Puglia & Matera
SMALL GROUP TOURS
Destination: Croatia • Duration: 13 days / 12 nights • Dates: September 7 - September 16, 2024 • Destination: Italy • Duration: 10 days / 9 nights • Dates: September 7 - September 16, 2024 • Destination: Italy • Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Destination: Italy
Dates: September 7 - September 16, 2024
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Arrive Bari international airport, meet your driver and transfer to our hotel in town. Settle in, relax. In the late afternoon hours, meet your host Alida and your fellow travelers at the lobby for a welcome drink. Then, head out to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner of delicious local dishes, to dive right into the culture and life of Puglia.
Hotel: JR Hotel Oriente 4*
Arrive Bari
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2024
DAY 1
Today we enjoy the day in Bari!
In the later morning hours, we will meet our local licensed guide who will take us on a discovery of Bari, we’ll visit the market, and see the Nonne (grandmothers) at their work of making hand-made pasta and tour the most beautiful historical areas while learning about the local life through the centuries. During this tour we will enjoy also the tasting of various foods and produce from the market. We will end the tour in town, you may stay on own if you wish, or join your host and spend the afternoon sunbathing, swimming, and having fun at the local city beach.
Hotel: JR Hotel Oriente 4*
Bari
DAY 2
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2024
DAY 4
After breakfast, we’ll meet our licensed local guide and head out to explore the UNESCO protected ‘SASSI” area of Matera. The guide will provide the insight in such interesting history of the area and take us to visit one of the ancient Cave Dwellings, where families used to live, until not so long ago… This tour will take approximately 3 hours. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Around sunset time, we meet again and head out for dinner, at a local Enoteca. We will enjoy local dishes paired to perfection with the local primitive wines. After dinner, we may stay in town, enjoy each other's company and have some fun!
Hotel: Sant’ Angelo Luxury Resort 5*
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
Matera
DAY 5
Enjoy some time in Matera this morning. In the later morning hours, we will meet our driver and head back to Puglia. Our first stop will be the dreamy, UNESCO protected town of Alberobello. We will meet our guide here, and visit the famous Trulli village, admire the unique architecture and learn of the people and life in the area. After the tour, we will have time to enjoy this place at your own pace, or to sit down and grab a bite in one of the local restaurants. In the afternoon, we will transfer to our hotel in the area of Ostuni, town often known as the white city. We’ll settle in and enjoy some time to freshen up before heading to a local traditional restaurant to enjoy a Pugliese evening with local food and wine, farm to table.
Hotel: La Terra 4*
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
Matera - Alberobelo - Ostuni
DAY 6
Today we’ll enjoy a relaxing morning, take a swim at the pool or enjoy a massage (at a supplement). We’ll head to Ostuni in the late morning hour and enjoy exploring the White City – with a licensed local guide. After the interesting walking tour, to get to know this amazing town more close, why is it all colored in white and does it look to live here?
The afternoon and the evening is free for you to enjoy Ostuni at your own pace. Join your host and let’s explore together!
Hotels: La Terra 4*
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
Ostuni
DAY 7
After breakfast, we’ll head south, toward the amazing town of Lecce. Upon arrival, we will meet our local guide and enjoy a walking tour to get to know this off the beaten path gem of Puglia. After the tour, we will have the time to explore the town some more, or to sit down for lunch in some of the local restaurants. In the early afternoon hours, we will head back north, along the coast and enjoy another stop, to visit the town of Monopoli. Here, we’ll enjoy some free time to walk around and explore on own, Then, our driver will take us to Polignano a Mare, one of the most picturesque towns in Puglia. Tonight, enjoy a free evening in town, go on your own, or join your host to try out some of the local restaurants.
Hotel: Covo dei Saraceni 4*
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024
Ostuni - Lecce - Monopoli - Polignano A Mare
DAY 8
In the morning we’ll head to town and meet our licensed guide. First, we’ll enjoy a walk through the cobbled stone streets of Polignano a Mare, viewing the amazing architecture and the view of the famous beach. Then, we’ll meet our skipper, and board our boat. We’ll enjoy sailing along the coast, to see the amazing caves and interesting rock formations. On board we’ll have some snacks and drinks. The return to shore is planned for the afternoon hours and the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the beach, explore more or relax.
Who wants to go for dinner at the famous restaurant in the cave? Join your host tonight for dinner (this is optional, and payment is on the spot, but the reservation must be done in advance)
Hotel: Covo dei Saraceni 4*
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2024
Boat Tour From Polignano A Mare
DAY 9
Today is your day to just relax and enjoy at your own pace. Do some shopping or go to the beach. In the late afternoon hours, we will meet and head for an amazing farewell dinner in a unique setting where we’ll enjoy the atmosphere and the amazing local dishes and wines. Enjoy your last evening and have fun!
Hotel: Covo dei Saraceni 4*
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2024
Polignano A Mare
DAY 10
Your driver will pick you up from the hotel depending on your departure time and take you to Bari International Airport for your flight.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
Depart Italy
DAY 3
Today we’ll bid farewell to Bari and head inland. Our first stop will be the historic town of Altamura, famous for the traditional bread production. We will visit a local bakery, learn the story of this amazing bred, and of course enjoy tasting it. We will also have some free time to enjoy the town before continuing our way toward the region of Basilicata, and our home for the next days – Matera. Matara is thought to be one of the oldest towns in the world! We will get settled in our hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy on own, OR join your host in the evening and head out to try out some of the amazing restaurants and enjoy a drink in town afterward.
Hotel: Sant’ Angelo Luxury Resort 5*
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
Bari - Altamura - Matera
Pricing
Price Per Person In
Double Occupancy Rooms
$1100
Single Supplement
$5300
Request To Book
What's Included
Accommodation at listed hotels with breakfast daily, based on double occupancy rooms, with the option for single use at a supplement
Customized arrival and departure airport transfers, according to your individual arrival and departure flight timing
All transfers as per program with comfortable air-conditioned mini coach
Professional English-speaking tour manager throughout
Welcome drink at the hotel
“Pugliese” dinner and drinks, farm to table, at a traditional restaurant in Ostuni
Walking tour of the “white city” Ostuni
Walking tour of the town of Lecce
Walking tour of Polignano a Mare
Boat tour along the coast of Polignano, with snacks and drinks included
Farewell dinner with drinks in the vicinity of Polignano a Mare
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Bari with traditional Pugliese 3-course meal, incl. wine & water
Walking tour and food tasting tour of Bari
Presentation of the bread and tasting in Altamura
Walking tour of historic Matera with entrance into a Cave Dwelling Museum
Wine and food tasting at a local Enoteca in Matera area
Walking tour of historical site Alberobello – Trulli village
Visas, passport, and/or departure taxes
Airfare
Any items not listed above
Expenses of personal nature, including tips to guides and drivers, telephone calls, table drinks, internet, laundry, etc.
Travel insurance – highly recommended! Check out World Nomads.
Not Included
Pricing
Price Per Person In
Double Occupancy Rooms
$1100
Single Supplement
$5300
- The Coscia-Mancuso Family, White Plains, NY
We cannot thank Vagabonda Travel enough for custom-designing our family trip to Italy. Memories to last a lifetime. Every detail of our trip was perfectly curated and exceptional. We would have never been able to plan this adventure on our own. Communication with the staff is excellent and we felt secure knowing we had contact number while we were traveling. Cannot wait to book our next trip with you soon!
Trip of a lifetime.
Happy Clients
- Megan and Jerry, Los Angeles, California
We have never used a travel service before, and Vagabonda absolutely blew us away! From their hotel bookings, to the day-by-day itinerary, to hidden gems we definitely would have never found on our own, we can't thank their team enough! Highly recommend for anyone who wants an authentic experience in Europe!
BEST TRIP EVER! We'll remember this for the rest of our lives!
Happy Clients
- Pete and Paula, Lindenhurst, New York
When my husband and I started planning our 30th Anniversary trip to Italy we had no idea where to even begin. That’s when I stumbled across Alida’s TikTok videos. I absolutely LOVED her content. To be honest, at first I was skeptical about planning a trip like this off of someone I saw in a TikTok video, but after meeting with her we knew we picked the right travel agency. Our 17-day trip was absolutely incredible. Alida and Vagabonda Travel made our lifetime dream of touring Italy one we will never forget!
Happy 30th Anniversary to Us! A TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
Happy Clients
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Vagabonda's European small group tours are led by our professional hosts. We're dedicated to making sure that every moment of your trip counts. We believe in taking it slow and connecting with locals as we uncover amazing experiences in unforgettable destinations. Travel should be more than just a vacation - it should be an experience that touches your heart and deepens your relationship with the world.
