Arrive: Bari, Italy
Depart: Bari, Italy
From Otranto, originally a Greek port and then a Roman one, our hikes contour along sea cliffs to Porto Badisco and past the Punta Palascia lighthouse to lovely Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. A boat ride along the coast brings us to ancient cave sanctuaries.
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
You need to be able to hike on uneven surfaces, occasionally downhill over loose rocks, so good balance is important. The hikes explore a mix of terrain, from dirt roads to paths across rolling hills to ancient stone staircases, which can be quite steep. The trip is designed for those who have at least some hiking experience. Please note that the hiking can feel more demanding at times because the weather can occasionally be hot, even in fall when we make our journey. Sturdy, well broken-in hiking boots are best for some of the rural trails, though walking shoes may be suitable for some days.
For maximum enjoyment of the trip (and the wonderful scenery, food, and wine that are a part of it), we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises.
Our hotels are chosen for their local history and central location. Although rooms in European hotels are not always of uniform or international size, our leaders try their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.
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 pm.
Luggage is transported for us by van, so it is always possible to ride in the van if you wish to opt out of a day's hiking. We will carry just a daypack with water bottle, sunscreen, camera, and anything else you want with you while on the trail.
"The trip was amazing. We loved every minute of it: lots of culture, hiking (of course,) and wine and food."
Candy H.
Sacramento, CA
"This is a superbly designed and executed trip with beautifully curated cultural and historical highlights, gorgeous hikes, and amazing food. Our leaders, local guides, and driver excellently navigated our group through the beauty and historical significance of Puglia I highly recommend this trip and these guides to anyone interested in a less traveled area of beautiful Italy."
Diana R.
San Francisco, CA
"Amazing from beginning to end. Our expectations were high and yet the trip still exceeded them. The amazing nature, culture, and history were perfectly complemented by the food, wine, and guides."
Eric O.
Tampa, FL
"Your Puglia trip is just wonderful. We loved the itinerary, the culture, and all that entails, and the local guides were fabulous."
Gail S.
Fairfax, CA
"This was a fantastic introduction to Puglia. The hiking was lovely and we really appreciated the local guides explaining the history of the area. The food was over the top. Every meal was beautifully prepared and delicious. "
Judith J.
Boulder, CO
"Just awesome! Such great culture, history, hiking, and food! Just enough free time. Well paced. I love WT trips!"
Karen B.
Rockville, MD
"Fantastic trip in a interesting area. We loved the food and wine. Our trip leader, JoAnn, made us all feel extremely welcome. We immediately felt comfortable with her."
Nathaniel B.
Bedford, MA
"A fabulous mix of sightseeing, hiking, eating, and drinking. Every hike was different, with varying terrain and scenery. Each town we visited was different from the last. The highlight of the trip was Matera which was truly magical and one-of-a-kind."
New York, NY
Lee R.
"Great fun. They don't call it "Eatily" for nothing! Lovely hikes."
Pamela R.
Davis, CA
"This trip far exceeded our expectations. The itinerary was superb and the guides were terrific. The balance among hiking, city tours, and wonderful meals was perfect. The two days in Matera were magical."
Philip S.
Arlington, VA
"A fabulous experience in a totally different region of Italy. So much history, local charm, and few Americans/tourists for our trip. It seemed we got to experience Puglia at its best--local culture, customs, products, and welcoming environment."
Susie C.
Columbia, SC
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
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With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.