Apulia and Salento

Details

Apulia and Salento is a wonderful gay-friendly journey through one of Italy’s most captivating regions.

Discover the iconic Trulli of the Itria Valley, wander through some of the most beautiful villages in the country, admire elegant Baroque architecture, and enjoy breathtaking beaches along the Salento coastline — the legendary land between two seas.

Let the journey begin.

Apulia and Salento is a wonderful gay-friendly journey through one of Italy’s most captivating regions.

Discover the iconic Trulli of the Itria Valley, wander through some of the most beautiful villages in the country, admire elegant Baroque architecture, and enjoy breathtaking beaches along the Salento coastline — the legendary land between two seas.

Let the journey begin.

Read more

Itinerary

Arrival in Polignano a Mare and check-in at your hotel.

Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy a private transfer to the charming village of Polignano a Mare, famous for its narrow alleys, whitewashed houses and breathtaking sea views.

Walk through the historic centre and discover the spectacular sea caves and grottoes, shaped over time by fresh and salt water.

Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Polignano a Mare.

After breakfast, depart for Alberobello.

Meet your guide and enjoy a walking tour through the famous Trulli district, the UNESCO-listed area of Apulia’s iconic dry-stone houses with cone-shaped roofs. Discover the history of these unique buildings and the traditions that made Alberobello one of the most charming villages in Italy.

Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, continue to the spectacular Castellana Caves, an impressive underground labyrinth of tunnels and chambers. The visit ends with the extraordinary White Cave (Grotta Bianca), often described as one of the brightest and most beautiful caves in the world thanks to its luminous stalactites and calcite formations.

Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

Overnight stay.

After breakfast, transfer to Locorotondo, officially listed among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages.

Meet your guide and enjoy a walking tour of this charming hilltop town, famous for its elegant historic centre and harmonious urban layout. The name itself tells its story: “loco-rotondo” (place-round), referring to the circular shape of the old town.

Stroll through the whitewashed streets and admire the traditional houses with distinctive sloping roofs. In the main square, you will see the Church of San Giorgio Martire, a refined Neoclassical building featuring a relief of Saint George and the dragon on its façade. With its bright stone, quiet atmosphere and architectural gems, Locorotondo is considered one of the true highlights of the Itria Valley.

Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, continue to Ostuni, another famous “White Town” overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Its historic centre is a fascinating maze of narrow streets, small squares and hidden alleyways — the perfect place to wander and get pleasantly lost. The scenery is made even more magical by the presence of ancient olive trees, creating a landscape that feels almost timeless.

Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

Overnight stay.

After breakfast, transfer to Gallipoli and check in at your hotel.

Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, meet your guide for a walk through the historic town, followed by an extra virgin olive oil tasting — one of the most authentic ways to discover Salento’s food culture.

In the evening, enjoy a gourmet dinner featuring the flavours of Southern Apulia. You’ll taste local specialties such as frise (crispy wheat or barley rings traditionally topped with tomatoes, olive oil, oregano and salt), fresh seafood dishes, and iconic pasta like orecchiette (with tomato sauce, pesto, or turnip tops). The experience may also include tajedda, a traditional baked dish with potatoes and mussels.

Overnight in Gallipoli.

Today is dedicated to pure relaxation in Gallipoli, one of the most vibrant seaside destinations in Salento, well known for its LGBTQ+ friendly beaches and nightlife.

Gallipoli is often considered the “gay hotspot” of Salento and attracts both LGBTQ+ travellers and a mixed international crowd, especially in summer.

Spend the day at Punta Pizzo, a protected natural area surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and beautiful white-sand beaches — the perfect setting to unwind, swim and enjoy the sea.

In the evening, experience Gallipoli’s LGBTQ+ scene with a drink at Caffè Bellini, one of the most popular meeting points in town, and then continue the night at Makò, ideal for a stylish aperitif and good company.

Overnight in Gallipoli.

After breakfast, transfer to Lecce, the cultural jewel of Salento.

Meet your guide and enjoy a walking tour of this outstanding Baroque city, famous for its elegant façades, richly decorated churches, and seventeenth-century palaces carved in golden local stone. Lecce’s architectural splendour and refined atmosphere make it one of the most fascinating destinations in Southern Italy.

Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, continue with a visit to the Castle of Lecce and the Papier-mâché Museum (Museo della Cartapesta), dedicated to one of the region’s most traditional and celebrated artistic crafts.

Return to Gallipoli. Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Gallipoli.

After breakfast, depart for Santa Maria di Leuca for a relaxing day by the sea.

Upon arrival at the port, meet your local guide and board for a boat tour along the Ionian coast, discovering some of the area’s most fascinating sea caves and grottoes. During the excursion, there will be time for a swim in a beautiful natural spot, surrounded by crystal-clear water.

Free time for lunch.

The afternoon is at leisure to fully enjoy the sea and the relaxed atmosphere of Southern Apulia.

Return to Gallipoli. Evening at leisure.

Overnight stay.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel.

End of services.

What's Included

Accommodation
Boat tour
Car Rental
Escorted Tours
Oil tasting
Professional gay-friendly guide

What's Excluded

Everything not clearly mentioned on what's Included
Flights
Fuel, extra insurance and motorway fees
Meals
Personal extras
City tax (to be paid on the spot)

Additional Information

  • Please check whether your driving license is valid in Italy or if an International Driving Permit is required.
  • This itinerary is fully customizable and can be adapted to your needs.

The Voice of Our Clients

Eric Hodgson
Eric Hodgson OUTbound Travel
Amazing experience, fantastic guides, great organization. Really unique tours led by incredible professionals. All around amazing experience!
Ian
Ian
My husband and I booked the tour of the “Vatican in a gay light” for one morning during our trip to Rome. Our guide, Dario, was very knowledgeable of the historical significe of the art works as well as many of the anecdotes that provided context. We learned a great deal and truly enjoyed ourselves. This tour is too notch! Thank you.
Matt Berg
Matt Berg
Excellent pre-cruise Quiiky tour in Venice. Great guide who had so much intimate knowledge of Venice. Besides being very handsome he is a local resident for more than 2 decades with so much intimate knowledge that you can’t get from a guidebook. This is my second time using Quiiky for tours and transfers; they’re my first choice in Italy!
Dan & Vince
Dan & Vince
First I would like to thank you and your company and all involved for a wonderful trip. From beginning to end we continued to be amazed by all the wonder service we received from all of you. We had a fabulous time for our anniversary. All the guides were great and all better than we expected. It is hard to pick a best as they were all awesome, that being said, three stand out for being most personable and had a excellent sense of how to move us along our tours. Quiiky gets 5 out of 5 for all other ratings. Yes, we would positively reccommend for anyone considering travel to Italy. AND, Giovanna, you’re the best.
Tony & Joseph
Tony & Joseph
We appreciate Quiiky incredible attention to detail. We didn’t have to worry about a thing. The drivers Quiiky arranged were always early, communicated with us very effectively and even called the hotels to inform them we were en route. The guides were all incredibly knowledgeable, kind, fun, and eager to answer our questions. The hotels were beautiful, spacious, and had lots of great amenities. Staff at each hotel were also immensely helpful. We’re happy to be a reference for anyone. We are grateful for all Quiiky did to listen to our specific requests and create an agenda that was perfect for us.
 John Bindlechner-Wigan
John Bindlechner-Wigan
We adored our Quikky tour of the Vatican with our guide Claudio. We had been a little apprehensive about visiting the Vatican but this tour is the way to go! Claudio had an expert knowledge of the art collection and we enjoyed hearing the "other", more scandalous stories of the private lives of Michelangelo and the popes. We loved our visit to the museums, Sistine Chapel, grotto and St Peters - I recommend joining the queue and adding on the view from the dome of the basilica - well worth the stairs!
Denis Dallaire
Denis Dallaire
The excursion to Capri was great! The headphone system worked really well and the guide Andrea was super nice and fun! He was a really good guide and would not hesitate to have him again. The food and drink offerings were very good. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Richard Hurlbut
Richard Hurlbut
Overall, we were thrilled with our tour with Quiiky. We were particularly pleased with our guides and drivers in Salerno, Rome, Florence and Venice. And given the crowds in some locations, the front-of-line privileges were particularly welcome. Money well spent!...... I would recommend any of the guides to anyone considering a similar tour. It was these private tours, and the guides’ depth of knowledge, that made all the difference.....Again, we had a wonderful time and would definitely use Quiiky again should we return to Italy.
Oliver Broad
Oliver Broad
Thanks for a great alternative tour of the Vatican. Having visited back in 1999 I wanted something a little different to do with my husband who had never visited before. It is great to see Quiiky offering tours with a twist and can most definitely recommend this one for your next visit to Rome.
Greg Brady
Greg Brady
First had a wonderful pre-cruise Quikky tour in Venice. Our guide was super friendly, knowledgeable, and a great deal of fun. Then I went on a tour of the Vatican and our tour guide was incredible. He is an expert on the Vatican and on the pertinent gay history (which turns out to be much more than you might even think). He literally made the Vatican come alive and provided one of the more fascinating tours I have taken anywhere. And the two wonderful owners of Quiiky picked us up and took us on a vehicular tour of Rome. Others got back from Rome complaining of the crowds and the heat... we got back energized, happy, and filled with fascinating information after an afternoon filled with fun and personalized care. Don't make the mistake thinking you will get an equivalent tour from a straight guide/company -- if you are gay, Quiiky is the way to go.
Auston Matta
Auston Matta
I highly recommend Quiiky Travel for any guided visit to Rome or Italy. I was both surprised and entertained by everything GAY I learned about the Vatican on my tour. They are passionate about providing an excellent travel experience and I have no doubt that you would enjoy one of their tours or travel products.
Denis Dallaire
Denis Dallaire
What a wonderful experience to Messina and Taormina. Antonio was a great guide with good knowledge and history-telling. Really enjoyed the history of the museum Cusena. Again the food and drinks on the boat were very good. Thank you so much!
Santiago Stanley
Santiago Stanley
Our excursion to Messina and Taormina today was excellent. Antonio was amazing. Our food experience was on point … starting with the granita and Brioche in Messina and the arancini and cannoli in Taormina!!! The boat trip around the bays was spectacular and the food again!!! Eggplant Parmesan and the sardine dish and olives… Again Antonio was patient , knowledgeable sweet and always on time!! Excellent experience!!!
Adam Martindale
Adam Martindale
We had a fantastic tour of the Vatican with Paolo from Quiiky. Paolo was knowledgeable, personable, fun and really gave us a different insight into the history of art and the gay artists that are part of the Vatican’s history and more! Highly recommended!
Theron Clark Stuart
Theron Clark StuartGroup Traveller
It was easy to schedule our tour. Everything was explained in great detail, so there was no confusion on the day of the excursion. The vans were spotless and comfortable. Our guide for the Colosseum was exceptional in every way. He was cute, knowledgeable, witty, flexible and engaging. We met so wonderful folks and shared a wonderful lunch with the guys from our group. Could not have been happier with Quiiky.
Curtis Korchinsky
Curtis KorchinskyGroup Traveller
Fantastic company to work with. Very easy and simple…..and good value. Will definitely book with them again!
Ron Davis
Ron Davis
BEST TOUR COMPANY YOU COULD WISH FOR! I have done two tours in Rome with this amazing company and both times it was 20-30 people Expert process, memorable tours, top notch experience. We arrived by cruise ship and they handled everything. Regardless of how you arrive you will receive a tour that is personal and you feel like you w learned secrets and things you would never ever have heard or known. I wholeheartedly recommend them.
Bob Kobosky
Bob Kobosky
Highly recommend Quiiky.com for tours/day trips in Italy. They did an AMAZING job on our tours in Palermo and Naples as well as arranging a wonderful beach day for us when we disembark in Civitavecchia before heading to the airport in the late afternoon.
Jackson
Jackson
Attentive to details
We were in Venice for a very short time and I was looking for a tour to maximize our experience. Giovanna, the sales manager, was amazing and found a tour to meet our desires and time frame. The guide met us at the train station and took us on a tour of the city. He was insightful and personable and we enjoyed our time together.
Departure:

Apulia and Salento

From € 2,762

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Destination: Puglia
Inspiration: Adventure

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