Apulia, the Heel of Italy (6270)

8 Day Tour from Naples to Naples

2024 Tour Details

This regional affordable Italy discovery vacation begins and ends in Naples. As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Naples provides visitors a wealth of folklore, history, and a rich culture of the ages. After a guided sightseeing tour of the city, you’ll be on your way to the Apulia region—the “heel of the boot” of Italy and one of the renowned holiday destinations of the Italian people thanks to its breathtaking landscapes and enchanting coastline with turquoise waters. Among the highlights of this Italy vacation you can look forward to the visit of the 13th-century Castel Del Monte on your way to the beautiful port of Bari. Unveil other surprising treasures, including the fascinating Castellana Grotte limestone caves, the conical-roofed Trulli houses of Alberobello, and Lecce’s Baroque architecture. You’ll also enjoy an excursion to Santa Maria di Leuca with its art nouveau beach huts, and Gallipoli’s underground olive press and winding streets. Your budget-minded vacation in Italy is never short on great food and drink, including the chance to learn about regional specialities on your visit to a Primitivo wine cellar in Manduria and an olive oil tasting session in the countryside. Before returning to Naples, relax for two nights in Fasano—surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Your affordable Italy tour of the Apulia region of Italy ends where it began—in Naples—where authentic Napoli pizza and espresso coffee await your return!

Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.646.5374
Save $400 per couple on select Cosmos 2024 Europe and North America Tours*
Save $150 per couple on select Cosmos 2024 Europe and North America Tours*
Apulia, the Heel of Italy map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Buffet breakfasts daily; 1 lunch; 3 dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN NAPLES, ITALY

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring Naples, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

DinnerDinner

Day 2 NAPLES–CASTEL DEL MONTE–BARI

The guided sightseeing tour this morning gives you an introduction to the eventful history of this city and its vibrant traditions. Depart Naples and travel into Apulia, the legendary “heel” of Italy. Stop to visit Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 13th century by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, and renowned for its unique octagonal shape. Continue to the Adriatic coastline for an orientation tour of the beautiful port city of Bari.
Today’s Distance: 177 mi/ 285 km

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 BARI–CASTELLANA GROTTE–ALBEROBELLO–LECCE

Experience the famous limestone caves of Castellana Grotte. This impressive system is a wonderland of captivating stalactites, stalagmites, and crystallized mineral deposits. Next stop is Alberobello, renowned for its distinct conical-roofed “Trulli” houses. Follow the coastline to lovely Lecce, the “Florence of the South.”
Today’s Distance: 107 mi/ 173 km

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 LECCE. EXCURSION TO SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA & GALLIPOLI

On your included excursion to Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost tip of Apulia, discover art nouveau villas and beach huts from the early 20th century. On to Gallipoli, an ancient Greek city built on an island in the Ionian Sea. Enjoy the Old Town with its quaint ambiance, winding streets, and inviting squares. Discover Frantoio Ipogeo, an underground olive press buried in the tufa rock. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, workers pressed Gallipoli’s olive oil, and used it to light the city’s oil lamps. Return to Lecce. Time to marvel at its opulent Baroque buildings.
Today’s Distance: 106 mi/ 170 km

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 LECCE–MANDURIA–OSTUNI–FASANO

On to Manduria, situated in the rural wine-growing region. Visit a wine cellar and get to taste some of the typical Primitivo wine. Next stop is Ostuni, only 42 miles from Greece, characterized by its flat-roofed, white, Greek-looking town centre. Overnight in Fasano, a peaceful town surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, not far from the Adriatic Sea.
Today’s Distance: 75 mi/ 120 km

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 6 FASANO

Today is free to do as you like. Maybe join the optional excursion to Matera and Altamura. The impressive “rock city” of Matera is home to the prehistoric sassi cave dwellings, while a guided tour of Altamura reveals the amazing stone-clad city, with free time afterwards to stroll through the Old Town on your own.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 7 FASANO–NAPLES

Puglia is famous for its olive trees and, this morning, you’ll visit a traditional olive mill. Taste some genuine olive oil, enjoy a light lunch, and stroll around the groves. Later, travel back to Naples for a chance to treat yourself to a real espresso coffee shot or the most authentic pizza.
Today’s Distance: 199 mi/ 320 km

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 8 NAPLES

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

FRANCESCO NARDIN

Escorting tours for more than 5 years

“Buongiorno everyone! I'm Francesco Nardin and I've been rendering my services as a Cosmos Tour Director in Italy, Greece, South France and Spain. Following in the footsteps of my parents, I've always loved travelling and exploring new countries, meeting new people and cultures. Clients need to know what Italy is, what is the feeling of the Mediterranean breeze and how much we can offer to them... this is why I'm here, to create memories and to turn travel dreams into real experiences. Bellissimo!”

Tour Director - FRANCESCO NARDIN

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Bari
Lecce
Fasano
Naples

Bari

Orecchiette Pasta Workshop and Traditional Dinner

Orecchiette Pasta Workshop and Traditional Dinner

Learn how to make orecchiette pasta from a local expert pasta maker on this fun evening in historic Bari, then dig in to a delicious pasta dinner with unlimited wine!

Price Range: $$

Lecce

Dinner & Show at an Apulian Farm

Dinner & Show at an Apulian Farm

Travel into Apulia, the famed "boot heel" of Italy, for a farm-fresh dinner of local specialties at a traditional masseria.

Price Range: $$

Fasano

South of Italy: Matera and Altamura

South of Italy: Matera and Altamura

Discover two pearls of Apulia on this fascinating guided day trip to experience the remarkable cave settlement of Matera and the unique character (and bread) of Altamura!

Price Range: $

Naples

A Taste of Naples

A Taste of Naples

Savor a dinner of traditional Neapolitan cuisine on this incredible evening outing in the center of Old Naples.

Price Range: $$

 Private Touring

Private Touring: Cosmos European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Cosmos tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience. For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party. Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $1,244*
18 guests in a party: $223*

Contact Cosmos or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Cosmos Private Touring.

*Supplement pricing is per person (USD) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2021 travel year. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.


The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).

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