Highlights

  • Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Alberobello, Lecce, Matera
  • Trulli houses, Apulian Aqueduct, Sassi di Matera
  • Hike in the regional park of the Rupestrian Rock Churches
  • Mozzarella, burrata, and local pasta "orecchiette" demonstration

Cut off from the rest of the world until relatively recently, Puglia is often considered the most beautiful and undiscovered southern region, combining fresh air and open skies with history, elegance, fabulous food and delicious wine. We hike quiet trails through olive groves and vineyards and visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as picturesque seaside towns. See the famous "trulli" houses and spend two days in the town of Matera, whose inhabitants lived in caves carved out of a limestone promontory cut in two by a spectacular ravine. Of course it wouldn't be Italy without good food and wine and Puglia is home to some of Italy's most interesting cuisine, from fresh seafood to an opulent array of antipasti.

Sunday Overnight: Hotel Patria Palace

Meet at Brindisi Airport this afternoon, for a transfer to our hotel in lovely baroque Lecce. Welcome Dinner and Introductory Talk tonight.

Monday Overnight: Hotel Patria Palace

We begin with a visit to Otranto, a fascinating coastal settlement dating back to the Classical era, including the Roman Torre del Serpe watchtower. Later, when we return to Lecce, we'll have a guided tour of the town and perhaps try the ˜pasticciotto Leccese', a local specialty made of shortcrust pastry, filled with custard.

Tuesday Overnight: Hotel Il Palmento

Making our way toward Alberobello, we transfer to Ceglie Messapica for our first walk along the Apulian Aqueduct. This feat of early 20th century engineering ushered the entire area into the modern era by carrying fresh water from the Sele River in Campania to the historically arid Salento Peninsula, aka the ˜heel of the boot'. Dinner tonight in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wednesday Overnight: Hotel Il Palmento

This morning we take a second walk to a different section of the aqueduct, to visit an olive mill, and a favorite farm that dates back to the Middle Ages, where we see a demonstration of local mozzarella and burrata cheese, and the local "orecchiette" pasta being made. We'll get a chance to use these ingredients in a wonderful lunch we'll help prepare at the farm. Afterwards, a local guide leads our exploration of the 'Trulli' houses of Alberobello: 1,500 ancient houses built or dry stones (no mortar) with pyramidal, domed or conical roofs.

Thursday Overnight: Sant'Angelo Resort

Finally, we set our sights on the masterpiece that is Matera, and walk in the Archaeological and Naturalistic Park of the Rupestrian Rock Churches of Matera. These unique ancient cave churches are scattered over an area known for its Neolithic settlements, fortified farms and road-side water cisterns. After lunch, a guide shows us Sassi di Matera in Basilicata, the World Heritage Site famous for its subterranean houses. Unbelievably, some of these dwellings have been inhabited for more than 9,000 years.

Friday Overnight: Sant'Angelo Resort

Our last day is spent hiking the spectacular Gravina Canyon. We return to Matera for a local lunch and have the afternoon free to visit the Museum of Contemporary Sculpture, set in the 16th century palazzo Pomarici. Or visit the House of Noha, a renovated traditional cave house that tells the story of ancient Matera. Farewell Dinner in our charming hotel.

Saturday

The Wayfarers transfer you to Bari airport.
Moderate
"The Walk Leaders are excellent and always engaged with you"

Get The Wayfarers' Walk Schedule 2019

Get The Wayfarers' Brochure 2019 when available

Terrain: Firm ground, dirt tracks and contoured rocky paths. Some loose stones.
8-12 miles walking per day.

TRIP DETAILS

6 nights from
$4,595.00
per person, double occupancy
(Single Supplement $695.00)
Our Wayfarers friends' Price is $4,365.00

Dates

12-MAY-19 - 18-MAY-19
29-SEP-19 - 05-OCT-19
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Arrival: Brindisi Airport
Departure: Bari Airport

Activities

Walk Classic
Puglia Map

Hotels - Where we stay

Hotel Patria Palace

Hotel Patria Palace

The Patria Palace brings back to life an 18th century aristocratic mansion, the D'Anna-Petrarolo Palace. Sumptuously refurbished by artists and craftsmen, the palace has been embellished with frescoes and Art Deco frills. The bedrooms, each with its own decor, are all personalized with frescoes painted by John Duggan. They are finely furnished and equipped with all services, comforts and modern technology. The bathrooms are built with precious marble. The Atenze restaurant offers fine dining with selected dishes from traditional Apulian, Mediterranean and Italian cuisines.

Hotel Il Palmento

Hotel Il Palmento

The Hotel Il Palmento offers the chance to stay in an old trullo, tastefully and imaginatively converted to provide luxury accommodation with ensuite facilities, telephone, satellite television, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar. The Palmento was part of an old enclosed village and its history as a group of buildings used to make wine is reflected in the titles of the charming suites, each named after a grape variety. The comfortable restaurant offers the delicious local specialties of Apulian cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Outside beautiful gardens surround the hotel.

Sant'Angelo Resort

Sant'Angelo Resort

An extraordinary hotel created from the rocky scenery of Sassi of Matera, the SantAngelo is the result of a restoration process using cave-dwellings, stairs, narrow streets and courtyards to create an albergo diffuso or so called scattered hotel. All the individually designed rooms and suites are fully equipped with private bathroom, hairdryer and telephone, television with national and satellite channels, internet, air conditioning, safe box and mini bar, video and DVD projector. The Regia Corte and Lounge Terrace offers fine cuisine, cocktails and finger food.

Start planning your trip

What Is Included in the Price of My Vacation

  • Full-time services of two staff - a Walk Leader and Walk Manager
  • A backup vehicle for resting walkers and moving luggage
  • Comprehensive Travel Information Package and Reading List
  • Diverse itineraries with an emphasis on history, geography, culture, peoples, flora and fauna
  • Demonstrations, wine tasting, admissions to museums and historic sites
  • All ground transfers (ferries, cable cars, trains, etc.)
  • Maps and unique souvenirs to commemorate your trip
  • First-class accommodations with cultural and historical interest
  • All meals - with choices - (Special dietary requirements? No problem!)
  • Wine with dinner
  • On-trail snacks and refreshments
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants