Transport

A private minibus is used for the airport transfers. We use a mix of private and public transport (train and bus) during the week.

Accommodation

Stay in three unique destinations: the trulli town of Alberobello, the white city of Ostuni and the cave town of Matera. Below are the hotels typically used on this trip. Alberobello: Hotel Ramapendula or Hotel Silva (nights 1-2) We start either in Hotel Ramapendula (above) or Hotel Silva. The former has an outdoor swimming pool, Apulian restaurant and a location close to the UNESCO-listed centre of Alberobello. The latter is also a short walk from the centre, with individually themed rooms and a bar. Ostuni: Masseria Morrone or Hotel La Terra (nights 3-4) Our second accommodation is either Masseria Morrone or Hotel La Terra (above). The first is a 18th-century farmhouse outside Ostuni. Now run by the Laera family, it has a pool in the garden and rustic rooms. The second is set within a 13th-century building in the historic quarter of Ostuni. Along with an ideal location, it has a bar serving Apulian aperitifs and wine. Matera: Hotel Sassi or Fra I Sassi Residence (nights 5-7) Our final nights are spent in either Hotel Sassi (above) or Fra I Sassi Residence. Opened in 1996, Hotel Sassi took over a series of dwellings, some of which date to the 1500s. There’s an Italian spread for breakfast (most of the produce locally sourced) and wonderful views of Matera from the terrace. The 15-room Fra I Sassi offers similarly spectacular views plus rooms built from the caves themselves.

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Meals

All breakfasts, two dinners and one wine and local produce tasting are included. The regional cuisine has strong links to the land and sea. This area is a paradise for food lovers and the abundance of delicious vegetables also makes it a great destination for vegetarians. A selection of the food on offer includes: the pasta delicacy orecchiette, which is typically served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep’s ricotta; cavatelli pasta with pulses; aubergine (eggplant) and parmesan bake; grilled fish and seafood; burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese); plus excellent wines.

Not included:

Insurance

Others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations — Local city taxes (approximately €10)

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Day 1 Day 1: Start Alberobello
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Alberobello

This walking trip starts in Alberobello, a town almost entirely formed of trulli, fairytale-like dwellings with conical grey-stone roofs. The origin of these UNESCO-protected limestone houses is obscure; however, local farmers claim they were originally built to evade taxes. When the tax inspectors were nearby, the dry-stone walls could easily be dismantled by removing the keystone above the door, and quickly rebuilt after the inspection. Accommodation: Hotel Ramapendula or Hotel Silva (or similar)
Day 2 Day 2: Walk Over The Itria Valley Hills; Visit Locorotondo, Known For Its Superb Wine (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Walk Over The Itria Valley Hills; Visit Locorotondo, Known For Its Superb Wine (Breakfast)

We start with a walk to Locorotondo. Sitting on a hilltop, our destination is among the most beautiful villages in Italy and renowned for the white wine produced at Cantina Sociale, the local winery. Following narrow country lanes, we walk over the Itria Valley hills, which are dotted with olive trees, vineyards and trulli. At the end of the day, we take a short train or bus ride back to Alberobello. Accommodation: Hotel Ramapendula or Hotel Silva (or similar)
Day 3 Day 3: Morning Visit To The White City Of Ostuni; Afternoon Walk Through Olive Groves And Vineyards; Visit Agnano Archaeological Park (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Morning Visit To The White City Of Ostuni; Afternoon Walk Through Olive Groves And Vineyards; Visit Agnano Archaeological Park (Breakfast,Dinner)

In the morning, we take a private transfer to the whitewashed hilltop city of Ostuni. After free time, in which you can visit viewpoints and centuries-old churches, we explore the surrounding countryside on foot, walking through ancient olive groves and vineyards overlooking the Adriatic. Along the way, we stop at Agnano Archaeological Park, where we walk a winding path to see church ruins and the bones of a lady within a cave. This evening, we have a delicious dinner and stay either in a beautiful masseria – a renovated farmhouse typical of the Apulian region – or in a four-star hotel in the historic centre of Ostuni. Accommodation: Masseria Morrone or Hotel La Terra (or similar)
Day 4 Day 4: Free Day. Optional Activities Include Visiting The Baroque City Of Lecce Or The Picture-Perfect Coastal Village Of Polignano A Mare (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Free Day. Optional Activities Include Visiting The Baroque City Of Lecce Or The Picture-Perfect Coastal Village Of Polignano A Mare (Breakfast,Dinner)

Today is free to discover the many jewels of this beautiful region. We recommend a day trip to the beautiful baroque city of Lecce, known as the Florence of the South, and home to more than 40 churches and countless palaces, plus a Roman amphitheatre. Alternatively, travel to the picturesque coastal town of Polignano a Mare, which is perched atop a limestone cliff rising from the Adriatic. Both destinations are reachable by train from Ostuni. In the evening, we regroup for a delicious dinner. Accommodation: Masseria Morrone or Hotel La Terra (or similar)
Day 5 Day 5: Morning Walk To The Coast; Transfer To Matera (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Morning Walk To The Coast; Transfer To Matera (Breakfast)

This morning, to the coast, where we have time to relax on a beach or swim in the mild waters of the Adriatic Sea (depending on the season). In the afternoon, we head to the cave town of Matera, which is thought to have been inhabited for around 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest towns in the world. James Bond fans may recognise it as the scenic background for a thrilling car chase in No Time to Die (2021), while scenes for Wonder Woman (2017) and The Passion of the Christ (2004) were also shot here. Its crumbling beauty is undoubtedly a lure for film directors and location scouts, but it’s the ancient Sassi districts, formed of ancient cave dwellings dug into the limestone, that are the true star here. Our hotel is in the middle of the sassi; after check-in, we enjoy our first glimpse of the enchanting alleys and unique architecture of this troglodyte town. Accommodation: Hotel Sassi or Fra I Sassi Residence (or similar)
Day 6 Day 6: Short Walk In Matera’S Rock Churches Park And Guided Sightseeing In Sassi District; Wine And Produce Tasting (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Short Walk In Matera’S Rock Churches Park And Guided Sightseeing In Sassi District; Wine And Produce Tasting (Breakfast)

Today we enjoy a short hike to the Murgia plateau, a vast protected area home to more than 150 Rupestrian churches dating to the eighth century, adorned with Byzantine frescoes and once inhabited by hermits. We hike to the top of the ravine, following a pathway that ends with a spectacular view of the Sassi district. In the afternoon, we walk back to Matera for a guided tour. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, we wander the narrow alleys of the cave-dwelling district and learn about the history of this fascinating place. Back in Matera, we enjoy a delicious produce and wine tasting in the historic centre and the rest of the day is free to discover the city independently. Accommodation: Hotel Sassi or Fra I Sassi Residence (or similar)
Day 7 Day 7: Walk In Matera And Its Surroundings, Along Sections Of The Cammino Materano (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Walk In Matera And Its Surroundings, Along Sections Of The Cammino Materano (Breakfast)

Today we explore Matera and further afield, walking sections of the Cammino Materano – a hiking trail linking Matera and Brindisi. After a hearty breakfast, we set off from our hotel and cross two of the Sassi’s historic quarters: the Civita, dominated by the duomo (cathedral), and the Caveoso with its caves. We head towards the ridge of Matera’s ravine and continue along a route characterised by Mediterranean scrub and cave complexes dating to the 11th century. We continue the walk surrounded by olive groves and arable land until we reach Serra Pizzuta forest. We return by public bus to our hotel. Accommodation: Hotel Sassi or Fra I Sassi Residence (or similar)
Day 8 Day 8: End Matera (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: End Matera (Breakfast)

The trip ends in Matera after breakfast. If you’d like to explore this wonderful destination a little longer, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

8 days tour

Walking In Puglia & Matera

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Walking In Puglia & Matera

Day 1: Start Alberobello

Day 2: Walk Over The Itria Valley Hills; Visit Locorotondo, Known For Its Superb Wine (Breakfast)

Day 3: Morning Visit To The White City Of Ostuni; Afternoon Walk Through Olive Groves And Vineyards; Visit Agnano Archaeological Park (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 4: Free Day. Optional Activities Include Visiting The Baroque City Of Lecce Or The Picture-Perfect Coastal Village Of Polignano A Mare (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 5: Morning Walk To The Coast; Transfer To Matera (Breakfast)

Day 6: Short Walk In Matera’S Rock Churches Park And Guided Sightseeing In Sassi District; Wine And Produce Tasting (Breakfast)

Day 7: Walk In Matera And Its Surroundings, Along Sections Of The Cammino Materano (Breakfast)

Day 8: End Matera (Breakfast)

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