Itinerary Include flights Leave this field blank Expand allMatera to Lecce Fly to Bari; transfer to Matera.Fly to Bari and transfer to Matera, one of the most interesting, distinctive, and memorable towns in Italy. Day 1 Start Matera.Our tour starts in 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. Day 2 Full day sightseeing in Matera, including a tour of the UNESCO "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. Nestled 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 UNESCO World Heritage site, for being the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, all carved in bare limestone rock. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, we walk through the town’s famous cave-dwelling districts and learn of the history of this fascinating place. In the afternoon we have time to discover the city at our own pace and visit the world-famous rupestrian churches. Overnight in Matera. Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Drive to Alberobello via the charming fishing town of Polignano a Mare; sightseeing and overnight in traditional 'trullo'.In the morning we take a private transfer to Alberobello, stopping en route for a visit to the village of Polignano a Mare, located on the edge of a craggy ravine. There will be time to stroll along the white-washed streets and enjoy superb views of the beautiful Adriatic Sea and coastline from one of the panoramic terraces. Later, we transfer to the town of Alberobello, known for its dry-stone dwellings called 'trulli'. Before dinner, we will also enjoy wine tasting at a local winery. Overnight in Alberobello in a traditional 'trullo'. Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Free day. Visit the Castellana Caves or Monopoli by the Adriatic Sea.Today is free to choose amongst the several activities available locally. You may choose to take a day-trip to the fishing village of Monopoli or visit the Castellana Caves, Italy’s most important and biggest cave system. Located at the entrance of the Itria Valley, these caves began to form about 90 million years ago. There is a tour that takes you to more than 60 meters depth and allows you to explore stalactites, stalagmites, concretions, incredible shapes, fossils, and canyons. Overnight in Alberobello. Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Explore the charming hilltop town of Ostuni; olive oil tasting and pasta-making class in traditional masseria.In the morning we take a private transfer to the white city of Ostuni. On the way, we stop to visit an ancient masseria (traditional Apullian farm) where we enjoy some olive oil tasting. For lunch, we visit another typical masseria surrounded by olive trees, some of which are more than a thousand years old, reaching it via a 2 km walk along a scenic lane. Here, we take part in a cooking class followed by a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we walk 6 km to Ostuni, where there will be free time to visit the city (for those who prefer not to walk, taxis can be arranged and paid for locally). Overnight in Ostuni. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 6 Transfer to Otranto; visit the historic centre; afternoon optional coastal walk or relax at the beach (seasonal); back to Lecce.Today we transfer to pretty Otranto, the easternmost town in Italy. The day will be spent exploring the town’s mediaeval centre and its pretty architecture, views, sea-front restaurants, and white sandy beaches which make it one of Puglia's most interesting and picturesque towns. We will also visit the Romanesque cathedral, dating back to 1088 and boasting extensive 12th century floor mosaics. After lunch, we have the opportunity to join our tour leader for an optional gentle coastal walk following the Salento coves and creeks (approx. 2 hrs walking, 6 km). Those who prefer not to take part in this activity may decide to continue exploring the town at their own pace, or perhaps to relax in one of Otranto’s beaches, famous for the picture-perfect clear water (seasonal). Late afternoon transfer to Lecce, where we stay overnight. Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Morning guided tour of baroque Lecce; afternoon free time.In the morning we enjoy a guided visit to Lecce, arguably one of the best and most distinctive Baroque cities in Europe. Most of the buildings here are built in the soft local stone, with pretty decorations and cherubs covering facades and doorways. During our walking tour, we will 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. Lecce is also famous for a centenary tradition of papier-mâché (chewed paper) and you have the option to visit a local laboratory at the end of the tour. The rest of the day is free to enjoy some shopping opportunities or visit other famous monuments such as the Roman amphitheatre. Overnight in Lecce. Meals included: Breakfast Transfer to Bari; fly to London.Transfer to Bari and fly to London. Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 End Lecce.The tour ends in Lecce the morning of day 8. Meals included: Breakfast
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ItalyNo visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times.For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Hotels and Trulli houses All hotels on this trip have been specially selected for their location, character and comfort. We mostly stay in renovated traditional buildings which give a real taste of the typical Apulian architecture. We spend 2 nights in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Matera's historic centre, 2 nights in authentic Trulli houses (dry stone dwellings) in Alberobello, 1 night in a 4-star hotel in Ostuni, and 2 nights in a modern hotel located in proximity of Lecce’s historic centre.List of hotels normally used:Matera: Hotel SassiAlberobello: Trulli houses (La Corte dell’Astore, Charming Trulli or Trulli Holiday)Ostuni: Hotel La Terra, Hotel Palace or Sant Eligio Relais Lecce: Eos Hotel
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Reviewed July 2022 V KNice part of Italy We had a small group so it was really easy to travel and organise. The places we visited in Puglia were all very different and had its own charm and I really enjoyed my week. However there were parts of the trip which just did not make sense eg two walks (each between 1-2 hours) were scheduled at the hottest time of the day which caused concern for a number of us in the group. To avoid the uncomfortable heat (and quite frankly one of the walks just didn’t even serve a purpose to heighten our enjoyment of the trip) transport was arranged at an additional expense to each traveller to arrive at the final destination that day. Apart from that, the trip was brilliant and covered alot of the region. A truly relaxed trip for those who want a slower pace for a week.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Staying in Matera and seeing one of the oldest towns in Italy, olive oil tour, discovering Lecce and the rich history of this city.What did you think of your group leader? Gabriella was very capable and entertaining and went beyond to help everyone on the trip.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? On the free day it would be best to go either to the cave or Monopoli but not both. The churches/cathedrals are closed between 12 and 4pm and there is little else to do in the walled city during that time. Or just spend your time at the beach at Monopoli with no expectation of exploring the walled city.
Reviewed June 2022 Susan HallFabulous Trip Really enjoyed this trip to Puglia, staying in some really unusual accommodation. From the caves of Matera, through my personal little trullo house in Alberobello to the 13th century former palace in Ostuni and even the modern hotel in Lecce, it was all great. This part of Italy is so varied and stunning in both countryside and architecture, it makes for a very varied and enjoyable holiday. There is an excellent mix of culture, food and wine tasting, beach, walking and free time so that the week didn't feel at all rushed yet we packed in loads. I must commend our guide Nino who went to enormous lengths with a quite demanding group to ensure we all had a great time. The local guides were extremely knowledgeable and made both Matera and Lecce come alive with their vast understanding of the history of each town and the visit to the olive farm and the winery were both very enjoyable and informative. I opted to visit the Castellana Grotto which is a must-see, biggest cave system I have been in - very impressive indeed. All in all an excellent trip.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Visiting Claudio Riso's workshop in Lecce, what he can achieve with paper mache is just incredible! The incredible mosaic floor in the Otranto cathedral - still can't get over the fact that the public can walk on it.What did you think of your group leader? Antonino (Nino) was an excellent group leader. He had just the right approach to the group, providing information but not excessively so, a great sense of humour and a real desire to resolve any issue, no matter how small, to ensure that everyone had an enjoyable holiday. Nino went out of his way at times to arrange suitable dining experiences to suit all tastes and budgets and was extremely accommodating with everyone's requirements for free time and when the heat, steps and distances were too much for some group members to participate in the planned walks. Nino also went out of his way to sort out the chaos at Bari airport on the return journey when our flight was cancelled at short notice, managing to get flights the next day for a lady who was going to run out of medication. It would have been helpful if BA had actually notified someone in Exodus of the cancellation so that he was better informed. As it was I was the only person who received a prior notification, because my booking wasn't included in the group booking for some reason.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Just be aware that the nature of the landscape particularly in Matera and Ostuni is such that walking involves a great number of steps, so this is not a suitable holiday for anyone with mobility issues. The walking is very gentle but proved challenging because of the extreme heat which I hadn't anticipated in May (it was 30+C each day), so worth going earlier or later in the year, if like me, you are not good walking in the heat.Is there anything else you would like to add? Would highly recommend this trip to anyone who like me, enjoys a holiday packed with variety, interesting scenery and history, alongside some walking and excellent food. The company was great too, but of course I can't vouch for any other trips!
Reviewed June 2022 Penny BroomhallPuglia May 2022 Pleased to visit an area previously unknown to me. We experienced unseasonably hot weather (some days 35 degrees in May) which made walking the streets of some cities difficult. The free day at Monopoli we agreed to be shortened in order that some time could be spent viewing our base Alberobello. I was surprised not to have dedicated transport which led to some timing issues and having to walk to the meeting point. Overall a tour of varieties of cities/sea side/olive groves with some good recommendations of where to eat.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? As a keen photographer parts of the architecture and street photography highly rewarding. Matera at night as initial sight highly worthwhile. The main square at Lecce a wow moment.What did you think of your group leader? Nino has guided on this tour for a number of years and become knowledgeable about the area. He dealt with a group of 16 women quite well. He was perhaps ambitious in his timings for us to walk to destinations as there were a couple of us with walking issues.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for scrambling up and down highly uneven sometimes steep steps/streets.Is there anything else you would like to add? The transport issue I reiterate cos I have not experienced before a trip where we do not have dedicated transport - you state "private" transport but I had not taken on board this meant we would have vastly different transport throughout the week.
Reviewed May 2022 Sue PotterJames Bond locations, baroque towns and wonderful food A lovely and unexplored part of Italy. Interesting hill top towns and coastal areas. A very relaxed trip with plenty of free time (maybe a little too much). Matera, Alberobello and Lecci were the highlights for me. All stunning. Food and wine excellent everywhere: plenty of local cuisine. Polignano, Ostuni and Otranto were lovely but easily seen in a couple of hours. Graded as 1 but there are lots of steep steps in Matera and Ostuni. There was an extra walk added from the masseria lunch to Ostuni (about 2 hours) which hadn't been mentioned in the trip notes and meant those unable to walk had to pay for a transfer. Definitely need good shoes for this. We were unable to complete the listed coastal walk due to rain. All hotels were great, central and/or in historic buildings. No long journeys. Would recommend for a relaxing introduction to the region.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Matera: seeing the kestrels swooping in the mornings, views all over the town, esp from the gorge walk. Staying in a trullo The visit to the olive farm. Lecce's wonderful cathedrals and rooftop terrace of hotel.What did you think of your group leader? Fabrizio was very enthusiastic and helpful, with lots of suggestions for restaurants etc. He did a lovely welcome/orientation session. Always joined us for meals, was very good at dietary requirements etc. His instructions/timings etc were always very clear. He was always very sociable with the group and happy to chat. As previously mentioned some of his information was out of date eg opening times for cathedral, restaurants but this was probably due to post Covid changes.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Good shoes. Waterproof and jacket for the April departures. Solo travellers should be aware that there are quite a few free afternoons.Is there anything else you would like to add? No
Reviewed April 2022 Elisabeth MulgrewAn interesting tour of this region This is an interesting tour overall. The three main places visited - Matera, Alberobello and Lecce - are all so historical and individually fascinating to explore, yet completely different. The accommodation is similarly characterful and varied; potentially having a cave room in Matera, next a trullo in Alberobello, then a converted monastery in Ostuni (my room, in the roof, had the original guttering inside the room!) and finally an old palazzo in Lecce. There is a lot of free time outside of the designated free day, which might not suit some people, particularly solo travellers who don't bond as well with others in their group (our group of twelve had six solo travellers and those who wanted to could always find someone to explore with, as everyone was pretty sociable). Although this trip is graded as leisurely, there is a lot of walking around the various places visited, sometimes involving quite steep climbs on steps/cobbles/slopes, especially in Matera.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Staying in the trullo in Alberobello was such an unusual experience - I instantly fell in love with "my" trullo as I walked into it! Castellana Caves was the best cave system I have visited (despite the rather horrible guide!), with some truly stunning formations. The olive farm tour and tasting was a surprising highlight due to the sheer knowledge and enthusiasm of the guides there as well as the preserved historical aspects, plus the superb oil!What did you think of your group leader? Fabrizio was very sweet and enthusiastic, drawing us in with his "hello friends" welcome from the start! His information wasn't always totally up to date, possibly because of Covid, and he hasn't yet realised that toilets are an important need after a journey, but he was still lovely to be with.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Make sure that you have comfortable walking shoes with a good grip - the cobbled streets can be slippery if it rains and in most of the places visited, but especially Matera, you will mainly be going up and down steps/slopes when walking around. Be prepared to be left to explore on your own at some point of every day, sometimes for quite a few hours! Castellana Caves is the option I did on the free day - superb caves, and big (3km underground, in sometimes slippery conditions, and very humid too - so we got very hot, especially as we had to wear FFP2 masks throughout the tour). I gather that Monopoli was very enjoyable from those in our group who chose that. Our guide arranged transfers to both, the cost of which was split between those going (so we paid 16 Euros for the cave transfer but those going to Monopoli paid 37.50 Euros as there were a lot fewer of them).
Reviewed October 2019 David ButterworthA wonderful area to explore Leisurely was the description....a fairly lively leisurely .... great trips, knowledgeable, friendly and helpful leader. Some amazing places to visit and accommodation to stay at - all comfortable and most very different.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Supper with everyone at a farm where we were served with home grown produce, all of which was deliciousWhat did you think of your group leader? Pleasant, friendly, knowledgeable and helpfulDo you have any advice for potential travellers? Take your camera with plenty of memory card space and don't forget the charger/s you'll need
Reviewed May 2019 Jen SA taste of a lesser known region of Italy This trip gave a flavour of the region of Puglia in more ways than one... Staying in four different locations across the week, we learned about the importance of olives and wine in the region with visits to a an olive grove for olive oil tasting and a factory for wine tasting, and were encouraged to try local specialities by our leader who at group meals ordered a range of typical dishes so that we could try a variety. Although not specifically a food tour, food has to be a major part of any trip to Italy...What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Exploring the alleyways of white-walled hill-town Ostuni as the sun was going down.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The walks (I can't speak for the one from Otranto, which we were unable to do due to bad weather) were fairly flat and easy. The guided town tours are if anything more strenuous as they are longer! (Note, the one around beautiful Matera does involve a few steps and sloping paths, the only way of seeing this town built into the sides of a gorge). Walking trainers or even walking sandals are appropriate for all walks on this trip. My personal advice - take your coffee the way the Italians do, stood at the counter with an espresso cup and a glass of water. It's quick, nice, local, gives you a caffeine boost, gives free access to a toilet, and usually there's cake available too! To nut allergy sufferers - be aware that in this area hazelnut is commonly mixed with chocolate in pastries and desserts. There is a great love of Nutella! Always check before ordering!
Reviewed November 2018 Mike WellsVaried tour of a fascinating region The region was rewarding and not very touristy. Towns were full of atmosphere. Some enjoyable walks. Hotels were close to centres. Not too much coach travel and enough free time. Warm and friendly guide. But quite a bit of walking so Might be difficult for those even with some mobility problems and not all accommodation great. Free day a bit problematic as limited public transport and a day in arivabello not all that interesting. But guide helped and we went to two nice towns so not insuperable. Local food and wine was good. Recommended but be prepared to walkWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The towns all full of atmosphere and the whole week more than any individual visit was inspirationalWhat did you think of your group leader? A lovely lady lively and energeticDo you have any advice for potential travellers? Don’t go if you can’t walk easily or want luxury resorts. You might prepare by learning a little Italian as outside hotels English isn’t much spoken though you could get byIs there anything else you would like to add? Really good week but for the price some of the hotels a bit basic
Reviewed November 2018 Lynette ZeitzGreat itinerary but let down by poor accommodation The itinerary was very interesting and our tour leader Barbara was great. But the accommodation overall was not good. I wasn’t expecting luxury accommodation but clean and comfortable. However, in every hotel including the 4 star hotel in Ostuni there were problems for various members of the group but the worst was the Sassi accommodation in Matera where I had fresh black mould in my bathroom. Like the other recent reviewer, I found the included dinner very poor. Our group was also supplied with a minivan and bus on two different days that had broken seatbelts. I really would have liked to have rated this trip higher because the sights and experiences were great.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walking around Alberobello and MateraWhat did you think of your group leader? Barbara was a delight. Knowledgeable, warm and attentive to the different needs of the group. Reply from Exodus Reply from ExodusWe would like to thank Lynette for her feedback. Whilst we are pleased that she enjoyed the itinerary and found her tour leader, Barbara, to be great, we are very sorry that she was disappointed with aspects of the accommodation. The properties on this tour are usually in typical Apulian style buildings and generally receive positive feedback, so we regret if members of her group encountered issues. The hotel in Matera is carved from rock, thus reflecting the typical and unique architecture of the town, but the material sometimes causes issues with dampness when it rains and we are sorry that this affected Lynette’s stay. We have followed up the issue regarding the broken seatbelts with our local operator to ensure with the transport supplier that this does not reoccur. Marta Marinelli – Product Manager
Reviewed September 2018 Verity BarnesGreat tour but disappointing hotels I thought the tour was great and enjoyed where we visited and the activities included. I was disappointed with the hotels. Only the hotel in Ostuni was 4 star; and the rest 3 star. This tour cost a lot more than Riviera, Just You or Travelsphere and only Had 2 meals included. I was expecting it to be a cut above the rest for the price paid. The tour was good and the tour manager excellent. Shame it was let down by the choice of accommodation. I also found the places we stayed in to be much too touristy.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? When I went on my own to Polignano a Mare for the night.What did you think of your group leader? Fantastic!Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you are fussy about where you stay then don’t book this tour.
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