Hilltop Villages, Shepherds' Paths, and Turquoise Seas
Hiking Puglia and Matera
Overview
Swirling Adriatic and Ionian seas in hues of deep blue, heirloom olive orchards stretching to the horizon, whitewashed coastal towns gleaming in the sun—this is the “heel” of Italy, a world apart from the north. Our hikes bring us across traditional shepherds' trails and along spectacular coastal paths where the sea and the sky seem to meet. Along the way, we'll visit charming hill towns and ancient ports. Our final treat is a three-night stay in a historic hotel in the unforgettable World Heritage Site of Matera. As always, we'll eat locally and well—olive-tasting in the Itria Valley, sampling the deep red Primitivo wines in Manduria, and tasting the bounty of the sea.
Arrive: Bari, Italy
Depart: Bari, Italy
Highlights
- Visit the breathtaking World Heritage Sites of Matera and Alberobello
- Explore Lecce's Baroque palazzi and the striking “white city” of Ostuni
- Hike through ancient olive orchards and across shepherds' paths
- Enjoy Puglia's tasty seafood and the best Primitivo wines
Itinerary
We head across the vineyards of the Valle d'Itria, known for its conical-roofed “trulli” houses. A walk on the Apulian Aqueduct brings us to Alberobello, a World Heritage Site with a maze of trulli-lined lanes. After exploring stunning Ostuni, with its tumble of alabaster buildings, we'll taste olive oils at a farmstead, enjoy a picnic on the beach, and explore the opulent Baroque town of Lecce, with architectural surprises at every turn.
From Otranto, originally a Greek port and then a Roman one, our hikes contour along sea cliffs to Porto Badusco and past the Punta Palascia lighthouse to lovely Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. A boat ride along the coast brings us to ancient cave sanctuaries.
Magical City of Stone In the wine town of Manduria, we taste Primitivo di Manduria vintages at a local cellar. Our grand finale is Matera, one of the most spectacular ancient settings in all Europe, where Benedictine monks carved elaborate churches and monasteries deep into the walls of a steep canyon. With its troglodyte dwellings and otherworldly surroundings, Matera is as fascinating as it is unique. We'll set out on canyon walks, exploring picturesque alleys and a warren of “sassi” dwellings. Depart on Day 10.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The hiking on this trip is Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. We enjoy day walks and hikes of 2-4 hours over variable terrain, including gently rolling countryside, rocky coastal trails, and steep canyons.
Review Trip Level Details
You need to be able to hike on uneven surfaces, occasionally downhill over loose rocks, so good balance is important. The hikes explore a mix of terrain, from dirt roads to paths across rolling hills to ancient stone staircases, which can be quite steep. The trip is designed for those who have at least some hiking experience. Please note that the hiking can feel more demanding at times because the weather can occasionally be hot, even in fall when we make our journey. Sturdy, well broken-in hiking boots are best for some of the rural trails, though walking shoes may be suitable for some days.
For maximum enjoyment of the trip (and the wonderful scenery, food, and wine that are a part of it), we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises.
Puglia has a warm, sunny Mediterranean climate. Temperatures are likely to be the 70s and 80s during the day and the 60s at night. Cooling breezes and showers can occur at any time, especially in fall. The weather can range from blue skies to cloudy, mist-shrouded days on which we need to keep rain gear handy in our daypacks. The sea regulates the climate in coastal southern Italy.
Our hotels are chosen for their local history and central location. Although rooms in European hotels are not always of uniform or international size, our leaders try their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.
Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Luggage is transported for us by van, so it is always possible to ride in the van if you wish to opt out of a day's hiking. We will carry just a daypack with water bottle, sunscreen, camera, and anything else you want with you while on the trail.
Client Testimonials
"The trip was amazing. We loved every minute of it: lots of culture, hiking (of course,) and wine and food."
Candy H.
Sacramento, CA
"Your Puglia trip is just wonderful. We loved the itinerary, the culture, and all that entails, and the local guides were fabulous."
Gail S.
Fairfax, CA
"Fantastic trip in a interesting area. We loved the food and wine. Our trip leader, JoAnn, made us all feel extremely welcome. We immediately felt comfortable with her."
Nathaniel B.
Bedford, MA
"Great fun. They don't call it "Eatily" for nothing! Lovely hikes."
Pamela R.
Davis, CA
"This trip far exceeded our expectations. The itinerary was superb and the guides were terrific. The balance among hiking, city tours, and wonderful meals was perfect. The two days in Matera were magical."
Philip S.
Arlington, VA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.