Wednesday
At 03:45, we meet at Malta International Airport for the Malta Air flight FR7108, which departs at 05:45 towards Bari Airport, arriving at 07:05. We then depart by coach towards Salento, to the beautiful city of Lecce in the Apulia region. However, before reaching Lecce, we visit Brindisi, where, with the leader, we explore the historic center, the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, Corso Garibaldi, the Roman Column, the port, the Civil Monument to the Sailor, and Corso Roma. Afterward, we visit Polignano a Mare, where, with the tour leader, we take a panoramic walk around the famous “Terraces,” offering views of the Adriatic Sea, the cliffs, and buildings scattered around the narrow streets of the historical center, with traces of Arabic, Byzantine, and Spanish influences. We continue by coach, arriving in Lecce, where we check in at Hotel Tiziano, a 4-star hotel in the center. In the evening, we have our first outing with the leader, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Thursday
After breakfast, we begin a city tour on foot around Lecce, known as the Florence of the South. We discover artistic works in the Baroque style using Lecce stone at the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Cathedral, the churches of San Matteo and Santa Chiara (entrance extra), Piazza Sant'Oronzo, the Roman Theatre, and the Giuseppe Garibaldi Gardens. After lunch, we depart by coach for the beautiful coastal city of Otranto. With the leader, we discover the most beautiful view of the port from the Torre Matta of the Aragonese Castle, take a walk along the Belvedere Bastioni and Lungomare, then arrive at the historical center and enter the 12th-century Cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria Annunziata, where we see the famous “Tree of Life” mosaic in the central nave. We return to Lecce.
Friday
A beautiful trip to Francavilla Fontana, known as the city of the Imperials. A family tour with the leader, where we visit Via Roma, Villa Comunale, Porta Del Carmine, Torre dell'Orologio, Piazza Umberto, the Basilica del Rosario, and the Castello Imperiali. Free time, then we continue the journey by coach to the great coastal city of Taranto, which spans between two ports, Mare Grande and Mare Piccolo. With the leader, we visit the old part of the city, located on a small island, with the highlight being the Cappellone of San Cataldo. We explore the Lungomare, beautiful views of the Gulf of Taranto, the Aragonese Castle, Ponte Girevole in the navigation canal, Palazzo Governo, and shopping in Via d'Aquino. We return to Lecce and have another outing with the leader.
Saturday
Breakfast: A beautiful day ahead. We take an excursion to Ponte Ciolo, stopping to appreciate the beauty of this narrow coastal area with a bridge of historical and environmental interest, featuring many caves along the Adriatic Sea. We continue by coach to Capo di Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost point of the Italian peninsula. A tour with the leader to visit the Sanctuary, the Lighthouse, the Monumental Staircase, and the Roman Column. By coach, we continue to Lungomare Colombo, enjoying a beautiful walk between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Free time, and then we continue by coach to the peninsula of Gallipoli. A stop to visit the historic island, where we find the Cathedral of Santa Agata, the Angevin Castle, the Marconi Lungomare, and free time in Corso Roma. We continue further by coach to another beautiful area along the Ionian Sea, Porto Cesareo. We have time for a walk along the Lungomare and the port, where we can admire the scenery of small islands in the distance. We return to Lecce: free personal time, or for those who wish, another evening tour with the leader in the streets of Lecce.
Sunday
After breakfast, we pack our luggage and leave Lecce to begin a journey to explore the hidden gem of Salento, the coastal city on the Adriatic Sea, Monopoli. With the leader, we enjoy a beautiful tour around the highlights of the city, such as Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Porto Vecchio, the Cathedral, and the historic center. Free time, and then we continue the last leg of our journey to Bari Airport to catch the Malta Air flight FR7107, which departs at 16:35 and arrives back in Malta at 17:55.
