Andria

Small group activities

At the slow pace of the roads of the southern heel of the Italian boot, we will get to know places otherwise difficult to reach independently. You will have the chance to visit ancient towns, seaside resorts, and historical sites in Puglia and Basilicata. Our trips will be opportunities to learn about local culture in a friendly and informal environment. We'll travel backroads to destinations showcasing nature alongside human handiwork. You'll have a friend at your side to immerse you in the customs and traditions of the cities you visit. Select amongst various itineraries. Frequently requested trips include: 1) Bari - Polignano - Alberobello - Matera - Bari (200 km) 2) Bari - Alberobello - Locorotondo - Cisternino - Ostuni - Bari (190 km) 3) Bari - Polignano - Alberobello - Locorotondo - Monopoli - Bari (170 km) 4) Bari - Altamura - Gravina - Matera - Bari (150 km) 5) Bari - Giovinazzo - Castel del Monte - Trani - Bari (150 km) World Heritage Unesco sites: Alberobello: on the way to the ''trulli'' capital is Polignano, famous for its cliffs, home of the Diving World Championship, on the Adriatic coast. Locorotondo and other small towns of the Itria Valley can be visited driving old roads filled with ancient monumental olive trees. Matera: on the way to this amazing town we could stop in Gravina in Puglia and Altamura, homelands of some of the most delicious food in the region. Castel del Monte: suggested stops at Giovinazzo and Trani, with their wonderful cathedrals. Drive through picturesque rocky and coastal scenery.

Begin your journey at Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its unique octagonal design and eclectic mix of Gothic, classical, and Arab architectural styles. This iconic structure was envisioned by Emperor Frederick II and stands as a testament to his enlightened rule and diverse cultural influences. Explore the castle’s interior and its surroundings, where the strategic placement and altitude provide panoramic views of the Apulian landscape. Unlike typical medieval castles, Castel del Monte lacks fortifications like moats and drawbridges, emphasizing its role as a place of power and representation rather than a military fortress. Conclude your visit with a deeper understanding of why this site was chosen for imperial gatherings and administrative purposes. The tour ends at the castle, allowing you to continue exploring the area or return at your leisure.

Are you in Trani and want to reach the most visited monument in Puglia and you don't have a car? Do you want to understand something more about the meaning that Castel del Monte hides behind it? Do you want to discover this beauty in a single day but don't want to waste time traveling? I would say that the solution is just a click away, book our Trani – Castel del Monte organized tour. ⇒ POPULARITY': 10/10 ⇒ THIS TRANI-CASTEL DEL MONTE ORGANIZED TOUR IS FOR who wants to reach Castel del Monte in total comfort in a minivan and with a local driver departing from Trani. If, on the other hand, you are in Bari or Bisceglie, Barletta you can get to Trani by train and join our tour. ⇒ YOU WILL GET EXCITED when, at the top of the octagonal castle, you will notice the Apulian countryside as far as the eye can see. ⇒ DIFFICULTY': Low ⇒ TIME: 3 hours ⇒ DEPARTURES: Every day for the private formula. Every Monday at 10.00 for the sharing formula (all year round, see calendar) ⇒ MEETING POINT: Piazza Re Manfredi, Trani (next to the entrance to the Swabian Castle) ⇒ LANGUAGES: multilingual tour in Italian, English, Spanish ⇒ GUARANTEED: Max 8 people ⇒ TO PUT IN THE BACKPACK phone and camera because we assure you that you will start taking pictures non-stop. For the warmer months bring a hat and water because the sun beats down. ⇒ WE GUARANTEE YOU many emotions for the discovery thanks to our local guide of a known, ancient and enigmatic monument. If you need more info contact us on Whatsapp. FROM TRANI TO CASTEL DEL MONTE IN BRIEF Leave with a comfortable minivan from Trani (round trip) Visit Castel del Monte with our tour guide Share the experience with others (sharing) Choose the PRIVATE formula if you want the experience all to yourself You will meet your tour guide in Trani in front of the castle and depart in direction Castel del Monte. Guided tour inside where -always with our guide- you can discover the characteristics and curiosities of the grandiose octagonal castle. ⇒ CHOOSE THE FORMULA YOU PREFER: PRIVATE if you, your family or your friends prefer an exclusive and tailor-made service; SHARING this option is the best and most convenient for you if you are alone, as a couple or with less than 4 people and it is not a problem to have a non-exclusive service but together with our other customers. Trani Castel del Monte Tour 1 day [private formula] Every day departure at 10.00 am – Return at 13.00 pm ⇒ €650 per group of up to 8 people Trani Castel del Monte 1 day [sharing formula] Every Monday departure at 10.00 – Return at 13.00 ⇒ 90 € per person

Go on a journey through the history of Puglia on a 1.5-hour guided tour of Castel del Monte in the hills of Andria and discover a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meet your guide at the castle entrance, 36 miles (60 kilometers) from Bari. Explore the castle grounds and walk around the outside of the mountain fortress while your guide describes its history. It was first recorded as the Castellum Del Monte in 1223, and built by the humanist Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. A unique piece of medieval military architecture, Frederick imbued the castle with symbolic significance, defined by the laws of math and astronomy. Soaring 1,770 feet (540 meters) above sea level, in the heart of the Alta Murgia National Park, you will get panoramic views of the surrounding area, from the Gargano promontory up to the ancient province of Lucania. Discover impressive structural elements that follow the repetition of the number 8, from the castle’s basic octagonal shape, to the 8 trapezoid rooms, 8 towers, and 44 steps of the spiral stairs. Admire the harmonious blend of Romanesque and Gothic influences, together with important contributions from Islamic art.

- Immerse yourself with a walk among the Barletta’s country side olive trees, located in the heart of the Apulia region. - First the host will talk and explain the amazing nature of those ancient olive trees, and how they proceed to the harvest time. - Then you will take a guided tour in the innovative Vallarella Oil Mill built in 2020, with its unique Industry 4.0, discover all the different stages from the production, through extraction and bottling. - Discover the meaning of real cold extraction oil and become an oil miller/master maker for a day, give voice to your senses (sight, smell and taste) by following directions that the host will advise you to proceed to tasting. - Taste 2 types of award-winning extra virgin olive oils and a balsamic vinegar accompanied by bruschettas, taralli, local olives and 1 glass of wine of our production in our special tasting room.

Embark on an unforgettable journey starting from vibrant San Giovanni Rotondo! Our delightful driver is all set to whisk you away to the enchanting town of Monte Sant'Angelo in a cozy car or van. After an exciting guided tour, get ready for a smooth ride back to San Giovanni Rotondo with our friendly driver. The guided tour of Monte Sant’Angelo will concentrate mainly in the historic center, the castle and the sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, which in 2011 became a Unesco World Heritage Site with the Longobardian routes in Puglia. The visit starts from the castle (outside), originally a Byzantine castle built before the year 1000, was later flanked by a tower, the so-called Tower of the Giants, characterized by a height of 18 meters and a wall thickness of 3 meters and expanded by the Normans, Swabians and Aragonese. You can visit the various rooms including the treasure room and the impressive walkways on the walls with a panoramic view of the entire city and the Gargano. After the castle you will come to the outside of the sanctuary of Saint Michael where you will admire the imposing octagonal tower built by Charles I of Anjou on the model of Castel del Monte. The visit will continue inside the cave where the Saint Michael the Archangel is venerated from the fifth century. The lower level, therefore, includes the cave, which is accessed directly from the Angevin staircase, the devotional museum and the crypts. Going down the Angevin stairway until you get to the “terrestrial home” cave of the Saint Michael, you will perceive a sense of spirituality and mysticism difficult to explain. On the main altar you can admire the statue of Saint Michael the Archangel, in Carrara marble, which holds with your right hand a sword which symbolizes the power over evil that comes from God. Inside the cave, inside the statue of the Saint, there is the episcopal chair and the statue of San Sebastiano. The crypts are located in the Lombard age and served as an entrance to the cave, are rich in inscriptions along the walls that bear witness to the considerable influx of pilgrims from all over Europe since the Lombard era. Also in 1216 Saint Francis of Assisi spent a visit to Saint Michael the Archangel, but not feeling worthy to enter the cave, he stopped in prayer and recollection at the entrance, repeatedly kissing the earth and engraving on a stone the sign of the cross in shape of “T” (Tau), a sign that is still visible and revered as a relic of the passage of the Saint of Assisi in the Celestial and angelic Basilica. The tour ends with a visit to the museum and to the lapidarium inside the basilica. And fear not, our driver will ensure your journey back to San Giovanni Rotondo is not just a ride but a comfortable and engaging experience, making your entire adventure truly memorable!

Discover the most significant medieval monument in southern Italy on a 1-hour guided tour of Castel del Monte. Situated in Andria in the Puglia region, the citadel and castle is a national treasure and beauty to behold. Built on top of a hill with commanding views of the Puglia region, Castel del Monte is the most important building built by the Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen of Swabia. Explore the monument’s myths and legends, including the meaning of the number 8. After years of neglect, when the castle was stripped of its furniture and marble decorations to become a refuge for shepherds, brigands and political refugees, Castel del Monte was bought and restored by the Italian state in 1876. Almost a century later, it was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site for the perfection of its shape and harmonious union of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Islamic world, and classical antiquity. Explore the castle’s façades and interior, and learn the historical context in which it was built.

Explore the archaeological ruins of Cannae, in the ancient village of Canne della Battaglia. See the site of the Battle of Cannae where the Roman army suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of Hannibal and his army. Start at the museum "Antiquarium." See Roman and Medieval findings, such as amphorae, armor made of iron, bronze and pottery of geometric designs from pre-Roman populations (dauno-peucezi). Marvel at objects dating back to the 3rd and 4th century BC and excavated from the tombs and necropolis of Cannae. Your guide will explain the secrets of the site of the Battle of Cannae, including how Hannibal defeated the Roman army. Then visit the archaeological excavations, starting from the castle and moving on to the main church.

⇒ POPULARITY': 10/10 ⇒ THIS TOUR ORGANIZED FROM BARI TO CASTEL DEL MONTE IS FOR those who want to spend a day discovering this beautiful destination with history and enchanting but not tiring walks. ⇒ YOU WILL GET EXCITED when, at the top of the octagonal castle, you will notice the Apulian countryside as far as the eye can see. ⇒ DIFFICULTY': Low ⇒ TIME: 4 hours ⇒ DEPARTURES: Every day for the private formula. Every Monday at 09.00 for the sharing formula (all year round, see calendar) ⇒ MEETING POINT: Petruzzelli Theater, Bari ⇒ LANGUAGES: multilingual tour in Italian, English, Spanish ⇒ GUARANTEED: Max 8 people ⇒ TO PUT IN THE BACKPACK: the desire to discover and learn. Phone and camera. For the warmer months, bring a hat and water because the sun beats down. ⇒ WE GUARANTEE YOU many emotions and discoveries thanks to our expert local guide. ORGANIZED TOUR FROM BARI TO TRANI TO CASTEL DEL MONTE IN BRIEF Leave with a comfortable minivan from Bari (round trip) Visit Castel del Monte with our tour guide entry tickets Share the experience with others or choose exclusivity. You will meet your minivan in front of the Petruzzelli Theater, Bari. Guided tour of Castel del Monte inside where - always with our guide - you can discover the characteristics and curiosities of the grandiose octagonal castle. ⇒ CHOOSE THE FORMULA YOU PREFER: PRIVATE if you, your family or your friends prefer an exclusive and tailor-made service; SHARING this option is the best and most convenient for you if you are alone, as a couple or with less than 4 people and it is not a problem to have a non-exclusive service but together with our other customers. From Bari to Castel del Monte Tour 1 day [private formula] Every day with departure at 9.00 am – Return at 13.00 pm ⇒ €1000 group of up to 8 people For larger groups send us a specific request to info@turistinpuglia.it From Bari to Castel del Monte 1 day [sharing formula] Departure every Monday at 09.00 – Return at 13.00 ⇒ €145 per person

Hi everyone, welcome to Puglia! My name is Yurie from Masseria Torre Grande. I'm an olive oil sommelier and produce organic olive oil here. In this tour, you can have experiences of; -Walk through our 100 year olive groves. -Learn olive farming/harvesting/how oil is made. -Taste prize winning extra virgin olive oil with some bread (mini tasting lesson) -Mini food pairing with olive oil Meeting point -Azienda Agricola Torre Grande, Andria (Please type in google map as it's written) The tour lasts about 2 hour. We will go to our olive grove which is situated about 500m away from masseria. Over there, we will explain you about olive culture, harvest, different varieties etc. When we come back to masseria, we will have olive oil tasting, followed by mini food pairing/aperitivo. Please note that the farm soil can be muddy after the rain, so please bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Depends on the season, you can see olive flowers, olive harvest, and pruning!