Make your way to your local airport to board your overnight flight(s). Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Upon arrival at Bari airport, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the Arrivals Hall, where you will be greeted by a tour escort and/or driver. We’ll transfer to our hotel in San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner and overnight.

Visit the Old Church of Our Lady of Grace and see the confessional where St. Pio spent an innumerable number of hours listening to confessions. Next, you will board the bus and travel along the beautiful Gargano Peninsula to the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel. Return for dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo. *Candlelight Procession – Between May and October, attend the weekly candlelight procession at the Sanctuary of St. Pio after dinner, at 9:00 p.m.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the Basilicata region, culminating in your arrival in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Matera. Check in to the comfort of the Una Hotel Matera. As the sun dips, embark on an unforgettable evening stroll through the ancient Sassi districts. Witness the dramatic transformation as the tufa stone dwellings are lit up, giving the city a magical, presepial glow.

Take a morning drive to the picturesque hill town of Montescaglioso. There, explore the magnificent Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, often referred to as the “Versailles of Basilicata,” to admire its impressive Baroque architecture and monastic history. Return to Matera for a relaxing afternoon. Conclude the day with a memorable dinner enjoyed within the illuminated, ancient atmosphere of the Sassi districts.

Depart Matera and embark on a day of discovery in Puglia. Our first stop is Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you will wander through the fairytale streets lined with iconic, conical-roofed Trulli houses. Next, descend into the earth at Castellana Grotte to explore its spectacular, massive underground cave system, an unforgettable natural wonder. In the late afternoon, we continue to the Adriatic coast and the Monopoli area. Check into your accommodation to settle in and prepare for your stay by the sea.

Spend the morning visiting the spectacular coastal town of Polignano a Mare. Explore its dramatic Old Town, perched atop sheer limestone cliffs overlooking the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea. Wander through the charming narrow streets, discover hidden viewpoints for breathtaking photos, and see the famous statue of Domenico Modugno. Return to Monopoli in the afternoon, with the remainder of the day free for leisure.

Start the day with Mass at one of Monopoli’s historic churches. Following Mass, the day is entirely at leisure. You are free to relax by the Adriatic Sea, explore the picturesque white-washed Old Town (Centro Storico), or participate in an optional excursion. Dinner and overnight.

Depart Monopoli for Bari. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the maze-like alleys of Bari Vecchia (Old Bari). The morning is dedicated to a visit to the magnificent Basilica of St. Nicholas, a major pilgrimage site and a cornerstone of the city’s history. Afterwards, stroll through the vibrant Strada delle Orecchiette (Pasta Street, officially Strada Arco Basso). Witness the famous local “Nonnas” expertly crafting fresh, ear-shaped pasta by hand right on their doorsteps, a truly authentic and unforgettable sensory experience. Dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to Bari airport for your return flights home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.