Paths of Puglia & Matera - Premium Adventure
Paths of Puglia & Matera - Premium Adventure
Paths of Puglia & Matera - Premium Adventure
8 Days Starting in Ostuni and ending in Matera
Visiting: Italy
Tour Overview
On the southeast coast of Italy – the heel of the boot – lies the agricultural paradise of Puglia. This low-lying region was once a gateway for Western Europe to the Near East, and there’s a surprising mix of culture and traditions to discover. Visit the Unesco-listed town of Alberobello, home to fairytale trulli houses with their whitewashed facades and conical roofs, and walk in the shade of ancient olive trees and vineyards. Visit the baroque city of Lecce and discover why it has been nicknamed the Florence of the South. Hike above the topaz waters of the Adriatic coast and, finally, step back in time in the cave city of Matera.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Ostuni
Meals Included: Dinner
Our Premium Adventure begins in the white city of Ostuni, where whitewashed houses create a dazzling effect. A welcome dinner is included this evening so we can get to know each other.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Ostuni Palace
Day 2 : Morning Visit To Agnano Archaeological Park; Beachside Lunch & Free Time To Explore Ostuni
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We'll start todays walk directly from the hotel and walk through the olive groves that surround Ostuni and to the archaeological park of Santa Maria di Agnano, where we'll stop for a visit. We'll then continue our walk to Dune Costiere natural park and have our lunch in a beachside restaurant and enjoy some time to relax. Finally, we take a private transfer back to our accommodation in Ostuni. You'll have some free time to explore the city before heading to dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Ostuni Palace
Day 3 : Visit To The Baroque City Of Lecce
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning, we take the train to Lecce, justifiably known as the Florence of the South. A local guide will accompany us through the pretty streets and share information about the cultural importance and history of the area, particularly the Basilica di Santa Croce, duomo (cathedral) and Piazza del Duomo. There will be free time for shopping or visiting other renowned sites such as the Roman amphitheatre, the statue of Santo Oronzo or a papier mâché workshop. Later, we take the train to Monopoli and then take a private transfer to our next stop, Alberobello.
Premium accommodation: Abate Masseria or Il Palmento
Day 4 : Walk Among The Olive Trees And Vineyards Of The Itria Valley; Visit The Hilltop Town Of Locorotondo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
A short private transfer will take us to the starting point for our first walk of the week, crossing the peaceful Itria Valley. Passing trulli, ancient olive trees and myriad vineyards, we walk along narrow countryside tracks on our way to the hilltop town of Locorotondo, known for having a relaxed atmosphere, pretty alleys and excellent white wine. We'll stop for a picnic along the way and take a short train back to Alberobello. Later in the afternoon, we visit a local winery for a wine and produce tasting.
Premium accommodation: Abate Masseria or Il Palmento
Day 5 : Morning Walk At San Giuliano Lake And Transfer To The Unesco Town Of Matera
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, we start our journey to Matera, first stopping at San Giuliano Lake. We walk around the lake towards the original Sin Crypt, a cave with frescos dating back to the 11th century. The crypt is now part of a masseria farm, where we have a light lunch before heading on our way to Matera. We take a private transfer to Matera, one of the most memorable destinations in Italy, made famous by the James Bond film, No Time to Die (2021). Our cave hotel is in the heart of the Sassi District, just a few steps from the most famous attractions in town. After check in, there is free time before we enjoy a first glimpse of the enchanting alleys and unique architecture on a guided sunset tour of the city. We'll end with a classic Italian aperitivo in a beautiful setting and admire the twinkling lights of Matera from a lofty position.
Premium accommodation: Casa Diva or Antico Convicino
Day 6 : Hike To The Murgia Plateau And Park Of Rock Churches
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is completely dedicated to Matera where we start our walk around the Sassi district and stop for a light lunch along the way. we enjoy a short hike to the Murgia plateau, a vast protected area home to more than 150 rupestrian churches dating from the eighth century. Once inhabited by hermits, the plateau is adorned with wonderful Byzantine frescoes. We then hike to the top of the ravine, following a pathway that ends with a spectacular viewpoint of the Sassi District. In the afternoon, we take part in a cooking class and then enjoy dinner together.
Premium accommodation: Casa Diva or Antico Convicino
Day 7 : Walk The Outskirts Of Matera To Explore Prehistoric Caves And Rock Villages
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On our final hike of the week, we take the bus to Montescaglioso village and will have a short stroll to the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo (known as the City of Monasteries) where we stop for a visit with a local guide. We continue our day with a walk through Murgia park and here we'll enjoy a picnic lunch before catching the bus back to Matera. On our return to Matera, we have free time before heading to a local winery for a wine tasting before a farewell dinner.
Premium accommodation: Casa Diva or Antico Convicino
Day 8 : End Matera
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends in Matera this morning after breakfast. If you’d like a bit more time to explore this magnificent Basilicatan city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, five lunches, five dinners, two wine and produce tastings
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All accommodation
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Named tour leader, chosen for their expertise
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Guided visits in Alberobello, Lecce, Ostuni and Matera
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Entrance tickets and guided visits of San Agnano Archaeological Park and San Michele Abbey
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Train tickets to/from Lecce
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Local city taxes
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Group arrival and departure transfers available
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (limited availability, only on request)
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Upgraded rooms in Matera (limited availability, only on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Tips for tour leader, driver and local city guides
Food
All breakfasts, five lunches, five dinners and two wine and local produce tastings are included.
In Puglia, you will find genuine regional cooking with strong links to land and sea. To give you just a small list of the on offer in Puglia: bread from the Murge, durum wheat pasta, olives, the pasta delicacy orecchiette 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. This region is a food lover’s paradise, and the abundance of delicious vegetables also makes it a perfect destination for vegetarians. On this trip, there will be many opportunities to taste the best local specialities, particularly during the produce and wine tasting and the traditional dinner included in the itinerary.
Accommodation
The accommodation on this trip has been handpicked to showcase the very best of the three towns in which we stay.
Ostuni: Hotel Ostuni Palace or 5° Elemento (nights 1-2)
In the heart of the White City, the four-star Ostuni Palace occupies an ideal position for our adventures. The 34 rooms are traditional and elegant, plus there's a spa and wellness centre should you wish to indulge a little. Elsewhere, the restaurant serves a contemporary take on traditional Puglian fare and breakfasts are a hearty buffet selection that includes fresh fruits, just-baked croissants and homemade cakes.
Alberobello: Il Palmento or Abate Masseria (nights 3-4)
In Alberobello, we stay in either Il Palmento (above) or Abate Masseria, depending on availability. Both have masterfully incorporated traditional trulli into their properties, while also offering modern comforts, including Puglian restaurants and swimming pools.
Matera: Casa Diva or Albergo Del Sedile (nights 5-7)
In Matera, you stay in either Casa Diva (above) or Albergo Del Sedile. Casa Diva occupies a historic manor house in the UNESCO-listed Sassi district, each of the eight rooms individually designed. Make sure to visit the terrace for stretching views over this unique, beautiful town.
Worth knowing
The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance; however, we may need to make changes to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. While we will endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance, this could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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