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Bask in the radiating ambiance of the sun-drenched paradise of Puglia on an 8-day walking voyage in Italy. Discover the enchanting triad of UNESCO listed sites of Alberobello and Matera, and the white jewel of Italy - Ostuni, while indulging in surreal gastronomic experiences and exhilarating hikes. Brace yourself for a journey that ignites a fierce wanderlust - you won't want to leave!
Commence your journey in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello. Spend time exploring this town almost entirely formed of trulli, fairytale-like dwellings with conical grey-stone roofs. Your journey continues exploring the vineyards of Itria Valley and the hilltop town of Locorotondo, a town known for its excellent white wine. Travel to Matera, a hitherto unknown jewel that shot to international popularity thanks to the latest James Bond ...
Commence your journey in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello. Spend time exploring this town almost entirely formed of trulli, fairytale-like dwellings with conical grey-stone roofs. Your journey continues exploring the vineyards of Itria Valley and the hilltop town of Locorotondo, a town known for its excellent white wine. Travel to Matera, a hitherto unknown jewel that shot to international popularity thanks to the latest James Bond movie. Spend the next few days exploring breathtaking landscapes, indulging in local cuisine and wine, uncovering prehistoric caves and rock villages, while creating unforgettable experiences before bidding farewell to Matera.
This exciting trip includes 8 nights of unique boutique accommodations on a twin share basis including a trulli house; a small 4 hotel and a beautiful cave hotel. Meals and activities are specified in the itinerary.
Indulge your thirst for unprecedented adventure and heed the beckoning call of a surreal escapade through the heavenly Puglia region in Italy, where you can immerse yourself in captivating scenery and exhilarating hikes for a thrilling period of 8 days.
Dates or itinerary don't fit? We are specialising in bespoke "tailor-made" luxury or private journeys. Please contact us for a "tailor-made" itinerary for your perfect adventure.
This tour is eligible to earn ONLYLUXE reward points.
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Embark on a journey where the ethereal meets the earthly, where the very essence of adventure unfolds amidst the fairytale town of Alberobello. Explore the whimsical charm of Alberobello, amidst the trulli-lined streets. Alberobello, home to 1,500 unique trulli structures. These famous cone-shaped roofs are on the UNESCO World Heritage list and make for a fantastic setting for an exciting journey to start.
Starting at the hotel, we have an aperitif upon arrival before a group dinner, where we can get to know each other a little better. You'll stay at Hotel Ramapendula, a family-friendly hotel in Alberobello, offering an outdoor swimming pool, a typical Apulian restaurant, and bright rooms with garden.
Approx. 8mi (13km), Ascent: 492ft (150m); Descent: 492ft (150m); Activity hours: 4hr 30min
A swift transfer ushers us to the threshold of our inaugural journey, tracing a path through the tranquil embrace of the Itria Valley. Amidst the timeless tableau of trulli, ancient olive groves, and sprawling vineyards, we tread along rustic country lanes toward the idyllic perch of Locorotondo. Renowned for its laid-back ambiance, picturesque lanes, and exquisite white wines, this hilltop haven offers a sanctuary for the soul. Once in Locorotondo, enjoy free time to explore – the Church of San Giorgio Martire, in the heart of the historic centre, is a masterpiece of Apulian baroque.
En route, a pause for a pastoral picnic amidst nature's splendour rejuvenates body and spirit alike, before a brief train or bus ride whisks us back to Alberobello. Dinner is guest's own arrangement.
Approx. 4mi (6km), Ascent: 328ft (100m); Descent: 328ft (100m); Activity hours: 2
In the morning, we take a private transfer to the whitewashed hilltop city of Ostuni. Ostuni's olive-clad embrace to the storied grounds of Santa Maria di Agnano. 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.
There, amidst ancient whispers, we tread onward to Agnano Archaeological Park, where we walk a winding path to see church ruins and the bones of a lady within a cave. Lunch is guest's own arrangement.
This evening, we have a delicious dinner and stay either in a beautiful masseria – a renovated farmhouse typical of the Apulian region – or in a three-star hotel in the historic centre of Ostuni, where Ostuni's culinary tales dance on our palates, a prelude to tomorrow's unfolding adventures.
The hotel in Ostuni is either Masseria Morrone or Hotel La Terra. The first is a 18th-century farmhouse outside Ostuni. Now run by the Laera family, it has a pool in the garden and rustic rooms. The second is set within a 13th-century building in the historic quarter of Ostuni. Along with an ideal location, it has a bar serving Apulian aperitifs and wine.
Today is free to discover the many jewels of this beautiful region. We recommend a day trip to the beautiful baroque city of Lecce, hailed as the Florence of the South, a city steeped in timeless allure. Home to more than 40 churches and countless palaces, plus a Roman amphitheatre, you could traverse its enchanting streets, where tales of antiquity intertwine with the present. Amongst the splendour of Basilica di Santa Croce, the grandeur of the duomo, and the heartbeat of Piazza del Duomo, we unravel the tapestry of Lecce's cultural legacy.
Alternatively, travel to Bari to explore the historic centre. Aside from the many beautiful old buildings, it is home to the Strada delle Orecchiette, where you can see local women create and sell the ear-shaped pasta, orecchiette.
Both destinations are reachable by train from Ostuni. In the evening, we regroup for a delicious dinner.
Approx. 7mi (12km), Descent: 328ft (100m); Activity hours: 3
This morning, we take the train 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.
Refreshed, we continue our odyssey towards Matera, which is thought to have been inhabited for around 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest towns in the world. Matera is an Italian gem immortalised by the silver screen in the latest James Bond spectacle, "No Time to Die" (2021). Our sanctuary lies within the heart of the storied Sassi District, mere footsteps from the city's renowned landmarks. After settling in, the day unfolds with free time before exploring Matera's labyrinthine alleys and singular architecture on a guided sunset excursion. As twilight descends, we gather for an Italian aperitivo, a timeless ritual amidst a picturesque backdrop, basking in the glow of Matera's twinkling lights from our elevated vantage point.
Our final nights are spent in either Hotel Sassi or Fra I Sassi Residence. Opened in 1996, Hotel Sassi took over a series of dwellings, some of which date to the 1500s. There’s an Italian spread for breakfast (most of the produce locally sourced) and wonderful views of Matera from the terrace. The 15-room Fra I Sassi offers similarly spectacular views plus rooms built from the caves themselves.
Approx. 8mi (13km), Ascent: 427ft (130m); Descent: 820ft (250m)
Embark on a journey through Matera's timeless landscapes as we delve into the heart of its rich history and natural beauty. Our day begins with a leisurely exploration of two of the Sassi’s historic quarters: the Civita, dominated by the duomo (cathedral), and the Caveoso with its caves, where every alleyway tells a story.
Venturing further towards the ridge of Matera’s ravine and continue along a route characterised by Mediterranean scrub and cave complexes dating to the 11th century. We continue the walk surrounded by olive groves and arable land until we reach Serra Pizzuta forest. We return by public bus to our hotel.
Approx. 4mi (7km), Ascent: 1,148ft (350m); Descent: 1,148ft (350m); Activity hours: 3hr 30min
Today we 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 hike to the top of the ravine, following a pathway that ends with a spectacular view of the Sassi district. In the afternoon, we walk back to Matera for a guided tour.
Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, we wander the narrow alleys of the cave-dwelling district and learn about 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 independently.
As the sun rises on our final day of adventure, we bid farewell to Matera with a heavy heart after breakfast before transferring back to the airport. You can join a scheduled airport transfer or make your own arrangements for your onward travel. Alternatively extend your stay to immerse yourself in the magic of this fascinating Basilicatan city, for an additional cost please contact us.
NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.
- The departure point is Alberobello. Guests can arrive at any time on Day 1. The start hotel is approximately a 1hr 10min drive from the airport.
- The finish point is Matera
- The closest airport to Alberobello is Bari Airport (BRI).
- Getting to your hotel includes 3 options:
Option 1: An airport group transfer from Bari Airport (BRI) which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK.
Option 2: A private transfer from Bari Airport can be arranged at an additional cost.
Option 3: Make your own way to Day 1 hotel.
Puglia has a wonderful Mediterranean climate with year-round sunshine and just enough rainfall to ensure the green is never too far off. Although Puglia covers a large area it is long and narrow – not more than 19mi (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, reaching high 30s (around 100F) in the summer.
The walking level on this trip is rated Level 2 Leisurely/Moderate.
Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day; daily ascents will likely be around 985ft to 1,640ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,970ft (600m).
Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,640ft to 2,625ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m).
Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily ascents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).
Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).
Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or ‘split’ grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.
During the days, we walk for three to six hours (including lunch and photo stops). The terrain and path type will vary from paved tracks to gravel. Please note, 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, but there are some ascents and descents, so a reasonable amount of fitness is required. Puglia can also be very warm, possibly reaching 35C (95F) between July and September. Walking hours stated in the itinerary are approximates only. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group.