Journey through Puglia to Matera

As one of our Independent Tours, Journey through Puglia to Matera combines the highlights of Puglia with the magical city of stone, Matera - not to be missed when exploring Southern Italy. The charm of Puglia invites you in with sweet aromas of olive groves and carefully crafted vineyards. From extravagant churches and ancient towns with narrow, winding streets, to seas of olives and simple fishing harbours, this beautiful region has much to offer. There's no better place to begin your Puglian adventure than the quintessential town of Monopoli. Resting on the shimmering coastline, take a moment to immerse yourself in the local culture as you wander the old streets, discovering the beauty of baroque architecture around every corner. From here, you can visit one of Puglia's most famous beaches; perched on a cliff above the crystal-clear Adriatic, Polignano a Mare is a true spectacle and well worth visiting. From the coast, travel inland to the hilltop town of Locorotondo, truly deserving of its accolade of 'Borghi piu belli d'Italia' (one of the most beautiful villages in Italy). Here, we've arranged a wine tasting for you to sample the famous sparkling white wine, Bianco Locorotondo DOC. Next, you explore the famous Trulli houses of Alberobello, their white-washed conical roofs now recognised as icons of Puglia. Whilst not within Puglia itself, no visit to Southern Italy would be complete without witnessing the spectacle that is Matera. As the European Capital of Culture in 2019 and the set of James Bond's No Time To Die in 2020, there is much to discover. We've arranged a guided tour of the renowned rock churches and caves cut into this ancient city; it truly is fascinating and incredibly beautiful, particularly within the glow of sunset. So, help yourself to a glass of chilled wine and a plate of the local pasta to end your Southern Italian tour on a high note.