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A Journey through Puglia

Treasures of Italy's ‘Deep South’
 
Experience the charm of laid-back Puglia on this self-guided journey by car (hire car included). Discover a land of olive groves, picturesque coastal scenery, splendid Baroque architecture, ancient conical houses and delicious local cuisine, and stay in traditional masserie.
A Journey through Puglia. 8 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
A Journey through Puglia. 8 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A touring holiday in Puglia

Puglia – the heel of Italy – has a special character which goes beyond the warming influence of the solleone (‘lion sun’) that ripens the olives and lends intensity to the full-bodied Negroamaro wines. This unique appeal is perhaps best summed up by the simple, uncomplicated attitude of its people, and a sense of slowing down.
Here, traditions run deep and family ties are strong. Flavours are fresh and bold, with a lusty cuisine unafraid to draw on the abundant riches of the land. The towns and villages, too, have a laid-back, unpretentious charm; and the landscapes, while little-known and even less frequently visited, have a colourful allure, from olive groves stretching out to a red-earthed horizon to the honey-coloured coastline – peppered with caves and lapped by the waters of an emerald sea.
Our discovery of this inviting region features three masserie of character, from which you can explore at leisure. We provide suggestions on cultural visits that take in the most beautiful architectural treasures, and recommend some excellent restaurants where you can pause for a leisurely lunch of pasta and seafood accompanied by a crisp dry or slightly sparkling white Locorotondo wine, or a full-bodied Primitivo red.
 

2024

We are currently unable to take bookings for this holiday for 2024. There are, however, many other holidays to choose from, so why not browse our site some more?
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • Arrival near Porto Badisco
    Night 1: at Masseria Panareo (the first of three nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.
  • Explore Porto Badisco & the surrounding area
    Spend your time here relaxing by the hotel’s panoramic pool, visiting the splendid botanical gardens of La Cutura, walking along the coast (we suggest a route to Porto Badisco; 8.5km, 2.5hrs) and exploring nearby Otranto. This historic port sits on a rocky spur close to the stiletto ‘heel’ of Italy. Meander through the streets and alleyways of the Old Town (literally ship-shape, within its imposing fortifications), pay a visit to the Norman cathedral with its remarkable 12th-century ‘tree of life’ mosaic, then stroll along the walls, where you might find a strategically placed café for a refreshing drink and a view of the bay.
    Take a walk to Porto Badisco
    Explore Otranto
  • Porto Badisco to Sternatia: 1hr by car
    Today, take a detour west, to visit Galatina’s ornately frescoed church en route to the fortified island town of Gallipoli. Wander its maze of streets, admiring Baroque churches and picking a fish restaurant for lunch, before heading north-east. Your next two nights are spent at the Masseria Chicco Rizzo, located in peaceful countryside near Sternatia, just south of Lecce. If you wish, you can choose to stay in Lecce itself – the charming Palazzo Rollo occupies an ideal position near the city’s magnificent cathedral.
    Gallipoli
  • Explore Lecce
    Spend today in Lecce (just a short drive or train journey from Sternatia), whose Baroque splendours have earned it the soubriquet ‘Florence of the South’. Following our self-guided walking tour, admire the sumptuous architecture, enhanced by the easily carved, honey-coloured local stone (pietra Leccese), and featuring elaborately sculpted gargoyles and animals. Not everyone is a fan, of course: the Marchese Grimaldi famously claimed the façade of the Basilica di Santa Croce was like ‘a lunatic having a nightmare’; but for most people, it works. So immerse yourself in this harmonious beauty – with its astonishing number of churches – and prepare to be stupito (amazed).
    Explore Lecce
    Beautiful Baroque Lecce
  • Sternatia to Ostuni: 2hrs by car
    Continuing north today, enter the Valle d’Itria where the rolling countryside is criss-crossed by dry-stone walls (much like our own Yorkshire) and dotted with the distinctive, cone-shaped roofs of trulli  houses. You stay in the wonderfully traditional, oil-producing Masseria Il Frantoio.
  • Explore from Ostuni
    Take an early morning trip to (the trulli famous!) Alberobello to beat the crowds. Then explore the fabulous ‘white towns’ of Ostuni and Locorotondo, perhaps sampling the latter’s renowned red wines on a tasting tour at the Cantina Sociale; or head to the nearby coast or the beach. For a walk, we recommend the archaeological park of Santa Maria d'Agnono (6km, 2hrs); or you could walk or cycle in the Parco delle Dune Costiere (16km), or at Torre Guaceto (7km, 2hrs). Further afield, you can explore the Pianelle Forest, or continue as far as spellbinding Matera.
    Viisit the famous Alberobello
    Discover the white town of Ostuni
 

Accommodation

You stay at three beautifully converted traditional masserie.

In some places, we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.

Wherever you stay, we recommend extra nights at any base (or all three!) to give you more time to explore the local area.
 

Extend your stay

What is included
  • 8 nights
  • 5 dinners
    8 breakfasts
  • detailed cultural information
  • category B car hire
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 8 reviews
  • Mrs A East
    Teddington
    01 October 2022

    It is difficult to find highlights because the whole trip was so good. Matera must be a highlight as the city is unlike anywhere else and was a joy to explore. The first and third Masserias were an absolute delight. The 6 course meal at Masseria Il Fantoila was very good but it was a shame a smaller option - even cold meats and cheese could not be made available as an alternative. We ate the 6 course meal on the first 2 nights but could not face such a large meal and eating so late on our third night (the meals started around 8pm and lasted until nearly 11pm) but driving in the dark to Ostuni was the only alternative which we reluctantly did on the 3rd night. Overall a really good and well planned holiday with lots to do and see and also time to relax and enjoy the wonderful surrounding of the Masserias.

    Inntravel
    response

    A Journey through Puglia followed by Matera

  • Anon
    14 September 2022

    A fascinating less-travelled corner of Italy with superb sea-side and hill-top towns to explore.  Otranto and Ostuni are spectacular, and the trulli of Alberobello are well worth braving the crowds to see.  Inntravel's selection of Masserias provides three contrasting establishments of great charm and interest.

  • Mr P Ward
    Norwich
    12 September 2022

    Puglia's hill villages were charming and beautiful, the churches a feast for the eye.  Whilst Lecce is a jewel, Locorotondo and Martina Franca are quieter and have a real charm of their own. If you stay in the Masserias recommended by Inntravel, come with a healthy appetite and you will be rewarded.

  • Mrs P Smith
    Carnoustie
    09 September 2022

    All destinations and town and city visits were highlights. HOWEVER - MATERA is just wonderful and shouldn't be missed as an add on. It is quite amazing how the city has developed accretively from its caves outwards and its gorge location spectacular. The history is fascinating and the city deserves it UNESCO status.

     

    We loved all the recommended towns and cities. Especially we loved Otranto, Ostuni, Gallipoli and Martina Franca. I'm not sure that we had notes for Monopoli but we managed to squeeze in a late afternnon there and we loved it and its contrasting archtecture, it had a great cultural buzz. The interior of Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia is an extraordinary statement in marbles, quite exquisite and I dont really enjoy heavily marbelled interiors. The "trulli" houses in Alberobello should not be missed, our tip if its not too hot, would be to visit in the afternoon after tours have been around and when folk are lunching, or even leaving. That would apply to most places including Lecce, nip in just before cathedrals and basilicas are due to close at lunchtime, the tours are moving away by then.

     

    We enjoyed a couple of lovely swims, one on the west coast and the other just south of Gallipoli, both sandy beaches as we didn't fancy many of the rocky shores which looked lovely but somewhat scrapey and bone breaking. Italians love to squeeze themselves into rocky niches and to ease themselves down steps into the azure and crystal clear waters. All 3 masserias had great pools!

     

    Bari is a very pleasant and manageable sized airport, all worked well there.

  • Anon
    04 September 2022

    We booked with Inntravel following several previous holidays. We trusted your judgement, which provided a great tour of Puglia. The insights and suggestions in the Information pack were very helpful.

  • Mrs S Vincent
    Tunbridge Wells
    05 June 2022

    Matera was amazing - the highlight of the trip

    Be prepared to pay 80 euros a head for meals at Masseria Il Frantoio and have a very large appetite, but the food looked good.

    Food at Masseria Panareo was lovely - choice of menu - stunning breakfasts - the views are breathtaking.

    Visit Ostuni - a glorious little town - easy parking at the foot of the Centro Historico and great selection of restaurants.

  • Anon
    10 May 2022

    This was a great little holiday, seeing a lovely part of Puglia, and both hotels were so characterful of Italy.  The drive from the airport was easy and apart from some crazy drivers, so was the rest of our journeys around the region.

    We loved the food and wine too. 

  • AD Surrey
    03 April 2022

    We had a wonderful time.  We hadn't really expected our holiday to be quite such a gastronomic experience. Every masseria was a joy to stay in and the food served from local produce with wonderful cooking and pride proved to be an unexpected highlight.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • The information that we send to you 2-3 weeks before your holiday includes practical information about each stage of your journey so that you can travel confidently from one hotel to another, recommendations for places to visit and eat out in each place, plus cultural information about the area. Where applicable, we also provide notes for a self-guided walking tour of most cities, and some large towns. Sample travel pack >
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
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  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

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    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The principal official language is Italian, though some regions have a second official language, such as South Tyrol, where German is widely spoken. The currency is the Euro. Italian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
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