Take off on an unforgettable journey down Italy’s rarely visited heel, getting to know another side of this beautiful country. See the beauty of Amalfi, unwind in style among the sophisticates of Trani and tour the Roman ruins, baroque churches and whitewashed alleyways of Lecce. Wander among the peculiarly shaped houses of Alberobello, wander the hillside dwellings of Matera and discover the Old Town’s life surrounding Bari's Basilica di San Nicola. Head down and say ciao to Italy’s southernmost slice of the Adriatic.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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.
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
This 17-day adventure around Italy takes in some of the most ancient sites in European history and shows you the lesser-known countryside, too. With a local by your side, you’ll explore the bustling streets of Rome, then travel through beautiful countryside past villas, vineyards and rolling hills as you visit historical sites like Pompeii, Lecce and the Sassi dwellings in Matera. There’s plenty of free time available to explore the area and take in the sites at your own pace, whether you want to indulge in food and wine or enjoy local experiences.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Journey through a crossroads of civilizations in Sicily and on to the spectacular coastlines of Southern Italy. Uncover Sicily’s capital Palermo and its Moorish and Norman influences. Explore Agrigento’s ancient Valley of the Temples and the Ancient Roman mosaics of Piazza Armerina. Travel to the historic hilltop town of Taormina. Visit a local winery for a wine tasting and agriturismo dinner. Venture to the ancient cave dwellings of Sassi di Matera. Explore Sorrento and stunning Positano, the pearl of the Amalfi Coast. Walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans in the excavated Pompeii. Allow the unique culture to capture your heart and get a glimpse into an age-old heritage composed of ancient monuments and cultivated lands.
Our most comprehensive tour of Puglia in southern Italy! This 9-day trip takes in the best of the region, including Bari, Lecce, the cave dwellings of Matera and the mysterious Castel del Monte. See the traditional Trulli houses, stroll through the 'White Towns' of Locorotondo and Ostuni and sample fresh organic olive oil at an Italian farmhouse. Visit the 'Pearl of Puglia' in Trani, learn how to make traditional pasta and visit the pretty coastal towns of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bari, Alberobello, Matera, Lecce
Bari, Alberobello, Matera, Lecce, Monopoli
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Matera is a small jewel carved out of the mountains. Time seems to have stood still in the city of Basilicata, where the surrounding landscape is not unlike a painting. Matera, which in past years has captivated photographers and filmmakers, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Mel Gibson, has a unique charm. A complex beauty that can only be understood when walking around the narrow alleys of the historic center and the houses carved out of the tuff. The layers of history and the delicate relationship with the surrounding nature make it an amazing open-air museum.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
english, italian
Destinations
Matera
Matera
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
This 9-day tour of Puglia starts and ends in the Italian capital of Rome, with free time to visit the Colosseum, the Vatican and more. With included train travel to Puglia, explore the relaxed cities of Bari and Lecce, see the traditional trulli houses in Alberobello and discover octagonal Castel del Monte. Learn how traditional pasta is made at a rural farm, visit the UNESCO-listed cave settlements of Matera and wander through the pretty white towns of Locorotondo and Ostuni.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rome, Bari, Alberobello, Matera
Rome, Bari, Alberobello, Matera, Lecce
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.