GRJ All Inclusive Southern Puglia: Lecce & Alberobello

With all of southern Puglia's romantic scenery and undiscovered charms ahead, your Italian holiday begins this morning at London Heathrow. As you arrive, meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travellers, and together, board the flight to Brindisi Airport*, your gateway to Salento.

As we arrive this afternoon, a coach transfer takes us deep into the region's rural landscapes to our elegant base for the next week, Relais Masseria Le Cesine. Built on the site of an ancient farm, with a messeria dating back centuries, the grounds are awash in natural beauty and offer a peaceful retreat with an Apulian touch.

Take some time to get checked into your room and familiarise yourself with the on-site amenities, and then, we sit down to our first dinner together, with a drinks package included.

*Please note: select departures will instead fly into Bari Airport based on scheduling and availability.

• Dinner
• Drinks package from 10am-10pm

Heading to Italy's easternmost city after breakfast this morning, we can get acquainted with the endless appeals of Otranto. This fortified town sits on the Adriatic coast, with thick walls surrounding its whitewashed buildings and an imposing castle overlooking it all.

Arriving in its historic centre, we set out on a guided tour, uncovering Otranto's most enchanting views and enthralling points of interest. We enjoy entrance to its stunning cathedral, consecrated in 1088, and have a chance to admire its 12th-century mosaic floor before continuing our excursion.

We return to our hotel in time for lunch, and then the remainder of the day is yours to spend as you please. You might like to relax beside the pool with a drink in hand - included from 10am to 10pm daily - and plenty of complimentary sweet and savoury snacks throughout the day, before rejoining the group for dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks package from 10am-10pm

With a full day at leisure stretching ahead, today is the perfect chance to rejuvenate the spirit and unwind in this stunning corner of the world. You could enjoy a calm day lounging by the expansive pool or book a treatment in the wellness centre.

Olive groves decorate the resort's grounds, and you might like to wander along the walking trail, shaded by their leaves and soak up the sights and sounds of nature. For an even more impressive look at nature, you could take the resort's shuttle to Relais Masseria Le Cesine's private beach for a day of sun and sand. In addition to boasting umbrellas, sun loungers and plenty of pristine water access, the beach has an all-inclusive bar that you can enjoy seaside.

However you choose to spend your day, dinner is served at the hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks package from 10am-10pm

Travelling by coach this morning, we head towards Lecce, a city renowned for its Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings and attractive squares. On arrival, a guided tour reveals the elaborate architecture and winding alleys that have given this beautiful city the moniker the 'Florence of the South'.

Our guide leads us to the main square, Piazza del Duomo, which sits in the shadow of Lecce's cathedral and bell tower. We have admission to the cathedral, which dates to the 17th century and is a masterpiece of details. After seeing Lecce's main attractions, we continue to a traditional café, where we sample a Leccese coffee, made with almond milk and poured over ice, and a 'pasticciotto' - a Puglian pastry filled with custard or ricotta.

From this point, you are free to continue exploring the city at your own pace, perhaps enjoying your picnic lunch, provided by the hotel, in one of the piazzas or getting a better look at the Roman amphitheatre. We return to our resort at the end of the afternoon, arriving in time for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks package from 10am-10pm

Setting out after breakfast, we uncover a hidden gem of southern Puglia, Galatina. This town is quaint and walkable, with plenty of history and pretty stone buildings to pique your interest as you explore independently. Use your free time to wander the cobbled streets or see the frescoed ceilings of Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Allessandria.

Rejoining our coach, we continue to a nearby winery, where we enjoy a tasting of the region's wines. With varietals including primitivo and negroamaro, amongst others, this is a fantastic way to get another taste of this part of the world.

We return to our resort following the tasting, and you might like to spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool, soaking up the serene atmosphere on the grounds or private beach, and having dinner with the group this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks package from 10am-10pm

A journey into the northern Puglia region lies ahead today, as after breakfast, we make our way to the town of Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO-listed limestone 'trulli' houses. As our route ventures north, we make several detours to further uncover the cultural allure of this part of Italy.

First, we stop at Il Frantolio Olive Oil Mill, which has been in operation for nearly 80 years. Here, we learn more about the oil-making process and taste some of the fruits of their labour. Continuing, we reach Locorotondo, where you have free time to look around and enjoy your picnic lunch.

We arrive in Alberobello early this afternoon and have a chance to explore the cone-shaped 'trulli' homes, which date to the 14th century and are one of Puglia's most emblematic features. A guide joins us in exploring, recounting the history of the unique structures and inviting us to admire the whitewashed stone houses, which spread out towards the surrounding hillsides.

Dinner and drinks are served back at our resort this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks package from 10am-10pm

Our day begins with a relaxed breakfast at the resort before we embark on the final excursion of our holiday: a trip to the charming fishing town of Gallipoli, ideally situated along the Ionian sea.

As our coach arrives, we are introduced to its offerings on a two-hour guided tour. See Gallipoli's ancient walls and unique historic centre, which sits on an island linked to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge. With free time following the tour, you could continue exploring its cobbled streets at your own pace or take a stroll along the seafront, admiring the beautiful scenery, before we return to the hotel in time for lunch.

Spend the remainder of your day soaking up the rural serenity of our resort hotel ahead of our final dinner together this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks package from 10am-10pm

Our stunning resort hotel has made the perfect base for unveiling the lesser-discovered Salento region over the past week. This part of Italy is distinct in its offerings and its terrain, creating a new chance to explore each day.

We have seen the contrasts of bigger cities like Lecce and small fishing villages, including Gallipoli. Our journey has shown us the iconic conical homes of Alberobello and both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. Complete with wine and olive oil tastings at local facilities and delicious meals each day, this has been a memorable way to experience Puglia.

Our holiday draws to a close with breakfast this morning. Afterwards, a coach transfer takes us to the airport for our flight back to London Heathrow, where your trip concludes.

• Breakfast