Puglia & Matera

Stunning walk from the beautiful cove of Porto Badisco with aqua marine reflections along a dramatic coastline of cliffs with watch towers. According to Homer Aeneas landed here.
Picnic lunch and free time in the afternoon to explore Otranto.

In 1481 the Turks attacked and slaughtered the population. The bones are kept in the Duomo and a visit to see its amazing Byzantine mosaic floor portraying the tree of life is a must. (walk 4hrs/13km)

We visit the baroque city of Lecce, sometimes called the Florence of the South. The historic center is a great place for strolling to admire handcrafts  and spotting Roman remains.
We then head to the coast for a beautiful walk in a protected marine nature reserve known as Torre Guaceto. Along this short piece of coastland with exceptional sandy and rocky backdrops, we walk through maquis and olive groves and fresh water lagoons where migrant birds stop to feed.

At the end of the walk is a 16th-century Aragonese defensive look-out tower. (walk 3hrs/11km)

Free morning to explore the narrow alleyways of the beautiful little town Ostuni known as La Citta Bianca ( White town)  with lots of places to enjoy a bite to eat*.A 24k year old skeleton of a prehistoric pregnant woman was recently found here.

In the afternoon we stop to admire the ancient olive groves where prehistoric stone Dolmen and crypts dating from the Neolithic Age (4000-3000 BC) can be found. (walk 2hrs/6km)   *lunch not included.

A day spent in the Murge dei Trulli a landscape of olive groves, orchards, vines and trulli houses. A short drive brings us to Alberobello where the highest concentration of these dry stone huts with conical roofs is to be found – even a Trulli church!!
A visit to Locorotondo is the start of our
walk through Trullo country to reach the beautiful whitewashed old town of Cisternino. Transfer by minicoach to Matera.
(walk 4hrs/13km)

A fascinating walk among Matera’s Sassi, the best surviving and most complete examples of rock-cut settlements in the Mediterranean basin. Developed in close harmony with the natural environments the caves here have been used since prehistoric times. At first bare cave dwellings, they were used as early Christian churches or to house flocks of sheep and later they were developed into house-like structures. This setting has inspired film directors for decades and was used for the film ‘The Passion’. (walk 3hrs/10km)
Enjoy a free evening to have dinner* in the old city of Matera.
*dinner not included.

A half days’ walk in the National Park of the ‘Alta Murgia’ Mediterranean Prairie with a picnic lunch and then a visit to the mystical and interesting Castel del Monte (UNESCO). This 13th century castle built by Frederick II which stands out against the natural backdrop of the surrounding Apulian hills and one of the most sophisticated secular buildings of the middle ages.

We end the day in the coastal town of Trani with its stunningly located 12th century Norman cathedral. Time to enjoy this unique seaside setting and explore this historic port town before dinner. (walk 3-4hrs/11km)

Scheduled drop off at Bari airport at 9.00am (or earlier as long as this accommodates everyone in the group). Trani station is only a short walk.
If you wish, we can help you to extend your stay or make other independent departure arrangements such as early taxis to the airport.