Alexandra & Sanjin
Day Trips
Alberobello
The trulli of Alberobello have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 15th century, the houses were intentionally constructed only out of stone, without mortar, so as to be easily demolished to avoid paying taxes. Great place to visit to ponder on how you, too, can stick it to the man.
Alta Murgia National Park
The Parco Nazionale dell'Alta Murgia is a national park in Puglia, designed to protect the grass steppe and the lesser kestrel's habitat. It is a great place for hiking, biking, and to immerse yourself in local archeology.
Bari
Bari is the second largest city on Italy's southern mainland and the capital of the Puglia region. Here you can immerse yourself in nostalgia for historic Italy by strolling along the beautiful seaside promenade and by exploring Bari Vecchia, the Medieval old town. You can also visit the the remains of Saint Nicholas (famous for his stint as Santa Claus) in the Basilica di San Nicola; the 11th century Cathedral of San Sabino; and the Hohenstaufen Castle built for Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Jerusalem.
Castel del Monte
The most fascinating castle built by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Jerusalem, the 13th century citadel served as his hunting lodge, and was later used as a prison and a refuge from the plague, before finally ending up on the Italian 1 cent Euro coin.
Gargano
The spur on the Italian boot, Gargano is a promontory jetting out into the Adriatic sea. On it you will find the remains of the ancient Foresta Umbra, the only remaining portion of the forest in Italy; breath-taking views of the sea; and the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the archangel Michael, Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano. Some say it is also the only shrine consecrated by the archangel himself.
Grotte di Castellana
The Castellana Caves are a karst formation winding for over 2 miles 180 feet underground.
Lecce
Rich in Baroque architectural monuments, Lecce is commonly nicknamed "The Florence of the South." Also boasting a sunken Roman amphitheater, on a clear day you can see Albania from the 230 ft-high Cathedral of Lecce.
Matera
Until the 1950s, Matera was all but abandoned. Today it is one of the most unique and interesting places you will visit in Italy or anywhere else in the world. The city consists of a complex of cave dwellings carved into the mountainside and overlooking a canyon.
Ostuni
Puglia's White City, Ostuni is perched atop a hill overlooking the countryside of the Valle d'Itria, located just 5 miles from the Adriatic sea. Its white-washed buildings are a mixture of Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine architecture, while its Civic Museum and Archaeological Park houses the skeleton of a woman from Paleolithic times.
Polignano a Mare
A gem located on the Adriatic sea in the Valle d'Itria, Polignano a Mare is known for its pebbled beaches.