Discover Puglia: Italy's Ancient Heel

Experience Overview

Puglia is the best of Italy crammed into the heel of the boot: twisted olive trees, World Heritage towns, full-bodied primitivo wine, and sun-kissed beaches. Experience it for yourself, spending two nights in the spectacular cave town of Matera, before wandering among the fairytale trulli homes of Alberobello. There’s also time to sample olive oil in a traditional Apulian farm, explore the white city of Ostuni, visit the medieval coastal town of Otranto, and end in baroque Lecce, known as the Florence of the South.
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us. Itinerary: This is a busy week in which you enjoy real Italian hospitality and sightsee on foot in the best towns and areas of Puglia. All transfers are by private air-conditioned vehicle. Overall, this trip is suitable for everyone who is fit, healthy and comfortable with busy days on their feet. Walking profile: Some walking is necessary to reach hotels and restaurants when vehicles cannot pass closer. This trip also includes one optional coastal walk of approximately 4mi (6km). Although the distances covered during the sightseeing are not too long, the days can feel busy and you climb a lot of steps, sometimes uneven, in Matera and Ostuni while sightseeing. Weather: Puglia can be very hot, reaching high 30Cs (around 100F) in summer.
Group Description
A local tour leader is with the group throughout the week. However, due to Italian legislation, tour leaders are not allowed to guide groups in some cities, museums and churches. A local licenced guide accompanies the group in Matera. On the other days, you can sightsee with your tour leader or at your own pace.
Eating Drinking
This region is a food lover’s paradise and the abundance of delicious vegetables makes it a perfect destination for vegetarians. On this trip, there will be many opportunities to taste local specialties, in particular during the produce and wine tasting, cookery class and the traditional lunches included in the itinerary. A selection of food on offer includes: bread from the Murge; durum wheat pasta; olives; the pasta delicacy orecchiette, which is served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep’s ricotta-cheese; cavatelli with pulses; aubergine (eggplant) and parmesan bake; grilled fish and seafood; burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese); plus excellent wines.
Transportation
A private air-conditioned minibus will be used for all transfers during the week.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Hotel Sassi, Via S. Giovanni Vecchio, 89, 75100 Matera MT Phone: +39 0835 331009 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm in the evening. Airport: Bari Aiport (BRI) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 50 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are: Take an Exodus transfer We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. Make your own way You can reach the start hotel relatively easily using taxis or public transport. A cab from the airport costs approximately €80 and should take 50 minutes. Alternatively, you can catch the bus, bookable on Aeroporti di Puglia, which will cost approximately €4 and take 1hr 15min. You will be dropped off in Piazza Matteotti in Matera and from there, you can take a taxi or walk about 10 minutes to reach your hotel. On arrival at the hotel, please make the reception staff aware that you are part of an Exodus group and they will have more details on meeting with your leader and group. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.  Consider taking the train Reach this trip by train from the UK or across Europe and lower your carbon footprint. Our partner, Byway, can take care of the planning and booking.
Weather Information
Puglia has a wonderful Mediterranean climate with year-round sunshine and just enough rainfall to ensure the green is never too far away. Although Puglia covers a large area, it is long and narrow – not more than 18mi (30km) across. This means you’re never far from the sea, which has a moderating effect on the weather. Despite this, Puglia can get very hot, particularly in summer when temperatures can reach the high 30Cs (around 100F).
Spending Money
For the meals not included, allow €10-20 for lunch and €20-€30 for dinners. A coffee costs around €1-1.50 and a beer is usually €4-5. Local taxes: Many Italian cities have introduced a tourist tax for non-residents. The local administration oversees the tax, which will be collected by the accommodation provider at check-in or check-out. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, season and number of days of stay. It is usually between €1 and €3 per person per night. For this trip, allow approximately €10-€15 for the week.
Tipping
Our local staff are paid fairly for their work. Most of our groups wish to give a tip to their guides in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the service received. For this trip, we recommend a starting point of €20 per person for the leader and €15 per person for the driver.

Highlights