Welcome to Italy’s sun-drenched south, where whitewashed villages, millenary olive groves, and ancient cave dwellings meet the Adriatic breeze. Our 7-day Puglia & Matera journey blends gentle walks, hands-on cooking, world-class olive oil, and the timeless beauty of Alberobello’s trulli and Matera’s Sassi.
You’ll stroll through lively Bari, taste fresh seafood in Polignano, cook orecchiette in a countryside masseria, and discover Ostuni’s white alleys. A wine tasting in the Itria Valley and an olive oil masterclass connect you with the land, while Matera crowns the trip with its breathtaking sunset hikes and unforgettable farewell dinner.
A tour where every walk is easy, every meal a celebration, and every moment a discovery of southern Italy’s authentic heart.
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6 nights in 3–4 star hotels & masseria, ensuite bathrooms
All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners, wine included
Luggage transfers and all on-tour transportation
Cooking class, wine tasting, olive oil tasting
Entrance fees to all listed sites
All taxes
not included: tips for guides
not included: transport to start & from end
not included: 1 lunch and 1 dinner on your own
Arrive in lively Bari and settle into the rhythm of Southern Italy with a welcome briefing and your first taste of the city.
In the late afternoon, explore the winding alleys of Bari Vecchia, where everyday life still spills out into the streets.
One of the most unforgettable sights is the famous lane where elderly local women make orecchiette by hand right outside their doors.
Street food tastings and dinner (The food highlight tonight is pasta all’assassina) in the old town complete a first day full of character, flavor, and genuine Apulian charm.
Today brings the beauty of Puglia’s coast, with time in Polignano a Mare and Monopoli between sea views, old streets, and harborside atmosphere.
After the coast, head inland to a peaceful masseria surrounded by olive trees and open countryside.
Here, the highlight of the day is a hands-on cooking class, where local recipes come to life through simple ingredients and traditional skills.
As you cook, taste, and share dinner together, you’ll experience the warmth and generosity at the heart of Apulian food culture.
Walk through a serene rural landscape of gentle hills, farms, and scattered trulli on your way to a local winery.
A tasting of regional wines and local specialties reveals another side of Puglia: elegant, earthy, and deeply rooted in the land.
Later, discover Locorotondo, one of the prettiest hill towns in the region, with its whitewashed lanes and quiet, circular beauty.
Like the girl in the photo wandering through its narrow streets, you’ll simply want to slow down and enjoy every corner.
This morning takes you into the timeless landscape of Puglia, walking among extraordinary olive groves shaped by centuries of wind and sun.
At a historic masseria, you’ll visit an ancient underground olive mill and learn how olive oil was once produced here.
The true stars of the day are the monumental olive trees themselves, with twisted trunks that seem to hold the memory of the region.
The day ends in celebration, with local food, music, and a joyful pizzica dance class evening back at the masseria.
Begin the day in Alberobello, the UNESCO-listed town of cone-roofed trulli that looks like something out of a storybook.
Strolling through its distinctive white stone neighborhoods early in the day lets you enjoy its magic before the busiest hours.
After a countryside farmhouse lunch, the journey continues across changing landscapes toward Basilicata.
By late afternoon you arrive in Matera, a city unlike any other, where ancient stone dwellings seem to rise straight from the rock.
Spend the morning discovering Matera with a local guide, exploring cave dwellings, rock churches, and the extraordinary Sassi districts.
A bread-making experience adds another layer to the story of this ancient city, where survival, tradition, and daily life were once carved into stone.
Later, enjoy free time before heading out for a panoramic walk in the Murgia Park.
As the sun goes down, Matera at sunset becomes pure magic — a glowing stone city facing the evening sky.
After breakfast, we drive you from Matera to Bari.
It combines the essence of Apulian tradition with warm, personalized hospitality. Surrounded by a lively, international atmosphere, the hotel is the ideal base from which to explore the city and fully experience its authentic character, with its history, culture, and local cuisine
An innovative, sustainable hotel that places ethics and sustainability at the heart of its philosophy, without compromising on comfort or elegance.
Located just a short walk from the centre of Bari, with 74 modern and comfortable rooms, Victor Hotel is an ideal choice for those seeking a green and inclusive stay.
Restored 15th-century masseria with gardens, pool, and charm.
The architecture and furnishings of reveal the character of a truly unique residence. From the refinement of its rooms to the comfort of its lounges, the hotel surrounds its guests with an atmosphere of elegance and distinction.
Bold, fiery, and unmistakably local, Spaghetti all’Assassina is one of Bari’s most celebrated dishes.
Cooked directly in the pan with tomato sauce and chili, the pasta becomes deliciously crisp and slightly charred.
Its intense flavor reflects the strong and authentic character of the city itself.
It is a true Bari specialty, loved for its simplicity, drama, and unforgettable taste.
Orecchiette is one of Puglia’s most beloved handmade pastas and a perfect expression of the Valle d’Itria’s culinary heritage.
These small ear-shaped pasta pieces are traditionally prepared by hand and paired with rich sauces or seasonal vegetables.
Their rustic texture and homemade feel make them a symbol of family cooking and local tradition.
Tasting them here means discovering the most genuine soul of Apulian cuisine.
Among the most iconic specialties of the Valle d’Itria, bombette are small rolls of pork filled with cheese, herbs, and seasoning.
They are grilled until golden and juicy, releasing the rich aromas of the local butcher’s tradition.
Especially popular in towns like Cisternino and Martina Franca, they are a true local favorite.
Full of flavor and character, they capture the warm and hearty spirit of this region.
Itria Valley
Bombette pugliesi (grilled meat rolls), friselle with tomatoes, taralli & puccia bread
Matera
Pane di Matera, fave e cicorie, baked orecchiette alla materana, and the festive lamb stew pignata
Pane di Matera is much more than bread: it is one of the great culinary symbols of southern Italy.
Made with local durum wheat semolina, it is known for its golden crumb, fragrant aroma, and thick, crunchy crust.
Its ancient shape and traditional method reflect centuries of rural life and craftsmanship.
In Matera, even a simple loaf of bread becomes a story of history, identity, and place.
Primitivo di Manduria DOC
Bold and full-bodied red, perfect with bombette.
Negroamaro
Rich, dark red with notes of berries and spice.
Fiano Minutolo
Aromatic white with tropical fruit and citrus notes.
Aglianico del Vulture
(Basilicata) – One of Southern Italy’s greatest reds, structured and elegant.
Rudy was born in Colle Val d’Elsa, a town between Siena and Florence. He began working as a cycling guide and then as a professional nature guide. He is a Yoga teacher and passionate about natural medicine. He studied kinesiology, shiatsu, craniosacral therapy and has completed a master’s degree in osteopathy.
Now he is studying photojournalism and nature photography because he wants to combine four great passions: photography, travel, people, animals.
Rudy is a vegetarian. “In Tuscany you can eat well without meat too … especially if you like good red wine.”
Roberto was born and raised in a small village on Amiata mountain, 50 miles south of Siena. Although his background is in biology he is very keen on traditions and history of Tuscany.
His passion is climbing. He is a climbing instructor and rescuer. Do not worry! He is happy to walk with you on flat terrain.
Roberto is definitely a people-person. He took several courses at “The Academy of Experiential Education” about “group dynamics”.
Price per person changes depending on the occupancy number of your private group.
More guests? Please ask us a quote. We can also tailor the tour to your needs.
| Number of guests | price in double room (euros) | single supplement (euros) |
| 1 | contact us | |
| 2 or 3 | contact us | 320 |
| 4 or 5 | contact us | 320 |
| 6 or 7 | contact us | 320 |
| 8 or 9 | contact us | 320 |
| 10 or 11 | contact us | 320 |
| 12 or more | contact us | 320 |
Bari
4.00 PM
Bari – Airport and train station
10:30 AM
walking shoes with traction, hat, sunscreen, swimwear
1 lunch and 1 dinner on your own
Small groups, maximum 18 guests
My husband and I spent 7 days in September walking the Tuscan Hills with Gianni and Rudy. As I read my journal from our trip almost 3 months ago it brings a smile to my face as I relive those treasured moments of hiking beautiful vineyard hillsides, making pasta at a local restaurant, listening to arias from well known Italian operas, drinking glorious wines with local wine makers, eating fabulous foods, learning about making cheese, doing yoga in a beautiful vineyard and listening to Gianni play his flute.Gianni’s organizational skills and ability to relate to all his guests was a large part in making this trip so memorable and enjoyable.
The Best Way to See Italy Forget Rick Steves and sign on with Gianni for a wonderful exploration of some of the best Italy has to offer–countryside, history, food, and people. Gianni’s deep knowledge of all these adds so much richness to the experience of walking through picturesque medieval towns and gorgeous rolling hillsides of vineyards, fields and orchards. The accommodations were comfortable and centralized, often with wonderful views.Although this was a tour through the areas surrounding Siena, Montalcino and Pienza, Gianni offers tours in other areas and I would expect the same high level of engagement and effort to provide unique experiences. Truly exceeded my expectations!
Walk about Tuscany Loved this tour and would highly encourage others to go. Our guides Gianni and Sara were great, everything ran smoothly from day one. Excellent choices of hotels, restaurants and walking trails. The perfect size group, lots of laughs and good memories. Looking forward to the next one. Grazie, Monica
Under the Tuscan Sun…and a big black cloud but only once I have just returned from 8 fabulous days with Walk About Tuscany hosted by Gianni and Rudy and helped by their hard working transportation crew who ensured we were picked up on time, we traveled safely and no luggage was lost. We had many moments of fun and laughter and even a couple of flute recitals just for a change of pace!! In the end, I have Gianni to thank for this experience. His thoughtful organization and attention to detail were key in delivering a superb product, a memorable adventure and a trip of a lifetime. Walk About Tuscany is highly recommended! Grazie, Gianni
The unforgetable Tuscany I am so amazed with Gianni who operated our tour with his in-depth knowledge of every single steps and buildings around Tuscany. Not to mention his creativeness in every moments of our walks. You will have great lunches and dinners with lots of special-2-thumbs-up wines. We also visit Olive Oil producer and given sampler at which is the best (and fresh) olive oil that I had ever tasted ! The scenery view is very awesome, just like the post card. Highly recommended and wouldn’t mind to do this tour again.
Group Tour of Tuscany Hill Towns with Walk About Tuscany Tours I had a marvelous time on this trip. Our guide, Gianni, provided gorgeous walks and unique experiences with local organic producers of wine, produce, cheese, and olive oil. Definitely experiences I couldn’t have had without his guidance and that helped me to appreciate what makes this region unique. Gianni is knowledgeable and expended every effort to ensure that our trip was memorable and unique. We walked, ate very well, drank wonderful wines and learned a great deal about this region of Tuscany and why it is among the most delightful of all Italy.
Terrain: Mostly flat or gently rolling terrain, with well-maintained paths and only occasional short uneven sections.
Distance: Usually shorter walks, around 4.5 to 5.5 km / 3 to 4 miles per day, depending on the itinerary.
Elevation gain: Very limited. There may be a few gentle slopes, but no significant climbs or descents.
Who it is for: Ideal for beginners, casual walkers, families, and anyone looking for a relaxed walking holiday with little physical effort.
Terrain: A mix of flat sections and more uneven ground, with some inclines, steps, or minor obstacles that remain manageable for most reasonably active travellers.
Distance: Generally around 5 to 8 km / 3 to 5 miles per day, depending on the tour and terrain.
Elevation gain: Noticeable but not demanding. Some uphill and downhill stretches may be present, though never steep or prolonged.
Who it is for: Suitable for beginners who want a slightly more active experience, as well as for regular walkers looking for a relaxed but rewarding pace.
Terrain: Varied terrain that may include uneven paths, longer walking sections, and regular uphill or downhill stretches.
Distance: Moderate daily walking time and distance, suitable for travellers who enjoy being active outdoors for a good part of the day.
Elevation gain: More consistent and clearly noticeable, though still within the reach of anyone with a basic to good level of fitness.
Who it is for: Best for active travellers who are comfortable walking for several hours a day and can handle some uneven terrain and sustained inclines.
