Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy

A local tour leader is with the group throughout the week. However, due to Italian legislation, tour leaders are not allowed to guide groups in some cities, museums and churches. A local licenced guide accompanies the group in Matera. On the other days, you can sightsee with your tour leader or at your own pace.

A private air-conditioned minibus will be used for all transfers during the week.

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.

vegetarian, vegan, meat

London flights (if booking incl. flights)

International flights not included

We mostly stay in renovated traditional buildings, which give a real taste of Apulian architecture. 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 or Apulian resort (nights 3-4)

In Alberobello, we either stay in trulli houses (above) or a traditional resort, depending on the departure. Both provide us with a taste of authentic Apulian hospitality, while also putting us close to the historic centre of town.

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.