Self Guided Walking in Puglia: From Lecce to Matera
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating self-guided walking tour through the enchanting region of Puglia, Italy, from Lecce to Matera. This journey invites you to explore UNESCO World Heritage sites like Matera and Alberobello, and discover the Baroque beauty of Lecce and the whitewashed charm of Ostuni. Delight in the region's culinary treasures, savoring local food and wine, while staying in charming hotels, including a unique stay in a traditional 'trullo' house. With optional walks, you have ample time to immerse yourself in each destination's allure. Enjoy the convenience of luggage transfers and explore at your own pace, with the freedom to arrange your own train or bus tickets for certain segments. This tour promises a perfect blend of cultural exploration, scenic walks, and gastronomic delights in one of Italy's most picturesque regions. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Lecce
Location: Lecce
Accommodation Name: hotel
Arrive in Lecce. Enjoy some free time to discover the main monuments of the Salento region's capital, with its baroque architecture, stunning basilica and Roman amphitheatre.
Day 2 : Otranto Walk
Location: Otranto
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take a morning train or bus to Otranto (train or bus ticket not included), a little seaside village facing the Adriatic sea and known as the gateway to the Orient. Visit its Aragonese castle and cathedral, home to the impressive 'Tree of Life' mosaic which covers its entire floor and is well worth a visit. Then follow the coastline, past imposing coastal watchtowers, to the Orte cove. Return to Lecce by bus or train (pay locally).
Day 3 : Lido Morelli to Ostuni walk
Location: Ostuni
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Private transfer (1hr) to the golden sands and crystal clear waters of Lido Morelli. Then set off through the rich and verdant wetlands of the Dune Costiere Natural Park, passing traditional masserie (farmhouses) and ancient olive trees - at 1000 years old, they are the oldest in the Mediterranean. End the day in the striking hilltop town of Ostuni, known as the 'white city' due to its brightly whitewashed buildings clustered together on the hillside. Explore Ostuni's enchanting maze of Greek-style winding streets before dinner.
Day 4 : Locorotondo and the Itria Valley
Location: Itria Valley
Accommodation Name: Trullo
Meals Included: Breakfast
We take you (40 mins) to the sleepy village of Correggia, then make your way through the gently rolling countryside of the Itria Valley, past ancient olive groves, vineyards and trulli, to the wine town of Locorotondo. Take a short (15 minute) train ride back to Alberobello (train ticket not included). Spend the night in a typical 'Trullo' in the historical centre of Alberobello.
Day 5 : Alberobello exploration or Martina Franca Walk
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation Name: Trullo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Discover Alberobello, UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic town owing to the 1000 white-tipped trulli that can be found here. Alternatively, walk through a patchwork of trulli dotted meadows, wheat fields, vineyards and olive groves to the elegant Baroque town of Martina Franca. There is an optional transfer to the start of this walk to make a shorter walk of 14km.
Day 6 : The Rock Churches of Matera Walk
Location: Matera
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a private transfer, this scenic walk takes you across the Murgia plateau facing Matera, and the impressive 8th century rock churches that pepper the landscape. This area is perfect for a spot of birdwatching as you walk amongst the pastures and stone farmhouses, keeping your eyes out for birds of prey as you go.
Day 7 : Matera exploration or Gravina Walk
Location: Matera
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Matera's Sassi district is renowned for its cave-houses, which have been inhabited for centuries and have since been converted into comfortable accommodation. Take a guided tour to learn more of this UNESCO recognised city (payable locally), or hop on the train to Gravina, birthplace of Pope Benedict XIII, with its historic palaces and dramatic canyon. From the town's iconic 17th century aqueduct bridge, head uphill to the Botrugno Hill for sweeping views of this picturesque town, before returning to its atmospheric centro storico. Return to Matera by train.
Day 8 : End Matera
Location: Matera
Meals Included: Breakfast
End in Matera after breakfast.
What's Included
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All breakfasts
All breakfasts are included in the tour package.
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Luggage transfers between hotels
Luggage transfers between hotels are included in the tour.
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Walk transfers
Walk transfers are included, but this excludes rail and bus transfers.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included in the tour package.
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Single accommodation
Single accommodation is not included and is available on request with a compulsory supplement.
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Solo traveller supplement
A solo traveller supplement is required when only one person is travelling on a departure date.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas or vaccinations are not included in the tour package.
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Rail and bus transfers
Rail and bus transfers are not included and participants need to arrange their own train or bus tickets for certain segments.
Food
All breakfasts are included. In Puglia you will find genuine regional cooking that has strong links to the land and the sea. To give you an example of the types of food on offer in Puglia: simple, tasty dishes such as the pasta delicacy “orecchiette” served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep’s ricotta-cheese, “cavatelli” with pulses, aubergine and parmesan bake, courgettes “alla poverella” - marinated in oil, garlic, mint and vinegar, etc., to accompany grilled fish, seafood, horse-meat chops, lamb, “burrata” (soft mozzarella and cream cheese), mozzarella and “caciocavallo” sheep’s cheese... plus excellent wines. This region is a food lovers paradise!
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Accommodation
All the hotels on this trip have been specially selected for their location and character. In Alberobello, we use a family-run hotel in beautifully restored 'trulli' houses while in Matera, your hotel is just a few steps from the famous Sassi district, with wonderful views from its panoramic terrace.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
The tour features charming hotels selected for their location and character. In Alberobello, you will stay in a family-run hotel in beautifully restored 'trulli' houses, while in Matera, your hotel is just steps away from the famous Sassi district, offering wonderful views from its panoramic terrace. ...more ...less
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Are there any meals included in the tour?
All breakfasts are included in the tour. Puglia offers genuine regional cooking with dishes such as 'orecchiette' pasta, 'cavatelli' with pulses, and a variety of cheeses and seafood, making it a food lover's paradise.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes luggage transfers between hotels and walk transfers. However, participants need to arrange their own train or bus tickets for certain segments, such as traveling to Otranto and returning to Lecce.
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What are some of the highlights of the walking tour in Puglia?
Highlights include visiting UNESCO sites like Matera and Alberobello, discovering Baroque Lecce and the white city of Ostuni, and savoring local food and wine. The walks are optional, allowing plenty of time to explore each destination.
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What can I expect to see during the walk in Otranto?
In Otranto, you can visit the Aragonese castle and the cathedral, which houses the impressive 'Tree of Life' mosaic. The walk follows the coastline past coastal watchtowers to the Orte cove.
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What is unique about the walk from Lido Morelli to Ostuni?
This walk takes you through the Dune Costiere Natural Park, past traditional masserie and ancient olive trees, ending in the hilltop town of Ostuni, known for its whitewashed buildings and Greek-style winding streets.
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What is special about the Rock Churches of Matera Walk?
The walk across the Murgia plateau offers views of 8th-century rock churches and is ideal for birdwatching. You will walk among pastures and stone farmhouses, with opportunities to spot birds of prey.
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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.
Enquire for Extra Savings
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Self Guided Walking in Puglia: From Lecce to Matera
8 Days Starting in Lecce, Italy and ending in Matera, Italy
Visiting: Lecce, Otranto, Ostuni, Itria Valley, Alberobello, Matera
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W07PM
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
12-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History