Private Tour at Puglia and Matera

About this tour

Explore the whitewashed towns, baroque architecture, and rural traditions of Puglia and Matera over seven days with a private driver and local guides. This tour connects the heel of Italy's boot, moving between hilltop villages, coastal settlements, and the ancient sassi district of Matera. You'll taste olive oil and wine, learn to make orecchiette pasta, and stay in city-centre hotels across Lecce, Trani, Bari, and Monopoli, visiting ten destinations including the Norman fortress of Castel del Monte.

Highlights

• Orecchiette-making lesson with a local cook
• Olive oil tasting at a regional producer
• Guided exploration of Matera's carved-stone neighbourhood
• Wine tour and regional food pairings
• Castel del Monte's geometric hilltop fortress
• Baroque street layouts of Lecce and Ostuni
• Alberobello's cone-roofed trulli houses

What to expect

Each day involves travel between towns in a comfortable minivan, typically 1–2 hours between stops. You'll have a certified guide at major sites—Lecce, Otranto, Matera, and others—who'll walk you through streets, explaining local history and architecture. Afternoons often include hands-on activities: rolling pasta dough, sniffing wine in a cellar, or browsing a market. Meals are included, ranging from casual lunches to sit-down dinners featuring regional dishes. Evenings offer time to wander your hotel's neighbourhood or rest before the next day's drive.

Good to know

City taxes (€1.50–€2 per person nightly) are not included. The itinerary involves frequent short drives and walking on uneven cobblestone streets; it's unsuitable for those with spinal injuries, cardiovascular limitations, or pregnancy. Infant seats are available on request. Public transport runs near your hotels if you wish to explore independently.