Demi-journée à Otranto depuis la Côte ionienne du Salento

Matera tour with cave homes and local food tasting

Matera has a lot going for it – it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, European Capital of Culture 2019 and a cave city dating back over 5,000 years. Tour its historic lanes and ancient cave dwellings, try local Basilicata food and wine, then choose to visit the cave house museum or a rupestrian church. Anna, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The cave houses of Matera were once considered a shameful place to live, best known for poverty, disease and crime. Nowadays, many caves have been transformed into chic homes, restaurants, and hotels.'Considered one of the most outstanding and intact troglodyte settlements, Matera's big draw are the ancient cave dwellings known as ‘sassi', which translates to ‘stones'. First up, we'll check out the baroque quarter, where churches and palaces are built on top of the caves. Next, we'll venture into the Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso areas to see ancient sassi carved into the flanks of Gravina canyon. The dramatic setting overlooking the wild, rocky landscape is all part of the charm.You'll pause for thought in the old quarters, where inhabitants lived in squalor up until the 1950s, which was when the whole population of around 20,000 was rehoused. Wandering around today's visually arresting town, it seems hard to believe how tough life once was here. You'll also get to try typical food and wine at Lucany Restaurant, before choosing between an optional visit to the cave house museum or a rupestrian church, cut into the rock.

Secrets of Alberobello tour with tastings from Central Puglia

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of the famous ‘trulli' houses, Alberobello is one fascinating place to explore. You'll see a different side to this Puglian town by visiting the district of Aia Piccola, meeting a couple who live in a ‘trullo' and tasting local food.

Otranto Half-day Tour from Salento Ionian Coast

Lauded as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, Otranto delivers on great views and a fascinating past. Spend a few hours here soaking up the scenery, shopping in the market, or losing yourself in the maze-like medieval centre. A must-see is the Romanesque cathedral, famous for its ornate mosaic floor.

Alberobello, Ostuni & Local Tasting from Salento Ionian Coast

This full day tour allows two of Puglia's gems to shine brightly. You'll travel to the UNESCO-listed town of Alberobello, known as the capital of ‘trulli' houses, then round it all off with a visit to the white city of Ostuni.

Alberobello & Ostuni Tour from Salento Adriatic Coast

A gnome village and a north African-style medina – exotic doesn't even begin to describe the stars of this tour. You'll discover the UNESCO-listed fairytale conical-roofed ‘trulli' homes of Alberobello before heading to the whitewashed hilltop town of Ostuni. Two truly enchanting places.

Salento Boat Trip from Salento Adriatic Coast

The scenic shores of Salento are your destination on this morning boat cruise. You'll sail the peninsula that separates the Adriatic Sea from the Ionian, sun yourself on deck and stop to swim in a coastal cave. Hop aboard and begin your coastal adventure to the southernmost point in Puglia – a place where the Ionian Sea turns into the Adriatic. And such a dramatic location commands some impressive sights to see along the way, including sea caves that you'll stop to take a peek at.Watch sandy beaches pass by and sit back while soaking up all the different colours of the sea, including emerald, bright blue and turquoise. On the way back, you'll also anchor up for a well-deserved swimming stop in front of a sea cave.

Catamaran Cruise from Salento Ionian Coast

This catamaran cruise to the most southern tip of Puglia offers up a kaleidoscope of colours and coastal scenes. You'll join the boat from Torre Vado and make waves towards Capo Leuca, while taking in the sea grottoes and rocky coastline from a vantage point like no other. Hop aboard in Torre Vado, south of Gallipoli, and begin your coastal adventure to the southernmost point in Puglia – a place where the Ionian Sea turns into the Adriatic. And such a dramatic location commands some impressive sights to see along the way, including sea caves that you'll stop to take a peek at.Watch sandy beaches pass by and sit back while soaking up all the different colours of the sea, including emerald, bright blue and turquoise. On the way back, you'll also anchor up for a well-deserved swimming stop in front of a sea cave, too.

Gallipoli Half-day Tour from Salento Adriatic Coast

Call in at historic Gallipoli for a half-day tour of its highlights. Explore the ancient old town, traditional fishing port and baroque architecture to discover exactly why she's known as the ‘beautiful city'.

Gallipoli morning visit from Salento Ionian Coast

Get a real snapshot of local life in Gallipoli with this morning visit to the city. With your knowledgeable guide, you'll explore the ancient old town – wall-to-wall with baroque-style architecture – and lose yourself in Gallipoli's café-lined cobbled streets.Arrive in the city early morning, and you'll start your guided tour. Stopping by baroque chapels and maze-like lanes beneath the 14th-century walls, you'll soon see why the ancient Greeks called this the ‘beautiful city'. You'll also visit an underground oil mill for a taste of the Mediterranean golden nectar. Head to one of the corner cafés in the cobbled backstreets, shop the boutiques, or take a walk along the promenade – the views are outstanding. But the real star of the show is watching the locals chatter back and forth as they go about their business – it's Gallipolini life to a tee. You'll return to the resort early afternoon, right at lunch time.

Lecce Half-day Visit from Salento Adriatic Coast

Discover why the city of Lecce is one of Puglia's must-sees. This half-day tour lets you take in all the historical highlights on a guided walk, while stopping for plenty of photos and even a taste of some local artisanal ice cream while you're there.