Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy

8 days
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Small Group Tour
Puglia is the best of Italy crammed into the heel of the boot: twisted olive trees, UNESCO-protected towns, full-bodied primitivo wine, and sun-kissed beaches. Experience it for yourself, spending two nights in the spectacular cave town of Matera, before wandering among the fairytale trulli homes of Alberobello. There’s also time to sample olive oil in a trad...
$3,638
From$2,695
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Experience Puglia’s highlights with a group of like-minded cultural adventurers
    • Begin in the extraordinary cave town of Matera – a spectacular opening to the adventure
    • Wander among the trulli houses of Alberobello, staying in one for two nights
    • Enjoy seafront restaurants and coastal views in Otranto
    • Sample classic Apulian produce with an olive oil tasting and pasta-making demo at a farmhouse
    • Finish in Lecce, known as the Florence of the South for its magnificent baroque buildings

What's this trip about?

    Puglia is the best of Italy crammed into the heel of the boot: twisted olive trees, UNESCO-protected towns, full-bodied primitivo wine, and sun-kissed beaches. Experience it for yourself, spending two nights in the spectacular cave town of Matera, before wandering among the fairytale trulli homes of Alberobello. There’s also time to sample olive oil in a traditional Apulian farm, explore the white city of Ostuni, visit the medieval coastal town of Otranto, and end in baroque Lecce, known as the Florence of the South.From the cave town of Matera to baroque Lecce, enjoy the best of Italy in a week

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 18 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityMatera
End CityLecce

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Culinary & Wine

Destinations

Attractions

  • Alberobello
  • Lecce
  • Matera
  • Ostuni
  • Puglia

Activities

  • Culture

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 5

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 18

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, 1 lunch/cookery class, 1 wine tasting
    • All accommodation
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Group arrival and departure transfers available

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Matera

Our tour starts in Matera, one of the most unusual and memorable tourist destinations in Italy, home to extensive cave-dwelling districts, known as the Sassi District. Our hotel is in the heart of the district, a World Heritage site, and offers a terrace with panorami...

Day 2 Full day of sightseeing in Matera, including a tour of the Sassi District; overnight in Matera

We start our week with 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 spotli...

Day 3 Drive to Alberobello via the fishing town of Polignano a Mare; sightseeing and overnight in traditional ‘trullo’

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 ...

Day 4 Free day. Visit the Castellana Caves or Monopoli by the Adriatic Sea

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 ...

Day 5 Explore the hilltop town of Ostuni; olive oil tasting and pasta-making demonstration in traditional 'masseria'

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 m...

Day 6 Transfer to Otranto; visit the historic centre; afternoon optional coastal walk or relax at the beach (seasonal); transfer to Lecce

Today, we transfer to pretty Otranto, the easternmost town in Italy. We spend the day exploring the pretty architecture, views, seafront restaurants and white sandy beaches of the medieval centre. We also visit the Romanesque cathedral, dating to 1088 and with extensi...

Day 7 Morning free time; afternoon guided tour of baroque Lecce

In the morning, we have free time to enjoy shopping opportunities or visit well-known monuments such as the Roman amphitheatre. We then enjoy a guided visit to Lecce in the afternoon, arguably one of the most distinctive baroque cities in Europe. Most of the buildings...

Day 8 End Lecce

The tour ends in Lecce after breakfast, when we begin our return journeys home. If you wish to spend longer in this endlessly fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,695
Price per day$337
Last Updated: 4/12/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
26 Apr 2025
03 May 2025
$3,070
$3,745
10 May 2025
17 May 2025
$3,070
$3,745
24 May 2025
31 May 2025
$2,560
$3,235
07 Jun 2025
14 Jun 2025
$2,995
$3,670
14 Jun 2025
21 Jun 2025
$2,695
$3,370
21 Jun 2025
28 Jun 2025
$2,695
$3,370
06 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025
$2,845
$3,520
13 Sep 2025
20 Sep 2025
$2,845
$3,520
20 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025
$2,995
$3,670
04 Oct 2025
11 Oct 2025
$2,770
$3,445

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,502
Great
3,265
Average
609
Disappointing
146
Terrible
190
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Puglia: Discover Heel of Italy

excellent itinerary in covering Puglia in terms of scenery, landscapes, seascapes, distinctive landmarks in towns as covered, participating in or sharing local ex...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Very enjoyable

A great week of cycling in a mix of road, old tracks, villages and town. An opportunity to swim in the Ionian Sea and Adriatic. Great real local food. Usual high s...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Outstanding Italy Trip

Great combination of sightseeing, excursions, walking and activities in Puglia. Trullo hotel in Alberobello was lovely; Matera was fascinating - luxurious cave-dwe...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Highlights of puglia

Excellent trip Visiting e olive oil farm Excellent could have been more helpful

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

ADE Puglia Discover the Heel of Italy

A fascinating holiday very interesting area of Italy."Full on" busy busy busy The White City. Ostuni. Agata was a great guide and we all regarded her as a friend, ...

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Other Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews

S

Sheila Bissell

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Excellent service

Excellent service

R

Roger hil

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Roger

They were very helpful, polite and knowledgeable

G

Gill Barber

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt

Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt, good service

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation
    • Visas or vaccinations
    • Local city taxes (approx. €15)

Accommodation

Travel by private bus and train Group normally 6 to 18, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs 5 nights 3 and 4-star hotels and 2 nights traditional Trulli houses All breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner/cookery class and wine and produce tasting included
We mostly stay in renovated traditional buildings, which give a real taste of classic Apulian architecture. We spend two nights in a three-star hotel in the historic centre of Matera, two nights in authentic trulli houses (dry-stone dwellings) in Alberobello, one night in a four-star hotel in Ostuni, and two nights in a modern hotel near the historic centre of Lecce. Below are the hotels normally used: Matera: Hotel Sassi or Le Dodici Lune (nights 1-2) 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. Alberobello: Trulli houses (nights 3-4) 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. Ostuni: Hotel La Terra (night 5) In the White City, we stay in Hotel La Terra. La Terra (above) takes over a 13th-century building in the historic centre. This unique property offers a bar and restaurant on site but is also close to all of the sights that Ostuni has to offer. Lecce: Eos Hotel (nights 6-7) Our final two nights are spent at this contemporary 30-room hotel. It has a bar for a pre-dinner drink or final night toast and the main Lecce highlights (plus some excellent bars and restaurants) are around a 20-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride away.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
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.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-ADE

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