Compare Puglia Guided Walk by UTracks vs Discover Puglia and Basilicata by Viandando Luxury Travel

Day 1 Arrival in Lecce, welcome aperitivo

Make your own way to Lecce, capital of the Salento region. From the train station you can take a taxi (allow EUR15-20) to the hotel, which is located in the historical centre of the city. Inside a 17th century building, this charming hotel will be your home for 2 days. Lecce has the charm of Prague, the stonework of Florence and is about the size of Siena. Within its walls are numerous churches and convents, cultural sites, ancient monuments, museums, libraries and cafes. It is a city to to meander through, not knowing what will greet you at your next turn. We recommend arriving in the afternoon and taking time to wander its old streets and relax in the piazza overlooking the amphitheatre, enjoying the ambience. Meet your guide and group at 6pm at the hotel before heading out for a welcome dinner brimming with atmosphere.

meals : D

Day 2 Visit Otranto and Adriatic coastline walk, explore Lecce (4hrs)

The focus today is Otranto, a small seaside village facing the Adriatic Sea, which you'll reach by train or bus. Otranto's cathedral is famous for its 12th-century floor mosaic, which covers the floor of the nave, the sanctuary and the apse. We'll then set off on foot along the coastline, discovering flowers and Mediterranean vegetation, as well as the Saracen watchtowers. We take the train or bus back to Lecce where you can enjoy a free evening discovering its main monuments. Distance: 10km/6.2mi, ascent: +100m/328ft, descent: -100m/328ft

meals : B

Day 3 Transfer to the charming hilltop village of Ostuni, explore on foot (2hrs)

In the morning we'll have a guided walk through Lecce's charming streets and past its Baroque style churches and palaces. In the afternoon we will have a private transfer to Ostuni (approx 1 hr), a striking hilltop village known as the "white city", due to its fortress of whitewashed buildings clustered on the hillside. Its charm lies within the enchanting maze of Greek-style narrow streets and fine Mediterranean architecture. There's free time to discover this fairy tale-like town before we transfer to a typical Masseria for our overnight stay and dinner with local products.

meals : B,D

Day 4 Walk to the coast and the Dune National Park, return to Ostuni (3hrs)

Today we will walk from the Masseria to the coast and the Dune Natural Park where we will have time to relax on the white beaches or to swim in the sea. Back to the Masseria where we have a pasta making session followed by dinner (pasta of course!) and overnight stay. Distance: 9.5km/6mi, ascent: +175m/574ft, descent: -100m/330ft

meals : B,L,D

Day 5 Discover the Itria Valley, Locorotondo and Alberobello, transfer to Matera (4hrs)

Today we will explore the Itria Valley. First up a private transfer takes us to Locorotondo where we walk along an old aqueduct which is still the largest water pipeline in Europe. We'll pass between olive trees, vineyards and trulli on our way through this enchanting landscape. There's free time to explore the iconic village of Alberobello with its streets lined by white trulli houses. Later we have a private transfer to Matera and our accommodation. Dinner at leisure. Distance: 13km/8mi, ascent: +150m/492ft, descent: -150m/492ft

meals : B,L

Day 6 Discover Matera and the Great Canyon (5hrs)

Our walk this morning begins directly from the historic centre of Matera. We will pass through the Civita district and the Caveoso. From here we head towards the ravine of Matera, with a breathtaking view of the city. The landscape will change as we arrive in wooded areas with fortified structures. We return to Matera using a public bus. Following a wine tasting, dinner will be at your leisure. Distance: 13km/8mi, ascent: +130m/429ft, descent: -250m/825ft

meals : B,L

Day 7 Discover the Murgia plateau on foot (3hrs)

A wonderful walk this morning to discover the Murgia plateau. Facing Matera, the plateau has rock churches dating from the 8th century, painted with Byzantine frescoes. The landscape here is of pastures and stone farmhouses, and with luck we'll see the flight of different types of falcons. In the early afternoon we'll have a guided visit of the ‘Sassi’ area and afterwards, dinner in a typical restaurant. Overnight in Matera. Distance: 6.5km/4mi, ascent: +350m/1148ft, descent: -350m/1148ft

meals : B,D

Day 8 Trip concludes

After breakfast, your luggage will be dropped off at Matera station where the trip concludes. We can assist with a private transfer to Bari if required (a supplement applies).

meals : B

Day 1: Arrival at Rome Airport and Private Transfer to your Accommodation in Matera

Arrival at Bari International airport and private transfer to your accommodation in Matera, the third oldest city in the world. Rest of the day at your leisure for resting and relaxing.

Day 2: Private Guided Tour of Matera and the Murgia Materana Park

This morning enjoy a guided visit of the beautiful town of Matera. Largely carved out of and built with tuff, the town has an incredible history and a deep sense of spirituality, purity and authenticity. The sassi, ancient cave dwellings that were inhabited until the middle of the 20th century, and the rupestrian churches are the most remarkable aspect of the town, but not the only reasons for visiting this beautiful and unique part of the world: Matera also boasts a superb artistic and cultural heritage, delicious cuisine and a warm sense of hospitality. After lunch enjoy a guided tour of Murgia Timone enjoying a stunning panorama of the whole Sassi area which is on the other side of the canyon. On Murgia Timone, along the tracks beaten since the Neolithic, when the first form of prehistoric human settlements took place, we will visit the remains of a primitive burial, and some traces of ancient Neolithic village. Continuing along the path you will come across some typical rock-hewn churches like Madonna delle tre porte(of three doors), which is still decorated with interesting frescoes of Byzantine culture. Throughout the visit will be deepened also many aspects of the natural world, observing the plant species, typical of the Matera’s Murgia.

Day 3: Discovering the Dolomiti Lucane

Following breakfast your driver will take you to the Dolomiti Lucane where you will visit Campomaggiore Vecchia, one of Basilicata’s two ghost towns, abandoned since an avalanche in 1885, and Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa., two of the most beautiful Italian towns You will wander around these authentic villages, meet the locals and enjoy the most stunning views. Lunch in a lovely mountain town restaurant. After lunch return to Matera.

Day 4: Wine Tasting in the Monte Volture Area and Transfer to Trani

Following breakfast and check out your driver will take you to one of the most interesting wineries of Basilicata located on the slopes of Mount Vulture. Discovery the vineyards and the cellars and taste some of the best wines from their assortment, paired with local products of the region. Next continue to the lovely seaside town of Trani. Check into your accommodation and overnight stay.

Day 5: Discover Trani and Castel Del Monte

This morning your driver wil take you to Castel del Monte where you will enjoy a guided visit of Federico IIs Apulian masterpiece. Thanks to its formal perfection and its harmonious blending of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Muslim world, and classical antiquity, Castel del Monte became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Lunch in a local trattoria. After lunch return to Trani and rest of the afternoon at your leisure for discovering its old town centre, a charming mediaeval network of streets with plenty of fine architecture, its picturesque fishing port and its cathedral, a fabulous example of Romanesque architecture with a stunning location beside the deep blue of the Adriatic Sea. Overnight in Trani.

Day 6: Cooking Class in a Masseria and Leisure Time in Martina Franca and Locorotondo.

Following breakfast your driver will take you to a lovely masseria where you will enjoy a fun cooking class in a local and learn all the secrets to prepare delicious dishes of the local tradition. At the end of your class enjoy the fruits of your labour accompanied by good local wines. In the afternoon time at your leisure to discover the lovely towns of Locorotondo, one of Puglia’s prettiest towns and Martina Franca, which boasts elegant palaces and more than fifteen notable churches. Return to your accommodation in Monopoli and overnight stay.

Day 7: Private Guided Tour of Alberobello and Visit of a Cheese Farm

Following breakfast your driver will take you to Alberobello famous for its conical-roofed houses, the trulli. It’s not just a pretty picture, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected thanks to its “outstanding universal value… an exceptional example of a form of building construction deriving from prehistoric construction techniques that have survived intact and functioning into the modern world. Meet your guide and enjoy a guided tour of the magical trulli of Alberobello learning about the ingenious techniques used in the construction of trulli. Next visit a local cheese farm. Taste some of the farm’s delicious produce: mozzarella, fresh ricotta, aged cheeses, capocollodi Martina Franca, bread, wine and desserts. Return to your accommodation in Monopoli and overnight stay.

Day 8: Leisure Time in Ostuni and Visit of a Winery of the Area

Today visit the amazing Ostuni. The most distinguishing characteristic of Ostuni, and the reason for its taking the epithet La Città Bianca, is its uniformly white buildings. Originally the practice of lime-washing the town’s served as a means of lightening up the dark, labyrinthine mediaeval streets but in the 17th century it became a matter of life and death and was used to limit the depredations of the plague.Wandering through the streets today, visitors are charmed by Ostuni’s mediaeval layout. The narrow back streets, little passages and flights of steps make it delightfully easy to lose one’s bearings! Suitably, however, the climax of any visit arrives when you reach the highest part of town, home to the imposing Archbishop’s palace and the 15th century Concattedrale with its curvaceous, symmetrical façade and rose window.The views from Ostuni are, by themselves, reason enough to make a trip there. Wonderful vistas abound from all angles, the best of which offer 360-degree panoramas of the surrounding countryside and the Adriatic Sea. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to a local winery followed by wine tasting. Return to Monopoli and overnight stay.

Day 9: Transfer to Lecce and Guided Visit of this Splendid Barique Town

Following breakfast and check out your private driver will take you to Lecce. Check into your accommodation. After lunch enjoy a private guided tour of this splendid baroque city to discover its best and most fascinating parts as well as its locals hidden secrets. During your walking tour of the historical centre you will admire palazzi and baroque churches such as Santa Croce and the ex-monastery of Celestini, St. Oronzo Square and the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre, Piazza Duomo and its magnificent sumptuous Cathedral. Ovwernight in Lecce

Day 10: Discover Otranto and Enjoy a Boat Tour along The Coast

Following breakfast your private driver will take you to Otranto where you will embark for a fantastic private boat tour along the coast between Otranto and the cave named “Grotta Zinzulusa”. Return to Otranto around 02.00 pm and afternoon at your leisure for discovering Italy’s easternmost town with its great mix of history, architecture, views, sea-front restaurants and white sandy beaches.

Day 11: Fly Back Home

Following breakfast and check out private transfer to Bari or Brindisi International airport to take your flight back home.