Puglia & Basilicata: Lecce, Alberobello & Matera

• Currency: Euro
• Flight time: Approx. 2 hrs 30 mins to 2 hrs 55 mins
• Language: Italian
• Time zone: GMT+1
• Country: Italy

Some people find that the food on offer in hotels is different than what they’re used to back at home, so we thought we’d put together some guidance to help you know what to expect. We say it’s the perfect excuse to really embrace the Italian way of life!

Breakfast

Many hotels offer a limited choice of hot breakfast items, but breakfast is usually Continental style, with bread roll, jams, cheese, cold meats, cereal and sweet pastries, and juice, coffee and tea available.

Evening meals

Where evening meals are provided in hotels on our tours, you can usually expect three courses with a choice of two or three dishes per course:

• First course – may be local pasta dish or soup
• Main course - usually meat or fish course with salad or one or two vegetables
• Dessert – fresh fruit, a local cake/desert or ice cream

Hotels will try to accommodate dietary requirements, however you need to advise of any at the time of booking.

Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, and choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant.

Note: At some hotels we may be asked to choose your menu the evening before or at breakfast on the day of - this helps the hotel to give a more efficient experience 

A la carte options at some hotels

Some hotels have the possibility of upgrading to an a la carte menu. If this were an option, you would be advised of this in resort and pay for this locally and receive a credit towards it. However this is specific to only some hotels, and also at their discretion.

Difference in cooking styles

Some dishes are served cooler in Italy than you might expect – this is done intentionally as it’s thought to preserve the delicate flavours of each ingredient than if it was piping hot. Don’t worry – it’s still fresh and thoroughly cooked!

Some of your favourite Italian dishes have regional differences in Italy, and may be different to how you’d find them at home. Again, we say this is the perfect way to experience authentic Italian cuisine and to celebrate the nuances of different regions.

Irish Citizens do not require a visa to enter Europe however must have a valid passport.

For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/  

We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.

The deposit for this holiday is €250pp. The remaining balance is due a minimum of 90 days before departure.