Puglia walking tour in the spring: Bari to Lecce

Day 1

We will meet in the foyer of our hotel, a classic hotel on the centre of the old town of Lecce, the 'Florence of the South'.  After an aperitivo at the roof bar of the hotel, we'll walk to neighbouring restaurant for dinner.  (Dinner).

Day 2

Today we will spend the morning exploring the centre of this elegant city, taking a guided tour with visits to the atelier of one of city's master craftsmen, a cartapesta workshop, and an extra- ordinary private museum. After lunch, afternoon and evening are free. (Lunch)

Day 3

This morning we leave Lecce and head for Otranto.  On the way, we visit Puglia's oldest national park, for a lovely walk along the Ionian Sea, where we'll have a light lunch. (6 kms, 2 hrs, 229 mts ascent).

On the way to Otranto, we'll stop at a small town for a visit to one of the artistic treasures of Puglia: the extraordinary frescos of a 14th century basilica.

Our base for the next four nights is a perfectly preserved medieval port tucked behind 15th century Spanish walls above an idyllic harbour. Our accommodation is in a 5-star boutique hotel set in a 14th century palazzo inside the town's bastions.  We'll have dinner together in one of our favourite restaurants in town.  (Lunch/dinner)

Day 4

This morning we walk south of the town following trails along the coast passing a number of medieval lookout towers and the lighthouse that marks the eastern most point of Italy.  After stopping for a coffee in a strategically placed ‘agriturismo’, we’ll continue on down the coast to a lovely small bay, where we will have a delicious lunch. (13 kms, 4 hrs, 335 mts ascent).

We’ll be given a lift back to our base, where the rest of the afternoon and evening are free.  (Lunch)

Day 5

Today is a lazy day, taking two sailing boats to head down the Adriatic Coast to a small bay where we'll anchor and have lunch served on boats. There will be plenty of chances to swim in the blue Mediterranean water.  We'll return to our base later in the afternoon, where the rest of the afternoon is free.  We’ll regroup in the evening for a lovely fish dinner in the town's best restaurant (the female chef was voted 'best young chef' in Puglia last year).  (Lunch/dinner)

Day 6

This morning we head south for a beautiful walk, that starts on the coast before wrapping around and walking through farmlands to a lovely town on the coast, which is famous for its thermal springs. (8 kms, 2 hrs, 250 mts ascent)

After a light lunch, we'll head back to the base.  In the evening, we'll have a short cooking lesson in Otranto, followed by dinner.  (Lunch/dinner)

Day 7

This morning we leave the austere beauty of the Salento and head north to the Itria Valley.  On the way we will visit an innovative winery, which has been producing the celebrated ‘primitivo’, Puglia’s classic red wine, as well as experimenting with other, rarer, local grapes.  After a tasting of their wines and a light lunch.

Our base for the next four nights is a beautiful hotel composed of restored 'trulli' (traditional conical dry-stone cottages) with a pool and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.  Dinner is at the hotel's fine restaurant. (Lunch/dinner)

Day 8

Today we do a beautiful walk out of our base, along country lanes, through olive groves, orchards and oak forests before picking up an ancient stone path and walk through hamlets and ancient stone villages.  We'll have a light lunch in a charming local house and then head back to relax at our base (12 kms, 4 hrs, 126 ascent). 

In the evening, we'll go out for dinner.  (Lunch/dinner)

Day 9

Matera is an extraordinary town, not only for its past but also its future.  Although only a pleasant one-hour drive across wide open plains from our base, Matera seems to belong to another world.  Below the modern town, in a deep ravine, are the famous Sassi, one of Italy's oddest urban settlements, a silent medieval cave city, with prehistoric origins.  After a light lunch, we'll head back to base.  (Dinner).

Day 10

Today we walk from our base, through vineyards, cherry orchards and forests to Alberobello, a fascinating nearby town, the capital of the trulli district, where there are over 1500 trulli crowded into the historic centre.  These strange, ancient constructions are only found within a ten-kilometres radius of the town.  (14 kms, 4 hours, 132 mts ascent)

Later in the afternoon, we'll be drive to the nearby coast (40 mins) to visit a wonderful masseria (or fortified farm complex) near Ostunni, which is surrounded by ancient olive trees and is famous for its organic produce and cooking.  After a tour of the masseria, we'll have an aperitivo and a delicious dinner.   (Lunch/dinner)

Day 11

This morning we leave the trulli and drive north across the rolling plains and wheat fields of Le Murghe, stopping to visit an lovely town, which is famous for its history and its churches but must of all its bread, which is renown throughout Italy. 

After a light lunch, we'll take an easy walk through forest and farmlands, we climb up to one of the most remarkable buildings in southern Italy: Castel del Monte, the mysterious, isolated octagonal castle constructed by Frederick II in the 13th century.  (4 kms, 1 hrs, 102 mts)

After a visit to the castle, we’ll drive south to Bari. Once we are checked into our hotel in Bari, the evening is free.  (Lunch)

Day 12

Today you will be taken on a guided walk to explore the secrets of the medieval Bari Vecchia, the old town of Bari, a buzzing maze of tight alley ways and small piazzas adjacent to the city's port.  There are many star attractions, but the real pleasure of Bari Vecchia is simply wandering the narrow lanes soaking up the vibrant southern life.  The afternoon is free.  We’ll regroup for dinner in a nearby restaurant.  (Dinner)

Day 13

After breakfast, you’ll be able to continue your holiday.  Bari is well connected by air, rail and road to the rest of Italy and Europe.