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27.06.2022
Private tour 
Discovery
Jewish Puglia Tour
Murge, Itria Valley & Salento - PugliaDifficulty path:Easy
Private tour · DiscoveryDuration: 8 daysCode: cg003
departure on request
Highlights
The tour is inspired by the movie “Reborn in Puglia”, a documentary about the passage of Jewish refugees in Puglia.
We organized this tour thanks to the help of Fabrizio Lelli, Associate Professor of Hebrew Language and Literature at the University of Salento.
The tour program is a combination of the Medieval Jewish history of Puglia with the recent Shoah history told in “Reborn in Puglia”.
We organized this tour thanks to the help of Fabrizio Lelli, Associate Professor of Hebrew Language and Literature at the University of Salento.
The tour program is a combination of the Medieval Jewish history of Puglia with the recent Shoah history told in “Reborn in Puglia”.
PRIVATE TOUR:
choose your date and travel with your own group, always accompanied by one expert local tour leader.
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here the English version trailer
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The Unesco sites of Castel del Monte and Alberobello
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The Museum of Memories in Santa Maria al Bagno
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Pretty villages in Puglia
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Overnights among Trulli, ancient palaces and elegant cities
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Tasting of Kosher wines
Program
Day1
Trani
Arrival at Bari airport and meeting with the local guide, specialized in history of the Jewish Puglia.
Private transfer to Trani and guided visit of this slow town and Pearl of the Adriatic sea, especially known for its beautiful Cathedral by the sea, built in Romanesque Apulian style. An interesting walk in the old city and its Giudecca, will reveal the multicultural aspect of Trani, still preserving the ancient 12th century synagogue. The visit also includes the Jewish Museum.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day2
Visit of Castel del Monte and Alberobello
After breakfast, private transfer to the Unesco site of Castel del Monte.
Impressive and majestic, it is the medieval castle with a mysterious octagonal plan around which many legends are murmured; perhaps used as an astronomical observatory, a secular temple, or as massive hunting manor wanted by Frederick II of Swabia, known as the "Stupor Mundi".
After the visit, transfer to Alberobello, for a guided walk in the oldest part of the city: the characteristic "Trulli" village, also a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Overnight in the fairytale trulli.
Day3
Discover Lecce, baroque city
In the third morning of the Jewish Puglia tour, awakening among the trulli and private transfer to Lecce.
Guided tour to discover the places of the Jewish Lecce. The walk follows the traces of the existence of (at least) a synagogue near the central Piazza Sant'Oronzo, at today's Via della Sinagoga, and the so-called "te li pili bianchi" district in reference to the white beards of Jewish men. The visit includes the Jewish Museum.
In the late afternoon, free time to discover the wonders of the "Baroque Lecce".
Overnight in Lecce.
Day4
To Santa Maria al Bagno, Gallipoli and Nardò
In the last years of World War II, many Jewish refugees arrived in the transit camps set up in St. Maria al Bagno, St. Maria di Leuca and St. Cesarea Terme. While waiting for the diaspora to end in Palestine, they escaped Nazi extermination and persecution. In S. Maria al Bagno at Villa Saetta was established the residence of emigrants and at Villa Personè the "Jewish municipality". The Villas Fonte and Falco were equipped for the canteen and for the school of education. The Synagogue was placed in a house in the square of the village. The refugees were housed in holiday homes, as well as by residents of S. Maria al Bagno and S. Caterina: here the access to the coast was even blocked for defense purposes. About 2600 refugees are reported in 1946 to a number of 4000, until May 5, 1948, the British Mandate in Palestine ended and, in agreement with UN General Assembly resolutions, the birth of the State of Israel was declared.
The story told by YAEL KATZIR about those days stems from the memories of three women of Tel Aviv: Shuni, Ester and Rivka, who decide to return together in the places where they were born refugees, in that "Transit Community".
On this day of the Jewish Puglia Tour, the streets and places that the movie "Reborn in Puglia" has so well documented will be retraced: Nardò, Santa Maria al Bagno and its Museum of Memories, Santa Caterina, and Gallipoli.
Overnight in Lecce.
Day5
Galatina, Otranto and Santa Cesarea Terme
After breakfast transfer to Galatina.
The Franciscan Pietro Colonna, called the Galatino, was born around 1460 in this village. He was a distinguished scholar of Hebraism, Talmud and Cabbalah. The Jewish roots of Galatina are lost over the centuries, and in this town there are unquenchable signs of them. Visit of the Jewish Galatina, including the incredible Basilica of S. Caterina.
In the afternoon, transfer to Otranto via Santa Cesarea Terme, where some writings testify to the reception of refugees during the Second World War. The Jewish community in Otranto flourished in the Middle Ages, and was known all over the Mediterranean; from here the saying "from Bari the Law will come out and from Otranto the word of the Lord." Here there was the most important Puglia Jewish scriptorium of legal texts for academies.
Visit of the city with particular reference to Jewish testimonies and later, transfer to Vignacastrisi, to stay in an ancient noble palace.
Day6
Tricase Port, Santa Maria di Leuca and Specchia
The Jewish Puglia Tour continues with a day entirely dedicated to visiting the places mentioned in the movie "Reborn in Puglia".
Private transfer to Tricase and then Santa Maria di Leuca, the Finibus Terrae: on the promontory, now home to a sanctuary, the pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva once stood. In the afternoon a boat trip to discover the extraordinary sea caves of the Cape of Leuca.
The afternoon will end with a visit to Specchia, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Another night in Vignacastrisi.
Day7
Leuci Winery, Manduria and the white Ostuni
After breakfast, departure towards Manduria, known for its full-bodied Primitivo wine.
In this small town of Salento there was an ancient Jewish quarter, initially integrated into the local living structure. Manduria also had its Synagogue: it became a manor house in the 17th century and today you can admire the characteristic portal with 14 floral decorative elements, and a mask in the centre, perhaps of propitiatory value.
Visit and tasting of kosher wines at the Leuci Winery in Guagnano.
After lunch, transfer to Ostuni, the "White City", and overnight.
Day8
Return from Bari
Last day of your Puglia Jewish Tour: transfer to Bari airport for the return flight.
If there is time, we can plan a stop in an old farmhouse with an attached peasant museum, where you can walk in one of the oldest olive groves in the area and taste extra virgin olive oil.
Tour programme variations
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.
What's included
Our offer includes
- 7 nights with breakfast in shared room
- Transfer IN and Transfer OUT
- Scheduled private transfers
- English Speaking locale guide during excursions
- Welcome briefing and dinner, Day 1
- Visit of a kosher winery, Day 7
- Olive oil tasting and guided visit, Day 8
- Hotel tourist taxes
Not included
- Other meals and drinks
- Insurance and what's not listed as “Included”
Departures and prices
Departures every day on request01/01/2025 => 31/12/2025
Other Information
Accomodations & Meals
This tour offers accommodation in charming B&B and 4* hotel.
All rooms are ensuite.
- 1 night in Trani
- 1 night in Alberobello
- 2 nights in Lecce
- 2 nights in Vignacastrisi
- 1 night in Ostuni
7 breakfasts and 1 dinner included.
Private Tour
Holiday designed for small prearranged groups of friends, families and colleagues. The presence of an expert local guide is guaranteed during the scheduled excursions.
→ Departures every day on request.
Choose your departure date, who you are going with and ask us for a personalised quote!
Price per Person
The price varies according to the services requested and the number of people.
Support
On the day of your arrival you will receive a Welcome briefing from one of our local guides.
You will be followed for the duration of your trip by guides specialized in history of the Jewish Puglia. Sharing with you the love of travel and history and a great knowledge of the territory, you will live an authentic holiday full of fun and relax.
Anytime, our staff will be available to make your holiday quiet and serene.
Arrival and Departure
Getting there
→ Upon your arrival, a private transfer from Bari airport to Trani is provided.
A transfer from Ostuni to Bari is also provided for the return.
Bari Palese airport is connected with the most important Italian and foreign cities by the main airlines and the low cost ones.
It is well connected with many flights, to the city centre by Metro and train approximately every 20 minutes. More info on the website Aeroporti di Puglia.