Walking in Puglia & Matera

Experience Overview

The heel of Italy’s boot, formed of the Puglia and Basilicata regions, offers trails through olive groves and towns seemingly plucked from a storybook – ideal for a culture-packed walking adventure. This walking holiday in Puglia and Matera begins among the fairytale trulli houses of Alberobello and continues to the highlights of the region: the Itria Valley hills; the white city of Ostuni; and the cave town of Matera − 10,000 years old with a spectacular ravine-edge location.
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. Walking hours: Three to six, including lunch and photo stops. Walking durations stated in the itinerary are approximations and vary depending on the group’s pace.Terrain and path type: Vary from paved tracks to gravel. The terrain on the trails near Matera can be uneven or rocky, so trekking shoes or boots with good grip are required. The walks are easy; however, there are some ascents and descents, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts, one lunch, three dinners, and one wine and local produce tasting are included. The regional cuisine has strong links to the land and sea. This area is a paradise for food lovers and the abundance of delicious vegetables also makes it a great destination for vegetarians. A selection of the food on offer includes: the pasta delicacy orecchiette, which is typically served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep’s ricotta; cavatelli pasta with pulses; aubergine (eggplant) and parmesan bake; grilled fish and seafood; burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese); plus excellent wines.
Transportation
A private minibus is used for the airport transfers. We use a mix of private and public transport (train and bus) during the week.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Hotel Astoria, Viale Bari, 11, 70011 Alberobello BA Phone: +39 080 432 3320 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm in the evening. Airport: Bari Airport (BRI) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately a 1hr 10min drive from the airport. 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. 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 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. Please note, Puglia can be very hot, particularly in summer when temperatures can near 40C (104F).
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. Optional activities: — Round-trip train to Polignano a Mare: €7-€10 — Round-trip train to Lecce: €12-€15 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, the season and number of days of stay. It is usually between €1 and €4 per person per night. For this trip, please allow approximately €7-€10 for the week.
Tipping
Our local staff are paid fairly for their work. Most of our travellers wish to tip 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 guide.

Highlights

Hike the finest trails in Puglia and Matera, guided by our expert tour leader — Wander among the fairytale trulli houses of Alberobello — Discover the extraordinary cave town of Matera, among the oldest towns in the world — Explore the viewpoints and ancient churches in the all-white hilltop town of Ostuni — Walk over the Itria Valley hills to Locorotondo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy

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Trip Details

Product Code: 40254

Tour Type: Small Group

Accommodation: Moderate

Transport: the week.

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Budget

Tour Operator: Exodus Travel

Supplier Code: TEV2

Starts:

Finishes:

Duration: 8 days

Departures: Guaranteed

Physical Rating: Unknown

Includes

All accommodation: 7 Classic nights (hotels) — All breakfasts, two dinners, one wine tasting — Immersive itinerary with all transport (private minivan, bus and train) and listed activities — Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure — Group arrival and departure transfers available

Accommodation

A selection of hotels
We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines. Worth knowing Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.Room upgrades: Upgrade your room on Day 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 of this itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3630 ($454 /day)

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Adventure starts in Alberobello; welcome dinner

This walking trip starts in Alberobello, a town almost entirely formed of trulli, fairytale-like dwellings with conical grey-stone roofs. The origin of these UNESCO-protected limestone houses is obscure; however, local farmers claim they were originally built to evade taxes. When the tax inspectors were nearby, the dry-stone walls could easily be dismantled by removing the keystone above the door, and quickly rebuilt after the inspection. Around 6pm, say ciao to your tour leader and fellow travellers over an aperitif, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over a group dinner. Want more time in Alberobello? Speak to your sales representative to add extra nights. Upgrade to a room with a balcony today – speak to your sales representative for more details

2

Day 2: Walk over the Itria Valley hills; visit Locorotondo; wine-tasting session

We start with a walk to Locorotondo. Sitting on a hilltop, our destination is among the most beautiful villages in Italy. Following narrow country lanes, we walk over the Itria Valley hills, which are dotted with olive trees, vineyards and trulli. In Locorotondo, enjoy free time to explore before we visit a winery for an expertly guided tasting and lunch. At the end of the day, we take a short train or bus ride back to Alberobello. Upgrade to a room with a balcony today – speak to your sales representative for more details

3

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 whitewashed hilltop city of Ostuni. After free time, in which you can visit viewpoints and centuries-old churches, we explore the surrounding countryside on foot, walking through ancient olive groves and vineyards overlooking the Adriatic. Along the way, we stop at Agnano Archaeological Park, where we walk a winding path to see church ruins and the bones of a lady within a cave, before transferring to our hotel for the next two nights.

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Day 4: Free day. Optional activities include visiting the baroque city of Lecce or the port city of Bari

Today is free to discover the many jewels of this beautiful region and there are plenty of optional activities to enjoy. You may wish to tour the beautiful baroque city of Lecce, known as the Florence of the South, and home to more than 40 churches and countless palaces, plus a Roman amphitheatre. Alternatively, travel to Bari for a street food tour or visit an olive mill in Ostuni for a guided exploration. In the evening, we regroup for a delicious dinner.

5

Day 5: Coastal walk in Polignano a Mare; transfer to Matera

This morning, we drive to the stylish seaside town of Polignano a Mare, which is raised above the Adriatic on a limestone cliff. We first walk along the coast for beautiful sea views before exploring the historic centre, where alleys wind among white houses and lead to terraces with more views over the Adriatic. In the afternoon, we transfer to the cave town of Matera, which is thought to have been inhabited for around 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest towns in the world. James Bond fans may recognise it as the scenic background for a thrilling car chase in No Time to Die (2021), while scenes for Wonder Woman (2017) and The Passion of the Christ (2004) were also shot here. Its crumbling beauty is undoubtedly a lure for film directors and location scouts, but it’s the ancient Sassi districts, formed of ancient cave dwellings dug into the limestone, that are the true star here. Our hotel is in the middle of the sassi; after check-in, we enjoy our first glimpse of the enchanting alleys and unique architecture of this troglodyte town. Upgrade to a junior suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details

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Day 6: Outskirts of Matera and guided visit around the town

Transfer by bus to the outskirts of Matera, reaching the ridge of the deep limestone canyon on which the town was built to begin our hike. Our route takes in the dramatic landscapes of the area, discovering different caves, rock churches and rock villages. Returning to the town, we join a knowledgeable local guide in the afternoon to explore the narrow alleys of the cave-dwelling district and learn about the history of this fascinating place. Upgrade to a junior suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details

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Day 7: Hike in Matera’s Rock Churches Park

Enjoy a short hike to the Murgia plateau, a vast protected area home to more than 150 Rupestrian churches dating to the eighth century, adorned with Byzantine frescoes and once inhabited by hermits. We follow a pathway on the edge of the ravine with a spectacular view of the Sassi district. Then we descend Matera’s canyon until we reach a suspension bridge, which allows us to cross to the other side of the valley (weather dependent) and reach Matera centre on foot. Back in Matera, the rest of the day is free to discover the city independently. Please note, those with vertigo or who have difficulty with heights may not wish to cross the suspension bridge today. If this is the case, speak to your tour leader at the start of the trip and they will be happy to explain your options. Upgrade to a junior suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details

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Day 8: Adventure ends in Matera

The trip ends in Matera after breakfast. If you’d like to explore this wonderful destination a little longer, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

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