Our captivating 8-day Puglia & Matera Luxury Tour takes you to Southern Italy, the land of cone-shaped houses, cave dwellings, olive groves, and seaside towns in the long heel of Italy’s boot.
This small-group tour of the Puglia and Basilicata regions, with a maximum of 12 guests, focuses on reconnecting with the land, nature, and rural life in sun-kissed southern Italy.
We begin our journey at a luxurious 5-star hotel on Bari’s seafront, just steps away from the vibrant Old Town. From there, we explore the picturesque Puglia countryside and delve into the wine region of Castel Del Monte, where Mediterranean breezes whisper tales of ancient traditions.
Our small-group Puglia tour descends into the Caves of Castellana with a speleologist and visits Monopoli, the elegant city of Lecce, Gallipoli, the white-washed village of Ostuni, Alberobello, and Altamura, renowned for its bread.
We experience Puglia’s warm hospitality in a restored Masseria***, where husband and wife open their farmhouse to us. This tranquil retreat is surrounded by gardens filled with cacti, lemons, and vegetables, featuring beautifully restored common areas showcasing tools and memorabilia from the past.
Delving into Southern Italy’s food and wine traditions by joining a farm-to-table cooking class with freshly foraged vegetables, we learn the art of kneading ear-shaped pasta. Additionally, enjoy a premium tasting of Negroamaro wine in a historic cellar.
In the city of Matera, our small-group Puglia tour stays in a luxury boutique hotel with stunning views of the UNESCO World Heritage Sassi districts, carved into the rugged cliffs. This is the perfect location to explore ancient cave dwellings and enjoy a Michelin-starred dinner, highlighting the culinary traditions and creativity of the Basilicata region.
Travel like a local and let the allure of our Puglia & Matera Luxury Tour captivate your senses in this small group tour to Southern Italy’s best-kept secrets.
*** Rooms at the Masseria don’t have televisions. However, rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Check the paragraph below about Travel Requirements
8 days | 7 nights
From / To Bari
Group size: 6-12 guests
Underground Tour of the Caves of Castellana
A Michelin-Star Dinner in Matera and Fine Dining in Ostuni
Olive Oil and Wine Tastings in Renowned Wineries
Experience Rural Hospitality at its Best in a restored Masseria
Hands-on Cooking Class and Foraging Harvest
Visit Castel Del Monte and the Abbey of S. Maria di Cerrate
Knowledgeable Local Guides in Bari, Matera, Lecce
September 27 — October 4, 2026
4250€ per person in double occupancy
5130€ in single occupancy
What's Included in the Tour Package
2 nights at Grand Hotel Delle Nazioni in Bari, in panorama rooms (sea view) breakfast and porterage included
3 nights at the Masseria, breakfast included
2 nights at Luxury Boutique Hotel in Matera, in double rooms, breakfast and porterage included
Private van or minibus (as per itinerary), with permits and parking included
Tour manager for 8 days
Guided tour of Bari, Lecce and Alberobello
Wine and olive oil tasting with lunch included near Castel Del Monte
Guided tour of Castel Del Monte, tickets and shuttle included
Private guided tour (50’) of Castellana Caves, tickets included
Lunch paired with wine tasting in a winery focused on Negramaro wine
Cooking class, foraging and lunch at the Masseria
Tickets of Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate
Michelin-star dinner in Matera (full tasting menu water – NO wine)
3 traditional dinners (3 courses, water and wine) and 1 gourmet dinner in Ostuni (3 courses, water and wine)
Pastry and bread tasting in Altamura
VAT 22%
Tour Operator Limited Liability Insurance and Bankruptcy/Extraordinary Circumstances Insurance (Fondo di Garanzia)
Assistance throughout the planning process and travel tips
The rate does not include:
Hotel city tax
Airport transfer to Bari on day 1
Airfare
Wine at the Michelin-star dinner
Any other meal, tasting, entrance fee, transfer, personal expense, tips and anything else not mentioned above in the field “The rate includes”.
The tour is confirmed with at least 6 participants
A 30% down payment is required in order to confirm the reservation (refundable up to 90 days).
The remaining balance is due 45 days before the tour.
CANCELLATION POLICY
There shall be a 250€ non-refundable processing fee (per person) on any cancellation request, regardless of the time frame within which the cancellation is submitted;
From 90 days to 46 days before the performance of the Tourist Package, by paying a penalty equal to 30% of the price;
From 45 days before the performance of the Tourist Package, by paying a penalty equal to 100% of the price
Read here the full terms and conditions.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance can cover different trip components, from the full trip cost for unforeseeable reasons to medical expenses, emergency transport, luggage loss, theft while on tour, and evacuation. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000.
While each insurance company has different deadlines and policies, our partner Global Rescue allows customers to purchase their best insurance package (IMG Signature Plus) that includes the “Cancel-For-Any-Reason” policy within 20 days from the initial deposit. Other less-inclusive memberships can be purchased until the date of departure.
Meet Piemonte Tour Operator partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, our guests can rely on Global Rescue to provide medical, security, travel risk, and crisis response services. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens.
A 5-star luxury hotel facing Bari’s sea promenade with a rooftop breakfast room. Spacious rooms in modern style, with views over the sea, and Bari’s Old Town.
Country-chic accommodations with vintage furniture and modern amenities surround a central courtyard and exquisite indoor spaces that preserve traces of the original function.
A former aristocratic palace conveniently located on the edge of the Sassi has been carefully restored by blending the elegance of the antique with the linear style of the modern.
We booked a private trip to Apulia for my family reunion and Meet Piemonte did a great job sorting out incredible locations and activities. The inn owned by Antonio and his wife looked almost like a movie set where we were pampered like royalty and felt at home. Highly appreciate it!
Douglas W. – October 2023
Our tour director Clarissa - was the best ever! We had a wonderful time and look forward to our next trip!
John L. - May 2025
This was my husband and I first trip to Italy. It was perfect. Everything was taken care of for us. It was a great combination of scheduled tours, dinners and free time. We enjoyed ourselves so much we can’t wait to book our next trip Italy. Marco was such a pleasure to travel with!
Renee R. - May 2025
Read all reviews on Tripadvisor and on Google
Meals included: dinner | Accommodation: Bari
The tour begins at 5:00 pm in the hotel lobby.
We recommend booking flights that arrive in the morning or the day before. See below the paragraph Flights & Transfers for more information.
The sunny promenade of Bari is the ideal spot to set off our Puglia & Matera Luxury Tour. Splurge in the sea-view rooms of a 5-star hotel, within walking distance from all major attractions and from the main shopping streets.
In the late afternoon, you will meet a local guide for a two-hour introduction to the colorful Old Town and its labyrinth of narrow streets. We’ll visit the impressive Basilica of Saint Nicholas to admire its well-preserved Romanesque architecture. Later, we’ll have the opportunity to meet local women who knead fresh pasta outside their homes, surrounded by children playing and laundry hanging from the balconies above.
Tonight, we will celebrate the start of our Puglia tour with a traditional three-course meal at a well-known trattoria, where the cuisine beautifully blends fresh seafood with the rustic recipes of the nearby Murgia region.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch | Accommodation: Bari
The day begins with an excellent breakfast buffet served on the rooftop of our luxury hotel in Bari, with stunning views over the Adriatic Sea and the harbor.
We drive for about one hour to the countryside of the Murgia region, a picturesque land with gentle slopes, traditional farmhouses, olive groves, and their typical white-stone walls built to define different properties.
Late in the morning, our Puglia tour visits a historic estate surrounded by 39,000 olive trees and producing the DOCG wine appellation of Castel Del Monte. The wine is aged in the impressive underground cellars dug into the tufa rocks under the estate’s central courtyard.
We learn helpful information about the production of olive oil as we taste it with local bread and partake in a traditional farmer’s lunch paired with wine-tasting.
After lunch, the iconic shape of Castel Del Monte will appear on the horizon after a short drive.
The tour of the castle brings to life the stories of Emperor Frederik II of Svevia, one of the most eclectic and controversial characters in Italian history, who built the bold structure in the mid-1200s.
Listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site, Castel Del Monte is a must-see on a Puglia tour for the 360° views over the region and its incredible references to infinity and to the number eight that recur in the architecture and many symbols.
Return to Bari in the late afternoon and enjoy a dinner on your own, as the tour manager is on hand to recommend restaurants within walking distance from the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, and dinner | Accommodation: Masseria, north of Lecce
Check out from Bari and drive to Monopoli, a small fishing town along the Adriatic coast with origins dating back centuries, particularly developed around the 16th-century Castle of Charles V.
The charming harbor, lined with fishing boats bobbing in the water, serves as the starting point for a leisurely walk led by the tour manager. You will stroll along the whitewashed narrow streets adorned with vibrant flower pots, cacti, and colorful doorways.
Lunch will be on your own.
The Puglia & Matera Luxury Tour continues with a short drive to the entrance of the Castellana Caves. Here, we will meet a local expert for an easy underground walk that does not require much effort.
These caves are a fascinating natural wonder located in the province of Bari, renowned for their stunning limestone formations, intricate stalactites, and stalagmites, which have formed over thousands of years through erosion and mineral deposition.
Be sure to pack sneakers or sturdy closed-toe shoes with good grip, as well as a warmer layer for our 50-minute tour, which covers a distance of approximately half a mile.
In the afternoon the straight highway connecting Bari to southern Puglia takes us to our home for the next three nights, a restored Masseria a few miles north of Lecce.
Staying in this former fortified farmhouse is one of the trip’s highlights and an experience that reconnects with nature.
Upon arrival, check in and relax in the central inner courtyard or in one of the many lounges decorated with exquisite taste by the young couple who inherited this extraordinary property and welcome guests in their home. From the pool to the wine cellar, the greenhouse and the garden, and the kitchen filled with pots and old pans, every corner is like an open book that reveals a story. Rooms are spacious and well-appointed with elements that remind us of their original function.
Sit at the table and enjoy homemade Apulian cuisine at its best prepared only with seasonal ingredients and served in colorful ceramics.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch | Accommodation: Masseria, north of Lecce
On the fourth day of our Puglia & Matera Luxury Tour, we will immerse ourselves in the vibrant culture of Salento, located in the southern part of Puglia, which is rich in cultural heritage influenced by various civilizations, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Norman.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at our Masseria, we will begin our day in Gallipoli, known for its crystal-clear coastline and medieval walls that overlook the Ionian Sea. Weather permitting, we may stop at the pristine Spiaggia della Purità beach to dip our toes in the water, followed by free time for souvenir shopping.
Next, we will visit a nearby winery that focuses on cultivating Negramaro grapes and producing traditional Salento wines. The modern facility is an architectural masterpiece and features a museum dedicated to the family’s history.
We’ll savor an al-fresco lunch in the winery’s garden, accompanied by a wine tasting.
Our next destination is Lecce, a city that was once Roman and later rebuilt in Baroque style using the local yellowish stone, which gives the historic center a distinct light, especially at sunset.
In the late afternoon, we’ll join a local guide for a walking tour that includes visits to Roman ruins, the highly ornate exterior of the Church of Santa Croce, and several hidden treasures.
We’ll end our day in Lecce with dinner at your leisure in one of the numerous cozy restaurants or simply enjoy an aperitivo while people-watching in one of the bustling piazzas.
Return to the Masseria.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner | Accommodation: Masseria, north of Lecce
Enjoy a relaxing morning with breakfast served in the central courtyard of our Masseria, allowing you to take in the peaceful ambiance of the countryside. You might choose to read a book by the pool or explore the grounds and surrounding areas of the farmhouse on foot.
Late in the morning, join us for a leisurely foraging walk in the farmhouse garden, where you can learn about Puglia’s abundant natural resources and farmers’ traditions.
Next, participate in a fun cooking class where you will learn how to knead orecchiette pasta, shaped like an ear, and delve into Puglia’s rich culinary heritage. Once lunch is prepared, we will gather to enjoy a leisurely farm-to-table feast. The table will be set in the picturesque common areas of the Masseria, allowing us to savor the flavors of Puglia while soaking in the ambiance of the Italian countryside. Engage in lively conversations with fellow food enthusiasts as you share stories and culinary tips while enjoying the fruits of your labor.
In the afternoon, we will visit the nearby medieval Abbey of St. Maria di Cerrate, which once controlled the surrounding fortified farmhouses and the local coastline of southern Puglia.
Next, we will head to Ostuni, one of the most charming towns in the Valle d’Itria sub-region located in central Puglia. Often referred to as the “White City” due to its characteristic whitewashed buildings, Ostuni is perched on a hill. Take a leisurely walk with our tour manager through the secondary alleys where locals live, leading up to the striking façade of the Cathedral, featuring a unique rose window and a towering campanile.
Our culinary adventure continues with a gourmet dinner at a renowned restaurant in Ostuni, where we will focus on modern Puglian cuisine, featuring reimagined traditional dishes. After dinner, we will return to the Masseria.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner | Accommodation: Matera
After breakfast, check out and head north to one of Puglia’s most iconic towns: Alberobello. An expert local guide will lead us through the area with the highest concentration of famous trulli houses—cylindrical structures with conical roofs made of limestone. We will hear stories about what it was like to live in these homes and learn the historical facts that influenced each new urban settlement. This history includes the necessity of designing buildings that could be quickly demolished in the event of war or outside control.
You will have free time for souvenir shopping and lunch on your own in Alberobello.
Next, we drive north to the town of Altamura. We will take an afternoon coffee break at a local pastry shop, where we can enjoy cream-filled puff cakes with a playful name. Follow our tour manager through the narrow passageways of Altamura, passing small courtyards known as claustri, where residents still live. Our journey will take us to a historic bakery featuring a wood-fired oven, where tasting the famous bread of Altamura is a must.
As we walk past the majestic Cathedral and along the high street, you’ll get a glimpse of daily life in this part of Puglia before we head to Matera.
Matera is just a short drive from Altamura, located in the neighboring region of Basilicata. Upon our arrival, a van will deliver our luggage directly to the hotel.
We will check in for the next two nights at a hidden gem: a former aristocratic palace that has undergone extensive restoration to welcome guests into its spacious and luxurious accommodations. We will gather in the central living room of this boutique hotel to admire the stunning view over the Sassi district, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The hotel’s prime location allows us to enjoy easy access to both the modern and old towns, sparing us from unnecessary climbs up stairs.
Tonight, we will enjoy a casual dinner featuring fresh salads, vegetables, and gourmet pizza made with ancient grains and local toppings.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner | Accommodation: Matera
This morning, we will explore one of the most unique cities in the world, where residents lived in cave dwellings carved into the limestone rock until just a few decades ago. Words cannot capture the beauty and surreal atmosphere of the old Sassi districts and the surrounding landscape.
At the end of the tour, we’ll enjoy a fun ride aboard an Italian three-wheeled tuk-tuk back to the upper city! Afterward, you’ll have a free afternoon to explore Matera at your own pace.
Tonight, we will celebrate the conclusion of our Puglia & Matera Luxury Tour with a full tasting menu*** at a Michelin-star restaurant.
Take a moment to shake hands with your fellow travelers and reflect on the lasting memories created during this trip.
*** Wine is not included at the Michelin-star restaurant. Each guest can choose a complete wine pairing or just a glass based on their mood for the evening.
Meals included: breakfast | Accommodation: n/a
After breakfast, a group transfer is scheduled to Bari’s airport, located only one hour away.
Flights should not be booked before 11:00 am.
Arrivederci, until next time!
Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the tour cost.
Suggested arrival and departure airport: Bari (BRI). As soon as you book your flights, please share with us your air information so that we can work on airport transfers (if included).
Arrival day: no airport transfer is included upon arrival to Bari which is located within a 20-minute taxi ride from the city center (about 25€ per car).
Pre-tour accommodations can be requested, depending on availability.
Departure day: one group transfer from Matera to Bari is included. Flights should not be booked before 11:00 am. Please contact us if you’d like to add a transfer at a different time or a post-tour hotel room in Bari.
In addition to airline luggage restrictions, please consider that:
Due to our van/bus space limitations during the tour, we ask you to limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person, weighing around 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).
Each guest can also bring one carry-on and a small, soft-sided bag or backpack for day-to-day travel. The space onboard our vans and minibusses, as well as the overhead rack and the space under the seat, is typically very limited, just enough for small bags and purses.
PASSPORT AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
It is your responsibility to obtain the necessary documents for traveling to Italy, depending on your country of residence.
If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the end of your tour to enter Italy. Currently, no vaccinations are required, but it is your responsibility to stay informed about any changes to this requirement.
For citizens of other non-European countries traveling internationally, it is advisable to contact an embassy or consulate of Italy to determine the required travel documentation.
MOBILITY AND HEALTH
To enjoy our Puglia & Matera Tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances. This is not a physically demanding tour; however, there will be a lot of walking, often on uneven steps, cobblestones, uphill and downhill. One of the charming aspects of Italy is its historical and architectural conformation. Many towns and attractions can only be visited on foot, as vans and buses cannot access the pedestrian areas where most places of interest are located.
While the driving time on our tours is limited, getting to remote farmhouses and villages may require driving on windy roads that may cause motion sickness.
WHEELCHAIRS
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Our tour managers and tour guides are unable to provide ongoing individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other physical needs.
HOTELS, WI-FI, AIR CONDITIONING
Due to the historic nature of many luxury boutique hotels we stay in, some rooms may have stairs and can vary in size and layout. Additionally, air conditioning in Italy, as well as the Wi-Fi connection, may not be as reliable as it is in the United States.
GRATUITIES and OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
Gratuities for hotel staff and waiters are included in the tour price. Guests may choose to leave a tip for drivers and guides as a token of appreciation for their services. Suggested tipping amounts will be communicated approximately a month before departure via email, along with a list of important information about Italy, including what to pack, how to manage money withdrawals, electricity usage, VAT refunds, and more.
Meet Piemonte (legal name Meet Voyager SRL), is a fully-licensed Italian Tour Operator enrolled in the Chamber of Commerce of Asti (REA: 131678), in Piedmont, northwest Italy.
We craft small-group tours with only 6 to 12 travelers and focus on selected regions, including:
Tuscany | Lake Como, Piedmont & Portofino | Sicily | Naples, Positano & The Amalfi Coast | Puglia & Matera | Sardinia | Food & Wine Tour in Piedmont
Learn more about our Small Group Tours To Italy
Learn more about Meet Piemonte’s team
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: Mon – Fri 9am-5pm