Puglia Tour (Italy with Pleasure) HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDLet’s start off with the features of…
Let’s start off with the features of group touring which are universally disliked. 1. Packed coaches, with socially conflicting, seat rotation protocols. 2. The endless unpacking and repacking of your luggage as you travel between locations. 3. The early rushed breakfasts and toiletry routine before departure. 4. The one hour lunch stops in an unknown town, during which time you have to find a place to eat and find your way back to the pick up point. 5. The group crawl through streets packed with tourists, whilst you desperately try to hear the voice of your distant guide.
So let’s see how our recent “Puglia Tour” with “Italy with Pleasure” measures up against these negatives. 1. The company claim to have a tour group size limit of 14, we had 6 couples, hence 12. The tour van was very comfortable with lots of spare seating for added comfort (PLUS-1). 2. We were based in the same hotel for duration of the 6-night tour. The Hotel Primo Ostuni, a very modern hotel on the edge of the old Ostuni town, and impossible to fault in terms of room, facilities and breakfasts. (PLUS-2). 3. The day trips started at the civilised time of 8.45 - 9.00. Travel times to the visited tourist spots varied between 1-2 hours (one way) and weren’t particularly onerous. (PLUS-3). 4. The tour could also have been called “The Gourmet Tour of Puglia”, with several 2-hour lunch stops or evening meals, with copious wine to soothe the weary traveller. All inclusive to add to the pleasure. Daily treats from the guide to sample the local delicacies. (PLUS-4) 5. The World’s middle class is increasing in size and many can now afford to see the rest of the World, so crowded streets and queues are now inevitable.
So in summary, our guide Mattia was excellent, the accomodation was faultless, the group size was perfect, the food and wine were excellent, daily travel times were acceptable (the 2-hour trip was a bit long), and the less said about the tourist crowds the better! A reasonable tour cost according to my travel director (my wife.) So HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.