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We begin with Titan's VIP Home Departure Service™ to London
Heathrow or Gatwick Airport and your scheduled British Airways or
Alitalia flight to Rome. On arrival we are transferred to the Roman
Hills and our hotel, the Villa Vecchia on the outskirts of
Frascati, which will be our base for the next three nights. Evening
dinner included.
DAY 2 ROME
Today we have arranged a guided tour to introduce you to this
fascinating city, which combines buildings from the pre-Christian
era to the present day. We have included the opportunity to view
the Roman Forum, the religious, political and commercial centre of
Ancient Rome, and St. Peter's Basilica and Square. Time permitting,
we are free to make our own discoveries, which are bound to include
visits to the Trevi Fountain, to make a wish, and the elegant Via
Veneto for some window shopping. Later in the afternoon we return
to our hotel for dinner.
DAY 3 ROMAN HILLS
We proceed to the Castelli Romani, or Roman Castles area today,
which is the name given to the area southeast of Rome in the region
of the Alban Hills. This has historically been an area popular with
Romans since medieval times to escape to in the hot summer months
for fresh air and outdoor activities. We pass close to Lake Albano
and Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope's summer residence is located.
Time permitting, we enjoy a wine tasting this evening on our way
back to our hotel. Evening dinner is included.
DAY 4 ROMAN HILLS • CASTEL DEL MONTE •
BARLETTA
From the Castelli Romani area this morning we
drive southwards by-passing Montecassino, famous for its monastery,
founded in 529 AD by St. Benedict and the location where the Saint
drew up the rules of the Benedictine Order. We continue towards
Castel del Monte, a medieval hilltop village with a castle as its
crown and which dominates the long and low Puglian stretch of
limestone plateau. Built by Frederick II in the mid-13th century,
the castle is of an octagonal shape and each corner features an
octagonal tower although, with the absence of a moat it would
suggest that the castle was used and built for pleasure by
Frederick II, most probably as a hunting lodge. Leaving the legends
that linger over this village and castle behind, we depart towards
our hotel, the Nicotel in Barletta, with evening dinner
included.
DAY 5 RUVO DI PUGLIA
We enjoy the timeless atmosphere of Ruvo di Puglia today. With its
elegant Romanesque 13th century cathedral boasting delicately
carved portals supported by griffins balancing on fragile columns,
the town was also once famous for its pottery and ceramics. The
Jatta Musuem, with its collection of over 1700 vases, bears
testimony to this tradition. As described by Horace more than 2000
years ago, Ruvo di Puglia is also renowned for the produce of
grapes and almonds, which in autumn may be seen spread out to dry
on the pavements. We arrive this evening at our hotel, Sierra
Silvana, near Fasano, our base for the next four nights.
DAY 6 CASTELLANA CAVES • ALBEROBELLO
The
Grotte di Castellana are a series of limestone caves accidentally
discovered in 1938 and today one of Puglia's main attractions.
After descending to a large cavern, named La Grave, you will enjoy
a guided tour concluding in the magnificent Grotta Bianca, a
glittering creation of white stalagmites and stalagtites. Confined
to this corner of Puglia and dominating the landscape are the
typical trulli houses - circular, conical-roofed, white washed
houses often adorned with various symbols and built without the use
of mortar. Their origin is still unknown but a high concentration
of trullis can be found in and around the town of Alberobello, a
UNESCO World Heritage site. With over 1500 dotting the narrow
streets we have time to explore these unique constructions, before
returning to our hotel this evening for dinner.
DAY 7 FASANO
This morning is at leisure or you may wish to visit the town of
Martina Franca whose name derives from franca, meaning stamp or
tax, as in the 14th century the town was granted certain tax
privileges. In this region, where the first time visitor is greeted
by a sea of gnarled olive groves, a reputed 15 million olive trees
are more than centuries old and recent laws have been established
for their protection. This afternoon we enjoy a visit to the local
olive oil estate where the local production can be sampled, done
much in the same way as a wine tasting.
DAY 8 LECCE • OTRANTO
After breakfast we depart for Lecce, which although has the remains
of a Roman amphitheatre in the main square, its real charm is
exuded by the opulent and intricate Renaissance and Baroque
churches and palazzi which can be found in this city. With time for
exploration we then follow the route to Otranto, once a major
Byzantine base. Its Romanesque Cathedral houses a spectacular
mosaic floor - depicting a multi-coloured Tree of Life amongst
other scenes of myths and legends. We return to our hotel this
evening for dinner.
DAY 9 LONDON
Today we board our coach for the journey to Bari Airport for your
direct British Airways flight or indirect Alitalia flight via Rome
or Milan to London Gatwick or Heathrow. On arrival our staff will
greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home
to your own front door.
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