Vanessa was a wonderful guide and very aware of the needs of of all the participants. everyone... PHILLIP BUCCHI, 2018 See more reviews
An exploring holiday, not a 'wow' one but full of delights. Matera was a long-desired... Christine Brown, 2018 See more reviews
I chose the walking tour of Puglia & Matera because I had never seen Southern Italy. I was... Terri Markle, 2018 See more reviews
This trip was exactly what I had hoped for - a fascinating and varied tour of a part of Italy... Ruth Morgan, 2018 See more reviews
Wonderful trip in a beautiful part of Italy. The walking was not challenging, which was a good... Rachel Stanfield, 2018 See more reviews
Walking in Matera was an interesting and eye opening experience. I knew nothing of the history... Tara Taylor, 2018 See more reviews
This was a fantastic trip with three very different locations to stay in and experience. The... Nicola O’Rourke, 2018 See more reviews
I really enjoyed our week in Puglia and Matera and getting to know southern Italy with great... Christine Lewis, 2018 See more reviews
We spent a lovely week exploring the areas round Matera and parts of the Puglia region. The... Lynn Roulstone, 2018 See more reviews
Fantastic trip and bothe the tour guide and minibus driver were very obliging Amanda Soper, 2018 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all Matera to Alberobello Day 1 Fly to Bari; transfer to Matera. Those on the group flights will be met in Bari airport by the tour leader. A transfer of approximately 1 hour takes us to Matera. Our hotel is located in the heart of the UNESCO listed historic centre. There is usually time to wander through the narrow alleys of the town’s famous cave-dwelling district and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this enchanting city at night. Day 2 Short walk in Matera’s Rock Churches Park and guided sightseeing in the town's marvellous UNESCO 'Sassi' district; wine and produce tasting. We start the week with 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. The rest of the day is free to discover the city at our own pace. Late afternoon we enjoy a typical produce and wine tasting. ** 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 3 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 particularity picturesque in spring when many species of butterfly, orchid and cyclamen are found. Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 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 5 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 6 Morning walk to the coast; free time at the beach (in season) and transfer to the UNESCO town of Alberobello. 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 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. Overnight in Alberobello. Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Walk over the hills of the Itria Valley, dotted with olive trees, vineyards and trulli; visit Locorotondo, known for its superb wine. Our destination today is 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. Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Transfer to Bari; 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.
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 Matera we usually stay at the 3-star Hotel Sassi which offers tastefully renovated cavelike rooms in the heart of the historic UNESCO district. 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: 22nd Sep and 13th Oct 2018; 23rd March 2019, 6th April 2019, 25th May 2019, 21st September 2019 and 26th October 2019. In Alberobello we normally stay at Hotel Ramapendula offering outdoor swimming pool and located within reach of the town centre.
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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.
Reviewed June 2018 Nicola O’Rourke Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera Walking in Puglia and Matera This was a fantastic trip with three very different locations to stay in and experience. The accommodation in each location was original and very comfortable. The walking, itinerary and our guide, Nino, were just excellent. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Enjoying the sights and views of Matera. I’d love to go back. What did you think of your group leader? Nino was excellent. He was very caring and thought everything through thoroughly. He catered for everyone’s needs and tastes. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take non-slip shoes for Matera (no high heels and nothing without a non-slip sole.
Reviewed May 2018 Christine Lewis Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera A wonderful week in southern Italy I really enjoyed our week in Puglia and Matera and getting to know southern Italy with great company and a fantastic guide. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I could have spent at least another day in Matera despite a bit of rain and a dramatic thunderstorm. I also liked the peace and quiet at the masseria and walking in the olive groves. What did you think of your group leader? Barbara was a really great tour leader and demonstrated her passion for Italy and for nature with much enthusiasm and knowledge. She supported everyone in the group really well and went out of her way to make sure that every day and every walk was special. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? I was glad to have my walking boot in Matera and used these most days. I should have taken an umbrella as we have a dramatic thunderstorm in Matera and a few showers on other days. An umbrella would have worked better than putting on a waterproof walking jacket because it was quite humid. Is there anything else you would like to add? Matera will be the European capital of culture in 2019
Reviewed May 2018 Lynn Roulstone Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera Gentle strolls and some seriously good vegetarian food We spent a lovely week exploring the areas round Matera and parts of the Puglia region. The holiday was a very good mix of walking, guided sight-seeing and free time to do more sight-seeing or just relax with a drink at one of the many cafes, or even better eat one of the amazing ice-creams. Staying in three very different, locations, with very different accommodation means that you get a real feel for the area and the people. The walking is very easy and pretty gentle, though I imagine that in the height of summer when it would be considerable hotter, it might feel a lot tougher. None of the walks was longer than three/four hours, which left plenty of time to do other things. This suited me, but if you are a very keen walker, you might find it a little dull. This is a great region of Italy to visit, as though there are tourists, it is not nearly so packed as the more famous areas, and you get a much better idea about Italy than you maybe would shuffling round Florence or Rome. The other reason to visit is the food. I've never eaten so well on holiday, and as a vegetarian I was spoilt for choice, something that can be rather rare. Thoroughly recommended for anyone who wants to get away and chill out for a while. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The view of the Sassi district of Matera from our hotel room. Watching the lights come one and people wandering about was fascinating. As very little traffic is allowed in the area, you get a real sense of what life would be before cars. The beauty of the flowers and herbs we saw and smelled as we walked. Poppies, orchids, scabious, valerian, wild fennel. The smell of oregano was wonderful. What did you think of your group leader? Guiseppe was a knowledgeable local man, with a real love of his home area that he was eager to impart to us. He was very friendly, helpful and fun to be with. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Although the weather was warmer in England than Italy at the start of our trip, I'd recommend going early in the year. The flowers are very beautiful and the area is very green. Later in the year the Matera region gets very dry and also can be very hot. Seek out the ice-cream shops. There are a lot, selling an interesting mix of flavours, and we didn't come across a bad one. Is there anything else you would like to add? If you are a keen walker, looking for challenging walks, this might not be for you. If like me, you enjoy ambling through the countryside, I think you would enjoy thsi holiday.
Reviewed May 2018 Amanda Soper Trip: Walking in Puglia & Matera Material/puglia Fantastic trip and bothe the tour guide and minibus driver were very obliging What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The wonderful scenery along the way What did you think of your group leader? Excellent Do you have any advice for potential travellers? No Is there anything else you would like to add? No
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