Sassi of Matera and surroundings package holiday: visit the spectacular city

4 days in Puglia by bus exploring Matera, the 2019 capital of culture, and the many surrounding hidden gems of Apulia in Italy

How about spending four sunsets and four sunrises in Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site? What about visiting the highlights of Altamura, Gravina, Trani, Castel del Monte and Alberobello, all in the company of a knowledgeable English speaking Puglia guide, on organised day trips? If you wish to visit Apulia and Basilicata comfortably, carefree and without a car, this is the perfect Puglia package holiday!

Are you thinking of visiting the Apulia region in Italy?

Wonderful, you are in the right place.

Turistinpuglia.it is a tour operator created in Puglia by two Apulians women. Tailor made travel is our passion and never ending love. Our first-hand knowledge of the region enables us to carefully craft itineraries and Puglia package holidays.

We can imagine, design and realize any kind of travel and ultimately we strive to create the best Puglia travel experience.

Book our services or holiday packages, choosing among the best private local English speaking tour guides, who will lead you through the discovery of the most beautiful cities and villages.

Contact us now and tell us how you imagine visiting our marvellous Puglia region in Italy.

⇒ POPULARITY: 10/10

⇒ THIS TOUR IS FOR those who would like to experience Matera in a rich and authentic way, visiting the excavated cave habitations of the old Matera, the alleys, the magnificent scenery; but also exploring the surrounding areas, thanks to our worry-free organised day trips. We strive to make your travel to Puglia Italy serene and blissful, so you can take the most of your Puglia trip.

⇒ YOU WILL BE MOVED: by this city of Sassi (“stones”) which offers breathtaking views, especially as the glow of sunset gently illuminates the limestone houses, churches, and palaces. This is when the magic happens. By night, Matera becomes mysterious and enchanting. Your Puglia vacation will be filled with fascinating stories and curiosities recounted by our passionate Puglia guides.

⇒ DIFFICULTY: Easy

⇒ TIME: 3 nights / 4 days

⇒ WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR SUITCASE: comfortable shoes and clothing and a desire to delve into this magnificent southern region of Italy on the border between Puglia and Basilicata.

⇒ WE PROMISE YOU: that you will be more than happy with our Puglia package tour because you will have a truly authentic travel experience that fully immerses you in the Basilicata and Apulian culture. Our local English speaking local guides will share with you their wealth of knowledge and love for their region - we believe it is the best way to live your travel to Puglia Italy to the fullest.

⇒ TOUR IN BRIEF: You will stay in Matera for 3 nights. You will visit Puglia Italy, starting from the city of Sassi and see the sunset golden rays over the city of stones. You will have the chance to enjoy fascinating day trips by bus to Altamura, Gravina, Trani, Castel del Monte and Alberobello, every destination in the company of our best Puglia guides. Departure from and return to Matera.

Sassi of Matera and surroundings package holiday in 4 days : Full program

1 DAY: Arrival in Matera and check in. You’ll stay at a historic residence in the heart of the Sassi area. There will be a tour of Matera at sunset, with trips to cave houses. You will then be free to enjoy dinner at a restaurant of your own choice. The view of Matera from any belvedere is an absolute showstopper.

DAY 2: After breakfast, you’ll leave Matera by bus, and head to Altamura and Gravina. You will visit the Cathedral of Altamura, the cloisters, the Archaeological Museum where you will have the opportunity to admire the paleontological finds of the Man of Altamura. You will then make a stop at the bakery to taste the typical local (DOP) bread. You will then go on to Gravina for a light lunch in a typical tavern. After lunch, you will visit the charming town of Gravina, made famous by the latest James Bond film “No time to Die”. You will also visit the notorious viaduct bridge and the Cathedral. Return to Matera.

DAY 3: After breakfast, you will depart by bus from Matera to Trani to visit the splendid cathedral by the sea, the Jewish quarter, the ceramic shops and the marina. You will enjoy lunch at a farmhouse in the Alta Murgia area and then you will head to Castel del Monte to visit the imposing octagonal castle, a UNESCO site since 1996. Return to Matera

DAY 4: After breakfast, departure by bus from Matera to Alberobello, the capital of the “trulli” or conical style houses. You will visit a trullo and have a typical tasting of local products. Return to Matera, and unfortunately this will be the end of our services.

SPECIAL OFFER HOLIDAY IN PUGLIA + EXPERIENCES 2021 - 2022

PRICES PER ROOM "HOTEL + GUIDED TOURS"

This option includes a 3-night stay with breakfast and guided tours as mentioned in the program. You will then have to reach the locations mentioned in the program with your car.

Price per room

€1500 double room

€950 single room

PRICES PER ROOM "HOTEL + GUIDED TOURS + TRANSFER"

This option includes 3 nights stay with breakfast, guided tours and transfers by car with driver as per the program. The tour starts and ends in Bari.

Price per room

€2500 double room

€2000 single room

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

3 nights in a Matera Sassi hotel with breakfast

Bus excursion to Altamura and Gravina

Bus excursion to Trani and Castel del Monte

Bus excursion to Alberobello

2 light lunches

Tickets to museums and monuments (Matera cave house, Altamura Museum, Castel del Monte)

English speaking local tour guides

Transfers to reach Matera on the first day (if you choose this option)

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Dinners

METHOD OF BOOKING:

You can book online by selecting the date on the cart or you have the option of paying a deposit of 100€ when you book the tour. The remaining amount will have to be paid 15 days before departure. For this type of booking contact us by sending an e-mail or on Whatsapp

CANCELLATION POLICIES:

The tour can be cancelled free of charge 15 days before departure. After this time there will be a 50% cancellation fee.

Discount of 50% for kids from 6 to 17 years old. Free for children under 6 years old.

YOUR PUGLIA TRIP CAN BE CUSTOMISED BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF NIGHTS AND/OR EXPERIENCES BY CONTACTING US ON WHATSAPP OR FILLING OUT THIS FORM. WE CAN’T WAIT TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT PUGLIA ITALY HOLIDAYS!

Visit Puglia Italy: things to know before traveling

Is Apulia and Puglia the same?

These two terms refer to the same region in the South of Italy, Puglia.

Apulia is the former latin name given to the region, still used by English speakers. Nowadays, Italians use the term Puglia to refer to this Southern region.

Where is Apulia situated?

Apulia is located in the South East of Italy, on the Adriatic sea, in the heel of the boot. Its capital is Bari. Puglia has an area of 19 223 sq km (7422 sq miles) and it is subdivided in 6 administrative districts ; the metropolitan area of the city of Bari (capital city), the provinces of Foggia, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Taranto, Brindisi, Lecce.

What is Apulia known for?

Throughout the region of Apulia in Italy, there are so many beautiful sites and picturesque locations to choose from, so the must-see list can be quite long. Nevertheless, here is a non-exhaustive overview of what Puglia is known for and what your next visit in Puglia Italy holidays could entail; its mesmerizing architecture (the sassi of Matera, the trulli of Alberobello, Castel del Monte, the myriads of historic centres), its delicious gastronomy (orecchiette, burrata, primitivo wine…), its beautiful landscapes (the Salento coast with its crystal clear water, lush hills filled with centuries-old olive trees, untouched and preserved forests).

Is Apulia safe for tourists? Is it worth going to Puglia?

Puglia is definitely a safe destination. However, we wish to give you some common sense suggestions that can be valid for any destination. If you visit a city, park your car near the historic center.

Also look out for parking spaces with blue stripes, these spots have a parking fee. In order to avoid fines, make sure you pay the parking meter.

At night, it is preferable to leave your car in a monitored-parking. Usually, the personnel of your accommodation or hotel will advise you where to park.

If you go to unsupervised beaches, make sure not to leave any personal belongings in sight.

Is Puglia a good family holiday destination?

Yes, Puglia is a destination for families. There are many activities to do with children, from boat tours to city tours, bike tours, apecar or rickshaw tours. Your whole family will enjoy visiting the zoo of Fasano, but also farms with animals and taking part in cooking lessons.

In addition, Puglia has beautiful beaches and also nature and wildlife reserves where you can do trekking and bird watching.

What is the best time to visit Puglia?

The best time to visit Puglia is undoubtedly spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild and there are fewer people. In the summertime, the months of June and September are preferable, because July and August are the most crowded since Italians themselves are on vacation.

If you have no choice and you can only travel in the months of July and August, here are some suggestions: if you want to stay on the beach, we recommend that you go early (maybe at dawn, why not?), as after 11 am the beaches start to be very busy. In the hottest hours of the day from 1pm to 4pm, a good idea would be to visit a monument, a park, a winery, an oil mill or a farm. In the early afternoon, a nap is also a good idea, that is what the Apulians do!

In the warmer months, the best time to visit a city is at sunset. Another option would be to go to the beach and maybe have an aperitivo while the sun goes down.

In reality, Puglia can be visited all year round.

Winter is mild and sunny. The Christmas period is cheerful and festive - living nativity scenes, Christmas markets, and artist lights that brighten historical centres.

How is the weather in Puglia?

Puglia enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The rains are scarce and are concentrated mostly in Autumn and Winter, hence the name of A-pluvia (without rain).

The coldest months are January and February but temperatures rarely drop below 32°F (0°C).

Occasionally, it snows in the hilly and mountainous areas (Gargano area and north of Bari). With the onset of spring, temperatures get warmer, even reaching 77 °F (25 °C) at times. June, July and August are the hottest months.

On some days, peaks of 104°F (40°C) are reached. September and October are very pleasant months, with temperatures ranging between 64°F (18°C) and 81°F (27°C). Autumn is one of those seasons when, at certain times you can go to the beach, and at others you need a jacket for the evenings are cooler. During the Christmas period it is colder but still pretty mild.

How many days do you need in Puglia?

To visit Puglia in Italy, we recommend at least two weeks of vacation, as it is one of the longest regions in Italy with 800 km of coastline. Puglia has landscapes and places that are also very different from one another. A local historian defined it as a small continent, where you can find mountains, hills, villages, cities of art, sea, lakes, nature reserves, caves, castles and cathedrals.

In case you can not afford to spend two weeks, a 6 or 7 day duration is still a decent amount of time that will allow you to visit the main must-see locations. Puglia is a destination that can be easily combined with other Italian regions. On a tighter schedule, you can opt for mini tours which will narrow down specific areas of Puglia, such as Unesco sites.

How far is Puglia from Rome?

Puglia is located 358 km from Rome. From there, you can reach the capital of Puglia, Bari by train, bus, plane, or by car. By train, there is a high speed line connecting Rome to Bari and other Apulian cities. Taking a Frecce from Rome to Bari, the journey will take you about 4 hours.

By bus, it is the cheapest option but also the longest, approximately 6/7 hours of travel.

By plane, you can take a direct flight that usually lasts an hour.

If you have a car, it will take you approximately 5 hours, depending on traffic.

€ 950,00