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History, art, fortified farms and the typical Mediterranean flora
Matera-Alberobello-Ostuni-Lecce-Otranto
Sassi, Trulli and the Capital of Baroque trip, is an exciting walking tour that starts in Matera, the city of the Sassi and since 1991 a Unesco World Heritage Site. More recently, it came in the spotlight as the European Capital of Culture 2019.
In Matera on your first day of trekking, you will discover the Rupestrian Churches Park. This ring walk is characterized by history and unspoiled nature. Of course, there will be also the opportunity to discover the famous Cave dwellings, the Sassi of Matera itself.
Once you left Matera with a short transfer, your journey in magical Puglia will begin. You feel like walking in an open-air museum. The Itria valley, also known as the Trulli valley, will await you, with the splendid town of Locorotondo. You will appreciate its concentric narrow streets and characteristic low-roofed houses “le Cummerse”. It will then be the turn of Alberobello, the Capital of Trulli, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit at least one of the many trulli along the narrow streets in the city center.
Lecce is a city with fantastic architecture and it is known as the “Florence of the South” and the “Capital of the Baroque”. Take your time to visit the Duomo, the Roman Theater and amphitheater, the castle of Charles VI, and the many museums and churches. To brighten your journey, there will be the sea and the city of Otranto with its charming historic center and Caribbean beaches on the last day. Sassi, Trulli, Mediterranean scrub, centuries-old olive trees, good wine, fish specialties, and millenary traditions: what more can you aspect of your walking holiday?
The daily program of the 8-day tour
Individual arrival and check in your hotel in Matera. Depending on the time of arrival in the city, you can already visit the two most famous Sassi: Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano. You will be enchanted by the historical center of Matera, breathing its millenary history and enjoying wonderful landscape views of the surroundings.
Overnight with breakfast in Matera
The first walk of the tour will take you on a characteristic circular route inside the Chiese Rupestri Park (cave churches). You will go downhill and then up again in the huge Matera canyon to reach the Murgia Timone, from where you will have a magnificent view of the city of the Sassi. Today’s walk is along fascinating paths, passing frescoes and cave churches. After walking in the ravine, if you wish, you will have the opportunity to discover the millenary history of the Sassi by visiting Casa Noha, where the history of Matera is told through suggestive videos. In the evening, you will have a new chance to experience the tasty Lucanian cuisine in one of the many cozy little restaurants in the town.
Overnight with breakfast in Matera
Distance: 12 km / 7,5 mi
Walking time: 4 hrs
Ascent & Descent: + 340m – 350m
After breakfast, you will have a short private transfer to the Valle d’Itria. Also called the Valle dei Trulli. The Trullo is a building of peasant origin, surmounted by a characteristic cone-shaped roof covered with grey stone tiles. Today’s route will discover the green heart of Puglia, following the path of the Apulian aqueduct through which you will see unusual landscapes. At the end of the walk, you will come to Locorotondo, with its harmoniously rounded historical center, as the name of the town indicates. Here you will get lost in its concentric alleys, with interesting restaurants and shops. After visiting the historic center, back to Alberobello by train.
Overnight with breakfast in Alberobello
Distance: 14 km / 8,7 mi
Walking time: 4 hrs
Ascent & Descent: + 140m – 110m
Today’s route will take you from Alberobello, the capital of the Trulli to Martina Franca. To reach your destination, you will cross one of the most intense naturalistic stretches of the tour: the Selva forest. This forest is the last evidence of an ancient forest that covered the surrounding area. Inside the “Selva,” you will breathe history, given by the ancient dry stone walls, the craters of the charcoal pits, and the stone fences used by shepherds to guard their flocks. You will climb up Mount San Martino to reach the splendid historic center of Martina Franca, a typical example of the Apulian Baroque. Do not miss the opportunity to taste the Martina Franca DOC wine accompanied by the yummy Apulian orecchiette. At the end of your visit, back to Alberobello by public transport (train or bus).
Overnight with breakfast in Alberobello
Distance: 19 km / 11,8 mi
Walking time: 5,5 hrs
Ascent & Descent: + 230m – 210m
After breakfast, you leave Alberobello with a transfer to a ‘Masseria’ (farmhouse) inside the Parco Regionale Dune Costiere (coastal dunes). You will walk inside the park located in the Itria valley, in a treasure chest made up of history, flora, fauna, rock settlements, and underground oil mills. After a short coffee break* at a family-run farm, continue the route towards the hills, which will accompany you through the Selva for the last stretch of today. For the more courageous, there will be the possibility of reaching the sanctuary of San Biagio, protected by a steep rock face and perched on a ravine full of natural vegetation dating back to the 12th century. Unforgettable will be the moment in which you will see rising up in front of you the white city of Ostuni behind the centuries-old olive trees. Take your time to visit this magnificent medieval town, full of charming narrow Arab-style streets.
Overnight with breakfast in Ostuni
Distance: 12 km / 7,5 mi
Walking time: 3,5 hrs
Ascent & Descent: + 230m – 110m
Today a short walk on a dirt track. The Coastal Dunes Park will be still the protagonist, with a route running between fortified farms and the typical Mediterranean flora. The walk will end near the Morelli lido, along the wonderful Apulian coast. If the weather permits it, you can take the opportunity to have a refreshing swim.
A private transfer will take you to the Baroque capital of Puglia: Lecce. You will have plenty of time to visit this enchanting city, called the Florence of the South. Do not miss the Roman amphitheater, the Roman theatre, the historical museum of the city, the Duomo, Baroque houses, and the main square. In the evening, you can taste the vibrant energy of this city.
Overnight with breakfast in Lecce
Distance: 14 km / 3,7 mi
Walking time: 4 hrs
Ascent & Descent: + 10m – 140m
After breakfast, you will reach Otranto by public transfer (train or bus). Discover this beautiful old town corner by corner with a surprising highlight, the well-preserved castle. Following the majestic town walls, it will be possible to appreciate various architectural details such as the Cathedral with its enchanting mosaic and the Alfonsina tower. You can also taste the Pasticciotto, which is an Apulian version of the Neapolitan pizza with cream and black cherries: a shortcrust pastry sweet filled with custard and black cherries. Leaving Otranto, you will walk this last part of the tour, passing the Lago Azzurro (blue lake) and the Torre della Serpe (snake tower), and then finally you will reach the locality of Orte with its picturesque bay. If the weather permits it, you can also take a nice refreshing swim. Return to Otranto on foot and then by public transport you return to Lecce.
Overnight with breakfast in Lecce
Distance: 8 km / 5,6 mi
Walking time: 2,5 hrs
Ascent & Descent: + 100m – 100m
Breakfast and end of our services in this wonderful tour in Basilicata and Puglia
Impressions from Basilicata and Puglia
Matera-Alberobello-Ostuni-Lecce-Otranto
LEVEL 2
Moderate with some more difficult walk, because of the length. You walk in a slightly hilly countryside without not too much climbing and descending. There will be time to visit towns along the way.
You will walk on average between 3 and 6 hours a day. Daily distances between 9 and 19 km / 5,6 and 11,8 miles, with an average walking time of 3-4 km an hour. Experience of walking holidays and good physical condition are required.
Total km / mi: about 80 km / 50 miles
DEPARTURES:
Every day all year round
PARTICIPANTS:
2 or more people (solo traveller on request).
START / FINISH:
Matera / Lecce
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