Puglia, Matera & Lecce | 7 Day Small Group Tour 2027
Tour Essentials
Daily breakfast, local tastings and regional food and wine experiences
Why we've chosen this tour
This is the richest of the short Puglia variants, adding Lecce’s Baroque architecture and craft traditions to the Trani, Bari, Alberobello, Polignano and Matera route.
Is this tour for you?
Best suited to travellers who want a small-group southern Italy journey with included transfers, local guides, food and wine experiences, and no need to rent a car. It suits couples, solo travellers and small groups of friends.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
This seven-day small group journey builds from Puglia’s Adriatic side to Matera and Lecce, giving travellers a broader view of southern Italy’s landscapes, food traditions and historic towns.
Trani, Castel del Monte, Bari, Alberobello and Polignano a Mare provide the Puglia foundations, while Matera adds the drama of the Sassi and Lecce brings Baroque architecture, papier-mache craft traditions, coffee and pasticciotto.
The result is a well-rounded short regional journey for travellers who want a small-group format, local guides, dedicated transport and an authentic introduction to Puglia and neighbouring Matera.
Inclusions
- Two nights in Trani at a boutique hotel in the historic centre with breakfast
- Two nights in Bari at a centrally located 4-star hotel with breakfast
- One night in Matera at a boutique hotel in the Sassi district with breakfast
- One night in Lecce at Hotel President or similar with breakfast
- All transfers as per itinerary
- Dedicated minivan with driver
- Luggage transportation throughout the tour
- Professional local guides
- Guided visits in Trani, Castel del Monte, Bari, Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Matera and Lecce
- Dairy farm experience with mozzarella and burrata tasting
- Olive oil mill visit with extra virgin olive oil tasting
- Moscato di Trani wine tasting experience
- Local tasting stops in Polignano a Mare
- Amaro Lucano tasting in Matera
- Papier-mache workshop experience
- Traditional coffee and pasticciotto tasting
- Transfer from Lecce to Bari Airport or Bari Central Railway Station
- Tour assistance and organisational support
Pre & Post Tour Extensions
Pre- and post-tour extra nights and extension packages can be arranged on request, including Gargano Escape, Valle d'Itria Retreat and Trulli & Flavours Experience. Use the enquiry form or speak to an Italy travel specialist to discuss dates, room upgrades and tailored add-ons.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome To Puglia
Arrive at Bari Airport or Bari Central Railway Station and meet your private driver for the transfer to Trani. Check in at Palazzo Paciotti or a similar boutique hotel in the historic centre for a two-night stay.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy Trani’s harbour, seafront cathedral and old town. Luggage assistance is included for the pedestrian historic centre.
Overnight: Trani
Day 2 - Trani And Castel Del Monte
Depart from Trani for Castel del Monte, the UNESCO-listed castle built by Emperor Frederick II. After the guided visit, return to Trani for a Moscato di Trani wine experience, with a tasting and introduction to local wine traditions.
In the early evening, meet near Trani Cathedral for a sunset guided walk with aperitif, including the cathedral, Jewish Quarter and Villa Comunale.
Overnight: Trani
Day 3 - Burrata, Olive Oil And Bari
Leave Trani after breakfast and visit a traditional dairy farm for a hands-on mozzarella and burrata experience followed by tastings. Continue to a local olive oil mill for an introduction to extra virgin olive oil production.
Arrive in Bari and check in at Hotel Boston or similar. In the evening, join a guided sunset walk through Bari Old Town from the Swabian Castle area.
Overnight: Bari
Day 4 - Alberobello And Polignano A Mare
Travel to Alberobello for a guided walk through the UNESCO-listed trulli district, with stories of local traditions and encounters with artisans. Continue to Polignano a Mare for tasting stops, including focaccia and the town’s distinctive coffee.
Explore the historic centre and sea-view terraces before returning to Bari for an afternoon and evening at leisure.
Overnight: Bari
Day 5 - Matera
Travel to Matera for a guided visit of the Sassi district, including a cave house, a rupestrian church and an Amaro Lucano tasting. After free time, check in at a boutique hotel in the Sassi.
The evening is free to enjoy Matera as the stone city settles into sunset.
Overnight: Matera
Day 6 - Lecce
Transfer from Matera to Lecce and check in at Hotel President or a similar hotel. Enjoy a papier-mache workshop experience, one of Lecce’s most distinctive artistic traditions, followed by traditional coffee and pasticciotto.
Later, meet the local guide in Piazza Sant’Oronzo for a guided walk through Lecce’s Baroque historic centre, churches, courtyards, Roman remains and lively squares, with an aperitif included.
Overnight: Lecce
Day 7 - Departure From Lecce
After breakfast, check out and transfer privately from Lecce to Bari Airport or Bari Central Railway Station.
Tour Highlights
- Travel from Bari through Puglia, Matera and Lecce in a maximum group of 8 guests.
- Visit UNESCO-listed Castel del Monte, Alberobello and Matera.
- Stay overnight in Matera and Lecce.
- Experience local food and wine traditions, including burrata, olive oil, Moscato di Trani, focaccia, Amaro Lucano, coffee and pasticciotto.
- Join a papier-mache workshop in Lecce and explore the Baroque historic centre with a guide.
Accommodation
Accommodation is selected for location, comfort and easy access to the historic centres visited during the journey.
- Trani: Palazzo Paciotti B&B or similar
- Bari: Hotel Boston Bari or similar
- Matera: boutique hotel in the Sassi district or similar
- Lecce: Mercure Hotel President Lecce or similar
Hotels are subject to availability. If a change is required, accommodation of a similar style and standard will be provided.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
Suitable for most travellers, though historic centres in Puglia and Matera include uneven stone pavements, stairs and uphill or downhill walking. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Exclusions
- Flights
- City taxes, payable locally and subject to municipal and seasonal variation
- Lunches and dinners unless specifically mentioned as included
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Anything not specifically mentioned as included
Important Information
Departures are guaranteed weekly on Sundays and from one participant. The tour is multilingual, with English and Spanish available. Pre- and post-tour extra nights, room upgrades and extensions may be requested.
Room-category pricing varies. Twin-share price is $3,999 per person. Other indicative room-category rates are quad room $3,272, triple room $3,636 and single room $4,999. The single supplement is $1,000. Children under 18 sharing with two adults are listed from $1,999.
The programme may be adjusted due to operational needs, weather conditions or local requirements.
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
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