Puglia & Matera | 10 Day Small Group Tour 2027
Tour Essentials
Daily breakfast, wine, olive oil, cheese, pastry and regional tastings
Why we've chosen this tour
We like this itinerary because it goes beyond the core Puglia and Matera route and gives Salento more time. Otranto, Gallipoli, Taranto, Brindisi, Manduria and Grottaglie add coastal, wine and artisan depth while keeping the small-group format practical.
Is this tour for you?
This tour suits travellers who want more than the short highlights route, but do not need the full 12-day Gargano extension. It is a good fit for curious travellers who enjoy food and wine, craft traditions, coastal towns and a richer look at southern Puglia.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
This 10-day small group journey from Bari combines Trani, Castel del Monte, Bari, Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Matera and Lecce with a deeper look at Salento, Taranto, Brindisi, Manduria and Grottaglie.
The route is designed for travellers who want to explore Puglia and Matera without driving, with local guides at key stops, a dedicated minivan and driver, carefully selected accommodation and a strong food and wine thread throughout.
Weekly Sunday departures are guaranteed from one participant, with a maximum of eight guests. English and Spanish are available, and the programme is well suited to solo travellers, couples and small groups of friends.
Inclusions
- Nine nights accommodation with breakfast: two nights in Trani, two nights in Bari, one night in Matera and four nights in Lecce
- Arrival transfer from Bari Airport or Bari Central Railway Station to Trani
- Return transfer from Lecce to Bari Airport or Bari Central Railway Station
- All transfers between destinations by air-conditioned minivan with professional driver
- Luggage assistance in pedestrian historic centres
- Guided visits in Trani, Castel del Monte, Bari, Alberobello, Matera and Lecce
- Entrance to Castel del Monte
- Entrance to a cave house and rupestrian church in Matera
- Ape Calessino experiences in Otranto, Gallipoli and Taranto
- Ape Car experience in Brindisi
- Small ceramics workshop in Grottaglie
- Lecce papier-mache workshop
- Welcome aperitif in Trani
- Moscato di Trani wine tasting
- Mozzarella and burrata experience at a dairy farm
- Extra virgin olive oil mill visit and tasting
- Focaccia and coffee tasting in Polignano a Mare
- Amaro Lucano tasting in Matera
- Pasticciotto and Lecce coffee tasting
- Primitivo winery visit and tasting in Manduria
- Tour assistance throughout
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Puglia & Trani at Sunset
Arrive at Bari Airport or Bari Centrale train station, where your private driver will meet you according to your arrival time. Transfer by minivan to Trani and check in at Palazzo Paciotti or similar for a two-night stay.
In the early evening, meet your local guide in front of Trani Cathedral for a sunset walk through the harbour, medieval village and Jewish Quarter, followed by a welcome aperitif with local products. The evening is free.
Overnight: Trani
Day 2 - Castel del Monte, Moscato Wine & History
After breakfast, depart from Trani for Castel del Monte and join an in-depth guided visit of the World Heritage-listed fortress built by Frederick II. Return to Trani with free time for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a guided wine visit with Moscato di Trani and local wine tasting before returning to the hotel. The evening is free.
Overnight: Trani
Day 3 - Burrata, Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Bari at Sunset
Check out after breakfast and meet at Santa Teresa Church, where luggage will be loaded before departure. Visit a traditional dairy for a hands-on mozzarella and burrata experience, then continue to an olive oil mill for an extra virgin olive oil tasting.
Arrive in Bari in the afternoon and check in at Hotel Boston or similar. Later, meet at the Swabian Castle entrance for a guided sunset tour of Bari’s historic centre. The evening is free.
Overnight: Bari
Day 4 - Alberobello & Polignano a Mare
After breakfast, meet your driver and depart for Alberobello. Walk through the World Heritage-listed trulli district with a local guide and learn about local traditions and artisan life.
Continue to Polignano a Mare for tasting stops including traditional focaccia and the town’s famous coffee, followed by a walk through the historic centre and sea-view terraces. Return to Bari for a free evening.
Overnight: Bari
Day 5 - Matera
After breakfast and check-out, depart for Matera. Store luggage at the hotel, then meet your guide for a visit through the Sassi district, including a cave dwelling, a rupestrian church and an Amaro Lucano tasting.
The afternoon is free to explore Matera and enjoy the city at sunset.
Overnight: Matera
Day 6 - Baroque Lecce & Papier-Mache
After breakfast and check-out, transfer privately from Matera to Lecce. Check in at Hotel President or similar for a four-night stay, with time for lunch at leisure.
In the afternoon, join a three-hour experience combining Lecce’s Baroque architecture with a papier-mache workshop. Traditional coffee and pasticciotto are included, followed by an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Lecce
Day 7 - Otranto & Gallipoli: Sea, History and Southern Charm
After breakfast, depart for Otranto and explore Italy’s easternmost city aboard a traditional Ape Calessino, with time for the historic centre, cathedral and Adriatic views.
Continue to Gallipoli, with free time for lunch, then enjoy an Ape Calessino experience through the historic centre, palaces, Baroque churches and sea-view streets. Return to Lecce for a free evening.
Overnight: Lecce
Day 8 - Brindisi & Taranto: Sea, Memories and Coastal Flavours
After breakfast, meet your driver and depart for Taranto, the ancient capital of Magna Graecia, for a panoramic Ape Calessino tour.
Continue to Brindisi for an Ape Car tour of this historic port city and its Mediterranean identity. Return to Lecce in the afternoon, with free time for the rest of the day.
Overnight: Lecce
Day 9 - Grottaglie & Manduria: Wine and Ceramics
After breakfast, depart for Manduria for a guided winery visit and Primitivo tasting. Continue to Grottaglie, known for ceramics, and visit a traditional workshop for a small hands-on ceramic experience.
Return to Lecce in the afternoon. The evening is free.
Overnight: Lecce
Day 10 - Return to Bari
After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Bari according to your onward flight or rail schedule. Services end on arrival.
Tour Highlights
- Guaranteed weekly Sunday departures from Bari
- Maximum 8 guests, guaranteed from 1 participant
- Visit Trani, Castel del Monte, Bari, Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Matera and Lecce
- Overnight in the Sassi of Matera
- Explore Otranto, Gallipoli, Taranto and Brindisi by Ape Calessino or Ape Car
- Experience Manduria wine country and Grottaglie ceramics
- Hands-on mozzarella and burrata, olive oil, wine, pastry and regional tastings
- Private minivan transport with professional driver
- Local guides at key destinations
Accommodation
Accommodation is selected for location and local character across Trani, Bari, Matera and Lecce.
- Trani: Palazzo Paciotti or similar, boutique accommodation in the historic centre
- Bari: Hotel Boston or similar, a 4-star hotel in the city centre
- Matera: boutique accommodation in the Sassi district or similar
- Lecce: Hotel President or similar for four nights
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, Matera and Salento include uneven stone pavements, stairs and uphill or downhill walking. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Useful Notes
- Departures are guaranteed weekly from one participant.
- Small group experience with a maximum of 8 guests.
- Tour available in English and Spanish.
- Pre- and post-tour extra nights available on request.
- Room upgrades available on request.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- The programme may be subject to minor changes due to operational needs or weather conditions.
Room Category Pricing
- Double or twin room: $7,999 per person
- Single room: $8,999 per person
- Triple room: $5,999 per person
- Family room: $5,499 per person
- Children aged 10 to 17 sharing a room with two adults: $3,299 per person
Exclusions
- Flights and rail connections to and from Puglia
- City taxes, payable locally and subject to municipal and seasonal variation
- Lunches and dinners unless specifically mentioned as included
- Extra drinks, personal expenses and optional tips
- Optional activities, excursions and travel insurance unless specifically mentioned as included
- Anything not specifically mentioned as included
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
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