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Tour Details

Discover Puglia: Italy's Ancient Heel

From the cave town of Matera to baroque Lecce, enjoy the best of Italy in a week

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Tour Code : ADE

The journey is provided by

Destinations : Italy

Tour Starts : Matera

Tour Ends : Lecce

Group Size : 5 - 18

Ages : 16+

Activity :

8 days from

ON REQUEST

Overview

From the cave town of Matera to baroque Lecce, enjoy the best of Italy in a week

Puglia is the best of Italy crammed into the heel of the boot: twisted olive trees, World Heritage towns, full-bodied primitivo wine, and sun-kissed beaches. Experience it for yourself, spending two nights in the spectacular cave town of Matera, before wandering among the fairytale trulli homes of Alberobello. There’s also time to sample olive oil in a traditional Apulian farm, explore the white city of Ostuni, visit the medieval coastal town of Otranto, and end in baroque Lecce, known as the Florence of the South.

Highlights

Experience Puglia’s highlights with a group of like-minded cultural adventurers
Begin in the extraordinary cave town of Matera – a spectacular opening to the adventure
Wander among the trulli houses of Alberobello
Enjoy seafront restaurants and coastal views in Otranto
Sample classic Apulian produce with an olive oil tasting and pasta-making demo at a farmhouse
Finish in Lecce, known as the Florence of the South for its magnificent baroque buildings

Key Information

Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by air-conditioned private minibus
Group normally 6 to 18, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Included

All breakfasts, one lunch/cookery class, one wine tasting
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Not included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations
Local city taxes (approx. €15)

Itinerary

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Day 1: Start Matera
Our tour starts in Matera, one of the most unusual and memorable tourist destinations in Italy, home to extensive cave-dwelling districts, known as the Sassi District. Our hotel is in the heart of the district, a World Heritage site, and offers a terrace with panoramic views across town. After checking in, we enjoy a first glimpse of the enchanting alleys and unique architecture of Matera. If you would like to spend a bit more time to explore this beautiful town or settle into the adventure, speak to your sales representative about adding nights before your trip begins. Accommodation: Hotel Sassi or Le Dodici Lune (or similar)
Day 2: Full day of sightseeing in Matera, including a tour of the Sassi District; overnight in Matera
We start our week with a full day in one of the most interesting, distinctive and memorable tourist destinations in Italy: Matera. On a hill, overlooking an impressive canyon in the neighbouring region of Basilicata, Matera has only recently gained the deserved spotlight. In 1993, the town was made a World Heritage site for being the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean, all carved in bare limestone. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, we walk through the cave-dwelling districts and learn about the history of this fascinating place. In the afternoon, we can discover the city at our own pace and perhaps visit the rupestrian churches. Accommodation: Hotel Sassi or Le Dodici Lune (or similar)
Day 3: Drive to Alberobello via the fishing town of Polignano a Mare; wine tasting
In the morning, we take a private transfer to Alberobello, stopping en route at the village of Polignano a Mare, which is on the edge of a craggy ravine. We stroll along the whitewashed streets and enjoy superb views of the Adriatic Sea and coastline from a panoramic terrace. Later, we transfer to Alberobello, home to dry-stone dwellings called trulli. Many of these, which run up a series of pretty (but fairly steep) streets, have been turned into artisan shops and restaurants. We enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery before dinner and stay either in traditional trulli or a typical Apulian resort. Accommodation: Trulli or Apulian resort
Day 4: Free day. Visit the Castellana Caves or Monopoli by the Adriatic Sea
Today is free to choose among several local activities. You may choose to take a day trip to the scenic port town of Monopoli or visit the Castellana Caves, the most important and biggest cave system in Italy. At the entrance of the Itria Valley, these caves began to form about 90m years ago. There is a tour that takes you more than 200ft (60m) deep and allows you to see stalactites, stalagmites, concretions, incredible shapes, fossils and canyons. Accommodation: Trulli or Apulian resort
Day 5: Explore the hilltop town of Ostuni; olive oil tasting and pasta-making demonstration in traditional 'masseria'
In the morning, we take a private transfer to the white city of Ostuni. On the way, we visit an ancient masseria (traditional Apulian farm) where we enjoy an olive oil tasting. For lunch, we visit another typical masseria surrounded by olive trees, some of which are more than 1,000 years old, reaching it by a 1.2mi (2km) walk along a scenic lane. Here, we take part in a cooking demonstration followed by a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we transfer 4mi (6km) to Ostuni, where we have free time to visit the city. We stay overnight in Ostuni. Accommodation: Hotel La Terra (or similar)
Day 6: Transfer to Otranto; visit the historic centre; afternoon optional coastal walk or relax at the beach (seasonal); transfer to Lecce
Today, we transfer to pretty Otranto, the easternmost town in Italy. We spend the day exploring the pretty architecture, views, seafront restaurants and white sandy beaches of the medieval centre. We also visit the Romanesque cathedral, dating to 1088 and with extensive 12th-century floor mosaics. After lunch, we can join our tour leader for an optional gentle coastal walk following the Salento coves and creeks (approximately two hours of walking, 4mi/6km). Those who prefer not to take part can explore the town at their own pace, or perhaps relax on one of the Otranto beaches (seasonal), renowned for their clear water. In the late afternoon, we transfer to Lecce. Accommodation: Eos Hotel (or similar)
Day 7: Morning free time; afternoon guided tour of baroque Lecce
In the morning, we have free time to enjoy shopping opportunities or visit well-known monuments such as the Roman amphitheatre. We then enjoy a guided visit to Lecce in the afternoon, arguably one of the most distinctive baroque cities in Europe. Most of the buildings here are constructed in the soft local stone, with pretty decorations and cherubs covering façades and doorways. During our walking tour, we have time to admire several architectural gems, including the best baroque monument in town: the Basilica di Santa Croce, ornamented with strange beasts and allegories. Accommodation: Eos Hotel (or similar)
Day 8: End Lecce
The tour ends in Lecce after breakfast, when we begin our return journeys home. If you wish to spend longer in this endlessly fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Photos

Important Information

The trip destination

Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by air-conditioned private minibus
Group normally 6 to 18, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Food

All breakfasts, one lunch/cookery class and one wine tasting A selection of food on offer includes: bread from the Murge; durum wheat pasta; olives; the pasta delicacy orecchiette, which is served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep’s ricotta-cheese; cavatelli with pulses; aubergine (eggplant) and parmesan bake; grilled fish and seafood; burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese); plus excellent wines. This region is a food lover’s paradise and the abundance of delicious vegetables makes it a perfect destination for vegetarians. On this trip, there will be many opportunities to taste local specialties, in particular during the produce and wine tasting, cookery class and the traditional lunches included in the itinerary.

Weather

Puglia has a wonderful Mediterranean climate with year-round sunshine and just enough rainfall to ensure the green is never too far away. Although Puglia covers a large area, it is long and narrow – not more than 18mi (30km) across. This means you’re never far from the sea, which has a moderating effect on the weather. Despite this, Puglia can get very hot, particularly in summer when temperatures can reach the high 30Cs (around 100F).

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Itinerary: This is a busy week in which you enjoy real Italian hospitality and sightsee on foot in the best towns and areas of Puglia. All transfers are by private air-conditioned vehicle. Overall, this trip is suitable for everyone who is fit, healthy and comfortable with busy days on their feet.

Walking profile: Some walking is necessary to reach hotels and restaurants when vehicles cannot pass closer. This trip also includes one optional coastal walk of approximately 4mi (6km). Although the distances covered during the sightseeing are not too long, the days can feel busy and you climb a lot of steps, sometimes uneven, in Matera and Ostuni while sightseeing.

Weather: Puglia can be very hot, reaching high 30Cs (around 100F) in summer.

Prices / Dates

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