Puglia Basilicata
Guided By David Tordi
Puglia Basilicata
Guided By David Tordi
Down the heel of the boot.
Two weeks staying in Bari, Matera, Monopoli, and Lecce.
“I grew up visiting the deep South of Italy each summer, loving it’s language, music, and people” —David Tordi
Puglia Basilicata
13 Days & 12 Nights
15 Travelers max
$6695 per person
+$1500 single supplement
$1000 deposit reserves each spot
Full balance 90 days before
March 31 — April 11, 2027
Highlights
Ostuni
Castel del Monte
Handmade pasta!
Bari pasta making
Southern Italian Color
Learn traditional methods
Meet & Engage
Metaponto
Trani
Itinerary
The Sassi of Matera
Tour begins in Bari, Italy and ends in Lecce, Italy (airport Brindisi).
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Afternoon welcome meeting followed by an introduction walk of Bari Vecchia and a group dinner together. Sleep in Bari 3 nights.
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Day 2. Walking tour of Bari with our local expert, who will introduce us to this wonderful city and its treasures (including its food treasures with a group lunch). Rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to explore more of Old Bari.
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Day 3. Day trip to Trani, where we will explore this stunning beach town. After lunch on our own, we will continue to visit the UNESCO site of Castel del Monte, the castle of Frederick II (King of the Holy Roman Empire and Sicily). Return to Bari and enjoy some free time and dinner on your own.
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Day 4. We leave Bari and stop in Altamura, where they produce a very special bread. Here we will enjoy some self exploration and lunch on our own. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Matera, our next home for three nights. Group dinner in Matera. Sleep in Matera 3 nights.
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Day 5. Walking tour of Matera, with its UNESCO site district called "Sassi", one of the most ancient human settlements in the world. Lunch is on your own in Matera. Free afternoon and evening to explore more of Matera and taste some more of its incredible local menu.
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Day 6. A full day trip out of Matera to explore more of the Basilicata region. We will visit the Ancient Greek city of Metaponto with its temple, and continue to explore the medieval town of Montescaglioso, where we will have a group lunch. In the afternoon, we will return to Matera for some down time and dinner on our own.
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Day 7. We leave Matera and head to Alberobello, to learn all about this wonderful UNESCO site, home to the unique "trulli" conic shaped houses. After some time and lunch on our own, we will continue further into Puglia, arriving in Monopoli, where we will check in and have a group dinner. Sleep in Monopoli 3 nights.
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Day 8. Today we will explore Monopoli, a spectacular coastal town in Puglia, with a local guide and enjoy some free time. At the end of our walking tour, we will have a local group lunch. The rest of the day and dinner are on your own in town (chance for beach time).
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Day 9. A day out exploring wonderful Ostuni "the white" and its architecture. Here we will learn about the town and enjoy some free time before going to a local winery for a wine lunch and experience. We will taste some amazing Puglia wines. In the afternoon, we will return to Monopoli to relax and have some "dolce vita" time.
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Day 10. We leave Monopoli and head southeast, stopping in the beach town of Otranto, made famous by Horace Walpole's novel (The Castle of Otranto) and by the Ottoman's conquest in 1480. Here we will have a walking tour of town, followed by some free time and lunch on your own in Otranto. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Lecce, capital of the Salento area, where we will check in and enjoy a local group dinner "Salento-style.” Sleep in Lecce 3 nights.
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Day 11. Today we will have a walking tour of breathtaking Baroque Lecce with a local expert who will show us the many hidden gems of this unique city, also called "the Florence of the South." After that, you will be free to explore more of Lecce. Lunch and dinner are on your own.
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Day 12. Today we will drive to explore the gorgeous town of Nardò, where lunch will be on your own. In the afternoon, we will return to Lecce for some free time, followed by our farewell group dinner.
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Day 13. The tour is over after breakfast and hotel checkout. We’ll help you with post-tour transportation options. Arrivederci!
What’s Included
Alberobello
Included:
A small group experience of 10-15 people
Twelve nights accommodation, including all breakfasts
Six group dinners & four group lunches, drinks included (reasonable limits)
Winery visit & tasting
All group sightseeing activity entrances and local guides
Transport by private vehicle
All tips for guides, hotels, restaurants, and drivers.
Pre-tour travel consultation with David
Not Included:
Airfare & airport transportation
Activities not included with the tour
Hotel extras and room service
Extra wine at group meals
Travel insurance
Conditions:
Tour itinerary and What’s Included details subject to change. Future substitutions will be approximately equal or better in value.
FAQ
Lecce & Southern Baroque
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The weather in Puglia is most pleasant in April and October, with daytime temperatures in the 70s and typically sunny skies.
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We stay in comfortable and where possible, culturally interesting, 4-star hotels. Our hotels are all located close to the historic center of each town so we’re right in the middle of the action.
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This tour has moderate walking, sometimes over cobblestone streets. Be prepared to walk up to three miles per day and be able to stand in place for stretches of time while engaging with local guides.
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Free time is an essential part of our tours. Most days have significant free time to explore further on your own, relax, or just clear your mind. Half the meals are together with the group and half are on your own, often with the option to join others from the group.