7 Days • 6 Nights
Puglia & Matera: The Heel of Italy
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll wander the conical trulli houses of Alberobello, explore the baroque splendour of Lecce, the 'Florence of the South', walk the whitewashed lanes of Ostuni, and stand among the ancient cave dwellings of Matera, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth. Orecchiette, burrata and Primitivo wine season the days.
With characterful stays including a trullo or cave hotel, it is Italy off the beaten track and all the richer for it.
Trip Highlights
- The conical trulli houses of Alberobello
- Baroque Lecce, the 'Florence of the South'
- The whitewashed hill town of Ostuni
- The ancient cave city of Matera (a Sassi stay)
- The coastal towns of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli
- Puglian food — orecchiette, burrata and Primitivo wine
- Six nights across Puglia and Matera
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Puglian farm lunch
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.
Arrive at Bari and settle on the coast at pretty Polignano a Mare, perched above its sea caves. A welcome dinner of Puglian seafood and wine.
Explore the whitewashed old towns of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, with their coves and harbours, and a taste of the region's famous burrata.
Travel inland to Alberobello, a fairy-tale town of conical trulli houses, settling into your own trullo stay among the olive groves.
A day exploring baroque Lecce, the 'Florence of the South', and the dazzling white hill town of Ostuni, with a masseria farm lunch.
Travel to Matera, the extraordinary cave city, checking into a hotel carved from the ancient stone of the Sassi districts.
A guided walk through Matera's Sassi — cave churches, ancient dwellings and one of the oldest inhabited landscapes on earth, glowing at sunset.
A final southern breakfast before your transfer to Bari airport.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 6 nights across the Puglian coast, a trullo stay and a Matera cave hotel
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Puglian farm (masseria) lunch
- A guided visit to Alberobello's trulli
- A guided Lecce baroque tour
- A visit to Ostuni and a coastal town
- A guided Matera Sassi tour with entry
- Local guides and a comfortable touring vehicle
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Italy
- Schengen visa or ETIAS fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- City tourist tax (tassa di soggiorno), payable at your hotels
- Optional excursions, experiences and upgrades
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Non-EU visitors generally need a Schengen visa, and many visa-exempt nationalities will need the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay — we can advise
- Language: The language is Italian, and a warm buongiorno and grazie are always appreciated. English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas
- Currency: The currency is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for small cafes, markets and tips
- Tipping: A cover charge (coperto) often applies at restaurants, so tipping is not expected — rounding up for good service is plenty
- Best seasons: Italy is wonderful year-round. Spring and autumn are ideal for touring, summer is hot and busy in the cities, and the Amalfi Coast and Sicily shine from May to October
- Dress code: Churches such as St Peter's and the Duomo require covered shoulders and knees, so carry a light scarf. Smart-casual is ideal for dinner
- Getting around: Italy's Frecciarossa high-speed trains link the cities beautifully, and some legs of your tour may travel by comfortable, scenic rail
- Opening times: Many sites close one day a week and some shops pause midday; the Vatican Museums close on Sundays (except the last of the month). Your itinerary is arranged around this
- Driving zones: Historic city centres have restricted traffic zones (ZTL). We use trains and licensed drivers so you never risk a fine
- Safety: Italy is very safe, but as at any major attraction keep an eye on your belongings on busy transport and in crowded squares
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a Tuscan wine lunch or an Amalfi seafood dinner. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Italy's wonderful trattorias and gelaterias.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your sightseeing, transfers and day tours are arranged with local guides, so there is nothing to organise on the ground.
Do I need a visa for Italy?
Most non-EU visitors need a Schengen visa or the ETIAS authorisation. We can guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are ideal, with pleasant weather and thinner crowds. The Amalfi Coast and Sicily are loveliest from May to October.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can extend your stay or combine regions. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
Depending on the route, you travel by comfortable private vehicle or by Italy's superb Frecciarossa high-speed trains, all arranged for you.
What is a trullo and a Sassi stay?
A trullo is a traditional Puglian house with a conical stone roof, and the Sassi are Matera's ancient cave dwellings — both offer atmospheric, characterful stays unique to this region.
Is southern Italy easy to travel?
Yes — with private transfers and local guides it is wonderfully easy, and Puglia remains refreshingly uncrowded compared with Italy's north.
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