Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy - Reverse
Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy - Reverse
Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy - Reverse
8 Days Starting in Lecce and ending in Matera
Visiting: Lecce, Otranto, Ostuni, Alberobello, Castellana Caves, Matera
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ADER
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
5 - 18
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through Puglia, the enchanting heel of Italy, with our "Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy - Reverse" tour. This unique adventure offers an immersive experience into the heart of Italian culture, history, and architecture. Marvel at the Baroque splendor of Lecce and the crystal-clear waters of Salento, explore the iconic Trulli houses in Alberobello, and be mesmerized by the UNESCO-listed town of Matera. Your stay will be as authentic as it gets, with accommodations in renovated traditional buildings, including modern hotels near historic centers, four-star hotels in Ostuni, authentic Trulli houses, and comfortable hotels in Matera, providing a real taste of classic Apulian architecture. Highlights include all breakfasts, a lunch/cookery class, a wine tasting, and the expertise of a tour leader throughout your journey. Dive into the rich history, indulge in sightseeing, enjoy leisurely walks, and savor wine tasting experiences that will make your trip unforgettable.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Lecce
Location: Lecce
Accommodation Name: Hotel Eos (or similar)
Our tour starts in Lecce, arguably one of the most distinctive baroque cities in Europe.Accommodation: Hotel Eos (or similar)
Day 2 : Transfer To Otranto; Visit The Historic Centre; Afternoon Optional Coastal Walk Or Relax At The Beach (Seasonal); Transfer To Lecce
Location: Otranto
Accommodation Name: Eos Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we transfer to pretty Otranto, the easternmost town in Italy. We spend the day exploring the pretty architecture, views, sea-front restaurants and white sandy beaches of the medieval centre. We also visit the Romanesque cathedral, dating to 1088 and with extensive 12th-century floor mosaics. After lunch, we can join our tour leader for an optional gentle coastal walk following the Salento coves and creeks (approximately two hours walking, 4mi/6km). Those who prefer not to take part can explore the town at their own pace, or perhaps relax on one of the Otranto beaches (seasonal), renowned for their clear water. In the afternoon, we transfer to Lecce. We will then enjoy a guided visit to Lecce in the afternoon, arguably one of the most distinctive baroque cities in Europe. Most of the buildings here are constructed in the soft local stone, with pretty decorations and cherubs covering façades and doorways. During our walking tour, we have time to admire several architectural gems, including the best baroque monument in town: the Basilica di Santa Croce, ornamented with strange beasts and allegories.Accommodation: Eos Hotel (or similar)
Day 3 : Explore The Hilltop Town Of Ostuni; Olive Oil Tasting And Pasta-Making Class In Traditional 'Masseria'
Location: Ostuni
Accommodation Name: Hotel La Terra
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, we take a private transfer to the white city of Ostuni. On the way, we visit an ancient masseria (traditional Apulian farm) where we enjoy an olive oil tasting. For lunch, we visit another typical masseria surrounded by olive trees, some of which are more than 1,000 years old, reaching it by a 1.2mi (2km) walk along a scenic lane. Here, we take part in a cooking class followed by a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we transfer 4mi (6km) to Ostuni, where there will be free time to visit the city. We stay overnight in Ostuni.Accommodation: Hotel La Terra
Day 4 : Drive To Alberobello Via The Fishing Town Of Polignano A Mare; Sightseeing And Overnight In Traditional ‘Trullo’
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation Name: Trulli houses
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning, we take a private transfer to Alberobello, stopping en route at the village of Polignano a Mare, which is on the edge of a craggy ravine. We stroll along the whitewashed streets and enjoy superb views of the Adriatic Sea and coastline from a panoramic terrace. Later, we transfer to Alberobello, a town home to dry-stone dwellings called trulli. We enjoy wine tasting at a local winery before dinner, and stay overnight in traditional trulli.Accommodation: Trulli houses
Day 5 : Free Day. Visit The Castellana Caves Or Monopoli By The Adriatic Sea
Location: Castellana Caves
Accommodation Name: Trulli houses
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to choose among several local activities. You may choose to take a day trip to the scenic port town of Monopoli or visit the Castellana Caves, the most important and biggest cave system in Italy. At the entrance of the Itria Valley, these caves began to form about 90m years ago. There is a tour that takes you more than 200ft (60m) deep and allows you to see stalactites, stalagmites, concretions, incredible shapes, fossils and canyons.Accommodation: Trulli houses
Day 6 : Full Day Of Sightseeing In Matera, Including A Tour Of The Sassi District; Overnight In Matera
Location: Matera
Accommodation Name: Hotel Sassi or Le Dodici Lune (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we take a private transfer to Matera. We have a full day in one of the most interesting, distinctive and memorable tourist destinations in Italy: Matera. On a hill, overlooking an impressive canyon in the neighbouring region of Basilicata, Matera has only recently gained the deserved spotlight. In 1993, the town was made a Unesco World Heritage site for being the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean, all carved in bare limestone. This afternoon we are accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, as we walk through the cave-dwelling districts and learn about the history of this fascinating place.Accommodation: Hotel Sassi or Le Dodici Lune (or similar)
Day 7 : Free Day In Matera
Location: Matera
Accommodation Name: Hotel Sassi or Le Dodici Lune (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you'll have the opportunity to explore Matera at your own pace, one of the most unusual and memorable tourist destinations in Italy, home to extensive cave-dwelling districts, known as the Sassi District.You may also enjoy one of the walking trails around the ravine to get a unique viewpoint of the Sassi. If you don't feel like walking then there is also the option to get a bus to the other side of the ravine.Accommodation: Hotel Sassi or Le Dodici Lune (or similar)
Day 8 : End Matera
Location: Matera
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends in Matera after breakfast. If you wish to spend longer in this endlessly fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay. Otherwise, begin your return journey home.
What's Included
-
All breakfasts, 1 lunch/cookery class, 1 wine tasting
-
All accommodation
-
Tour leader throughout
-
Group arrival and departure transfers available
What's Not Included
-
Travel insurance
-
Single accommodation
-
Visas or vaccinations
-
Local city taxes (approx. €15)
Accommodation
We mostly stay in renovated traditional buildings, which give a real taste of classic Apulian architecture. We spend our first two nights in a modern hotel near the historic centre of Lecce, one night in a four-star hotel in Ostuni, two nights in authentic trulli houses (dry-stone dwellings) in Alberobello and two nights in a comfortable three-star hotel in the historic centre of Matera.Below are the hotels normally used:Lecce: Eos Hotel (nights 1-2)Our first two nights are spent at this contemporary 30-room hotel. It has a bar for a pre-dinner drink and the main Lecce highlights (plus some excellent bars and restaurants) are around a 20-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride away.Ostuni: Hotel La Terra (night 3)In the White City, we stay in Hotel La Terra, which takes over a 13th-century building in the historic centre. This unique property has a bar and restaurant but is also close to the Ostuni highlights.Alberobello: Trulli houses (nights 4-5)Trulli are the symbol of Alberobello (perhaps all of Puglia) so a chance to stay in one of these traditional dwellings is often a highlight for our travellers. They don’t offer the same type of facilities or luxuries as you’d get at a hotel but do offer an insight into these old Unesco-listed buildings. We have a trio of accommodations we use depending on availability, namely Trulli Holiday, Trulli e Puglia or Charming Trulli.Matera: Hotel Sassi or Le Dodici Lune (nights 6-7)Opened in 1996, Hotel Sassi (above) 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. Alternatively, we stay in Le Dodici Lune, where 10 rooms are carved into the old city walls. Right in the Sassi district, it’s an excellent place to stay if you want to explore.
Food
All breakfasts, one lunch/cookery class and one wine tasting
A selection of food on offer includes: bread from the Murge; durum wheat pasta; olives; the pasta delicacy orecchiette, which is 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 makes it a perfect destination for vegetarians. On this trip, there will be many opportunities to taste local specialties, in particular during the produce and wine tasting, cookery class and the traditional lunches included in the itinerary.
Check out our Q&As
-
What are the highlights of the Puglia tour?
The highlights of the Puglia tour include Baroque Lecce and crystal-clear sea in Salento, Trulli houses in Alberobello, and a visit to the unique Unesco town of Matera.
-
What type of accommodations can I expect on the Puglia tour?
Accommodations on the Puglia tour include a modern hotel near the historic centre of Lecce, a four-star hotel in Ostuni, authentic trulli houses in Alberobello, and a comfortable three-star hotel in the historic centre of Matera.
-
Are meals included in the Puglia tour?
Yes, all breakfasts, one lunch/cookery class, and one wine tasting are included in the Puglia tour.
-
What are the exclusions of the Puglia tour?
Exclusions of the Puglia tour include travel insurance, single accommodation, visas or vaccinations, and local city taxes (approx. €15).
-
Is there a tour leader throughout the Puglia tour?
Yes, there is a tour leader throughout the Puglia tour.
-
What kind of activities are included in the Puglia tour?
Activities in the Puglia tour include sightseeing, walking, wine tasting, and a cookery class.
-
What is the primary focus of the Puglia tour?
The primary focus of the Puglia tour is cultural.
-
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.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Saturday - Saturday
Sep 28, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Oct 12, 2024 - Oct 19, 2024Book with Confidence
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.