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The Dolomites - Puglia
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Your Dolomites and Puglia holiday begins with a flight to Venice, which takes around two-and-a-half hours. There’ll be more time to explore the romance of Venice later in the trip, but for now, collect your hire car and make your way to the mountains.
There are several lovely locations to pick from in the mighty Dolomites, all of which are between two-and-a-half and three hours away by car. Wherever you’ve chosen to stay, this will be your base for the next four nights, so make yourself at home. Take the rest of the day to settle in and get acquainted with your scenic UNESCO-listed surroundings while enjoying a delicious supper.
After a hearty hotel breakfast, meet your expert guide to start your via ferrata adventure. Via ferrata literally means 'iron roads’, after the cables and railings built into mountain paths to make them easier to navigate.
Your route today is the Mario Fusetti via ferrata, a relatively short and easy trail to the Sasso di Stria peak. It commemorates Lieutenant Mario Fusetti, who occupied the summit during the First World War and was subsequently killed in intense fighting.
This circular route starts and ends at the Forte Tre Sassi war museum and sees you ascend to the Sasso di Stria summit for 360-degree views of the mountain scenery. Rest assured that this route is relatively straightforward and your guide will provide the equipment and expertise you need to tackle the climb with confidence.
Return to your hotel this evening for a celebratory drink having conquered a via ferrata – a big tick on any hiker or mountain-lover’s bucket list.
It's another active day on your Dolomites and Puglia holiday as you head into the mountains for a hike. Accompanied by your private guide, your hike begins at Capanna Alpina, a restaurant at the edge of Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park. After a steep one-hour ascent, arrive at the picture-perfect Col de Locia, a beautiful green valley flanked by towering mountains.
The next two to three hours take you to Rifugio Fanes, a typical South Tyrolean hut. Pause here for a well-earned lunch with a view. Traditional Tyrolean food includes hearty stews, potato and bread dumplings and cured meats and cheeses, so fill your boots and refuel before setting off on the return leg of your hike.
Your route today takes six hours and covers around ten miles of undulating mountain trails, so rest and relaxation is on the cards this evening.
It’s been a busy few days enjoying the active pursuits of the Dolomites, so today’s your chance to relax and explore the area at your own speed. South Tyrol was once part of Austria, so the culture and food here have a unique mix of both Italian and Austrian influences.
Depending on where you’re staying, you could enjoy a leisurely wander around the town or hop in the car to visit one of the other pretty villages in the region, like San Cassiano (a famously foodie spot) or Ortisei (a great base for a self-guided hike). Ski resorts like Cortina d'Ampezzo or San Candido are also a delight and much quieter in summer if you prefer a slower pace.
It’s time to retrace your steps as you hit the road and drive back to Venice today. Drop off your hire car, then check into your Venetian-style hotel in the heart of the city before popping out to explore by foot, gondola or Vaporetto. When you get tired of walking, you can take a rest in an osteria or trattoria. Your day is free to explore Venice’s irresistible sites. A snack at Café Florian? A photo with the pigeons in St. Mark's Square? A Bellini at Harry's Bar? Yes please.
Wake up to the morning buzz of Venice and join the action with a half-day private walking tour through the Rialto neighbourhood. Considered the cradle of Venice, this is where the first merchants traded in fabrics, spices and opium that arrived via the Grand Canal from across the globe.
This bustling area is famous for its market, along with architectural treasures like the Rialto Bridge, Palazzo dei Camerlinghi and San Giacomo di Rialto, the oldest church in Venice. Your guide will be on hand to share stories and secrets of the city, and along the way you can sample some cicchetti (Italian appetisers) to get a true taste of local flavour. Following the half-day tour, the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish.
It's time to say goodbye to Venice’s romantic waterways today to start the next chapter of your Dolomites and Puglia holiday. Head to the train station for your early-morning journey to Bari, in the south of the country.
On arrival, pick up your hire car and enjoy a scenic drive to your hotel. As in the Dolomites, you can take your pick of places to stay, with some lovely locations to choose from along Puglia’s pretty coastline. You'll have the rest of the day to settle into your new home-from-home, where you're staying for the next five nights.
Today it’s time to set sail. The coast of Otranto is known for its blissful beaches, crystal clear waters and dramatic white cliffs overlooking the sea. During your three-and-a-half-hour trip, tick off scenic sights like Mulino d’Acqua, Baia Morrone, Baia dei Turchu and Baia delle Orte as you travel along the coastline. Your skipper will decide the route on the day, but expect to discover hidden coves, charming villages and scenic spots for swimming or snorkelling (masks, snorkels and a GoPro are provided).
After your half-day boat trip, relax at the hotel with a delicious dinner of local cuisine, before a peaceful night’s sleep ahead of tomorrow’s adventure.
A delightful half-day awaits in Lecce. Located a little further down Italy’s boot, this pretty city is known for its Renaissance, Rococo and Baroque monuments, which have earned it the nickname ‘Florence of the South’. A private guide will whisk you away to explore the Cattedrale di Lecce, the Basilica di Santa Croce, the Sant’Oronzo Column and the sunken Roman amphitheatre.
Worked up an appetite? There’s a local speciality we think you might love. Enjoy a taste of pasticciotto (a pastry filled with either ricotta cheese or egg custard), accompanied by a hot drink – a delicious pit stop during your three-hour tour.
Afterwards, return to your hotel to unwind and toast another memorable day in Puglia.
After a leisurely morning enjoying a late breakfast, you'll be accompanied to the nearby town of Conversano in the Puglian countryside. Your destination is a beautiful masseria (fortified farmhouse) where you'll take part in a private hands-on cooking lesson. Learn the secrets of local recipes and master ancient techniques of Puglian cooking – generally considered the finest in Italy (which is really saying something). The hard work done, take a seat and enjoy your delicious dishes with a glass of wine, planning how you'll wow your dinner party guests when you get home.
Fully satisfied after a hearty home-cooked feast, head back to your hotel for the last evening of your Dolomites and Puglia holiday.
Your magnificent mountains and beach trip to Italy sadly ends today. Say goodbye to your lovely lodgings, then make the short, hour-long drive to Bari airport to drop off your hire car and board your flight back to London. It takes three hours to fly home, so spend that time reminiscing on a holiday well spent.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
