Italy
Winter in Italy: Puglia’s Hidden Gems
Program No. 23004RJ
Discover the vibrant history and cuisine of Puglia — a coastal region located on Italy’s “heel” — during the winter months when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
14 meals (
6B, 5L, 3D
)
4 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrival Brindisi, Check-In, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Ostuni (BR)
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Ostuni Palace
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 03:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously)
Afternoon:
After checking in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Unless specified otherwise, the majority of transportation will be provided via motorcoach thereby necessitating ascending and descending a few steps. All meals include wine and water. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll then enjoy a welcome cocktail together at the hotel before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow road scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Day
3
Ostuni, Alberobello, Lecture, Lesson On Italian Gestures
Location:
Ostuni (BR)
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Ostuni Palace
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving is about 47 miles; approximately 1.5 hours throughout the day. Walking about 3 miles; approximately 1 hour total for the day on flat terrain with some steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Leaving the hotel, we will set out on a walking field trip exploring Ostuni "the white city" with our Group Leader. Ostuni is one of the most renowned destinations on the Brindisi coast. The white city, as it is called for the color of the facades of the houses and its religious buildings, is located on three modest hills located a few hundred meters from the sea. its historic center is unmistakable for the blinding whiteness of its homes. The oldest nucleus is literally clinging to the steep sides of a hill, whose perimeter is traced by the Aragonese city walls which protected the borders from attacks carried out by Saracen pirates. Today, only eight of the fifteen original watchtowers remain. The historic center of Ostuni has winding streets, steep stairways, small squares, small courtyards and alleys of incredible charm. The entire ancient nucleus is divided into two parts by Via Cattedrale, the only one that reaches the top of the hill, on which stands the stupendous Cathedral, a building that admirably blends Gothic, Romanesque and Venetian elements in its lines. We will then board our private motorcoach and ride to a local oil mill. The olive oil expert will give an introduction on how the olive oil is produced followed by oil tasting. We’ll then continue our ride to Alberobello.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Alberobello.
Afternoon:
We will walk with our Group Leader throughout this UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello, which is situated on the second step of Le Murge, south of the Canale di Pirro. As we explore, this fairy tale town, we soak in the sights of the iconic white limestone trulli with their conically pointed roofs. Our Group Leader will give an on-site lecture on the Trulli architecture in Puglia. We will return to the hotel. Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. Before dinner, our Group Leader will give a lesson on particular Italian gestures.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Baroque in Lecce, Free Time
Location:
Ostuni (BR)
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Ostuni Palace
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving about 94 miles; approximately 2 hours throughout the day. Walking about 3 miles, approximately 2 hours in both morning and afternoon; flat terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and ride to Lecce. The history of Lecce is rich and fascinating. From an artistic point of view, the buildings and noble palaces are characterized by the Art Nouveau and Baroque styles. The artistic relevance is accompanied by the historical-cultural one, which bears the signs of construction from the pre-Christian and Roman era in the opulence of churches, buildings and monuments such as the Palazzo dei Celestini, the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Duomo, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Roman Theatre, the Charles V Castle, Porta Napoli, Porta San Biagio and Porta Rudiae. Lecce is a town characterized by columns, arches, numerous rose windows, but also by the typical small squares and unexpected alleys. Its monuments are custodians of centuries of history, and witnesses of the artistic and cultural evolution of the city. We will embark on an expert-led walking field trip of Lecce with emphasis on finding examples of the Baroque that were discussed earlier. Our Group Leader will give an on-site lecture on Discovering the Baroque in Lecce. We will explore the old city, its iconic Baroque monuments, Piazza Duomo, and we will walk by some beautiful noble palaces.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Lecce.
Afternoon:
We will continue our walking field trip of Lecce’s Old City to explore the Roman Amphitheater, the Roman Theatre, and the Basilica of Santa Croce. At the end of the walking field trip, we will have some free time before meeting again at a predetermined time to return to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Masseria, Hands-on Cooking Lesson
Location:
Ostuni (BR)
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Ostuni Palace
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving about 20 miles, approximately 30 minutes throughout the day. Walking about 1/2 mile; approximately 2 hours between walking and standing on uneven surfaces.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our private motorcoach and ride at a local Masseria where you'll explore the cattle barn and learn about the farming techniques used. We will visit the milking parlor to observe the milking process and walk through the dairy and cheese aging rooms. Enjoy a captivating demonstration by the master cheesemaker on how mozzarella and burrata are made. To complete the experience, the participants will experience a brief hands-on session where they can try making these delicious fresh cheeses, with expert guidance from the cheesemaker.
Lunch:
At the Masseria.
Afternoon:
We will return to the hotel for a hands-on cooking lesson with the hotel chef.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Bari, Polignano A Mare
Location:
Ostuni (BR)
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Ostuni Palace
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving is about 110 miles total; approximately 2.5 hours total, with stops for field trips at various locations. Walking about 3 miles total on mostly flat terrain; approximately 3 hours total.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and head to Bari, the economic heart of the region and strategic center of trade with Eastern Europe. The city stands out for its extraordinary historical and architectural treasures, preserved both within the metropolitan core and in its magnificent surroundings. We will walk with our Group Leader throughout this picturesque port city and its historical center on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. We will see the Basilica of San Nicola, the outside of the cathedral and the castle, and the main square of the Old City. We will then board the motorcoach and head to Polignano a Mare.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Polignano a Mare.
Afternoon:
Ater lunch, we'll explore the old part of the village on foot and have a stroll along the waterfront before returning to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Matera, Sassi, Free Time
Location:
Ostuni (BR)
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Ostuni Palace
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving is about 130 miles; approximately 3.5 hours throughout the day. Walking about 2.5 miles; approximately 2 hours; Sassi is very rocky; several steps and slopes; be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Via motorcoach, we will ride to Matera where we will embark on an expert-led walking field trip of the Sassi di Matera, a rare jewel of Basilicata, a miracle of time that reveals itself to the visitor with an overwhelming charm. Matera in the past was a crossroads of peoples and cultures, just as today it arouses the interest of visitors from all over the world despite not being one of the classic tourist locations. In Matera there is neither the sea nor the mountains, yet the "little" that there is to do in this city represents the essential thing capable of bringing back to life what is being lost today. Hence the white flag that was assigned to the city, whose color indicates surrender, that sense of peace that can be felt walking through the winding streets of the old city, admiring the viewpoint of the stones and appreciating the hospitality of the locals who tickles the heart. Matera owes its charm to the crypts and rock churches that arose following the Byzantine and Benedictine monastic settlements, but above all to the stones declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. To understand the importance of the stones we must take a leap into the past, imagining that until sixty years ago they represented the housing complex of the population of Matera, made up exclusively of farmers. Today the stones represent the essence of Matera, a testimony of the past that crystallizes the era of the 1950s. The labyrinth of houses that seem to fit together gives life to a singular panorama with a homogeneous and always elegant color, from which the bell tower of the Cathedral stands out. It is impossible to be disappointed by Matera and its wonderful landscape. Impossible because it is a city that leaves a profound mark, so much so that many speak of "Basilicata sickness".
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Matera. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with your fellow Road Scholars.
Afternoon:
Free time. We will return to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
8
Program Concludes
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel depending on departure time. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Feb 18, 2026 - Feb 25, 2026 (Ostuni (BR) to Ostuni (BR))
Nov 03, 2025 - Nov 10, 2025 (Lecce to Ostuni (BR))
Nov 17, 2025 - Nov 24, 2025 (Lecce to Ostuni (BR))
Dec 01, 2025 - Dec 08, 2025 (Lecce to Ostuni (BR))
Jan 20, 2026 - Jan 27, 2026 (Ostuni (BR) to Ostuni (BR))
Feb 18, 2026 - Feb 25, 2026 (Ostuni (BR) to Ostuni (BR))
Feb 26, 2026 - Mar 05, 2026 (Ostuni (BR) to Ostuni (BR))
Mar 13, 2026 - Mar 20, 2026 (Ostuni (BR) to Ostuni (BR))
Nov 10, 2026 - Nov 17, 2026 (Ostuni (BR) to Ostuni (BR))
Nov 16, 2026 - Nov 23, 2026 (Ostuni (BR) to Ostuni (BR))
