No it wasnt the food and wine tour, but it could have been called that. By joining one of our small group tours, youll have your own private driver who can take you to all the hidden corners of Puglia that you may not get to see otherwise. Visit the marvels of GALATINA- A mind-blowing Giotto-like experience! Natures colors are bold in Puglia, and man-made shapes are simple with chunky, cubic houses and conical-roofed cottages dotting the countryside. 
Ive never eaten so well and such a high calibre of food.Thank you so much again.It will be a trip that we will remember forever, Small Group Tours in Sicily, Malta, South Italy & Portugal, AMALFI, SORRENTO, CAPRI SMALL GROUP TOURS, 10 DAYS PUGLIA SMALL GROUP TOUR: BELLISSIMA PUGLIA. 
We will miss her. On your visit to the olive oil farm, you will get to meet a small local producer who will introduce the farms centuries-old traditions and answer all of your questions regarding how olive oil is made in Puglia. Most tours are just sightseeing, but this tour is full of culture that you can experience and have memories of.Now the food!
Dinners and lunch in local places, including a street food experience. As we mentioned previously, Ostuni has plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars to enjoy, so you may choose to spend your time just relaxing and making the most of the glorious weather. Get the best rates, the best service.
If you like, we can give you some recommendations on where to have a delicious dinner in the evening. She was warm, congenial, and flexible and always worked to make our trip a superb experience. The rock-cut cave dwellings known as the SASSI, date back to Byzantine times.With the help of a locally-grown expert, well learn the stories of old and new Matera. The city gets its name from the myriad whitewashed buildings which fill its many winding streets and alleyways, and they provide a beautiful contrast to the surrounding green landscape. Next on our itinerary is the charming town of Locorotondo, famous for its wine and circular historical centre. We will spend our time here strolling the streets and discovering all its hidden corners. There are around 150 in the city, the oldest ones dating back to the Middle Ages, and they blend perfectly with the surrounding Sassi. During your weeks trip with us, youll be based in the beautiful, gleaming white town of Ostuni, giving you the chance to get truly acquainted with this typical southern Italian town. Nicknamed the Florence of the South, Lecce is located in Southern Puglia and is considered to be one of the must-visit destinations in the region, if not the whole country. With its quaint medieval centre and surrounded by ancient olive trees and the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, Ostuni is the perfect introduction to the Puglia region. Sign up. Private transfer with private driver on your arrival/departure dates from airport to accommodation and viceversa. All supported by the fun and capable Paola who is just a treasure.The local guides were informative but not pushy and it was great to learn with such a small group.Be prepared for steps and walking, but hey its Italy, bring your hat, sunscreen, water, joggers and a sense of humour and you will be fine.There is also time to relax or wander in the towns. Please feel free to get in touch with me. Pre-book with no obligation. 
On this tour, it was my wife and our two adult children.The tour is filled with great experiences, such as making paper Mache figures and statues, making Burrata cheese, making bread, wine tasting (I ordered a case for the US), oil tasting and the history of harvesting oil since pre-Roman times, having a lovely lunch with a local family in their home, and a boat ride to see naturally carved caverns. Puglia was a totally different and special destination but what made it more memorable was the amazing Paola. Colorful, exotic Puglia is the beguiling and stimulating place, with its own distinctive food, architecture and atmosphere. Unlike some other tours on the market where guests switch hotels every couple of days, at the end of each day of your tour, youll get to relax in the same place and experience the true Puglian lifestyle, meeting the local people and possibly making friends. They create one of the most unique landscapes in the world and we will spend this day discovering these amazing structures. 
The city of Matera lies within the neighbouring region of Basilicata, so you get two regions of Italy for the price of one! The Sassi are now a popular tourist attraction and it is possible to visit some of these houses which have been kept in their original state and turned into museums; as part of our tour of the city, we will visit one of these houses so you can see how people lived in millennia gone by as well as a rock church. Dinners and lunch in local places, including a street food experience. Food provided on the tour was great and references to restaurants when we were on our own always resulted in good food at reasonable prices-and I should mention the pasta, fish, gelato, focaccia, pastries and Tagliere (plates of regional meat, cheese, bread etc).We toured and stayed in several small cities, each with their own unique characteristics, Lecce, Ostuni, Trani, Matera Some incredible sites like the cave dwelling in Matera (Note that we had the experience of staying in a hotel built within a cave), We walked a lot, visited the shops, churches and other sites, just enjoying our days without a rush. Youll get to experience one of the most authentic Italian experiences you could ask for. No deposit is required. Our friendly private driver will pick you up wherever you arrive and take you to your accommodation in Ostuni* for the week. Overnight stay in TRANI, Morning transfers to Bari airport and train station.You might also like our new 7 Days Small Group Tour to ABRUZZO & THE GARGANO PENINSULA, 2022 TOUR PRICE: 3,400 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: 400 Currency Converter, Price is per person based on double room occupancy for 10 days/9 nights. Walking tour of Locorotondo, visit of a street food market. Because the trulli are of such cultural importance to the region, the town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Sign up for free and earn commission on every booking by registering as an accredited TourRadar Agent. Forgot your password?
an outstanding tour guide. Paola always made certain that we liked the choices and went out of her way to ensure that we had enough to eat( which was never a problem)!!! If you need help arranging your transportation to Puglia from other destinations in Italy, please do not hesitate to contact us; we are more than happy to assist you with any transport queries you have. We stayed in several lovely unique boutique hotels including two converted convents.Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention our wonderful Guide. This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees. When in Polignano, you should also take the time to try some of the local gelato, definitely some of the best the region has to offer. The second day of our tour gives you the chance to explore one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the whole world as well as another region of Italy in addition to Puglia. We are happy to send you hotel and B&B recommendations. I travelled through Puglia in late May with 9 other fellow travelers, a wonderful tour leader and an excellent driver. Due to its importance as a historical and cultural monument, Matera was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993, the first town in southern Italy to have the honour. We require a vaccination certificate and the use of masks in the vehicle. You will get to learn how to taste olive oil in a professional way and how to distinguish a good olive oil from a bad one it is certainly one of the most interesting things to do in Puglia as you will get to discover many things which you would not have the opportunity to if you were travelling by yourself. . Readwhat our friends say about this fantastic Puglia tour, TOUR LIMITED TO 12/14 PARTICIPANTS ONLY FROM BARI TO BARI, Day 1: WELCOME TO BARI, COSMOPOLITAN MONOPOLI & MAGICAL LECCE, We meet in BARI outside the Oriente Hotel at 09.00 for a fascinating walking tour through the ancient alleys, visiting the Basilica of St. Nicholas, one of the most remarkable examples of Romanesque architecture, the exterior of the Swabian Castle built in Norman times and the fish market.Following an experience on seeing making Apulian orecchiette pasta, well drive to the picturesque fishing ancient town of MONOPOLI for a guided stroll through the towns quaint streets and along the water. But please dont feel restricted to these ideas.
In the afternoon we will make our way to the seaside town of Polignano a Mare, one of Puglias hidden gems. Paola always made certain that we liked the choices and went out of her way to ensure that we had enough to eat( which was never a problem)!!! This means that during our visits to the different places on the itinerary, we take a slow pace; after all, we want to enjoy everything the region has to offer, so there is no need to rush. Matera is also famous for its many Rupestrian churches. On our very first day of the tour we will take a walking tour of the town youll be based in Ostuni. Here you will get to sample some of the freshest mozzarella and burrata you will taste in your life as well as finding out how these iconic cheeses are made. In the afternoon we will head back to Ostuni where you will be free to enjoy Ostuni and all its delights. Youll visit the sights together, explore together and then, if you like, head out in the evening to sample some of the areas delicious wine. We will miss her. You probably already know that cheese forms a huge part of Italian cuisine, so what better way to spend part of your time in Puglia than to visit a local cheese farm. *We ask you to base yourself in Ostuni for the duration of the trip. In case you arrive earlier than the tour begin or you depart later than the tour end you will still have your private transfer service Ostuni-Airport and viceversa. Then our small group tours Puglia are perfect for you. I booked this tour as I have always been fascinated by the Trulli; however I have learnt so much more about this part of Italy, Bari, Lecce and the history of Matera. So not only will you get to see all the great places Puglia has to offer but youll also learn a lot about our history and culture. In fact, the name Locorotondo itself is derived from this very feature of the town; translated into English, the name means round place. Lecce is primarily famous for its stunning Baroque architecture, mostly made from local Lecce stone, a form of limestone, which gives the buildings their characteristic colour. Distinctive and delightful, with crystalline seas, pretty countryside and endless sunshine, Puglia is a land of natural beauty, warm hospitality and amazing food and wine. Another splendid Pugliese city, Bari is the capital of the region and is known for its gorgeous Romanesque architecture. We will also take a stroll through the old town, which is incredibly well-preserved despite its age, and the modern Murat quarter with its Liberty-style palazzi. I was born and raised in Puglia. Find something that suits your pocket or adventure type, and check in weekly for fresh new deals. Transportation, driver and English speaking tour guide for the day tours mentioned in the itinerary. Great variety of food choices and excellent menus. If you are arriving in Puglia in the days before the start of the tour, we can arrange other transfer services for you as well as advise you on accommodation options and how you can spend your time. Our private driver will transfer you to one of the airports or train station. Food provided on the tour was great and references to restaurants when we were on our own always resulted in good food at reasonable prices-and I should mention the pasta, fish, gelato, focaccia, pastries and Tagliere (plates of regional meat, cheese, bread etc).We toured and stayed in several small cities, each with their own unique characteristics, Lecce, Ostuni, Trani, Matera Some incredible sites like the cave dwelling in Matera (Note that we had the experience of staying in a hotel built within a cave), We walked a lot, visited the shops, churches and other sites, just enjoying our days without a rush. She was knowledgeable, funny, helpful and such a great person to spend our 10 days with. If you plan to spend a few more days in Ostuni, we can postpone your transfer until youre ready. Entry tickets for the visits in Matera (cave house and rock church) and Lecce (Basilica and Cathedral). We stayed in several lovely unique boutique hotels including two converted convents.Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention our wonderful Guide. Its landscapes have an appealingly elemental quality stark rocks meeting clean beaches lapped by crystal-clear water; gigantic olive trees spiraling up from dark red soil fringed by vivid wildflowers; fragrant pine forests opening onto chalk-white sands. If you want to add a bespoke tour to your itinerary, dont hesitate to ask us to arrange it for you. For the rest of your day you can relax and enjoy some leisure time in Ostuni. In addition to all the beautiful sights there are to see, Lecce also has numerous museums for you to visit, including the Jewish Museum - Museo Ebraico which details Lecces Jewish history, and the Castello of Lecce, once the main defensive fortification in the city. My name is Pietro, tour company owner and local guide. Visit of an olive oil farm and oil tasting. Alternatively, there are many tours you can take which can add that little extra special something to your Puglia trip. Everything is already figured out for you, from airport pick-up, to guided tours and transportation. Start to explore from the Cathedral of San Pellegrino, a Romanesque gem by the sea, the Swabian Castle, an imposing fortress built by Frederick II.Behind the port, you can explore the Jewish quarter, a maze of small alleyways,synagogues and artisansshops.The elegant port is the towns beating heart.Tonight well celebrate your Apulian adventure with a Farewell dinner at one of the typical regional restaurants in Trani. We are mindful of the fact that some of our clients may have health or mobility issues; if this is the case for you, please let us know and we can adapt the tour accordingly, such as choosing routes with flat terrain, taking shorter routes, or slowing the pace down further. We will visit the old town, a labyrinth of alleyways, arches and stairwells, where you will see the late Gothic 15th century cathedral sitting atop the towns highest point. We have a real passion for Puglia & Basilicata regions and look forward to sharing it with you! She was such an outstanding tour guide. Get our support before, during, and after your trip, Secret Italia Tours 2008. Small, intimate group of 12/14 participants only!! She was knowledgeable, funny, helpful and such a great person to spend our 10 days with. The tour balanced the group time , yet provided enough time for independent exploration.The restaurants that you chose were the best and catered to our non meat requirements. In the morning, we take a private tour around the city with our locally born guide to have the key sights explained to us. How many people will be travelling privately? We just all fit together.I hadnt travelled for a couple of years with secret and nothing has changed, everything just gets better. Discover an ancient cave dwelling which tells a tale of poverty, hardship and struggle, whose history is best immortalized in writer Carlo Levis superb book Christ stopped at Eboli,comparing the Sassi to Dantes Inferno.Today Matera contains some 3000 habitable caves.Visit a cave church-featuring medieval frescoes with their own legends that we learn about.Your afternoon is free to relax and explore.This evening well meet for a delicious meal in a local gourmet restaurant.Overnight stay in MATERA, Day 6: BREAD EXPERIENCE IN ALTAMURA,BURRATA CHEESE MAKING & MAGICAL ALBEROBELLO, Our day starts with a visit to the historical town of ALTAMURA. Most tours are just sightseeing, but this tour is full of culture that you can experience and have memories of.Now the food! The city has an abundance of sights to see, and on our tour here we will visit plenty of them. Call or email us, anytime We particularly enjoyed the pasta making with the nona, the olive tour and Matera. Trulli are characteristic conical-roofed houses typical of the region, built from local limestone, and many people comment on how a visit to Alberobello is like walking into a fairy tale. Youll also get to enjoy some leisure time in this great city.