NEW! Mediterranean Explorer

Set out on foot to discover the cobbled streets of historic Bari, a hidden gem along the Puglian coast. Board your motor coach and enjoy a scenic drive toward Bari, with views of the Adriatic Sea. As you pass through the city, you will see landmarks, including Teatro Margherita and the Fortino di Sant’Antonio. Alight your coach and explore more of the city on foot, beginning at the most beloved of Bari’s churches, the Basilica of St. Nicholas. Also known as Santa Claus, St. Nicholas is the city’s patron. When his remains were brought to Bari in 1087, they inspired an influx of pilgrims that infused the city with wealth. See the saint’s relics, then head to the old town’s two main squares, Piazza del Ferrarese and Piazza Mercantile. Enjoy a tasting of traditional orecchiette, an ear-shaped pasta, accompanied by cacioricotta cheese and tomatoes, before returning to your ship.

Prepare to be captivated by Alberobello’s magical forest of tiny conical, beehive-shaped huts called trulli. One could easily imagine elves living beneath these whitewashed domes, but trulli have been inhabited by local people since the sixteenth century, when Alberobello’s feudal lords prohibited the construction of permanent dwellings in order to evade the new building tax imposed by the King of Naples. Trulli were an ingenious solution, since they are built entirely without mortar and can be quickly dismantled. Trulli exist elsewhere in Apulia, but Alberobello’s are the most extensive and best preserved, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be amazed to see how the locals have converted these spaces into cafés, shops and stylish homes, many of which are decorated with religious and folk symbols. From Alberobello, we will ride to an 18th-century farmhouse with its own trulli, and enjoy some typical Apulian refreshments before returning to your ship.

Explore two of Puglia’s most beautiful sites, one natural and the other manmade. Begin with a drive by motor coach to the Castellana Caves, Italy’s longest subterranean cave network. They are noted for unusual concretions, which are mineral deposits that cling to the walls and create bright, multicolored curtains and columns. The Grave (which translates to “Chasm”) is a vast chamber whose ceiling has an opening through which sunlight illuminates the formations. Return to your coach and continue to Polignano a Mare, a whitewashed village atop a 65-foot-high limestone cliff above the Adriatic. As you explore on your own you will see traces of its Greek, Roman, Arab and Norman past. During your free time, you may choose to stroll the winding lanes and secret gardens, or pause for a coffee in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. After, return to your awaiting ship.

Explore the striking white cities of Ostuni and Alberobello. You will travel with your guide first to Ostuni, perched on three hills with views of the endless olive trees in the Itria Valley countryside. Wander the labyrinth of alleyways, staircases and arches of this medieval walled city, famous for the striking effect of sunlight reflecting on its whitewashed houses. You will also visit the 15th-century cathedral, built in the late Gothic style (rare in Puglia, where most of the churches are austere Romanesque or ornate baroque). Then, continue to Alberobello, named after the primitive oak forest Arboris Belli (beautiful trees) that once covered this region. The Zona dei Trulli on the town's western hill, a dense mass of 1,500 beehive-shaped structures made from local limestone, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have some time to explore these cone-shaped trulli houses at your leisure before returning to your ship.

Discover secrets of olive oil production at an oil mill in the beautiful Puglia region. Transfer to the city of Bisceglie, home to the Galantino olive oil mill. Established in 1926, the mill has been owned and operated by three generations of the Galantino family. Upon arrival, tour the 19th-century oil mill, viewing its traditional granite millstones, and watch a short film presentation in the barrel-vaulted underground cellar. Then, witness the stages of production, learning how the mill combines traditional and modern methods to harvest and produce its extra virgin olive oil. Cap your visit with a delicious tasting of several different olive and flavored oils, accompanied by local bread, cheeses and wines. After, board your motor coach and return to Bari, enjoying a narrated drive down the city’s main boulevard along the sea before returning to your ship.

Admire the landmarks and gain insight into the storied history of Trani during a guided walking excursion. Drive by motor coach with your guide to this charming seaside city, whose colorful history is on display through a collection of beautiful buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. Upon arrival, set out on foot to view the facade of Swabian Castle, an imposing 13th-century fortress overlooking the sea, and its striking Romanesque cathedral, where the revered relics of St. Nicolas the Pilgrim are preserved. Continue your walk through the narrow alleys of the old town as your guide tells stories of St. Nicolas, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and the history of the city’s Jewish community. At the end of your walk, you will enjoy a savory snack accompanied by refreshments before returning to your ship.

Enjoy an immersive experience with a local home cook who will introduce you to specialties of the Apulia region. Journey into Bari’s old town to meet your Cesarine host, a member of a community of skilled home cooks who embody the warmth of traditional Italian cuisine and hospitality by opening their homes to visitors from around the globe. They seek to preserve Italy’s food culture and foster lasting connections between travelers and locals. Accompany them to gather ingredients, then step into their home kitchen, ready to uncover the secrets of Italian cuisine. Watch your host as they demonstrate how to prepare your own orecchiette, ear-shaped pasta often hand-crafted by local women in the street. They will also show you how to prepare other authentic Barese dishes. Then, relax and enjoy your creations while sipping on local wines, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Venture to Polignano a Mare and Alberobello, two gems of the Apulia region. Set on the coast of the Valle d’Itria, Polignano a Mare is known for its white limestone cliffs and marine caves. Drive by motor coach to this seaside town, established during the 4th century, to discover the white-washed buildings and flower-lined streets of the old center before continuing to picturesque Alberobello. After lunch at a local eatery, set out on a guided walk to see the Zona dei Trulli on the town’s western hill. This collection of small, limestone houses with conical roofs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is said that these buildings were designed to be easily demolished in the event of an inspection, to avoid heavy taxes imposed by the Kingdom of Naples. Take some time to explore the trulli houses at your leisure, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Discover the historic Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled on the bank of the Gravina river, Matera is most famous for its Sassi, houses built into the natural caves of the Murgia that show evidence of continuous human occupation for over 9,000 years. Protected by UNESCO since 1993, the ancient appearance of the Sassi has made them a popular filming location for filmmakers; Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ was shot in Matera. Upon arrival, meet your guide and stroll through the city, seeing the dramatic Sasso Barisano and pausing at Casa Grotta to get a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in these cave dwellings. Then, explore Matera further on your own before enjoying a lunch of local fare, including crispy peppers and ravioli. At the end of your excursion, return to your awaiting ship.