Skip to main content
puglia and basilicata 2023 tour

PUGLIA AND

BASILICATA

$5220 Double / $6120 Single

Puglia and Basilicata are fascinating, yet under appreciated regions of Italy. If we think of Italy as a boot, these regions cover the heel and instep, sandwiched between Adriatic and Ionian Seas.

This tour takes in a wide variety of cities, towns, hidden spots, olive producers, wine makers, and delicious meals while giving our guests time for exploration.

Our accommodations on this tour are not simply a place to sleep, but a part of the experience. You’ll sleep in a Trullo hut in Alberobello, a cave in Matera, and a country Masseria farm house in the countryside.

For a sampling of the 2022 itinerary and photos see the blog!

Day One

Overnight: Matera

Bari to Matera

You will meet your group in Bari in a central location. From there, the tour will kick off with a visit to the Castel del Monte, one of the most interesting castles built by the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II. Tonight we will arrive in one of the oldest cities in the world, Matera, and enjoy our first dinner together.

Day Two

Overnight: Matera

“The shame of Europe”

Today we will take a walking tour of Matera. Matera is famous for cave dwellings in which people lived until the mid 20th century. We will see period homes, cave churches, and explore the city that once was called “the shame of Europe”. You’ll have a free afternoon and evening to explore the city.

Day Three

Overnight: Matera

We will go on a field trip today to explore more of Basilicata. Our day will start in Gravina, which is like a miniature Matera and was also a set location for the most recent James Bond movie. We’ll also enjoy a group lunch together before heading to the town of Altamura, which is famous for some of the best bread in Italy. We will head back to Matera for a free evening and dinner on your own.

Day Four

Overnight: Alberobello

We will have our first taste of Puglian wine paired with some local specialties today while touring a local cantina en route to our next home base in Alberobello. You will sleep tonight in one of the famous local dwellings, Trullo, which are like stone fairy huts. Tonight we will dine together at a local farm to table restaurant.

Day Five

Overnight: Alberobello

We will start the day with a walking tour of Alberobello, and delve deep into this town’s intriguing past. Then you will have a free afternoon and evening to explore and relax.

Day Six

Overnight: Masseria

Today we explore the coast of Puglia, starting with the town of Monopoli. Later we will tour the white-washed town of Ostuni, where you will have the sensation of being in Greece. Then we will check into our Puglian farmhouse, Masseria, which is like a farm fortress, for the next 3 nights.

Day Seven

Overnight: Masseria

This morning is for recharging your batteries at our masseria where you can take a walk in the countryside or sit by the pool before we have a hands-on cooking class.  After we’ve enjoyed the fruits of our labor, a short drive will take us to Otranto just in time to explore and enjoy the sunset.

Day Eight

Overnight: Masseria

Today we will explore a hidden gem, the archeological site of Egnazia.  Weather permitting, we will also enjoy a boat ride down the coast before heading to our Masseria for dinner together.

Day Nine

Overnight Lecce

On the way to our last hotel in the baroque city of Lecce, we will stop for a tour and cheese tasting at a family run farm. Lecce is known as the “Florence” of the South for its artistic patrimony, and we will have plenty of time to explore.

Day Ten

Overnight Lecce

Today we visit the workshop of a local craftsman who will demonstrate the art of papier mache.  The afternoon is yours to explore, before we meet up to enjoy our last Puglian dinner together. The tour will be over in the morning.

Day Eleven


From Lecce, you can take a train back to Bari, Naples, or Rome or catch a flight from Brindisi to other destinations in Italy.

Price: $5220 (Air not included) per person for a double occupancy room. Single Supplement is $900. We welcome singles and if you do not have a travel partner, please sign up for a single spot. In the event that a roommate is found, your booking can be changed to a double before final payment is due.

What’s included: 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners, and 10 nights lodging in a clean, comfortable, and centrally located hotel. All admissions and fees for group activities. Transport within the tour and private guides, tips included.

Deposit Policy: A non-refundable deposit of $600 per person is due upon booking.

Tour begins in Bari (BRI) and ends in Lecce (BDS).

If you have additional questions please email us at: info@adventureswithsarah.net

Terms and Conditions – Adventures with Sarah

I have been visiting friends and showing them my photos from the Piemonte tour. I was telling them how great it was to become immersed in this area and see things you would not normally have the opportunity to do or know about. Having a caring and inquisitive guide who delights in sharing where she lives brings so much to the experience. Go visit Piemonte with Lisa- you will have such an amazing time and fond memories to share and relish!

Patricia Eaganafter a tour in Piedmont, Italy with Lisa

I have had the joy of traveling with Adventures with Sarah many times, from Thailand, to Turkey, and many places in between. I choose to book with AWS because I can rely on a tour that is paced well, varied in activities, with great food and even greater guides. As a frequent traveler to Europe, I really enjoy AWS tours due to a small group size and the opportunity to go in depth into a region and really experience the culture of the area I’m visiting. And every time, with every group, I meet fellow travelers who are now friends. Adventures with Sarah is a tour company that I would recommend without hesitation. In fact, I have 3 tours booked for this year!

Betsy McGregorafter multiple tours with Adventures with Sarah

Fantastic look at more "out of the way" spots and wonderful experiences of food and wine. No crowds, just the Sicilian countryside and lovely towns. Traveling in April was fantastic with all the wildflowers. And walking on Mama Etna's shoulders was a highlight!

Barbara B.Sicily Pleasures tour

It really was a wonderful trip. This was our first group trip, and the size was just right. We all got along well which was a bonus. Everything was smooth, and Sarah had picked out some really wonderful things for us to do. I felt like we were getting "sneak peeks" of special things regular tourists don't get to do. We were willing participants for her to try out new things on this trip. The hotels were lovely, and the wine lunches perfect! There was a good balance of planned activities and free time which I appreciated. I will definitely be looking for more trips to go on with Adventures with Sarah!

Leslie P.Sicily Pleasures tour

Good accommodations in the heart of all important areas. Food experience was excellent with incentive to try new foods. Sarah is very personable and has each tour member's concerns and needs in mind. Love the small groups.

Larry C.Sicily Highlights tour

We had a great time! Perfect mix of free time and planned group excursions/tours. The food was amazing! Our accommodation was comfortable and our views were unforgettable! I would book another trip with this company.

Jen R.Dalmatian Staycation tour

My husband and I had a great time touring Dalmatia with Sarah and the local guides that joined us. A favorite activity was sailing on a traditional sail boat from the island of Vis. Lovely group of travelers and many memories made!

Dawn R.Dalmatian Staycation tour

Food and wine blitz in beautiful areas of Slovenia and Croatia. You will appreciate it most if you are a true wine lover. Meetings with young enthusiastic, creative winemakers were the highlight.

Betsy W.Harvest tour

We had a wonderful trip with no issues at all. Gorgeous area, plenty of delicious food, perfect weather and knowledgeable guide!

John G.Harvest tour

What a perfect way to get back into European travel. It was obvious from the start that Trish had put her heart and soul into the planning of the Hidden Paris tour. It was a great mix of adventures and I throughly enjoyed my travel group, who became like family, and it was obvious to see why most had traveled with adventures with Sarah before, Our local guide, Julian, was excellent and it was fun finally getting to also meet Sarah and sons. Merci beaucoup, Trish for this great time and I hope to travel with you again in the future.

Leslie A.Paris Staycation tour

A thoroughly enjoyable trip. George, our leader, was super-knowledgeable, helpful, energetic, and fun. His knowledge of people and places gave us experiences we couldn't have duplicated on our own. The itinerary was great - I thought the pace was good and we had a variety of experiences. The only thing I didn't like was that the weather in late April was rather chilly and often wet, more so than I expected. However, traveling later in the spring would have meant missing Orthodox Easter, which was the highlight of the trip for me. We spent it in a rural village, and participating in the villagers' traditions was a rare privilege that I'll never forget. So take an umbrella and some warm clothes and prepare for a special experience. Maybe you'll get the sunshine that we mostly didn't get!

Melissa M.Romania tour

Our guide Susanna was both professional and thoughtful. She cared for our health and happiness! I had some health issues and was treated with kindness and help! Our accommodations were both comfortable and clean. The bus driver was fearless and professional. I will travel with Susanna again!

Melva O.Sicily Pleasures tour

This was a wonderful trip! Susanna was such a wonderful tour guide, thoughtful, funny, informative. I can’t imagine a better guide for this trip! Our accommodations were wonderful as were all the varied activities and dining experiences. I enjoyed the other travelers in our group and felt as if we were family. I have made new friends that I will keep in touch with. Thank you!

Anne B.Sicily Pleasures tour

We had a wonderful tour with our guide Susanna and fellow travelers. The tour was well planned out touching on most all the main destinations in Sicily. Susanna was super well organized, kind and considerate and a lot of fun to travel with. She was a great communicator before, during and after the tour and was helpful with day to day needs like finding laundry service, restaurants and transport to the airport. The local guides, meals, accommodations, etc were all top notch. We had a great small group of 7 travelers that all got on very well. The spacious van we used for traveling was very comfortable and the driver Giuseppe was highly skilled at driving the chaotic streets in Sicily’s cities and towns. We highly recommend booking a tour with Adventures with Sarah and especially with Susanna Perrucchini!!

Randal D.Sicily Highlights tour

In short, we will travel with AWS again and would highly recommend them! Oh!! We also felt that we received far more in value and experience than the price for the tour.

Veneto Slovenia tour