Itinerary Include flights Expand all Alberobello to Matera Day 1 Fly to Bari; transfer to the UNESCO town of Alberobello. Those on the group flights will be met in Bari airport by the tour leader. A transfer of approximately 1 hour takes us to 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 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. We start the week with a walk to the lovely 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 idyllic 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. Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Morning visit to the white city of Ostuni; afternoon walk through olive groves and vineyards; visit Agnano Archaeological Park. 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 S. M. 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**. Meals included: 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. Today is free to discover the many jewels of this beautiful region. We recommend to take a day trip to the beautiful Baroque city of Lecce, known as the 'Florence of the South', and home to over 40 churches, countless palaces, as well as a Roman amphitheatre and theatre. Alternatively, you could travel to the picturesque town of Polignano a Mare, a shining gem on the coast of the Valle d’Itria, perched atop a 20m high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic. Both of these destinations are reachable by train from Ostuni. In the evening we will regroup to enjoy a delicious dinner in Ostuni or at the masseria. Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 5 Morning walk to the coast; free time at the beach (in season) and transfer to the UNESCO town of Matera. 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. Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Short walk in Matera’s Rock Churches Park and guided sightseeing in the town's marvellous UNESCO 'Sassi' district; wine and produce tasting. 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.** Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Walk in the outskirts of Matera exploring prehistoric caves and rock villages. 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 made of limestone, gravel paths, fields and almond and olive groves, in an area which was once home to prehistoric men and cave dwellings. The area is very picturesque in spring when many species of butterfly, orchid and cyclamen are found. Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Transfer to Bari; fly to London. Meals included: Breakfast
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
3 and 4-star hotels and converted farmhouse 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 the typical Apullian architecture. In Alberobello we normally stay at Hotel Ramapendula offering outdoor swimming pool and located within reach of the town centre. In Ostuni we usually spend two nights at Masseria Morrone, a traditional farmhouse surrounded by olive groves and overlooking the sea. On the following departures the group will stay overnight in a 4-star hotel in the historic centre of Ostuni instead of the masseria: 23rd March 2019, 6th April 2019, 25th May 2019, 21st September 2019 and 26th October 2019. In Matera we usually stay at the 3-star Hotel Sassi which offers tastefully renovated cavelike rooms in the heart of the historic UNESCO district.
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Reviewed October 2019 Gail Madeley Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera Walking in Puglia and Matera This is a very non-strenuous grade 2 trip, compared with other grade 2 walking trips I have undertaken. The majority of walks are flat (walked in sandals) as stated in the trip notes and ankle support was only required for 2 of the walks. This was a part of Italy I had always wanted to visit due to its history rather than the scenery on the walks. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walking the streets of Matera - so many ups and downs with sites looking so far away, but then you round a corner and you are on top of it. What did you think of your group leader? Selenia was great, vibrant and I only wish I could speak italian as well as she speaks english. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you visit Lecce on your day off a 2 hour tour costs 15 euro, but this does not allow for entrance into any of the churches. It is easy to tour on your own. Take and use insect repellent if you are prone to insect bites. Is there anything else you would like to add? I would have prefered less time in Ostuni and more time in Polignano a Mare. We visited Polignano following the trip to the beach, but only had 30 minutes to explore once we had eaten lunch, whereas we had 3 hours in Ostuni and as it is visited on a Monday most of the select shops were closed. As the group knew there was a scheduled visit to Polignano we all opted to visit Lecce on our free day.
Reviewed May 2019 Julia Bairstow Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera Walking in Puglia and Matera This holiday was an excellent trip of gentle to moderate walking through some beautiful countryside, passing through olive groves, by vineyards, along a few gentle slopes and through the area, where one can see the famous conic 'trulli' houses of the Itria valley. As well as walking there was some fascinating culture to see, notably the towns of Locorotundo, Alberobello, Ostuni, Lecce (optional) and the beautiful UNESCO city of Matera with its rock churches and many converted cave dwellings. There was a very good choice of delicious fresh, local foods throughout the trip, as well as the wines of the area! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The beautiful UNESCO city of Matera with its ancient rock churches and numerous cave dwellings, many of which have been converted into hotels, restaurants and shops. It was fascinating to learn that within the space of almost 70 years, this city has been transformed into one of extreme poverty to what it is today and currently the European City of Culture for 2019. What did you think of your group leader? Our guide for this trip was absolutely excellent. An enthusiastic and sociable young man, with a very good knowledge of English and the local area, who went out of his way to make the holiday a memorable experience for us all.
Reviewed November 2018 Pauline Upstone Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera ? This was an excellent holiday with a good combination berween culture , walking and relaxing What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Probably Matera What did you think of your group leader? Guiseppe was an excellent tour leader. He was very solicitous to some members of the group who had dietary needs. He went to a lot of effort to ensure everyone enjoyed themselves and that things went smoothly
Reviewed October 2018 BRIAN MCGHEE Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera RAMBLING IN PUGLIA Booking efficient; follow up was not - I had to chase; maybe the late switch from Headwater to Exodus was to blame. An interesting and varied trip, with the leader Luigina Geusa contributing a lot to that plus a good group of fellow walkers. Matera hotel (Hotel Sassi) was not good, but the hotels in Ostuni (La Terra) and Alberobello (Ramapendula) were much better. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Inspirational is too strong a word, but there were memories to retain from all of Matera, Ostuni, Lecce and Alberobello. What did you think of your group leader? She, Luigina Geusa, was pivotal to the success of the trip. Her network of contacts was excellent, and she made a really successful job of understanding the different participants on the trip and building rapport with each of them. Her commitment and passion for the environment showed through clearly Do you have any advice for potential travellers? For this trip in mid October, the weather can fluctuate so think carefully about what you bring. In the event, the weather worked out well. Is there anything else you would like to add? I think all 16 of the participants on the trip will think back on it as enjoyable
Reviewed September 2018 PHILLIP BUCCHI Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera Walking in Puglia & Matera Vanessa was a wonderful guide and very aware of the needs of of all the participants. everyone got along well. The places we stayed were excellent. The overall experience was lot of fun What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Visiting the city of Matera What did you think of your group leader? The group leader, Vanessa, is a dynamo. She is upbeat and considerate and made the entire experience a joy.
Reviewed September 2018 Christine Brown Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera Heat among the olive trees An exploring holiday, not a 'wow' one but full of delights. Matera was a long-desired destination, because of Carlo Levi, and spectacular. Sleeping in our massive cave in Hotel Sassi! Walking endlessly through olive groves brought home to me the privations of former Puglian peasants, but also amazement at the great age and variety of shapes of the trees. I loved the small towns, their architecture, narrow streets, the ingenuity of the construction of the Trulli. Hotel Sassi was wonderful, the masseria was beautiful, food good and choice of restaurants gave variety. I liked the multiple starters. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Matera, comparing the town at present with the description by Carlo Levi. And exploring Polignano completely alone on our free day What did you think of your group leader? Vanessa was a great leader, knew a lot about the area, encouraging when we were faltering in the heat. She seemed interested in all of us as individuals, talked to each of us separately. Great company, set a good pace, bought excellent picnics. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Possibly August may not be the right time for walking in Puglia - but if you go then, carry plenty of water, a good sun hat, and be prepared to be hot!! Is there anything else you would like to add? The walk from Montescoglioso would be better reversed, with the difficult walking to the rock villages before lunch, finishing in the town with ice creams and a cool drink.
Reviewed July 2018 Terri Markle Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera Extraordinary Region of Italy I chose the walking tour of Puglia & Matera because I had never seen Southern Italy. I was intrigued by the UNESCO World Heritage cities as well as the unusual architcecture such as Trulli houses. It is hard to believe the range of homes and times traveled - from Neolithic to present in just 7 days. My two favorite cities were Matera and Aberobello. The food was incredible. I ate great vegetarian dishes and seafood dishes all week! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I was most overcome by Matera and how this city transformed itself from a slum in the 1950s to the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2019. Seeing frescoes of the Madonna & Child painted on the walls of caves where monks lived in the Middle Ages is transforming. Walking the rocky cliffs from cave to cave took me out of this world. What did you think of your group leader? I loved Marcella! She clearly loves Puglia & Matera and it shows in her knowledge and exuberance. It was a treat when I could walk with her on a hike and learn about her travel adventures. She also picked the most amazing items at the grocery store for our picnic one day. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This is a hard trip in July as Italy was experiencing record heat. Two of our walks were quite hard due to the heat. You really need to be able to deal with the hot Italian sun and temperatures. Is there anything else you would like to add? It is amazing how you travel through time on this Exodus tour of Southern Italy - from Matera (Neolithic & Middle Ages) to Lecce ( Ancient Rome) to Aberobello. Every town was charming. I also loved staying in a masseria and eating Mama’s delicious homemade primi and secondi plats.
Reviewed July 2018 Ruth Morgan Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera A different view of Italy This trip was exactly what I had hoped for - a fascinating and varied tour of a part of Italy which hasn't yet become too full of tourists. Our three centres were well chosen and close together - Matera was so interesting just to wander and get lost among the tiny winding lanes and steps, the old fortified farmhouse set in olive groves near Ostuni was so peaceful and in Alberobello we did meet tourism but worth it just to see the trulli. The walks were great - not too challenging and only took up part of the day so we had chance to explore by ourselves as well. I didn't expect to see so many wild flowers in June. We had excellent food in a wide variety of restaurants, wine-tasting and two super picnics. We used a variety of transport, including local buses and trains, and all went very smoothly. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The view of the duomo in Matera from my hotel room (in a cave) window - I couldn't stop looking at it and taking photos in varying light conditions. What did you think of your group leader? Vanessa was a super guide, bubbling over with energy and enthusiasm, very helpful and keen to share typical Italian things with us. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Good walking shoes vital for the rocky limestone paths, and potentially slippy steps in Matera.
Reviewed July 2018 Rachel Stanfield Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera Fantastic trip Wonderful trip in a beautiful part of Italy. The walking was not challenging, which was a good thing given the heat in mid-June, and covered some stunning and scenic routes. Great food and accommodation in all three locations. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The views from Montescaglioso at the start of our walk What did you think of your group leader? Vanessa was fantastic - knowledgeable, patient, and full of passion for her native country and region
Reviewed June 2018 Tara Taylor Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera Little known gems Walking in Matera was an interesting and eye opening experience. I knew nothing of the history of this facinating "heel of Italy' so was extremely surprised and delighted to discover it in the company of 5 other travellers and our wonderful guide Nino. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The history of Matera is so interesting and thought provoking. Wandering around the old town and seeing into the 'caves' was such a privilege. The town is incredibly stark built into a cliff with each place a cave transformed into living histories of people going back thousands of years. Alberobello was another wonderful discovery and so beautiful and unusual. What did you think of your group leader? Nino was our guide, he is knowledgeable and extremely helpful. He ensured the group knew what to expect everyday and was very considerate of people's walking abilities. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don't expect the walking to be particularly interesting. We had extremely hot weather which made the walking unpleasant for me. The walk was 9 June 2018. The walks overall were the least enjoyable part of the trip. They were not long so we had a lot of opportunity to explore on our own which was great. The villages and history was the surprise for me and made the experience wonderful. The food was disappointing to me as it was fairly plain and was very much localised. While its important to discover new foods i didnt really enjoy it. We did eat at a wonderful fish restaurant and we also got to spend half a day at the beach which was fantastic and really energised the group. One thing despite the guide saying one needs proper walking boots or shoes i think a good pair of trainers would be sufficient as long as they have a hard sole. I swapped mine and immediately felt more comfortable especially in the heat. The whole trip was incredible, it was a small group who got on well together and had many great laughs along the way. Nino was a fantastic guide who made everything wonderful, i would recommend this trip to anyone.
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