Puglia & Matera Walking & Hiking tour
Start: Otranto Finish: Trani
Duration: 7 Nights
Physical rating: Low, Fairly Easy
Special diets catered: Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, Pescatarian
Tour Operator: Caspin Journeys Ltd
Group size: 6 - 10
Age range: 25-85
Tour operated in: English
Prices From:
Tour Overview
Our small group walking tour in Puglia &Matera located in the heel of the Italian peninsula surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and blessed with sun, sea and dramatically changing landscapes. This coastline boasts an ancient strategic importance and a rich historical heritage dating back to the Greeks and Roman civilisation and others seeking passage to the East across the Mediterranean Sea. Among the highlights of our tour are the famous Trulli houses of Alberobello (UNESCO heritage site). Trulli are limestone rock buildings curiously cone-shaped to insulate against extreme summer heat, harsh winters and allow for the collection of rainwater. Our journey in Puglia is one of the best hiking tours in Europe with Trani & Otranto, Frederic II’s imperial Castel del Monte (UNESCO heritage site), the decorative baroque town of Lecce known affectionately as the Florence of the South, the spectacular Castellana Caves and two National Parks. We cross the fertile plain of the Tavoliere and the plateau of the Murge, exciting ecological diversity punctuated by Bronze Age, Greek and Roman archaeological sites, mediaeval castles and cathedrals. Before ending our beautiful journey we stop to explore the ‘Sassi’ cave dwellings of Matera. Hospitality in Puglia is a Trulli memorable experience!
Highlights
Places You'll See
Countries:
Cities & Attractions:
Otranto
Bauxite Quarry Otranto
Group of ladies friends
Local Shepperdess
Torre del Serpe
Coastal walk to porto Badisco
Porto Badico
Lecce porta Napoli
Santa Croce Lecce
Torre Guaceto marine reserve
Massaria Dining
Massaria Accommodation
Ostuni
Ejoying the view of Locorotondo
The White city of Ostuni
Trulli farm
Alberobello
the Trulli of Alberobello
Matera
Guided tour of the sassi of Matera
Castel del Monte
Trani
Ancient Dolmen
Spectacular setting of the cathedral of Trani
Itinerary
Day 1
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Pick up Bari Airport travel to Otranro
Location: Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla, Otranto Città
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Otranto
Meals: Dinner
Rendezvous at 14.00 at Bari airport. Transfer by our private minibus to the old town of Otranto, the most eastern town in Italy and a prosperous trading port on the narrowest straight between Mediterranean Europe and Asia Minor.
Day 2
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Otranto to Porto Badisco. 13 km
Location: Otranto, Porto Badisco
Accommodation Name: Otranto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stunning walk from Otranto along a dramatic coastline of cliffs, fortified farms and watchtowers to reach the beautiful cove of Porto Badisco where the bay displays aqua marine reflections among fishing boats bobbing up and down in the water. According to Homer, Aeneas landed here on his escape from Troy! Picnic lunch and free time in the afternoon to explore Otranto. Note: 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 Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3
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Visit to the Baroque city of Lecce
Location: Lecce, Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Locorotondo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We visit the baroque city of Lecce, sometimes called the Florence of the South. The historic centre 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
Day 4
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Ostuni the white city
Location: Ostuni
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Locorotondo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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 (lunch not included). 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
Day 5
:
Alberobello a Trulli experience
Location: Alberobello, Locorotondo, Trulli Valle d'Itria
Accommodation: Hotel,
Accommodation Name: Matera
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 to Matera. Walk: 4hrs/13km
Day 6
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Matera's Sassi
Location: Matera
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Matera
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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’. Enjoy a free evening to have dinner (dinner not included) in the old city of Matera. Walk: 3hrs/10km
Day 7
:
Castel del Monte to Trani
Location: Castel del Monte, Trani
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Trani
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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: 3hrs/11km
Day 8
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Departure — Bari airport
Location: Trani, Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla
Meals: Breakfast
Scheduled drop off at Bari airport at 9.00am (or earlier than 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.
What's Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
All gratuities for Hotel porters and Waiters service
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Local specialist guiding fees
For local specialist sites
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Drinks with Meals
Wine, water & coffee. No spirits
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
Water is carried in support vehicle for daily refills
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Country Entry Visas
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Fully Guided
2 experienced guides 24/7
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Local Taxes
Tourist taxes at Hotels
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Accommodation
Otranto: 2 Nights Locorotondo: 2 Nights Matera: 2 Nights Trani: 1 Night A nice hotel and a good night's sleep are an important part of your overall travel experience! When considering a hotel, we look at more than just the rooms. We look for hotels or bed and breakfasts which are committed to ensuring their guests are well looked after and pay attention to detail, for example offering locally sourced breakfast produce, or a special selection of toiletries, or tea and coffee making facilities in the room. Wherever possible your hotel will be perfectly positioned for exploring and will have a historical charm or maybe a new and innovative design. We choose the best possible places to stay ensuring that each night you are comfortably settled in a place that is welcoming and full of authentic local charm. We are on a mission to find the ingredients you need to wake feeling rested and looking forward to each day of your Caspin Journeys tour! Take a closer look at some properties we have chosen for you... Owner Guided.
What's Not Included
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Travel Insurance
N.B. It is a requirement of booking with Caspin Journeys Ltd that you have adequate personal travel insurance to cover the eventualities of your trip.
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Country Entry Visas
International travel always requires a valid passport(minimum six months). Visas are required for travel to certain countries and must be arranged far in advance of departure. It is your responsibility to check with the relevant embassy or consulate about the visa requirements for your Holiday- vacation.
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Mini Bar & Bar Drinks
Please do not forget to settle your bill before leaving each Hotel
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Not all tours include airport transfers (see Itinerary)
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Tipping and Gratuities
Tipping and Gratuities for your Trip Leaders is at your discretion
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Train Tickets
Your Peace of Mind Options
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Low Deposit
Caspin Journeys Ltd requires a deposit of 25% to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 75 days before departure..
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Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.