The Glories and Gastronomy of Northern Puglia with Robert Fox
17th-24th May 2018
Puglia, in the heel of Italy, has long been a favourite destination for Oldie readers. This trip is to the mountainous Gargano Peninsula, the cave dwellings ( sassi) of Matera, the Spartan port of Taranto, the battlefield of Cannae and Frederick II’S Castel del Monte. Every day, we will be fuelled by the region’s famed food and wine, and May is the best month to visit.
Your guide will be Robert Fox, the acclaimed writer, journalist and seasoned Italophile, who, among many senior postings in a career stretching back 40 years, was the BBC’S Italy correspondent.
We will be based in Matera for the first four days, at the Palazzo Viceconte (www.palazzoviceconte.it), with fabulous views of the sassi. We dine in the superb cave restaurant Baccanti every night. Then on to Trani, a pretty fishing town, staying at Hotel San Paolo al Convento (www.hotelsanpaoloalconventotrani.it), with dining at the splendid Corteinfiore.
Full www.theoldie.co.uk/tours itinerary and terms and conditions at Thursday 17th May – arrive at Matera – 12.05pm: Depart Gatwick with easyjet; arrive Bari 4pm. Transfer to the Palazzo Viceconte, Matera. Introductory talk by Robert Fox, 7pm. Friday 18th May – The sassi of Matera – Tour of the extraordinary sassi, the traditional regional caves, Chiesa San Pietro Barisano, the duomo and Casa Noha, a brilliant museum. Saturday 19th May – Gravina in Puglia and Altamura – Visit to Altamura’s cathedral, followed by lunch at Madonna della Stella, at Gravina in Puglia. Sunday 20th May – Taranto and Metapontum
– Morning visit to the complete Greek temple at Metapontum; lunch by the sea at Oblo, in Lido Gadoli; afternoon visit to the amazing archaeological museum at Taranto, which has the largest collection of Greek terracotta figures in the world.
Monday 21st May – Bitonto and Trani – Morning tour of Bitonto; arrive at Hotel San Paolo al Convento; lunch at La Lampare al Fortino, overlooking the harbour, and a chance to explore the town and its magnificent cathedral. Tuesday 22nd May – the Gargano Peninsula
– San Giovanni Rotondo, home of Padre Pio, followed by lunch in Monte San Angelo, and visit to the underground sanctuary of San Michele. Wednesday 23rd May – Castel del Monte,
Cannae and Barletta – Morning visit to Castel del Monte and battlefield of Cannae, where Hannibal defeated Rome; lunch in Barletta at Antica Cucina; return to Trani after lunch. Thursday 24th May – Bari and home – Morning tour of Bari. Lunch at Trattoria L’elfo before 4.40pm flight from Bari, arriving Gatwick 6.30pm.