Brindisi Shore Excursions
Below is a small sample of the shore excursions available to you in Brindisi, Italy.
Contact Susan Bluhm for details or specialty tours.
Lecce: Florence of the South
Lecce, city of historical and architectural treasures, aptly calls itself the "the Florence of South Italy." It is like an open-air museum with an abundance of churches and noble palaces, made more elegant and refined by the unique and sumptuous decorations carved out of Leccese stone. This particular stone is known for its sun-kissed color, evocative of clover honey. Lecce is set in the very heart of the Salento region—the heel of Italy’s boot. Lecce was founded by a pre-roman population, the Messapii, in the 5th century BC, and grew in importance after the Roman conquest in the 3rd century BC. At Piazza St Oronzo you’ll see the Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd century AD. It once held up to 20,000 spectators. Close by is the Roman column that marked the end of the Appian Way. Walk through the city center with your guide to discover a remarkable architectural style known as Leccese Baroque. From the 16th to the 18th century, Lecce flourished under a period of great splendor and was duly embellished with Rococo and Baroque monuments. The local fine-grained limestone was particularly easy to work, making the creation of decorative relief and delicate detail relatively easy. You will visit the Santa Croce Basilica, which is sumptuously decorated and represents the triumph of Baroque art in Lecce. Nearby, admire the impressive façade of the Governor’s Palace (the former monastery of the Celestine monks). Visit one of the finest and most impressive squares in southern Italy—Piazza Duomo. Explore the elegant streets of Lecce adjacent to the square and you will discover that the typical local crafts of the town, such as papier-mâché or Leccese stone items, are traditional art forms here. The objects created in the artisans’ workshops are crafted according to ancient traditions handed down from generation to generation. Next, you will visit one of the most elegant palaces of Lecce, which will open its doors exclusively for you. The stunning Palazzo Tamborino was originally built in the 15th century and hides one of the most beautiful secret gardens of Lecce. Its walled, circular structure hides a lush bamboo forest behind the imposing front door of the palazzo. Enter the palazzo, and the airy neo-Classical columned atrium leads you to the centuries-old garden gate. The owner will share interesting stories and anecdotes about his family and the palazzo, including the macabre story of the Prince of Colle d’Anchise who murdered his wife, Lady Beatrice, here in 1636. Take a guided tour of the palace; then you will enjoy a light lunch of typical local fare while you relax in the refined and elegant atmosphere of Palazzo Tamborino.
Private Car – Full Day
Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person), so only one person in the party need to order the vehicle.
Explore at your own pace with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service. This exclusive tour is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests, and take in the sights at your own pace. See the famous sights, or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.
Private touring is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.
Capacity: 2, 6 or up to 12 guests
Private Car – Half Day
Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person), so only one person in the party need to order the vehicle.
Explore at your own pace with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service. This exclusive tour is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests, and take in the sights at your own pace. See the famous sights, or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.
Private touring is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.
Capacity: 2, 6 or up to 12 guests
The Trullo Houses of Alberobello
Alberobello—nothing less than a fairytale village—will bewitch you with its intriguing charm. This community is famous all over the world for its unique cone-shaped buildings with whitewashed walls and stone roofs, all built without mortar. The village of Alberobello was founded in the 16th century. The feudal landlords at that time belonged to the Acquaviva family—the Earls of Conversano. The local peasants built circular houses on the land without using mortar (this kind of building is called a trullo), simply by using the stones that they found on the soil or in caves. An early form of tax evasion was invented by the landlords here—a response to the high taxation imposed by the king. When inspection time rolled around, the peasants simply knocked down their houses. In 1797 the peasants asked King Ferdinand IV (a Bourbon) to declare Alberobelloa a free village, so their remarkable buildings remained intact. Alberobelloa is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known all over the world as the trulli capital. Your guided tour starts at Terrazzino Belvedere situated in Aia Piccola, which boasts more than 400 trullis. Visit the Old Town (called Rione Monti), which is comprised of 1,030 trullis. The majority of these are still used as private houses. End your walking tour at the Church of Saint Anthony—a trullo church with a façade of three wings adorned with a rose window and two round windows. The roof of the church is cone-shaped and measures 64 feet tall. In the narrow streets of Alberobello you can admire workshops with artisans at work. You’ll have a chance to step inside a typical trullo house to see the architectural style and structure, and learn how people used to live in these unique buildings.
The White Lady of Ostuni & Olive Oil Tasting
Reminiscent of a Greek village, yet firmly within the borders of Italy, the village of Ostuni (known locally as the White Lady) is built on three hills and is famous for its almost blindingly bright whitewashed houses. A one-hour motor coach ride brings you to Ostuni. Once there, you will walk through the narrow streets and visit a beautiful example of Apulian Romanesque-style architecture—the impressive cathedral. Take in the stunning view of the Adriatic coast and centuries-old olive trees that separate the town and the sea. Your walking tour within the old city center begins at the ancient walls—a fabulous panoramic photo opportunity. Follow the walls to the Old Town’s Piazza della Libertà where the Town Hall and the column dedicated to Sant' Oronzo stand. Explore the medieval part of the city with its narrow side streets and whitewashed buildings; then you will reach the Cathedral of Assunta built in Romanesque-Gothic style (1495). Step inside and enjoy the cool of this charming monument to parochial life. At the end of your visit you will have some free time for shopping. Leaving Ostuni your coach continues to Cisternino. Here you’ll visit a modern oil press and enjoy an olive oil tasting session. See and learn how olive oil is produced using modern technology as you visit the tasting room inside one of the trullis (cone-shaped buildings). These unusual buildings date back to the 17th century. Five types of oil are offered along with bread, friselline (traditional Apulian bakery products), olives and cherry tomatoes.
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