DAYS
8
TOUR CODE
ATPU-27
COST
£4195
DAYS
8
TOUR CODE
ATPU-27
COST
£4195
Nestled in the heel of Italy, Puglia – the most prosperous region in the south – possesses a rich array of architecture, from Greek and Roman to Romanesque, Norman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, alongside magnificent frescoes.
Overview
Puglia boasts a rich and diverse architectural heritage – Greek, Roman, Romanesque, Norman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque – reflecting its multifaceted past and importance on ancient trading and pilgrimage routes, as well as an abundance of art and religious edifices. From bases in the port and university city of Bari and the Baroque city of Lecce, we will delve beneath the surface to explore a variety of fascinating sites.
Beginning in Bari, our tour takes in the Romanesque cathedral, Basilica of San Nicola and Pinacoteca Provinciale, home to a distinguished collection of Old Master paintings, sculptures and 19th century Italian art. Meanwhile, in Barletta, we will visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, built in both the Romanesque and Gothic styles, and the Pinacoteca de Nittis, housed in the Palazzo della Marra.
A highlight will be the opportunity to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello, capital of trulli country. We will also make an excursion to the ancient city of Matera to discover the ‘Sassi’, originally a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, with dwellings and churches carved into the rock. Matera is also home to the 13th century Romanesque Cathedral of Santa Maria della Bruna, with an 18th century Baroque interior.
After sampling some of the region’s olive oil on a visit to a local producer, our journey continues in Lecce, the ‘Florence of the South’, where we will take in the city’s beautiful piazzas, churches and Roman remains.
In the cathedral of the captivating coastal town of Otranto we will view the 12th century Tree of Life mosaic. This extraordinary floor design contains biblical references alongside signs of the zodiac, references to Greek mythology and even images of King Arthur and the pre-Islamic Persian lion of the Sassanid Empire.
Towards the end of our tour, we will have the opportunity to marvel at exquisite frescoes, including the 13th century paintings at Santa Maria di Cerrate, a charming example of Pugliese Romanesque architecture, and the celebrated 15th century fresco cycles in the Church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria at Galatina.
Tour Director
Andrew Spira
Our Tour Director Andrew Spira is an art historian who has led many tours to Italy exploring wonderful art from the Romanesque to the Renaissance.
This tour will be led by art historian Andrew Spira, MA, who studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art and City University, London. For several years Andrew was a specialist in Byzantine and Russian icons at the Temple Gallery, London, before working as a curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum. He was subsequently Programme Director at Christie’s Education, and has been leading tours to cultural sites across Europe for over 20 years.
– ACE customer on the 2025 Art & Architecture of Puglia tour led by Andrew Spira
Our Accommodation
Our first four nights will be spent in the heart of historical Bari at the five-star Grande Albergo Delle Nazioni Hotel, located on the waterfront overlooking the Adriatic Sea. We will then continue to the beautiful city of Lecce for three nights at Hotel Tivoli Palazzo 1880, another wonderful five-star establishment, featuring elegant interiors and a central position in the city.
Itinerary
Day 1
Flight from London to Bari. Transfer to Grande Albergo Nazioni Delle Hotel, Bari, for four nights.
Day 2
Morning introductory lecture: Puglia – Ancient & Medieval followed by walking tour of Bari, including visits to the Cathedral of San Sabinus (Romanesque) and Basilica of San Nicola. Afternoon: Pinacoteca Provinciale (distinguished collection of Old Master paintings, sculpture and 19th century art). Evening lecture: Puglia – The Baroque & Beyond.
Day 3
Morning excursion to Barletta: Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore (Romanesque and Gothic styles) and Pinacoteca De Nittis (housed in Palazzo della Marra). Afternoon: continue to Trani for visits to the Cathedral of Trani (Apulian Romanesque architecture, located on the seafront) and Museo della Macchina per Scrivere (subject to confirmation). Return to Bari for free evening.
Day 4
Whole day excursion to Matera: UNESCO-listed Sassi and Rupestrian Church of Santa Lucia alle Mave, followed by walking tour including the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Bruna (13th century Romanesque with 18th century Baroque interior), Baroque area with 18th century churches and the Sasso Barisano district with Palombaro Lungo (magnificent underground cistern known as the ‘Cathedral of Water’).
Day 5
Morning excursion to UNESCO-listed Alberobello (capital of trulli country). Afternoon visit to olive oil producer (tour and tasting). Continue to Lecce for three nights at Hotel Tivoli Palazzo 1880.
Day 6
Morning walking tour of Lecce, including exteriors of Castello di Carlo V, Piazza Sant’Oronzo, Roman theatre and amphitheatre, Church of Santa Chiara, Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza del Duomo and cathedral, Church of Santa Irene, Basilica di Santa Croce and Palazzo dei Celestini (exteriors). Afternoon: Santa Maria di Cerrate (charming example of Pugliese Romanesque architecture with 13th century frescoes). Return to Lecce for free evening.
Day 7
Morning: Soleto for Church of Santo Stefano, and Galatina for Church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria (15th century frescoes). Continue to Otranto and visit the Duomo di Otranto (exceptional 12th century Tree of Life floor mosaic).
Day 8
Morning visit to Bitonto Cathedral (elegant stone façade with extensive frescoes). Flight from Bari to London.
Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Historical sites in Italy, such as churches, can often undergo restoration work at short notice, which may have an impact on our itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
This tour has a full itinerary and will require a good level of fitness and mobility. It involves a significant amount of standing and walking, including uphill and over cobbled, uneven and potentially slippery ground, particularly as coaches are not allowed into the centres of the ancient Italian towns. Please be aware that the excursion to Matera is strenuous at times and involves visits to underground church and cave sites. Participants should therefore feel comfortable in low light levels and traversing steps, which can be steep and do not always have handrails. For ACE’s minimum fitness requirements, please see our Booking Terms & Conditions.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Flight Information
For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of £180.
Cost Details
Art & Architecture in Puglia
November 16 - 23, 2027
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, five dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £695.
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