Trulli house, Apulia

The unique whitewashed trullis of Apulia are centuries old. We explore Apulia’s ancient villages, hike the spectacular coasts, enjoy the delightful regional cuisines, and discover the vibrant culture of Italy’s south at its best.

Photo by H.Tschanz-Hofmann / ageFotostock

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Apulia route-map

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $4195   see pricing
Length: 10 days
Arrive: Trani, Italy
Depart: Brindisi, Italy
Lodging: 9 nights small inns and hotels
Meals: All meals included except 3 dinners
Activity: Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures
Trip Level: A mix of easy to moderate walks and hikes, 3-5 hours a day, van support
3 explain

Highlights

  • Ancient Matera, a World Heritage Site of stone-cut dwellings and cave churches
  • Stunning Alberobello, with its 10th century trulli houses
  • Charming medieval Otranto, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet
  • Apulia’s celebrated cuisine, from spit-roasted lamb to frutti di mare (seafood)


A wonderful trip! Leaders and fellow participants created a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Italy is a warm embrace!Arthur A.—New York NY

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

With azure-blue Adriatic and Ionian coastlines, whitewashed towns, curious conical trulli houses, centuries-old olive orchards in silvery shades of green and gray, and a layer cake of ancient cultures, Apulia is a delightful surprise in the “heel of the Italian boot.” In this deeply traditional realm, we discover the distinctive character of southern Italy on hikes among isolated villages and fortified farmhouses and along one of Italy’s most spectacular coastlines. As we explore, we join the local tradition of the passeggiata (leisurely before-dinner strolls), enjoy the hospitality of the Apulian people, and savor some of Italy’s best cuisine, la cucina pugliese, with locally grown ingredients born of the sun-drenched countryside and the deep blue sea.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-2
Trani / Matera

From the seaside town of Trani, we head to Castel del Monte, a fascinating 13th century octagonal castle and a World Heritage Site. After a warm-up walk amid the farmlands and pine woods encircling this site, we continue to Matera, a troglodyte town that sprawls down the edge of a ravine in a series of extraordinary sassi, or cave dwellings. Matera is the best surviving example of a rock-cut settlement in the Mediterranean, and we explore among the town’s 10th century caves and churches with Byzantine frescoes. The next day, we enjoy a hike in Matera’s dramatic canyon for breathtaking perspectives of an abandoned pastoral world. Some clusters of Matera’s small homes have now been turned into lovely hotels, and we stay in one of them, with unique rock-hewn cavern rooms.

Days 3-5
Taranto / Alberobello / Cooking Class

In the green Itria Valley, we hike amid vineyards and cherry orchards and visit historic Taranto, founded by Spartan settlers. We then head inland for a hike among Apulia’s unique trulli settlements, passing through a landscape of olive groves, vineyards, and oak woodlands where Podolica cattle and black Murgiano horses are raised. On Day 5, we head to a family dairy for a demonstration of southern Italian cheese-making, then hike to an ancient farmhouse for some local hospitality, including an informal cooking class followed by a feast of Apulian specialties. Overnights are at the World Heritage Site of Alberobello, a fairytale hilltown with a skyline of charming whitewashed houses.

Days 6-10
Otranto / Lecce

Medieval Otranto is an atmospheric port near the tip of the Apulian heel where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. Here on one of Italy’s most breathtaking coastlines we hike past ancient Saracen watchtowers reigning over blue coves, and along the aquamarine sea at Porto Badisco, a charming hamlet on a lovely bay where Homer’s Aeneas is said to have landed. We enjoy our last nights in elegant Lecce, Apulia’s cultural capital. With its artisans and exuberant Baroque architecture of pink sandstone, Lecce is one of southern Italy’s most charming cities. Depart Day 10 from Brindisi.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

The hiking on this trip is rated Level 3, Moderate. We enjoy day walks and hikes of 2-4 hours over variable terrain, including rolling countryside, rocky coastal trails, and steep canyons, with options on Day 2 and Day 6 for shorter or longer hikes. We will carry just a daypack. Sturdy, well broken-in hiking boots are definitely necessary for some of the rural trails of this area, though walking shoes (or sturdy sandals, like Tevas) may be suitable for some days. The meals included in the itinerary will be taken at the hotels where we are staying, at local farmhouses, or at restaurants in town, with some picnic lunches. For meals “on your own,” the Trip Leader will be happy to advise you on, or accompany you, to local restaurants and trattorias. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 p.m.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

Departures & Leaders

Sep 9-18, 2010  Nello DeLibero
Oct 7-16, 2010

Apr 18-27, 2011  Nello DeLibero
Sep 8-17, 2011  Nello DeLibero
Sep 29-Oct 8, 2011  Nello DeLibero

Tour Costs

Prices are for 2011
$4195 (11-15 members)
$4595 (6-10 members)
Single supplement: $405

more on pricing

Tour Cost Includes:

  • expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
  • accommodations in guesthouses, inns, and hotels
  • welcome and farewell dinners, and meals as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
  • entrances to museums and sites
  • land transportation, airport transfers as indicated in the Full Trip Brochure

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, any meals not specified in the Full Trip Brochure, wine at dinner (except at welcome and farewell dinners and cooking class), airport departure taxes, transfers other than those provided for group flights, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors, travel insurance, and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, telephone calls).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20% of tour cost
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation Fee Schedule

Minimum fee: None
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of tour cost
45 days or less: 100% of tour cost

Our Trip Leaders

Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).

Nello DeLibero

Departure Dates: September 9-18, 2010, October 7-16, 2010, April 18-27, 2011, September 8-17, 2011, September 29-October 8, 2011

Nello DeLibero has led walking journeys for many years. When he was young, a love of travel led him to explore his native Puglia on foot and on biking outings, and at Tuscany's Florence University, he studied geology, a discipline that combines nature and exploration. Nello later went on to ...
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Ellen Santucci-Masi

Departure Dates: October 7-16, 2010

Ellen Santucci-Masi was born and raised in New Jersey, but always knew she would travel someday, and she did. She studied French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Latin, knowing that languages would allow her gather insights into different cultures. She eventually settled in Florence, Italy, where ...
Click here for a full bio and list of all upcoming trips

Client Comments

A wonderful trip! Leaders and fellow participants created a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Italy is a warm embrace! Arthur A., New York NY WT came through as always with an excellent trip. Lucy C., Eastham MA The trip was great—the leader and co-leaders were fantastic and worked well together. The picnics truly memorable as was the food in general. Apulia is truly a special destination. Maxine R., West Newton, MA
What a complimentary trio of Trip Leaders—they exceeded our wildest expectations. James L., Tucson, AZ The hikes and walks were wonderful, the food and drinks were amazing, our picnics were fun, and the restaurant choices were great. I think we saw the best of Apulia. Kathleen L., Rollins, MT