Train Trip to Puglia with an Electric Car

This exclusive “ ” train-and-electric-drive tour takes you to the most beautiful spots in the “heel of the boot,” through the natural landscapes of both northern and charming southern Puglia.

Discover this wonderful train-and-drive trip to Puglia, which we’ve put together especially for nature lovers in collaboration with our train partner. The trip is organized entirely by them. Click here for more information and reservations.

On this sustainable travel journey, you’ll discover the wooded and lesser-known region in northern Puglia: the Gargano National Park. The “Foresta Umbra” is believed to be the oldest and one of the most beautiful forests in Europe, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017.

From there, drive your electric rental car on to the Valle d’Itria, near Alberobello and Locorotondo. Home to the “trulli”—the ancient and distinctive stone houses with conical roofs—these structures are so unique that they’ve been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Highlights of a Train Trip to Puglia with an Electric Car

• 11-Day Train Trip Through Puglia
• During the day, a lightning-fast ICE train; from Milan, a private sleeper compartment on a night train
• Citroën E-C3 Electric Car
• 2 charming accommodations with charging stations
• Gargano National Park
• Guided Hiking Tour Through the Foresta Umbra
• Visit Vieste and the Tremiti Islands
• Alberobello and Locorotondo
• Olive Oil Tasting

Your vacation begins with an impressive train journey from Amsterdam (you can also board in Utrecht or Arnhem), starting with the lightning-fast ICE train to Frankfurt and then on to Basel. You’ll then board the Swiss Intercity train to Milan and finally the Italian overnight train to Bari, where you’ll stay in your own private sleeper compartment.

In Puglia, you can easily drive your electric car (the stylish, brand-new Citroën E-C3) and stay at two authentic, luxurious accommodations where nature, culture, and tradition take center stage. You can easily charge your electric rental car at the charging stations near your lodging.

You can also charge your vehicle at public charging stations operated by ENEL (an Italian energy company) or other energy providers. This can be done using a European charging card such as Chargemap, a credit card, or an app; you’ll receive more information after booking.

Itinerary for a Train Trip to Puglia

Days 1 and 2: Train trip to Bari in Puglia

The outbound flight on Days 1 and 2 (depending on where you live), with layovers in Frankfurt, Basel, and Milan:

Amsterdam Central (Utrecht Central/Arnhem Central) – Frankfurt Frankfurt – Basel SBB Basel SBB – Milan Central Milan Central – Bari Central

Note: The ICE from Amsterdam departs around 6:30 a.m. (7:00 a.m. from Utrecht and 7:30 a.m. from Arnhem).

Days 2–6: From Bari to Gargano National Park

Early in the morning on Day 2 (around 8 a.m.), you’ll arrive at Bari Central Station. You can pick up your car at the nearby Bari Airport (which is easy and quick to reach via a direct, short train ride, a shuttle bus, or a taxi).

Your fully charged electric car, the Citroën E-C3 with a range of no less than 350 km, is waiting for you at the airport.

Overnight stay at the Elda Hotel in the woods of Gargano National Park

From the airport, drive north to your first accommodation: the Elda Hotel (about 150 km). A unique place to stay, nestled between the sea and the forest, surrounded by nature.

The hotel was once a “rifugio,” an old cabin in the woods and a landmark for visitors to the Foresta Umbra (Umbra Forest). Many years later, the site was renovated into the Elda Hotel as we know it today: a delightful place to stay where living in harmony with nature takes center stage.

You’ll stay here for 4 nights (check-in on day 2; check-out on day 6) in a spacious classic double room. Through the open balcony doors and windows, you can enjoy views of the forest right from your room. Everywhere you look, you’re surrounded by various shades of green from the outdoors, which harmonize beautifully with the abundant wood in the decor. The rooms are spacious, with tall, light-colored walls and warm, inviting furniture. All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, a TV, a safe, and a small refrigerator.

This idyllic spot features a lovely garden and terrace where you can enjoy dining outdoors during the warmer months. You’ll get a taste of the region’s culinary culture through delicious local products. The menu also caters to vegetarian and vegan preferences.

Elda Hotel is surrounded by nature. The hotel offers free parking and has a charging station for electric cars. From Elda Hotel, you can also take various day trips, both into nature and to unique and authentic villages. The nearest cities are a 30- to 40-minute drive from the Nature reserve.

There are many ways to explore Gargano National Park and the surrounding area. The Umbra Forest, for example, is full of hiking and biking trails. But in addition to the forest, the park also features a large lake, small artisan villages, and, of course, the beautiful Adriatic coast.

Includes a hiking tour in Foresta Umbra with a local guide

Your stay at the Elda Hotel includes a fantastic hiking tour (also suitable for inexperienced hikers) in the Foresta Umbra. A certified guide will tell you all about the origins of this Nature reserve, which is part of the Gargano National Park.

The ancient forest, characterized by dense stands of beech, oak, and maple trees, boasts a rich biodiversity. You may encounter rare orchids, deer, wild boars, and numerous bird species. During the hike, you’ll discover not only the unique flora and fauna but also the historical and ecological significance of this magical forest.

Gargano and Vieste

Be sure to visit Vieste, a small town located at the eastern tip of the Gargano. It lies on the coast and offers picturesque views of the sea and the countryside. The area is part of the Parco Nazionale del Gargano.

Vieste has very ancient origins (10th–6th centuries B.C.). The historic center of Vieste is truly charming and unique: overlooking the sea, it is a maze of narrow alleys lined with whitewashed houses, bell towers, and the famous Swabian castle, built on a cliff. Vieste covers a vast area, with more than 20 beaches along a 30-kilometer coastline, boasts rich natural beauty, and offers many unique spots.

The Tremiti Islands

Here’s another tip: From late April through September, there are daily ferries from Vieste to the Tremiti Islands—an unspoiled group of five islands just a few kilometers from the mainland. Crystal-clear, turquoise waters, pine forests, and great restaurants.

Days 6–10: Valle d’Itria, including Alberobello and Locorotondo

On Day 6, you’ll head to your second accommodation: the charming Masseria San Michele. It’s a beautiful 240-km drive, mostly along the region’s east coast. Here you’ll find yourself in the peaceful countryside, right in the heart of the Valle d’Itria region, best known for Alberobello and Locorotondo.

Overnight Stay at Masseria San Michele

You’ll stay for 4 nights (from Day 6 to Day 10) at Masseria San Michele in a classic double room. Like the rest of the masseria, the rooms are bright, featuring natural architectural elements and neutral colors.

You’ll sleep in a large, comfortable bed surrounded by white walls and wooden doors. The natural theme is also reflected in the bathroom. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a kettle, satellite TV, and Wi-Fi. From your room, you’ll have a view of the courtyard, and you’re just a few steps away from the pool.

This dreamlike masseria is a wonderful place for a relaxing stay. In the covered, cozy spaces, you can quietly read a book and take a break from the sun. There’s a wonderfully refreshing pool and a garden with lounge chairs and chairs where you can relax in the shade of the trees.

Masseria San Michele also offers a variety of activities and treatments, such as relaxing massages or a pleasant yoga class. In addition, the owners organize cooking classes, tastings, and bike tours of the surrounding area.

You can park for free at the Masseria, and there is a charging station for electric cars.

Olive Oil Tasting in Putignano

During your stay at Masseria San Michele, you’ll also enjoy a visit to an olive grove and a tasting of high-quality extra virgin olive oil from Luigi, a small producer (near Putignano) who has won international awards for his 520 olive trees. This tasting is included in the trip.

You’ll discover the enchanting world of olive oil and enjoy an authentic experience at Luigi’s olive grove, located in the picturesque surroundings of Putignano.

You can also take various day trips from Masseria San Michele. This area truly has something for everyone; here is a small selection of tips:

Cisternino

With its beautiful historic town center, Cisternino is definitely worth a visit. Idyllic, tree-lined streets, historic churches, and elegant piazzas. Panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, where you’ll also find the typical trulli and dry-stone walls scattered across the rolling hills and green fields.

Cisternino is also known for a few architectural gems, including the 13th-century Norman-Swabian tower and the 14th-century Church of San Nicola, which features an 18th-century façade and 6th-century foundations. Be sure to also take a look inside the Baroque Church of San Cataldo or the impressive Palazzo Amati.

Locorotondo

Locorotondo is known for its wines and its circular historic center. The village was, in fact, built on a circular plan with narrow streets lined with white row houses. The town dates back to around 1,000 AD and is a labyrinth of white alleyways. The houses feature unusual sloping roofs called “Cummerse,” a distinctive feature of Locorotondo’s entire historic center. Locorotondo’s historic center is part of the exclusive club known as “Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages.”

Alberobello and the trulli

Alberobello is located in the Valle d’Itria, the valley famous for its trulli. In addition to the somewhat touristy town of Alberobello, you’ll also find dozens of trulli around the towns of Locorotondo, Ceglie Messapico, Cisternino, Martina Franca, and Castellana Grotte.

The trullo originated around the year 1500 and is a typical round, white cottage with a gray pointed roof, built from blocks of limestone. Alberobello has since been designated a World Heritage Site.

Days 10–11: Train trip back to the Netherlands from Bari

Return trip (Days 10+11): Bari Centrale – Milano Centrale; Milano Centrale – Basel SBB; Basel SBB – Frankfurt; Frankfurt – Amsterdam Centraal (Utrecht Centraal/Arnhem Centraal)

On the way back, your train trip is the same as on the way there, but in the opposite direction. On your last day of vacation in Puglia (Day 10), you don’t have to board the train until around 9 p.m.

A Day Trip to Bari

This gives you the chance to do something else during the day—perhaps visit the historic center of Bari. That means you don’t have to return the electric rental car to the Bari airport until later in the day.

The drive from your last accommodation to the Bari airport is about 90 km, which means about a 1-hour drive. From the airport, take the train, shuttle, or a taxi back to Bari Centrale station. At the end of the day, you’ll depart from Bari Centrale, first taking the overnight train to Milan (again in your own private sleeper compartment).

In Milan, the next morning (Day 11), you’ll still have time to say goodbye to this hospitable country with one last Italian coffee. After just two more transfers, you’ll be back in the Netherlands that same evening, following an unforgettable, beautiful, and sustainable trip!

Prices and Practical Information for Traveling by Train to Puglia

Price: starting at €1,650.00 per person, based on double occupancy

Includes overnight accommodation in a standard room, reserved seats in second class on daytime trains, plus a private sleeping compartment on the night train.

Prices are approximate and may vary depending on availability and the seasonal schedules of the accommodations and trains.

This is an individual tour where you choose your own departure date (subject to availability) between April 1 (so any day is possible, subject to availability) and October 18.

The maximum age for drivers of electric rental cars is 82 years old.

Includes

• Round-trip international train journey from the Netherlands to Bari (day train + night train)
• 9-day car rental: Citroën E-C3, 100% electric, unlimited mileage, CDW insurance (damage) + TP insurance (theft), local taxes, no deductible, 1 driver
• 1 night on the overnight train on the way there, including a simple breakfast in your own compartment
• 4 nights at the Elda Hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
• 4 nights at Masseria San Michele on a bed-and-breakfast basis
• 1 night on the overnight train on the return trip, including a simple breakfast in your own compartment
• Hiking tour with a certified guide in the Foresta Umbra, valued at €65.00 per person
• Olive oil tasting (with aperitivo) and a visit to an olive grove near Putignano, valued at €60.00 per person

Exclusive

• Any tourist tax (to be paid on site)
• Other meals
• GGTO (Guarantee Fund) contribution: €9 per person
• Emergency Fund: €2.50 per booking
• Administrative fee: €25 per booking
• Train ticket processing fee: €20 per booking
• Seat reservations (€14 per person round-trip) are optional and depend on the route and travel dates (not always required). You will be asked about this when booking.
• Parking fees outside the accommodations

Optional excursions that can be booked separately

• Cooking workshop: “Making and Eating Fresh Pasta” (over 2 hours)
• Private walking tour of Vieste’s historic center and beach with a certified guide
• 2.5-hour private walking tour with a certified guide in Lecce (English)
• Apecalessino tour of Ostuni, priced at €35 per person (in English).
• Wine tasting (with aperitivo) and vineyard tour (featuring local wines) at Turi, valued at €65

Here you’ll find more information about our train trip to Piedmont.