns and caves that existed well before the farm was built, symbols of an ancient tradition of oil production. Plus the Masseria has 37 hectares of parkland, part of which is dedicated to organic farming.
