Walking in Puglia & Matera
Walking in Puglia & Matera
Walking in Puglia & Matera
8 Days Starting in Alberobello and ending in Matera
Visiting: Bari, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Ostuni, Vineyards, Agnano, San Giuliano Terme, Polignano a Mare, Matera, Ostello "The Rock Hostel" Matera, Prehistoric Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TEV
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
From:
$2167
$1840 (USD)
Operator discount: -$327
-15%
Tour Overview
In the heart of the Mediterranean lie Puglia and Basilicata, two unique and still largely undiscovered regions of Italy nestled between the emerald waters of the Adriatic and Ionian seas. This trip gives us the chance to explore the very best that these Italian gems have to offer, from trulli houses of the lush Itria valley and the white hilltop town of Ostuni to the rock churches and UNESCO Sassi district of the beautiful city of Matera. Aside from the perfect mix of cultural discovery and gentle walking, we will have the chance to sample the legendary local cuisine and delicious wines that make this region a true food lovers’ paradise.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start In Alberobello.
Location: Bari, Alberobello
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
The trip starts in Alberobello, home to 1500 Trulli (conical roofed houses)
that have made its historical centre a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The origin
of these funny-looking stone dwellings is obscure, however, local farmers
claim they were originally built in an effort to evade taxes. When the tax
inspectors were in the area, the dry stone walls could easily be dismantled
by simply removing the key stone above the door and quickly rebuilt after the
inspection.  Our hotel is located in proximity of the historic centre. In
the afternoon after the group's arrival there is usually time to wander
through the narrow alleys of the town’s centre and enjoy the unique
atmosphere of this enchanting town at night.
Day 2 : Walk Over The Hills Of The Itria Valley, Dotted With Olive Trees, Vineyards And Trulli; Visit Locorotondo, Known For Its Superb Wine.
Location: Locorotondo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We start the week with a walk to the town of Locorotondo. Sitting on the top
of a hill, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Italy
and is renowned for its white wine and Cantina Sociale, the local winery.
Following narrow country lanes, we walk over the rolling hills of the Itria
Valley, dotted with olive trees, vineyards and trulli. At the end of the day,
we take a short train ride back to Alberobello where we stay overnight.
Day 3 : Morning Visit To The White City Of Ostuni; Afternoon Walk Through Olive Groves And Vineyards; Visit Agnano Archaeological Park.
Location: Ostuni, Vineyards, Agnano, San Giuliano Terme
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning we take a private transfer to the white city of Ostuni, famous
for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses. After some free time spent
discovering this elegant hilltop town at our own pace, we explore the
beautiful surrounding countryside on foot, walking through ancient olive
groves and vineyards overlooking the Adriatic coast. Along the route we stop
for a visit at the archaeological park of Santa Maria di Agnano. This evening
we have a delicious dinner and overnight in a beautiful Masseria – a
renovated farmhouse typical of the Apulian region
**Please note that on selected departures the group will stay overnight in a
4-star hotel in the historic centre of Ostuni instead of the masseria. See
the Accommodation section in the Trip Notes for more information**.
Day 4 : Free Day. Optional Activities Include Visiting The Baroque City Of Lecce Or The Picture-Perfect Coastal Village Of Polignano A Mare.
Location: Polignano a Mare
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: 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 over 40 churches and countless palaces,
as well as a Roman amphitheatre and theatre. Alternatively, you could travel
to the picturesque town of Polignano a Mare on the coast of the Valle
d’Itria, perched atop a 20m high limestone cliff rising from the Adriatic.
Both of these destinations are reachable by train from Ostuni. In the evening
we regroup to enjoy a delicious dinner in Ostuni or at the masseria.
Day 5 : Morning Walk To The Adriatic Coast; Free Time At The Beach (In Season) And Transfer To The Unesco Town Of Matera.
Location: Matera
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we walk from the masseria 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 make our way to Matera, one of the
most unusual and memorable tourist destinations in Italy famous for its
extensive cave-dwelling districts, the /sassi/. Our hotel is located in the
heart of Matera Sassi UNESCO site, just a few steps from the town's most
famous attractions, and offers a terrace with panoramic views across the
town. After checking in we enjoy a first glimpse of Matera's enchanting
alleys and unique architecture.
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Day 6 : Short Walk In Matera’S Rock Churches Park And Guided Sightseeing In The Town's Marvellous Unesco 'Sassi' District.
Location: Ostello "The Rock Hostel" Matera
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we enjoy a short hike to the Murgia plateau, a vast protected area home
to over 150 rupestrian churches dating back to the 8th century, once
inhabited by hermits and adorned with Byzantine frescoes. We descend down the
Matera's canyon until we reach a suspension bridge which allows us to cross
to the other side of the valley. We then hike to the top of the ravine
following a pathway which ends with a spectacular viewpoint of Matera's Sassi
district. In the afternoon we walk back to Matera for a guided tour:
accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, we wander through the narrow
alleys of the town’s famous UNESCO cave-dwelling district and learn of 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 at our own pace. Overnight in Matera.
** Please note that at the time of writing the suspension bridge connecting
Matera to the canyon trail is not accessible due to a landslide. In the event
it does not reopen in time for your departure, complimentary transfers will
be arranged to the trailhead and back. This would result in the walk being of
slightly shorter duration.**
Day 7 : Walk In The Outskirts Of Matera Exploring Prehistoric Caves And Rugged Landscape; Overnight In Matera.
Location: Prehistoric Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we will transfer by train and bus to the outskirts of Matera, where our
walk starts. The trail will take us through dramatic rugged landscape of
limestone once home to prehistoric settlements of cave dwellings. Today we
navigate the gravel paths, fields, and groves of almonds and of olives as we
pass through. Here, spring is particularly impressive with many species of
butterfly, orchid and cyclamen.
Day 8 : The Trip Ends In Matera This Morning.
Location: Matera, Bari
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends in Matera this morning.
What's Included
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Transfers for group flights
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All breakfasts, 2 dinners and 1 wine and produce tastingÂ
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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All accommodation
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 2 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Local city taxes (approx. €10)
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Accommodation
All hotels on this trip have been specially selected for their location, character and comfort. We stay in renovated traditional buildings, which give a real taste of typical Apulian architecture.
Alberobello: We normally stay at Hotel Ramapendula, which has an outdoor swimming pool and is within reach of the town centre, or Hotel Silva, which has an on-site bar and restaurant and is also a short walk from the centre.
Ostuni: We usually spend two nights at Masseria Morrone, a traditional farmhouse surrounded by olive groves and overlooking the sea, or Hotel La Terra, set in a 13th century building within Ostuni's historic quarter.
Matera: We usually stay at the three-star Hotel Sassi, which offers tastefully renovated cave-style rooms in the heart of the historic Unesco district, or Fra i Sassi Residence, a cave hotel with a wonderful rooftop terrace.
Food
All breakfasts, 2 dinners and 1 wine and local produce tasting are included.
In Puglia you will find genuine regional cooking that has strong links to the
land and the sea. To give you just a small list of the types of food on offer
in Puglia: Bread from the Murge, durum wheat pasta, olives, the pasta
delicacy Orecchiette served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and
sheep's ricotta-cheese, Cavatelli with pulses, aubergine 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 also makes it a perfect destination for vegetarians. On
this trip, there will be many opportunities to taste the best local
specialities, in particular during the produce and wine tasting and the
traditional dinner included in the itinerary.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.