Puglia Tours

Lecce is the jewel of Puglia and one of the most extraordinary cities in all of southern Italy — baroque Lecce has earned the nickname "the Florence of the South" for its intricate architecture and beauty. The famous Lecce stone (pietra leccese) used in the city's extraordinary baroque architecture glows golden in the afternoon sunlight, and the churches, palaces, and vibrant piazzas of Lecce's historic center are among the most beautiful in all of Italy. A walking tour of Lecce with knowledgeable local guides is one of the most enjoyable and authentic experiences in Puglia — wandering the cobblestone streets and narrow streets of the historic center, discovering the romanesque architecture of the Basilica di Santa Croce, and tasting the local specialties at Lecce's excellent restaurants and wine bars. Lecce is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe — its history stretches back through Greek, Roman, and Byzantine occupation to the baroque splendor that makes it beloved by travelers today. Spend two nights in Lecce and enjoy light lunch at local restaurants, wine tasting at local producers, and a farewell dinner under the stars in one of Lecce's beautiful vibrant piazzas.

Alberobello is Puglia's most famous destination — a fairytale UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary trulli houses, the conical stone dwellings unique to Puglia built in this region since prehistoric times. Wandering the cobblestone streets between the whitewashed trulli, visiting the interior of a family home converted into a trulli museum, and discovering the culinary traditions that have kept this extraordinary architectural form alive in Puglia for centuries is such a joy. Polignano a Mare is one of Puglia's most photographed destinations — a dramatic seaside town perched on limestone cliffs above the deep blue Adriatic sea, famous for its extraordinary natural caves, its dramatic cliffs, and its whitewashed buildings gleaming in the southern Italy sunlight. Take a boat ride through the sea caves, admire the dramatic views from the clifftop terraces, and eat dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Adriatic sea. Bari is Puglia's vibrant capital city — discover the extraordinary Basilica di San Nicola (one of the finest romanesque architecture churches in all of southern Italy, home to the relics of San Nicola), walk the cobblestone streets and narrow streets of Bari Vecchia, and taste the orecchiette made by locals at the historic Bari market. Gallipoli, Trani, Martina Franca, and Ostuni are Puglia's other extraordinary towns — each with its own whitewashed buildings, baroque architecture, and amazing experiences that make Puglia one of Italy's most rewarding authentic regions.

Matera — the extraordinary cave city just across the border in Basilicata — is one of the most remarkable destinations in all of southern Italy. The Sassi di Matera are ancient cave dwellings carved into the dramatic ravine of the Gravina river — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, with cave dwellings dating back to prehistoric times. Spending two nights in Matera allows guests to explore the cave dwellings at dawn and dusk, when the Sassi are bathed in extraordinary golden light — our small group Puglia tours include exclusive access to Matera's finest cave dwellings and local masseria farmhouses with authentic meals cooked by local families. Italian food in Puglia is extraordinary — taste the orecchiette pasta made by hand by locals in Bari's old town, savor burrata mozzarella made fresh daily at local producers, and indulge in Puglia's extraordinary seafood. Wine tasting at Puglia's renowned wineries — Primitivo di Manduria, Negroamaro, and Salice Salentino — alongside olive oil tastings at ancient olive groves is one of the great culinary delights of any Puglia tour.