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The Soul of Puglia
Experience essential Puglia in 7 nights
Get ready to fall in love with Southern Italy's most characterful corner. This relaxed journey through Puglia and Basilicata blends ancient stone towns, whimsical trulli villages and easy-going Adriatic coastlines, all at a pace that allows the region's authentic spirit to shine. Over seven nights, you’ll travel naturally from dramatic inland landscapes to sun‑kissed seaside living, discovering a side of Italy that feels warm, genuine and wonderfully unpolished.
This can be a self-drive itinerary or we can organise private transfers between the different areas for you.
Itinerary overview
Arrive into Bari and collect your hire car (or meet with your private driver) before heading inla...
Today is all about exploring Matera properly. Wander through the atmospheric Sassi districts, whe...
Leaving Matera behind, drive through gently rolling countryside dotted with olive groves as you e...
After a relaxed morning in Alberobello, the landscape shifts as you head towards the Adriatic coa...
Today marks a change of pace. Continuing south, you arrive at Torre Canne, a peaceful seaside vil...
Take a short drive inland to Ostuni, famously known as the White City. Rising above a landscape o...
Your final full day is all about unwinding. For effortless seaside relaxation, spend the day at A...
After breakfast, travel back to Bari airport to return your hire car and catch your flight home f...
Why not extend your trip with a few nights in Sorrento? The journey north takes around four hours...
Highlights of trip
Treat your tastebuds to a journey back in time with this immersive bread-making workshop. You’ll head to a historic bakery in Matera, where an expert will teach you how to rustle up a delicious loaf using time-honoured artisanal methods. Once the aprons are off and the loaves are out of the oven, you’ll get to tuck into your own freshly baked bread.
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Flex your culinary skills on this exclusive cooking experience at the Palazzo del Duca restaurant. A chance to truly immerse yourself in the flavours of Italy, a professional chef will show you how to prepare fresh handmade pasta and a classic local dish. The experience draws to a close with lunch or dinner at the restaurant, where you’ll have your pick of an entire menu of authentic Italian crowd pleasers.
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On this insightful day trip, a local guide will introduce you to the astonishing archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum. You’ll soon understand why these are must-visit destinations from Sorrento. Once prime Roman cities, Pompeii and Herculaneum were destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted back in 79 AD – both places are well-preserved, but you’ll get to understand how the eruption affected them differently. After a guided visit of Pompeii’s main public monuments and ruined homes, you’ll stop for a delicious Neapolitan lunch at a local restaurant before travelling on to Herculaneum to see parts of houses and even household objects that have been remarkably preserved. • Duration: full day • Time: 9am to 5pm • Departing Monday, Thursday and Sunday from Sorrento • Operates May to October • Group experience Good to know Includes transfers, entrance fees in Pompeii and Herculaneum, and lunch. Please bring ID with you. This tour is not recommended for wheelchair users or those with walking difficulties.
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Matera
Arrive into Bari and collect your hire car (or meet with your private driver) before heading inland, as coastal scenery gradually gives way to dramatic ravines and limestone landscapes.Your first glimpse of Matera is unforgettable. Aim to arrive in the early evening, when the town slips into the blue hour and the ancient stone dwellings begin to glow softly against the deepening sky. As lights flicker on across the Sassi, the entire landscape takes on a quiet, cinematic beauty. After checking in, enjoy a gentle walk through the atmospheric streets before settling in for your first dinner, surrounded by living history.
A restored noble palace in the heart of Matera’s cave city, with vaulted stone suites carved from tuff and views of the Sasso Caveoso and the ‘Gravina’.
Matera
Today is all about exploring Matera properly. Wander through the atmospheric Sassi districts, where homes, churches and passageways have been carved directly into the rock over thousands of years. Every corner tells a story — from hidden chapels to sweeping viewpoints over the ravine. To connect with local life, join a traditional bread‑making workshop or cooking experience, learning recipes rooted in centuries‑old traditions. The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure, stopping whenever something catches your eye.
A restored noble palace in the heart of Matera’s cave city, with vaulted stone suites carved from tuff and views of the Sasso Caveoso and the ‘Gravina’.
Alberobello
Leaving Matera behind, drive through gently rolling countryside dotted with olive groves as you enter the heart of Puglia. Your destination is Alberobello, home to one of Italy’s most recognisable and unusual architectural landscapes.The first sight of the trulli houses, with their cone‑shaped stone roofs, feels wonderfully surreal. Begin your exploration with two of the town’s most distinctive landmarks: the Trullo Siamese, a rare double trullo with twin entrances and a fascinating local legend behind its design, and the Church of Sant’Antonio, the only church in Italy built entirely in trullo style. Together, they perfectly introduce the ingenuity and symbolism of this unique building tradition. From here, spend the rest of the afternoon wandering through narrow lanes, visiting artisan shops and soaking up the laid‑back rhythm of this UNESCO‑listed town. Alberobello is best explored slowly and on foot, allowing time to appreciate both the architecture and the everyday life unfolding around you.
You’ll arrive through olive groves to a place where the trulli come with a spa, a huge pool, and a very good excuse to stay put for dinner.
Alberobello - Poligano a Mare
After a relaxed morning in Alberobello, the landscape shifts as you head towards the Adriatic coast. Inland scenery gives way to flashes of turquoise as you arrive in Polignano a Mare, a coastal town that defines Puglia's relationship with the sea.Spend time wandering the historic centre, pausing at panoramic viewpoints and enjoying the relaxed coastal atmosphere. Polignano a Mare is also home to one of Italy’s most striking dining settings: Grotta Palazzese, the famous cave restaurant suspended above the water. Dining here in the evening is a truly atmospheric experience, as waves echo below and candlelight illuminates the natural rock walls — an unforgettable choice for a romantic or celebratory night.
You’ll arrive through olive groves to a place where the trulli come with a spa, a huge pool, and a very good excuse to stay put for dinner.
Torre Canne
Today marks a change of pace. Continuing south, you arrive at Torre Canne, a peaceful seaside village known for its sandy beaches and calm atmosphere. Before fully slipping into seaside mode, there’s time for a delicious local stop along the way. Drop by La Cambusa for its legendary focaccia Barese — warm, crisp on the outside and generously topped with tomatoes, olives and local olive oil. It’s a simple pleasure, but one that perfectly captures the flavours of Puglia.The afternoon is yours; a walk along the shore, a dip in the sea, or simply time to settle into coastal life. Evenings here are easy and unstructured, best enjoyed with fresh seafood and a sea breeze.
Torre Canne - Ostuni
Take a short drive inland to Ostuni, famously known as the White City. Rising above a landscape of ancient olive trees, its bright-washed buildings cascade down the hillside, creating a maze of steps, arches and sun‑drenched terraces that invite unhurried exploration.Spend time wandering through the pedestrianised historic centre, enjoying far‑reaching countryside views and pausing whenever a shaded corner or viewpoint catches your eye. As late afternoon turns into early evening, settle in for a well‑earned aperitivo at Borgo Antico Bistrot, one of Ostuni’s most atmospheric spots. Take a seat on the ancient stone steps, drink in hand, as the town glows softly around you. Afterwards, return to Torre Canne for a relaxed evening by the sea.
Torre Canne
Your final full day is all about unwinding. For effortless seaside relaxation, spend the day at Acaya Private Beach Club, easily reached by hotel shuttle (access to beach club and transportation is an extra charge paid locally). Stretch out on a sunbed and let the gentle pace of the coast set the tone for your last day in Puglia.
Depart
After breakfast, travel back to Bari airport to return your hire car and catch your flight home feeling refreshed, inspired and just a little reluctant to leave.
Sorrento
Why not extend your trip with a few nights in Sorrento? The journey north takes around four hours, unfolding as a scenic drive that gently transitions from rustic countryside to one of Italy’s most iconic coastal settings. Sorrento makes an ideal base for visiting the ruins of Pompeii or taking a ferry to the glamorous island of Capri, providing a fitting end to your journey through southern Italy.
The striking views over the water and Mount Vesuvius make this hotel a real Neapolitan Riviera gem.
Other Itineraries
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