Step into a world of stunning beaches, serene farmlands and timeless towns in the southernmost region of Puglia, Salento, on this GRJ All Inclusive holiday

 With all of southern Puglia's romantic scenery and undiscovered charms ahead, your Italian holiday begins this morning at London Heathrow. As you arrive, meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travellers, and together, board the flight to Brindisi Airport*, your gateway to Salento.

As we arrive this afternoon, a coach transfer takes us deep into the region's rural landscapes to our elegant base for the next week, Relais Masseria Le Cesine. Built on the site of an ancient farm, with a messeria dating back centuries, the grounds are awash in natural beauty and offer a peaceful retreat with an Apulian touch. Relax at one of the three swimming pools, unwind in the spa or take a convenient shuttle to the resort's private beach, complete with sunbeds, umbrellas and an all-inclusive bar - perfect for enjoying the region's sun-soaked charm.

Take some time to get checked into your room and familiarise yourself with the on-site amenities and then, we sit down to our first dinner together, with a drinks package included.

*Please note: select departures will instead fly into Bari Airport based on scheduling and availability.

Heading to Italy's easternmost city after breakfast this morning, we can get acquainted with the endless appeals of Otranto. This fortified town sits on the Adriatic coast, with thick walls surrounding its whitewashed buildings and an imposing castle overlooking it all.

Arriving in its historic centre, we set out on a guided tour, uncovering Otranto's most enchanting views and enthralling points of interest. We enjoy entrance to its stunning cathedral, consecrated in 1088, and have a chance to admire its 12th-century mosaic floor before continuing our excursion.

We return to our hotel in time for lunch, and then the remainder of the day is yours to spend as you please. You might like to relax beside the pool with a drink in hand - included from 10am to 10pm daily - and plenty of complimentary sweet and savoury snacks throughout the day, before rejoining the group for dinner this evening.

With a full day at leisure stretching ahead, today is the perfect chance to rejuvenate the spirit and unwind in this stunning corner of the world. You could enjoy a calm day lounging by the expansive pool or book a treatment in the wellness centre.

Olive groves decorate the resort's grounds, and you might like to wander along the walking trail, shaded by their leaves and soak up the sights and sounds of nature. For an even more impressive look at nature, you could take the resort's shuttle to Relais Masseria Le Cesine's private beach for a day of sun and sand. In addition to boasting umbrellas, sun loungers and plenty of pristine water access, the beach has an all-inclusive bar that you can enjoy seaside.

However you choose to spend your day, dinner is served at the hotel this evening.

Travelling by coach this morning, we head towards Lecce, a city renowned for its Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings and attractive squares. On arrival, a guided tour reveals the elaborate architecture and winding alleys that have given this beautiful city the moniker the 'Florence of the South'.

Our guide leads us to the main square, Piazza del Duomo, which sits in the shadow of Lecce's cathedral and bell tower. We have admission to the cathedral, which dates to the 17th century and is a masterpiece of details. After seeing Lecce's main attractions, we continue to a traditional café, where we sample a Leccese coffee, made with almond milk and poured over ice, and a 'pasticciotto' - a Puglian pastry filled with custard or ricotta.

From this point, you are free to continue exploring the city at your own pace, perhaps enjoying your picnic lunch, provided by the hotel, in one of the piazzas or getting a better look at the Roman amphitheatre. We return to our resort at the end of the afternoon, arriving in time for dinner.

Setting out after breakfast, we uncover a hidden gem of southern Puglia, Galatina. This town is quaint and walkable, with plenty of history and pretty stone buildings to pique your interest as you explore independently. Use your free time to wander the cobbled streets or see the frescoed ceilings of Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Allessandria.

Rejoining our coach, we continue to a nearby winery. Dating to 1880, we tour this impressive winery with explanations of the cultivation and production processes, followed by a tasting. With varietals including primitivo and negroamaro, amongst others, this is a fantastic way to get another taste of this part of the world. Along with the wine, we can sample local breads with olive oil and crackers, including taralli and friselline, typical Puglian snacks.

We return to our resort following the tasting, and you might like to spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool, soaking up the serene atmosphere on the grounds or private beach, and having dinner with the group this evening.

A journey into the northern Puglia region lies ahead today, as after breakfast, we make our way to the town of Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO-listed limestone 'trulli' houses. As our route ventures north, we make several detours to further uncover the cultural allure of this part of Italy.

First, we stop at Il Frantolio Olive Oil Mill, which has been in operation for nearly 80 years. Here, we learn more about the oil-making process and taste some of the fruits of their labour. Continuing, we reach Locorotondo, where you have free time to look around and enjoy your picnic lunch.

We arrive in Alberobello early this afternoon and have a chance to explore the cone-shaped 'trulli' homes, which date to the 14th century and are one of Puglia's most emblematic features. A guide joins us in exploring, recounting the history of the unique structures and inviting us to admire the whitewashed stone houses, which spread out towards the surrounding hillsides.

Dinner and drinks are served back at our resort this evening.

Our day begins with a relaxed breakfast at the resort before we embark on the final excursion of our holiday: a trip to the charming fishing town of Gallipoli, ideally situated along the Ionian sea.

As our coach arrives, we are introduced to its offerings on a two-hour guided tour. See Gallipoli's ancient walls and unique historic centre, which sits on an island linked to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge. With free time following the tour, you could continue exploring its cobbled streets at your own pace or take a stroll along the seafront, admiring the beautiful scenery, before we return to the hotel in time for lunch.

Spend the remainder of your day soaking up the rural serenity of our resort hotel ahead of our final dinner together this evening.

Our stunning resort hotel has made the perfect base for unveiling the lesser-discovered Salento region over the past week. This part of Italy is distinct in its offerings and its terrain, creating a new chance to explore each day.

We have seen the contrasts of bigger cities like Lecce and small fishing villages, including Gallipoli. Our journey has shown us the iconic conical homes of Alberobello and both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. Complete with wine and olive oil tastings at local facilities and delicious meals each day, this has been a memorable way to experience Puglia.

Our holiday draws to a close with breakfast this morning. Afterwards, a coach transfer takes us to the airport for our flight back to London Heathrow, where your trip concludes.

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

Surrounded by olive groves and rural ambience, the 4-Star Relais Masseria Le Cesine is located in Vernole in the Salento region of Puglia. This all-inclusive resort features a private beach accessible by shuttle, a fitness trail through the olive trees, in-ground pools, and a wellness centre with Turkish bath and massage facilities. The air-conditioned guest rooms feature neutral colour schemes and a calming atmosphere with amenities including televisions, safes and minibars.

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.