13 Day Tour from Puglia to Tuscany

Day 1-3

Depart from Bari meeting point at 9:30 am from a hotel we will recommend to you before heading for the localities of Otranto. where we will spend the next 3 nights exploring the jewels of the southernmost tip which the Romans called “the end of the world”. On our first full day we will make an excursion to the southernmost tip of Puglia called Santa Maria di Leuca. On day 3 we will discover the beauty of Otranto. Discover the boutique shops and magnificent historic cathedral in town. It will also be this day which we will see the location site of Salvatore’s latest passion project.

Day 4-5

On the morning of day 4 we will depart the Otranto area for Lecce, also known as “the Florence of the South,” where we will spend 2 more nights in a beautifully restored historic palazzo. We will visit the city with a local guide once arriving. Our second day in Lecce we will head to jewels along the Ionian coast such as Santa Maria al Bagno and Santa Caterina, which is the riviera of Nardo. We will stop for lunch at a typical seafood restaurant of the area. Drive through what was the playground of the rich of the last century. Exact program details currently in progress.

Day 6-7

We will depart the city of Lecce in the morning heading towards the Valle d’Itria designated by UNESCO as one of the world heritage sites. During these two days we will visit the beautiful towns for which the area is renowned such Alberobello, Locorotondo, Ostuni, and Polignano al Mare.

Day 8

We will begin our journey north towards Tuscany and break our journey up with one night stopover in Caserta. Here we will visit the Reggia of Caserta built by the French Kings. This is known as Italy’s version of Versailles. We will have dinner on arrival with a tour of the Palazzo the next morning.

Day 9

After touring the Reggia in the morning we will depart Caserta in the morning heading towards Tuscany. Enjoy a stop for lunch at the before arriving at Castello delle Serre in the afternoon, our home for the final 5 nights of your tour. Enjoy your welcome dinner prepared by the owners.

Day 10

Today we will start the day visiting the Benedictine monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Inside discover the famous frescos of Luca Signorelli and Antonio Giovanni. Witness the monastic vows that have led the Benedictines to be self-sufficient in today’s world. We will then proceed to Mulinum, a unique agricultural reality that has devoted itself to organic cultivation of ancient non genetically modified grains. We will tour the facility and learn how grain is cultivated and turned into flour. Here we will enjoy gourmet pizzas and light lunch. Our final stop of the day will be in a vineyard outside of Montalcino where we will learn about production of the famous Brunello wines and enjoy the internationally renowned wines of the area. We will have an afternoon pit stop at the Castello to freshen up before departing for a special dinner at in a nearby restaurant.

Day 11 

In the morning, we will depart with a local guide for the medieval city of Siena, most famous for its horse race, the Palio. Our tour guide will lead us through this charming city unspoiled by time. We will visit the magnificent Piazza del Campo (town square), the spectacular sculpture-studded Duomo (church) and its museum with works by Pinturicchio, Pisano and Michelangelo, and visit the most important parts of the city.

Day 12

Today with a later departure time in the morning, enjoy a special journey to Tuscany’s latest frontier of organic winemaking. Discover the DOC of Montecucco. Nestled between the Tuscan coast, the Orcia Valley, and the world-reknown area of Montalcino, Montecucco is the “unknown” wine area of this land blessed by the God Baccus. Enjoy tasting with lunch before heading back home to refresh before dinner. End the day with a beautiful dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 13

Today we will show you the Tuscan countryside with a once in a lifetime experience, truffle hunting! Arrive at a local agriturismo farm and learn all about truffles. Following an informative lesson, venture out into the woods with the award-winning truffle dogs to witness the professionals in action.

Once our hunt has concluded, we will then return to the kitchen to enjoy lunch made with the very same truffles we found along with the farm’s homemade wine.

We will return on the early side to pack for our departure early the next morning. Enjoy a farewell dinner at our local Agriturismo

Day 14

Say your goodbyes to the Castello family and return to Florence in the morning, via our established transportation. All departures at the same time, approximately 8:30 am. Return transportation to Florence SMN Station. ETA at Firenze SMN is 10:15.

*Subject to minimum of 12 participants. To reserve your place on our tour, please send an email to: info@castellodelleserre.com