Apulia had always been famous for its grain harvests, olives and wine. It attracted invaders and traders over many centuries - Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Saracens, from early to late antiquity. Normans in the early eleventh century looking to make their fortunes set out for Apulia, where there was a great demand for their famed horses, their horsemanship and their brutality in fighting. Exchanging fighting for others to fighting for themselves, the de Hautevilles, in the course of a century, conquered Southern Italy and Sicily.
Taranto
The Spartans set up the colony of Taras, present day Taranto, in the eighth century BC and it became the chief city of Magna Graecia. The Museo Nazionale has an exceptional collection of gold jewellery, terracotta figures and ceramics.
Romanesque Architecture
Unlike their building in Normandy and England, the Normans developed a style of building in Apulia based on the Byzantine form of the basilica. Many of the features of the great Norman cathedrals are present, but modified to local conditions. Often they have more of a Lombard feel. In most cases the buildings dominate their surroundings as they did in Mediaeval times. There are fine Cathedrals in Bari, Trani, Bitonto, Barletta and Ruvo. The Hohenstaufens were equally interested in building castles and palaces, the most famous of which is the octagonal Castel del Monte.
Lecce
Lecce was rebuilt from the local limestone in Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo styles. The most important building is the Basilica di Santa Croce, with a highly decorated façade by Zimbalo. The Piazza del Duomo is composed of Baroque buildings and is considered one of the finest squares in the whole of Italy.
Otranto
The Cathedral in Otranto has a remarkable mosaic floor from the 12th century depicting the Tree of Life, with a whole range of subjects, animals, heroes mythological figures and astrological signs.
Ruvo
The Jatta collection in Ruvo has a collection of Greek vases of the Apulian School, which rivalled and even surpassed its Attic origins.
Trulli in Alberobello
There are more than a thousand Trulli in Alberobello. Trulli are squat conical buildings, with limestone roofs, crowned with pinnacles of magical significance. They are grouped together to form different rooms in a single dwelling.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Fly to Bari and transfer to the hotel Casina dei Preti, located on a hillside in Conversano, where we stay throughout.
Day 2 –Today we explore Martina Franca, Alberobello and Conversano.
Day 3 – We travel to Taranto and Metaponto.
Day 4 - Today we visit Lecce and Otranto.
Day 5 – We explore Castel del Monte, Ruvo and Bari.
Day 6 – We travel to Trani and Barletta
Day 7 –Today is a quiet day at the seaside.
Day 8 – The day is at leisure until we visit Lucera en route to Pescara airport for the return flight.
Tour Leader - Dr Trevor Joscelyne holds degrees in Literature, Arts and Education from the universities of Cambridge, York, Wales and London. He has also studied at the University of Pavia and has lived, worked and travelled widely in Italy and has an extensive knowledge of its culture.
After over 30 years of university teaching and administration, he now works as a consultant on a variety of educational and cultural projects and activities. He has successfully led tours for Prospect in Italy, including a good number in Apulia, a region for which he has a great affection that he enjoys communicating to fellow travellers.
Apulia
Price: £1,400 per person
Single Supplement: £150
Deposit: £250 per person
| Departure |
Tour Code |
| 29 Sep– 06 Oct 2008 |
XLJ102 |
Price Includes: 7 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in the Hotel Casina dei Preti in Conversano, light snack on the first night, six dinners, transfers for recommended flights, and a full itinerary accompanied by Dr Trevor Joscelyne.
Travel: Travel to and from Apulia is not included.
Suggested Ryanair scheduled flight timings.
| FR1905 |
Departs Stansted |
17:15 |
Arrives Bari |
21:05 |
| FR983 |
Departs Pescara |
19:20 |
Arrives Stansted |
21:00 |
