Internationale groepsreis Journey through Puglia to Matera

Arrive at your first hotel in Monopoli, located on the waterfront next to the 16th century fortress, Castello di Carlo V. Overnight Albergo Diffuso 4*, Monopoli.

A quintessential southern Italian town, Monopoli entices you in with glimpses into everyday life whilst still being a popular tourist destination. From the photogenic harbour, see local fishermen return their catch with nonnas on the balconies behind, watching the world go by. Follow your nose through the old towns narrow winding streets, past small boutiques and tempting eateries. The Basilica of the Madonna della Madia is a beautiful baroque style cathedral, well worth a visit, as is Palmeiri Palace, an 18th century Baroque Palace highlighting Lecce-inspired architecture. Enjoy a glass of chilled white wine on the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi; the perfect way to end your day. Overnight Albergo Diffuso 4*, Monopoli.

Expand your exploration of Monopoli to the coastline and along the lungomare – the paved promenade that skirts the old town along the coast. There are plenty of beaches within walking distance from where you can enjoy your morning. One of Puglia’s most famous beaches – Cala Porto – in Polignano a Mare, is just a 15min drive away should you want to tick this one off the list too. Later in the day, you will be transferred to Locorotondo where we have arranged a wine tasting for you; Bianco Locorotondo DOC is a famous sparkling white wine in Italy. You will stay in Locorotondo for the next two nights, plenty of time to see why it deserves its accolade of 'Borghi più belli d'Italia' (one of the most beautiful villages in Italy). Overnight Sotto le Cummerse 4*, Locorotondo.

Perched atop a hill, Locorotondo is a fantastic viewpoint to see the surrounding countryside bursting with olive groves and vineyards. Spend the morning wandering the maze of whitewashed lanes, grand baroque archways, and sipping an aperol spritz in the sun. In the afternoon, we recommend taking the train to Alberobello (10mins – exc. Sundays). This small town is an incredibly picturesque destination which has become a must see for many travellers in Puglia. Made a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unusual districts of trulli, these white-washed conical roofed houses have become icons of the town. Wandering the trulli district is fascinating, there are also a handful of small museums and shops nearby that you can visit before taking the train back to Locorotondo. Overnight Sotto le Cummerse 4*, Locorotondo.

This morning, you will be transferred to your third and final overnight destination of Matera. Technically not in Puglia, but in the neighbouring region of Basilicata, Matera cannot be missed when visiting Southern Italy. One of the oldest cities in the world, Matera is rich in nature, history, and culture; it’s unlike anywhere else. Today we have arranged a guided group tour of this fascinating city, giving you the opportunity to learn from the locals as you explore the unique cave settlements and historic rock churches. As the European Capital of Culture in 2019 and the set of James Bond’s No Time To Die in 2020, there is much to discover in this magical city of stone. Overnight Hotel Belvedere 3*, Matera.

Take your time exploring more of Matera. Simply wandering the streets fully immerses you into the character of the ancient city with its churches cut into the rock of hillsides and ravines. Some of the best viewpoints of the city are from Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli overlooking the rock church, ravine and Duomo’s bell tower – perfect for a photo opportunity. You may also like to visit MUSMA, an extraordinary art museum with modern sculptures scattered in a 17th century cave palace. End your day with a traditional Italian meal at one of the many great restaurants in Matera. Typical dishes are orecchiette pasta, senise peppers, and Aglianico wine – one of the local red wines. We recommend choosing a restaurant with a view; sunset over the city is one of the most magical times to see Matera, glowing in the golden hour. Overnight Hotel Belvedere 3*, Matera.

Matera city is perched on the edge of the ravine, walking down to the ravine is a great morning activity (before it gets too hot). The rocky trail is quite steep in places, but the views are truly spectacular. From the ravine, you can begin to appreciate the scale of the city and the contrast between the dwellings and the more modern, grander buildings. In the afternoon, we have arranged a bread making workshop for you. Matera bread is a delicacy of the region, it has a unique taste produced only with re-milled durum wheat semolina from the Lucanian area and is an ancient and honoured tradition. During the workshop, you will discover this ancient art within one of the city’s historic bakeries, making your very own loaf of Matera bread. End with a tasting/aperitif of the handmade products and Lucanian wine. Overnight Hotel Belvedere 3*, Matera.

Add extra nights in Matera to explore more of this incomparable city before departing for home.