Apulia—Walking in Italy’s Rustic South

Itinerary at a glance

We gather in Bari (1 night), an important crossroads since ancient Greece, and take a lovely stroll through the port's historic district before settling into our luxurious hotel.

Apulia is one of Italy's most beautifully rural provinces, and we experience that firsthand with a visit to a prosperous family of shepherds near Altamura. Our hosts invite us into their kitchen to prepare and eat a typical local lunch of homemade orecchiette pasta, stuffed peppers and pecorino cheese. Later, we amble in countryside known for its shimmering silver-leaf olive trees.

Matera (2 nights) is a UNESCO world heritage site, an ancient city strung the length of a canyon. From our cliff-side lodgings, we explore nearby Alberobello—a local landmark and the largest collection of conically roofed trulli—a must-see. Later, we'll walk to a walled farm where we are treated to lunch in an ancient olive mill.

A 16th century palace in Lecce, the "Florence of the South," is our gracious home for 3 nights. One of the world's largest mosaic floors is not far away in Otranto's cathedral, so of course we visit. We'll also journey to the frescoes of Galatina…the amazing fish markets of Gallipoli…and journey on foot to visit architect friends and see their stunning renovation of an ancient farmhouse. The last afternoon and morning are reserved for shopping and strolling before we end in Brindisi for departures to Rome or Milan.