An excellent trip. The pace of the trip is perfect. A week flew by and we felt we had been all over the Puglia region. So much to do and see in such a short space of time and yet we managed to relax and get some free time in too. The food was outstanding, the wine was delightful, the people were a pleasure to be around. Every stage of the trip was enjoyable and slightly different.
Food toursLocal culture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Matera, Lecce, Salento, Alberobe
Matera, Lecce, Salento, Alberobello, Grotte Di Castellana, Ostuni, Otranto
This holiday is a fantastic introduction to the Puglia and Basilicata area of Italy. I enjoyed all of the towns that we visited and would have happily spent more time in Alberobello and Ostuni.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Our tour leader had amazing energy and enthusiasm, Sonia was a breath of fresh air.
She bought to life the area, I learned a lot. The local guides were also very good particularly in Matera, Emma I think was her name. I would have liked an extra day here.
Food tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
I took the "Reverse Puglia" trip June 18 to 25, 2024. It was a great trip and overview of Puglia. We stayed in trulias in Alberobello and a cave room in Matera. Everything about the grip was perfect, the pace, the places we visited, the food and local guides. However the best part of the trip was Gabriele the tour guide. He took care of everyone and was funny, intelligent, gracious and a pure delight. He is what made the trip so special and memorable, a philosopher that showed us Puglia.
Travelling in a small group with different abilities the trip gave us a great balance between manageable walks, urban experiences and self managed travel. Instructions for the walks were generally clear but some better formatting/design would be helpful. The booked transport was always punctual, well organised with helpful and friendly drivers. The hotels that were selected had a great atmosphere and evocative of the places we were staying. Their location in the heart of the historic towns was perfect making it easy for quick explorative trips. Puglia as a destination didn't disappoint and we would be very happy to return whenever we have the opportunity.
My frst trip with Explore and it didn’t disappoint. Massimo our guide was very good and all the events were excellent. I particularly loved the farm visit to see Mozzarella being made and the olive oil & wine tasting. I also loved the walks! The accomodation was ok but not always comfortable and I personally would have liked just a bit more time between activities as it seemed very rushed! I will certainly look at booking Explore again in the future!
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was my fifth Explore holiday - the fourth cycling tour I’ve done - and they’ve all been so good I’ve had no hesitation in booking with you again. I think the stand-out feature of each tour has been the guides we’ve had on each trip - they’ve all been excellent without exception and have dedicated every waking moment of each tour to making sure each has run perfectly and participants are happy. Our guide in Puglia - Massimo - was great. He was always cheerful, encouraging, kept us well informed of plans and was very knowledgeable about the region. He also took excellent photos and videos of our trip which he was happy to share. Great memories of an excellent holiday!
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Stress-Free tour with excellent accommodation, luggage transfers that was always waiting for us the end of the day.
Scenery was unforgettable, people along the way were welcoming and most spoke English although we did try.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Matera, Lecce, Alberobello, Ostu
Matera, Lecce, Alberobello, Ostuni, Gallipoli, Santa Maria Di Leuca, Otranto
I would highly recommend this trip. It covered all the interesting areas in Puglia. Our guide Gabriele was fantastic, he went over and beyond what was expected, he made the trip entertaining and enjoyable for everyone with his stories and knowledge of Italian culture. Everyone in our group got along well which helped to make the trip a pleasure. From the food, drinks, to the execution of our activities, it was all a memorable experience. Great time of year in May to see the many wildflowers and greenery in the Italian countryside. Thanks.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
From the Baroque splendour of Lecce, to the unique 'trulli' style houses of Alberobello and the cave houses (Sassi) in neighbouring Matera, this self-guided walking trip allows you to discover the beauty of the region at your own relaxed pace. There is plenty of time to appreciate the magnificent coastline and trulli strewn landscapes, and to spend lingering afternoons savouring the traditional cuisine.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
12-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Matera, Lecce, Otranto, Ostuni
Matera, Lecce, Otranto, Ostuni, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Gravina
This was the first time that this trip had been run using E-bikes, so everyone was keen to see how the trip would unfold. We were introduced to our bikes on the first evening, and because of a change of hotel we had the opportunity to cycle into Monopoli, and return in the dark after an amazing first meal. When I checked the itinerary I could see that the first two rides were going to be the most challenging in terms of ascent and distance, but I quickly realised that E-bikes are a great leveller. There are four levels of assistance, with turbo being the most powerful. The motor rewards effort, the faster you peddle, the more assistance it gives you, up to its maximum speed - these bikes are not chipped like the delivery cycles that whizz around around our streets bringing takeaways to the masses. Each person in the group decided how much effort to put in, getting up the many hills, but hats off to the one person in the group who rode the whole way on an ordinary bike . . . . and he was not at the back. Respect!! With uphills come downhills, and there were plenty of those. Long sweeping downhills that went on and on. Great fun. We were well fed and watered on this trip, both at lunchtime and in the evenings, and for the most part the weather behaved itself.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Resort, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Sorrento, Monopoli, Matera, Cast
Sorrento, Monopoli, Matera, Castelmezzano, Monte Sant'Angelo, Paestum, Salerno
Dreamy beaches, inspiring architecture and ancient wonders come together on an eight-day Premium adventure through Italy’s Puglia region. Understated and unbelievably beautiful, this lesser-visited corner of Italy delivers in historical, cultural and natural sights. Begin in the coastal town of Bari, admire unusual trulli buildings in Alberobello, stay in a former palace in Nardo, explore ancient sassi homes in Matera and discover the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii. With a local leader by your side and expert guides joining you along the way, you’ll really get a kick out of this adventure.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bari, Naples, Polignano A Mare
Bari, Naples, Polignano A Mare, Nardò, Matera
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