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Puglia & Sicily: 12-Day Cultural Journey

Travel from Bari to Catania on a 12-day cultural journey through Puglia, Matera and Sicily, visiting Alberobello, Lecce, Agrigento, Syracuse, Etna and Taormina.

Combined Tours: Sicily, Malta & Southern ItalyArt & Culture Tours in Sicily

Highlights

  • Puglia's Distinctive Heritage
  • Matera and Ancient Sicily
  • Sicily's Eastern Landscapes

Overview

Travel from Puglia to Sicily on a twelve-day cultural itinerary linking the Adriatic coast, the cave districts of Matera and Sicily's archaeological and volcanic landscapes.

Begin in Bari, exploring its old town before travelling to the trulli of Alberobello, the Baroque streets of Lecce, Castel del Monte and the coastal town of Trani. Spend a night in Matera, where the Sassi offer a memorable introduction to the region's layered history.

Continue to Palermo by air from Bari, with flight routing to be confirmed. Discover Palermo and Monreale before visiting Agrigento's Valley of the Temples. Cross Sicily via the Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale to Noto, then explore Syracuse and Ortigia. Finish with Mount Etna, Taormina and departure from Catania.

This proposed programme balances major cultural visits with realistic overnight stops. Hotels, exact meals, airport transfers, the interregional flight, guided services and admission tickets require final supplier confirmation and will be specified in the written travel proposal.

Day by day

  1. 1

    Day 1

    Arrival in Bari

    Arrive at Bari Airport and transfer to your hotel according to the arrangements in the confirmed proposal. Time at leisure in the city, followed by an evening meal if specified in the agreed package and compatible with arrival time.

    BariDinnerBari
  2. 2

    Day 2

    Bari: Old Town and Adriatic Heritage

    Explore Bari Vecchia, its narrow lanes and the Basilica of San Nicola. See the exterior of the Norman-Swabian Castle and stroll along the seafront. Enjoy free time for lunch, perhaps trying local focaccia, before returning to the hotel.

    BariBreakfastBari
  3. 3

    Day 3

    Alberobello and Lecce

    Travel to Alberobello to discover the UNESCO-listed trulli districts. Continue south to Lecce for a guided walk through its Baroque historic centre, seeing Piazza Duomo and the Basilica di Santa Croce from outside unless admissions are confirmed. Return to Bari in the evening. This is a long but structured sightseeing day.

    Alberobello; Lecce; BariBreakfastBari
  4. 4

    Day 4

    Castel del Monte and Trani

    Visit Castel del Monte, the octagonal medieval monument commissioned by Frederick II, subject to site arrangements. Continue to Trani for its cathedral beside the Adriatic and a walk through the harbour area. Return to Bari.

    Castel del Monte; Trani; BariBreakfastBari
  5. 5

    Day 5

    Matera: The Sassi

    Depart Bari for Matera. Explore the UNESCO-listed Sassi districts, their historic cave dwellings and stone streets, with time for viewpoints and a visit to a rock-cut church if included in the final arrangements. Overnight in Matera. Expect slopes and steps in the old town.

    MateraBreakfastMatera
  6. 6

    Day 6

    Transfer to Bari Airport and Arrival in Palermo

    Travel from Matera to Bari Airport for the flight to Palermo. Flight routes, connections, airline and luggage arrangements require verification before sale; a non-stop flight must not be assumed. On arrival transfer to the Palermo hotel if confirmed and enjoy time at leisure.

    Matera; Bari Airport; PalermoBreakfastPalermo
  7. 7

    Day 7

    Palermo and Monreale

    Discover Palermo's historic core, with the Cathedral, Norman Palace area and traditional streets. Continue to Monreale for the cathedral's renowned mosaics. Interior visits and tickets follow the final confirmed services. Return to Palermo for overnight.

    Palermo; MonrealeBreakfastPalermo
  8. 8

    Day 8

    Valley of the Temples in Agrigento

    Leave Palermo and travel to Agrigento for a substantial visit to the Valley of the Temples, where the remains of ancient Akragas stand in a striking landscape. Enjoy time for a lunch break before the overnight stay in the Agrigento area.

    Agrigento; Valley of the TemplesBreakfastAgrigento area
  9. 9

    Day 9

    Villa Romana del Casale and Noto

    Head to Piazza Armerina to explore the Villa Romana del Casale and its remarkable Roman mosaics. Continue towards Noto, with time for a walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele and views of the Baroque cathedral if the arrival schedule permits. Overnight in the Noto area. Syracuse is deliberately reserved for the next day.

    Piazza Armerina; Villa Romana del Casale; NotoBreakfastNoto area
  10. 10

    Day 10

    Syracuse, Ortigia and Catania

    Travel to Syracuse for the Neapolis Archaeological Park, subject to confirmed admission and opening hours, then visit Ortigia's Piazza Duomo, historic lanes and the Fountain of Arethusa. Continue to Catania for the first of two nights.

    Syracuse; Neapolis; Ortigia; CataniaBreakfastCatania
  11. 11

    Day 11

    Mount Etna and Taormina

    Explore the accessible southern slopes of Mount Etna near Rifugio Sapienza, weather and safety restrictions permitting. Cable car and high-altitude services are not assumed. Continue to Taormina for its historic centre and the Ancient Theatre if ticketed access is confirmed. Return to Catania.

    Mount Etna; Taormina; CataniaBreakfastCatania
  12. 12

    Day 12

    Departure from Catania

    Enjoy breakfast and check out. The tour ends in Catania; airport transfer and other departure arrangements must be stated in the final confirmed proposal.

    Catania; Catania AirportBreakfast

Accommodation

  • Bari

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Nights 1–4 · Meal plan to be confirmed

    Four nights in Bari; hotel name and category subject to supplier confirmation.

  • Matera

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Night 5 · Meal plan to be confirmed

    One night in Matera, following exploration of the Sassi.

  • Palermo

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Nights 6–7 · Meal plan to be confirmed

    Two nights in Palermo for Palermo and Monreale visits.

  • Agrigento area

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Night 8 · Meal plan to be confirmed

    One night near Agrigento after the Valley of the Temples.

  • Noto area

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Night 9 · Meal plan to be confirmed

    One night near Noto following Villa Romana del Casale.

  • Catania

    Accommodation to be confirmed

    Nights 10–11 · Meal plan to be confirmed

    Two nights in Catania for Syracuse, Etna and Taormina.

Included

  • 11 nights' accommodation in the locations indicated in the itinerary; hotels and categories to be confirmed.
  • Breakfasts and any additional meals expressly confirmed in the final proposal.
  • Scheduled ground transport and airport transfers as itemised in the final quotation.
  • Bari–Palermo flight indicated by the historic itinerary, with routing and inclusion subject to written quotation.
  • Guided visits and monument admissions only as specified in the final approved itinerary and supplier quotation.

Not included

  • Flights to Bari and from Catania unless expressly included in the quotation.
  • Meals and beverages not explicitly listed in the final travel proposal.
  • Optional activities and excursions, including high-altitude Mount Etna services.
  • Personal expenses, gratuities, travel insurance and tourist taxes unless expressly covered.
  • Any services not stated in the final confirmed proposal.

Entrance fees & tickets

  • The historic package described all entrances as included, but individual tickets, booking fees and guide coverage must be reconfirmed before sale.
  • Possible ticketed sites: Castel del Monte; Matera rock-cut churches; Palermo Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel; Monreale Cathedral ticketed areas; Agrigento Valley of the Temples; Villa Romana del Casale; Syracuse Neapolis Archaeological Park; Taormina Ancient Theatre.
  • The final quotation must explicitly identify included admissions. External sightseeing is not itself an included ticket.

Good to know

Insider tip
Try Bari focaccia during free time in the old town and compare the intricate stonework of Lecce with the Baroque façades of Noto.
Accessibility
The Sassi in Matera, archaeological sites, historic streets and Mount Etna can involve stairs, slopes and uneven ground. Check mobility needs, hotel accessibility and transport arrangements before confirming a booking.
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, reusable water bottle, light rainwear and warm layers for Mount Etna. Bring suitable clothing for churches.
Important information
The Matera–Bari Airport transfer and flight to Palermo on Day 6 need confirmation of flight schedules, possible connections, baggage terms and transfer times. A direct flight is not guaranteed. Hotel properties, meal arrangements, airport transfers and guide services are subject to the confirmed quotation. The historic product lists site admission tickets as included, but individual entries and reservation rules must be agreed in writing. Etna visits depend on volcanic activity, weather and official access rules; cable car and high-altitude activities are not assumed. Day 3 is a relatively long sightseeing day.