Itinerary Include flights Expand all Matera to Lecce Day 1 Fly to Bari; transfer to Matera. Fly to Bari and transfer to Matera, one the most interesting, distinctive and memorable towns in Italy. 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 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 lovely village of Polignano a Mare, located on the edge of a spectacular craggy ravine. There will be time to stroll along the charming, 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 charming town of Alberobello, known for its dry stone dwellings called 'trulli'. Before dinner we will also enjoy a 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 amogst the several activities available locally. You may choose to take a day-trip to the charming fishing village of Monopoli or visit the impressive 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 tour that takes you to more 60 meters depth and allows to explore an amazing scenario made of 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 and 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. Here, we take part in a fun cooking class followed by a delicious lunch. In the afternoon there will be more free time to visit Ostuni. 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 delightful 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 picturesque coves and creeks (approx. 3hrs walking, 8 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 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 of 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 architectonic gems, including the top Baroque monument in town: the extravagant 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 Day 8 Transfer to Bari; fly to London. Transfer to Bari and fly to London. Meals included: Breakfast
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Italy No 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: Hotel Sassi, Matera Trulli houses, Alberobello (Trulli e Puglia ,Trulli Holidays or La Corte dell’Astore ) Hotel La Terra or Sant Eligio Relais or Hotel Palace, Ostuni Eos Hotel or Hotel President, Lecce
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Reviewed October 2019 David Butterworth Trip: Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy A 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 delicious What did you think of your group leader? Pleasant, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful Do 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 S Trip: Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy A 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 Wells Trip: Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy Varied 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 walk What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The towns all full of atmosphere and the whole week more than any individual visit was inspirational What did you think of your group leader? A lovely lady lively and energetic Do 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 by Is 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 Zeitz Trip: Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy Great 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 Matera What 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 Exodus We 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 Barnes Trip: Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy Great 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.
Reviewed June 2018 Jan Watson Trip: Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy Wonderful trip in Puglia I loved every minute of this very diverse tour. Every day was different and very interesting, our group leader Fabrizio was awesome and the individual group participants were lovely and lots of fun. I would definitely recommend this tour. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Matera was a highlight - I wish I had arranged for extra days there. What did you think of your group leader? Awesome! Very informative and loads of fun. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Embrace the diversity of this tour. Is there anything else you would like to add? No
Reviewed June 2018 Howard Jones Trip: Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy Outstanding Italy Trip Great combination of sightseeing, excursions, walking and activities in Puglia. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Trullo hotel in Alberobello was lovely; Matera was fascinating - luxurious cave-dwelling. What did you think of your group leader? Barbara was really excellent - efficient, knowledgeable and friendly. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? No need for hiking boots, but bring sturdy sensible footwear for the walking. Some rough tracks and cobblestones involved. Is there anything else you would like to add? Excellent choice of venues for group meals at each end of the trip with a wide selection of local speciality dishes.
Reviewed June 2018 Mike Giles Trip: Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy Been to Italy? Now visit Puglia Like many people we meet we did not know Puglia existed until we saw this trip. A gem of a region, very different and so suited to a short leisurely summer trip when time is a constraint to a full-on distant adventure tour for which Exodus is otherwise renowned. Distances travelled are comparatively short so it easy to fit in many of the historic, architectural and geological sights with ease. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The caves at Castellana are pretty impressive and the largest complex we have ever visited. However, a ‘Wow’ moment, after arriving at a fairly grotty end of Matera, was stepping onto the main square viewing platform to overlook the entire “Sassi” in which we were to later stay and explore. What did you think of your group leader? Barbara Schito was our tour leader and guide in all aspects of the trip. As a native of Puglia she was so enthusiastic in her wish to impart her knowledge and love of the region. Her delivery is passionate and charming and so much part of the whole experience Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The food (and wine) of the region is first class and we found it to be reasonably priced having spent only 60% of our budget. As meat-eaters we were very pleased to find ristorante Carnivori in Lecce with choice cuts in the chill cabinet, cooked and served in traditional style before embarking on a week dominated by (very nice) pizzas, pastas and breads. Is there anything else you would like to add? The weather was exceptionally hot for the time of year, with occasional thunderstorms and it is worth considering these eventualities.
Reviewed June 2018 Linda Williams Trip: Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy Highlights of puglia Excellent trip What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Visiting e olive oil farm What did you think of your group leader? Excellent could have been more helpful
Reviewed June 2018 Colin Southward Trip: Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy Very enjoyable A great week of cycling in a mix of road, old tracks, villages and town. An opportunity to swim in the Ionian Sea and Adriatic. Great real local food. Usual high standard of the guide and his knowledge of the area What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Cycling with a diverse group in an exceptionalarea. What did you think of your group leader? Very knowledgeable and good at organizing stops to see the different ares of interest. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Do some training before you go. Try the local dishes.
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