Grade - leisurely to moderate: You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.
Duration - 8 days
Price - from $1705
Best time to go: spring (mid-April to mid-June) sees plenty of wildflowers and cool weather; fall (October, November) sees harvests and cool weather. Summers should be avoided by those not tolerant of hot weather.
Accommodation - a nice mix of comfortable traditional and modern hotels and farm stay
Trip link: Exodus Walking in Puglia and Matera
Operator description
In the heart of the Mediterranean lie Puglia and Basilicata, two unique and still largely undiscovered regions of Italy nestled between the emerald waters of the Adriatic and Ionian seas. This trip gives us the chance to explore the very best that these Italian gems have to offer, from the rock churches and UNESCO Sassi district of the beautiful city of Matera, to the fairytale Trulli houses of the lush Itria valley and the white hilltop town of Ostuni. Aside from the perfect mix of cultural discovery and gentle walking, we will have the chance to sample the legendary local cuisine and delicious wines that make this region a true food lovers’ paradise.
Our opinion
If Italy is shaped like a boot, Puglia is its heel - and this trip aims to discover this up-and-coming area. It offers plenty of variety with a good mix of sightseeing, walking and included food. Some of the walking needs to be restaged to avoid less-interesting parts.
Who will it appeal to
Exodus Walking in Puglia and Matera will appeal to people who like easy rambles in the Italian countryside, travellers who like to discover interesting food and those who wish to discover a little-known area of Italy.
Who will it not appeal to
Exodus Walking in Puglia and Matera will not appeal to serious hikers or those searching for a 5-star culinary experience. People looking for picture postcard pretty hilltop towns are better off going to Tuscany or Umbria.
Our rating
Adventure Coordinators rates Exodus Walking in Puglia and Matera 7 out of 10. This rating would go up significantly if one less interesting hike is rerouted.
The author travelled with Exodus in November of 2016. Exodus did not review this article.