Puglia & Basilicata: Ancient Cultures & Living Traditions

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

Italy is a member of the Schengen Agreement, a set of European and national standards governing different types of visas. As a result of this agreement, Americans may visit the country for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they have a US passport valid for at least six months from the planned date of departure from the EU.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

United States citizens don’t need a visa for any of the countries you’ll be visiting. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on October 11, 2028

Meet the group at Hotel Ostuni Palace in Ostuni (BR)

Start of Trip:  3:00 p.m. hotel check-in; 6:00 p.m. Orientation followed by Welcome Dinner.

Getting to the site: To reach the first program site, Ostuni Palace Hotel, from Brindisi airport on your own: At the airport arrivals terminal information desk, you can get the most updated bus and train timetables. Please check Brindisi Airport website for more info: www.aeroportidipuglia.it/brindisi/bus - Take the bus from Brindisi airport to Via dello Sport in Ostuni (45 minutes ride). Walk from Via dello Sport to the Ostuni Palace Hotel (15 minutes' walk). Or - 1st: Take the Airport Link AP shuttle from Brindisi airport to Brindisi train station (10 minutes ride). https://www.stpbrindisi.it/index.php/en/services/bus-airport-town-centre-costa-morena Then take a train from Brindisi to Ostuni (20 minutes ride). https://www.trenitalia.com/ - 2nd: Take the shuttle STP Brindisi from Ostuni train station to downtown Ostuni (10 minutes ride), get off Via Fogazzaro (at the corner with Via Pesaro), 5 minutes' walk to the hotel. https://www.stpbrindisi.it/index.php/en/ostuni/1067-linea-1-ostuni-stazione-villanova-con-varianti-per-cimitero-e-santa-caterina Please note: the exact bus stop may vary depending on the route in service. STP may also make temporary changes to bus stops or routes, so we recommend checking the official schedule and stop information again shortly before your trip. STP Brindisi – https://www.stpbrindisi.it/index.php/en/ostuni Or - There are taxis outside the airport arrival area. The ride from Brindisi Airport to the Ostuni Palace Hotel is approximately 30 minutes. We cannot quote these services as they are public transportations. Or - Private transfers can also be arranged at an additional cost by: Hotel Ostuni Palace: info@ostunipalace.com or Zito Angelo Autonoleggi: staff@autonoleggiozitoangelo.it We are not responsible for the hotel private services and the motor coach private services.

Getting to the site by train or bus: Buses are available to site.

Your trip ends on: Friday, October 20, 2028 in Matera at Hotel San Domenico al Piano

End of Trip: 10:00 a.m. after breakfast; 11:00 a.m. hotel check-out.

Getting to the airport: To reach Bari airport from the last program site, Hotel San Domenico al Piano in Matera, on your own: Please check Bari Airport website for more info: www.aeroportidipuglia.it/bari/bus - 8 minutes-walk from hotel to the bus stop in Viale Aldo Moro - Piazzale Matteotti. Take the Autoservizi Bucci & Tarantini Bus to Bari airport. The ride is about 75 minutes. www.cotrap.it Or - 8 minutes-walk from hotel to the bus stop in Viale Aldo Moro. Take the SITAsud Bus to Bari airport. The ride is about 75 minutes. www.cotrab.it Please note that the train and the bus schedules are subject to change and may be updated periodically. We recommend checking the official websites for the latest timetable and travel information. Or - Take a taxi/cab. The ride from the hotel in Matera to Bari airport is approximately 1 hour. We cannot quote these services as they are public transportations. Or - Private transfers can also be arranged at an additional cost by the Hotel San Domenico: info@hotelsandomenico.it or Zito Angelo Autonoleggi: staff@autonoleggiozitoangelo.it We are not responsible for the hotel private services and the motor coach private services.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Participants who have not purchased airfare through Road Scholar are responsible for making their own transfer arrangements to the first site at the beginning of the program, as well as from the last site at the end of the program. The Information Packet Road Scholar sends in advance of the program includes details needed to make your transfer arrangements. If you wish to purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.