PUGLIA AND BASILICA
“HEAD OVER HEAL” IN LOVE WITH ITALY…
POLIGNANO AL MARE, MONOPOLI, BARI, ALBERBELLO, LOCOROTONDO, CASTELLANA GROTTE, MATERA, CRACO, OSTUNI, OTRANTO, AND LECCE
A Twelve-Day Adventure
June 6th – June 17th, 2022
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com Day#1: “Head Over Heel in Love with Italy”
Monday: June 6th, 2022
In conjunction with AAA Travel (Ithaca, NY), Keyrow Tours is pleased to make all flight arrangements, including primary flights originating from anywhere in the United States. We will depart from a major airport on the East Coast of the United States, and fly into Bari with one connection along the way. Transportation to and from your primary airport of departure is each person’s responsibility.
Important: Please plan on sleeping on the plane as much as possible. This will help avoid jet lag, and enable us to “hit Italy running” on our first day… Buon viaggio!
“You may have the universe, if I may have Italy.” ~ Giuseppe Verdi
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com Day #2: “Polignano al Mare”
Tuesday: June 7th, 2022
Early afternoon arrival at Bari Airport After passport control and collecting our luggage, private minivans will carry us to Polignano al Mare, just 40 minutes away from the airport…
Check-in at our accommodations
Time to shower and unpack
Orientation with a brief walking tour of the village
Overlooking the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea, Polignano al Mare is home to some of Puglia’s loveliest natural breathtaking vistas. Ringed by dramatic cliffs, the Lama Monachile Beach— also known as Cala Porte—is one of the most coveted and photographed beaches in the region.
Being a seaside town, the village naturally focuses on agriculture and fishing. Lovely sights await you in this sleepy fishing town of Polignano a Mare.
The Abbazia di San Vito
This Benedictine church was designed in the 10th century and used to be the home of the minor monasteries of the Holy Apostles, in 1785. The church is unique in that it has an irregular quadrangular plant, a huge porch on the main facade and is surmounted by a small circular dome.
Statue of Domenico Modugno
The pride and joy of Polignano, Domenico Modugno was a famous Italian singer, songwriter, actor, guitarist, and even a member of the Italian Parliament, and was, of course, born in Polignano. Maybe, if you strain your ears, you can almost make out the familiar tunes of his 1958 international hit song, “Nel blu dipinto di blu” (otherwise know as “Volare”).
Back to hotel
Day’s recap
Cena! (dinner)
“I think a dream like this never comes back…I painted my hands and my face blue… Then, suddenly, I was kidnapped by the wind … and I began to fly in the infinite sky.” ~ Domenico Modugno
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com Day #3 “Monopoli”
Wednesday: June 8th, 2022
Italian breakfast
A.) Morning departure for Monopoli
The white-washed old town of Monopoli has been inhabited since 500 BC, and takes its name from its early Greek origins: “Monos Polis” means a “singularly unique city”… and that is truly the case! The city still has that special, hard-to-find feeling that has faded from other big tourist destinations. Monopoli is a port city and like many of the towns in this part of Puglia, the historic center is dotted with white-washed buildings, contrasting perfectly with the bright blue Puglia skies.
1. The 16th-century Castle of Charles V. Built on a promontory that juts out into the sea, the Castle of Charles V was built in 1525 as part of the fortifications around Monopoli. The landmark is such a part of the landscape that no trip to the city is complete without stopping to admire the fortress walls. 2. The Porta Vecchia. The traditional blue-and-red boats used in this part of Puglia are known as gozzo. The boats traditionally had oars and were used for fishing along the coast. You can still find the traditional gozzi bobbing in porta vecchia, the scenic old harbor in Monopoli. Today the boats are used by fishermen in the shallow waters nearby to catch octopus and other local fish. 3. The Cathedral. Construction of the cathedral in Monopoli began in 1107 but legend has it that they had to stop building the church after running out of roof beams. Miraculously, a raft carrying an image of the Virgin Mary drifted into the harbor and the boards from the raft were used to finish the roof. You can still find a piece of wood from the miraculous raft in the front of the church…
B.) Private charted boat ride for three hours with lunch
C.) Late afternoon return to Polignano al Mare
Day’s Recap
Cena! (Dinner)
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com Day#4: “From Castles to Bellissima Bari”
Thursday: June 9th, 2022
European breakfast
Morning departure for Castel del Monte
The medieval castle "Castel del Monte" (Italian for 'Castle of the Mount') proudly overlooks the comune of Andria. Built by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century, the castle is built in an octagonal shape, with each of the eight corners sporting an octagonal tower. This important castle was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996, and it is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Southern Italy. Bari This is the second largest city of Southern Italy, and the capital of the Apulia (or Puglia) region, on the Adriatic Sea. Together we will explore:
Castello Svevo This imposing structure, originally built by the Norman King Ruggero II in the 12th century. In the 16th century, during the height of Bari’s glory, Castello Svevo served as a Renaissance residence for Isabella of Aragon and her daughter Bona Sforza—and became a playground for the artists, writers and powerful dignitaries that the two would host.
Cathedral of San Sabino While less well-known than Basilica di San Nicola, the Cathedral of San Sabino is Bari’s main church. Originally built in the Byzantine style in the 11th century, it was destroyed in 1156 and rebuilt again in 1170; its Romanesque style makes it one of the best examples of the period’s architecture in all of Puglia.
Basilica of San Nicola Commissioned in 1089 to house the stolen relics of St. Nicholas of Myra, this stunning, white-limestone church might just be the symbol of Bari. Its crypt today still contains the remains of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, travelers and children. Yep, he’s the original Santa Claus!...making it an important destination for pilgrims.
Bari Vecchia The “old town” of Bari is a must-see in itself! With its narrow, winding alleyways, Bari Vecchia feels like a step back in time. In fact, don’t be surprised if you come across women expertly making orecchiette, like their mothers and grandmothers before them, right on the street…
Time to shop and explore Pranzo! (Lunch) Return to Polignano al Mare Day’s recap
Magnificent Dinner in the famous “Grotta Palazzese” cave restaurant
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com Day #5: “Alberobello”
Friday: June 10th, 2022
European breakfast
Morning departure for Alberobello
Check-in at our accommodations
Tour of the Trulli neighborhoods
Alberbello is a unique, picturesque destination that is famous for its unusual disctricts of trulli or its white-washed conical-roofed houses. The trulli are small dwellings built from local limestone, and these are traditional and simple types of structures dot the landscape around this part of Puglia. The story behind Alberobello is a typically Italian one: its design was to fiddle taxes and fool the authorities. A local feudal lord moved his peasant workers here to clear a beautiful woodland and cultivate the land. In fact, the name Alberobello means “beautiful trees”. So, in order to wriggle around laws and taxes, it was important that Alberobello didn't achieve the class of being an inhabited settlement. So until 1797, when Alberobello was finally given a 'town' status, the people had to live in trulli, which could be dismantled in a hurry when the tax man came for inspection…
Olive oil and wine tasting Free time Day’s recap Cena! (Group)
“Sail away from the safe harbor: Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~ Mark Twain
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com Day#6: “Alberobello”
Saturday: June 11th, 2022
European breakfast
Free time in the morning
Mozzarella and Burrata cheese production with a light lunch
Free time in the afternoon
Cena! Cooking Class with dinner
"Life for the Italians was what it was, no more and no less, an interlude between meals." ~ Abraham Verghese in "Cutting for Stone"
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com
Day #7: “Above Ground and Underground Explorations”
th Sunday: June 12 , 2022
European Breakfast
The village of Locorotondo
A short ways away from the whitewashed trulli and olive groves of Alberobello, there lies a stunning green expanse of countryside known as Valle d'Itria. Its narrow winding lanes lead from one pretty little village to the next, and Locorotondo is one particular town that we absolutely must visit.
Locorotondo. A name that flows from our lips! This delightful place is truly deserving of the acolade 'Borghi più belli d'Italia' (one of the most beautiful villages in Italy). Perhaps the most fabulous thing about Locorotondo is the lack of tourist attractions. This is a town to simply get lost in for a couple of hours. To wander tiny streets, to sit in the sun, to enjoy an aperol spritz at an outdoor cafe, but mostly, to just enjoy…
Castellana Grotte
The Grotte di Castellana is Italy's longest natural subterranean network. This amazing subterranean cave system is hidden deep within the countryside of the region. On an adventurous two-hour tour, we will delve deep underground to see the best of the caves with our trusted guide. Marvel at mighty stalactites and stalagmites, and learn the history of the caves. The highlight is the Grotta Bianca (“White Grotto”)… an eerie alabaster cavern hung with stiletto- thin stalactites.
Back to Alberobello
Enjoy the pool Day’s recap Cena! (Dinner)
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com
Day#8: “Matera”
Monday: June 13th, 2022
European breakfast
Morning departure for Matera
A.) The Murgia National Park Parco della Murgia Materana stretches out across 8000 hectares and it’s located partly on a rocky plateau and partly on one side of the canyon created by the Gravina stream. Because of the breathtaking view it offers, the Murgia National Park is listed as a UNESCO World heritage site. Over one hundred cave churches dot the cultural landscape of the park. They all have different characteristics: Some are hidden by dense vegetation, whilst others are difficult to access as they’re dug in the steep banks of the ravines. These churches are often embellished with frescoes that testify to the local people’s everlasting devotion.
B.) Arrival in Matera and check-in at accommodations
C.) Pranzo! (Lunch)
D.) Tour of the first “Sasso” The Sassi di Matera are two districts (Sasso Caveoso and the Sasso Barisano) of the Italian city of Matera, located in the region of Basilicata. They are well-known for their ancient cave dwellings inhabited since the Paleolithic period. The "Sassi" are certainly one of the most unique landscapes in Europe. And were awarded World Heritage Site status in 1993. Matera itself was part of the film set Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”, and more recently the James Bond film, “No Time to Die” released in 2019. Return to hotel
Enjoy the spa and pool
Day’s recap
Cena!
“For us to go to Italy and to penetrate into Italy is like a most fascinating act of self- discovery – back, back down the old ways of time. Strange and wonderful chords awake in us, and vibrate again after many hundreds of years of complete forgetfulness.” ~ D.H. Lawrence
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com Day #9: Matera and Abandoned Spaces
Tuesday: June 14th, 2022
European breakfast
Morning tour of Matera’s second “Sasso” with Cave House and Cave Church tour
The Abandoned City of Craco
Craco is a ghost town in the province of Matera. The old town was abandoned towards the end of the 20th century due to natural disasters. The abandonment has made Craco a ghostly attraction and a popular filming location. The town was built on a very steep summit for defensive reasons, giving it a stark and striking appearance. Originally settled in the 10th century BC, the ancient inhabitants survived malaria outbreaks, volcanic eruptions, centuries of war, and the Bubonic Plague. In the 1960s, a series of events triggered by landslides, floods, earthquakes and poor infrastructure gradually forced everyone to migrate out to a neighboring town. Today Italians return to Craco for summer religious festivals and the beauty of the landscape. Free time Enjoy the spa and pool Day’s recap Cena! (Dinner)
“You may have the universe, if I may have Italy.” Giuseppe Verde
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com Day #10: Lecce
Wednesday: June 15th, 2022
European breakfast
Morning Departure
“The White City” of Ostuni
Ostuni is one of Puglia’s most beautiful cities, a smattering of white- washed buildings perched high above a hill overlooking olive trees and the Adriatic Sea. The medieval walled city was built without a plan, and it shows! The web of streets is confusing, a maze of alleyways, staircases and arches with glimpses of the sapphire sea in the distance.
Pranzo! (lunch in castle with wine tasting)
Departure for the city of Lecce
Hotel Check-in
Late afternoon tour of Lecce
Lecce is a beautiful baroque city. We have discovered that it is less of a “doing” kind of place and more of a city for experiencing – for wandering, for finding hidden piazzas, for wine bars (try the local rose) and viewing carved baroque churches.
Piazza del Duomo
The Basilica of Santa Croce
The church of Saints Niccolo and Cataldo
Day’s recap Cena! (Dinner!)
“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” ~ Jack Kerouac
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com
Day#11: “Otranto and the Torre Dell’ Orso Beach”
Thursday: June 16th, 2022
European Breakfast
A.) Morning departure to explore the village of Otranto
Pranzo! (Lunch)
B.) Return to Lecce or enjoy the Torre Dell’ Orso Beach
Day’s recap
Cena! (Dinner)
“Travel does what good novelists also do to the life of the everyday, placing it like a picture in a frame or a gem in its setting, so that the intrinsic qualities are made more clear. Travel does this with the very stuff that everyday life is made of, giving to it the sharp contour and meaning of art.” ~ Freya Stark
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com
Day#12: “Arrivederci, Italia!”
Friday: June 17th, 2022
European Breakfast
Morning departure for Brindisi Airport in Bari
KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road - Trumansburg, NY - 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 www.keyrowtours.com