Puglia & Basilicata

Sometimes described as the ‘Florence of the Baroque’ or the ‘Rome of the South’, Lecce’s is a riot of fantastical facades and architectural splendour. Most of these buildings were created between the 16th and 18th centuries during a time of prosperity and architects and stone masons took full advantage of the malleable soft local limestone to decorate altars, gables, columns, balconies and architraves in intricate designs more often seen in fine jewellery.

We are based at the Grand Hotel di Lecce, a four-star hotel built in neo classical style and centrally located, within a 10–15-minute walk from the Roman amphitheatre and Lecce Cathedral. Its 55 air-conditioned rooms are equipped with flatscreen TV, hairdryer, safety deposit box, hairdryer and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. There is a swimming pool (seasonal opening May-Sep) and attractive garden.

The troglodyte city of Matera is situated in the remote southern region of Basilicata. Its caves had been inhabited for centuries but by the early twentieth century it became a by-word for poverty when hundreds of families were crowded into cave-houses here. After a national scandal, residents were moved to modern buildings on the plateau above and the city lay empty for the first time in possibly 10,000 years. Over the last 20 years, money has been trickling in and some former residents have returned to open hotels year taking advantage of Matera’s new high media profile, following the award of UNESCO World Heritage status in 1993 and its starring role as ‘Jerusalem’ in the controversial  film The Passion of the Christ in 2004. More recently, the 25th Bond movie No Time To Die is the latest blockbuster to be filmed here.

The San Domenico Al Piano is a four-star hotel situated close to the historical centre of Matera, a 10-15 walk away from the Piazza Vittorio Veneto and the famous Sassi area. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, hairdryer, and mini bar. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

The troglodyte city of Matera is situated in the remote southern region of Basilicata. Its caves had been inhabited for centuries but by the early twentieth century it became a by-word for poverty when hundreds of families were crowded into cave-houses here. After a national scandal, residents were moved to modern buildings on the plateau above and the city lay empty for the first time in possibly 10,000 years. Over the last 20 years, money has been trickling in and some former residents have returned to open hotels year taking advantage of Matera’s new high media profile, following the award of UNESCO World Heritage status in 1993 and its starring role as ‘Jerusalem’ in the controversial  film The Passion of the Christ in 2004. More recently, the 25th Bond movie No Time To Die is the latest blockbuster to be filmed here.

The San Domenico Al Piano is a four-star hotel situated close to the historical centre of Matera, a 10-15 walk away from the Piazza Vittorio Veneto and the famous Sassi area. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, hairdryer, and mini bar. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

The troglodyte city of Matera is situated in the remote southern region of Basilicata. Its caves had been inhabited for centuries but by the early twentieth century it became a by-word for poverty when hundreds of families were crowded into cave-houses here. After a national scandal, residents were moved to modern buildings on the plateau above and the city lay empty for the first time in possibly 10,000 years. Over the last 20 years, money has been trickling in and some former residents have returned to open hotels year taking advantage of Matera’s new high media profile, following the award of UNESCO World Heritage status in 1993 and its starring role as ‘Jerusalem’ in the controversial  film The Passion of the Christ in 2004. More recently, the 25th Bond movie No Time To Die is the latest blockbuster to be filmed here.

The San Domenico Al Piano is a four-star hotel situated close to the historical centre of Matera, a 10-15 walk away from the Piazza Vittorio Veneto and the famous Sassi area. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, hairdryer, and mini bar. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

For the final part of our tour, we move north and closer to the coast, so we are better placed for our remaining site visits of the tour. Puglia is a large region quite unlike the rest of Italy, characterised by a wild rocky plateau, dramatic coastline and vast plains dotted with olive trees. It was a cross cultural bridge between east and west attracting new settlers whose influence has been absorbed and adapted to this particular terrain.

For this portion of our tour, we are based at the Hotel Villa Bisceglie, on the outskirts of the seaside town of the same name. The Romans called the place Vigiliae, from the watchtowers that were used there in guarding the coast. The Hotel Villa Bisceglie is a contemporary four-star establishment situated a short walk from the sea. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, hairdryer, mini bar and free Wi-Fi. There is a swimming pool (seasonal opening May-Sep) and a spa and wellness centre.

For the final part of our tour, we move north and closer to the coast, so we are better placed for our remaining site visits of the tour. Puglia is a large region quite unlike the rest of Italy, characterised by a wild rocky plateau, dramatic coastline and vast plains dotted with olive trees. It was a cross cultural bridge between east and west attracting new settlers whose influence has been absorbed and adapted to this particular terrain.

For this portion of our tour, we are based at the Hotel Villa Bisceglie, on the outskirts of the seaside town of the same name. The Romans called the place Vigiliae, from the watchtowers that were used there in guarding the coast. The Hotel Villa Bisceglie is a contemporary four-star establishment situated a short walk from the sea. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, hairdryer, mini bar and free Wi-Fi. There is a swimming pool (seasonal opening May-Sep) and a spa and wellness centre.

For the final part of our tour, we move north and closer to the coast, so we are better placed for our remaining site visits of the tour. Puglia is a large region quite unlike the rest of Italy, characterised by a wild rocky plateau, dramatic coastline and vast plains dotted with olive trees. It was a cross cultural bridge between east and west attracting new settlers whose influence has been absorbed and adapted to this particular terrain.

For this portion of our tour, we are based at the Hotel Villa Bisceglie, on the outskirts of the seaside town of the same name. The Romans called the place Vigiliae, from the watchtowers that were used there in guarding the coast. The Hotel Villa Bisceglie is a contemporary four-star establishment situated a short walk from the sea. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, hairdryer, mini bar and free Wi-Fi. There is a swimming pool (seasonal opening May-Sep) and a spa and wellness centre.