Italy · Puglia · Basilicata · 2026
Heritage of Southern Italy — Puglia & Basilicata
Eight days through southern Italy at the pace it asks for. Matera, the trulli, a 4-star masseria — and 15% off selected 2026 departures.
8 Days · 15% Off Selected Dates · Newmarket Late Escapes 2026
Operated by Newmarket Holidays, booking through Road Trip Co & Travelosophers — ABTA & ATOL protected.
Southern Italy properly off the main routes — Puglia’s white hill towns, Basilicata’s moonscape countryside, eight days small-group escorted with all the logistics, the language and the where-to-eat handled for you. Multiple 2026 departures from Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester.
Matera’s UNESCO-listed Sassi — cave dwellings inhabited continuously for somewhere around nine thousand years. The conical trulli at Alberobello. Baroque Lecce. The circular hill town of Locorotondo. The Castellana Grotto for Puglia’s prehistoric rock formations. An evening drinks reception in one of Lecce’s historic houses, a hands-on Apulian cooking class, and a wine tasting that puts the regional grape varieties in context. Four-star masseria stay flanked by olive groves and the Adriatic.
Currently 15% off selected 2026 departures as part of Newmarket’s Late Escape collection. For example, the Wed 7 October departure from London Stansted is from £1,793pp instead of £2,109pp. Other dates and airports are bookable at the saving — ask us which 2026 dates work for you and we’ll come back with a tailored quote.
Small-group escorted · 15% off selected 2026 dates
From £1,793pp
Twin share · 4-star masseria · cooking class & wine tasting
15% off selected 2026 departures. Example: Wed 7 Oct 2026 ex Stansted, £1,793pp (was £2,109pp). Other dates priced on enquiry.
✓ Return flights from Gatwick, Stansted or Manchester
✓ 7 nights’ 4-star masseria accommodation
✓ Small-group escorted tour with Tour Manager throughout
✓ Coach transport between all sites
✓ Walking tours of Matera, Alberobello, Lecce & Locorotondo
✓ Castellana Grotto visit
✓ Apulian cooking class and regional wine tasting
Why This Trip
The South of Italy Most People Miss
Matera — Europe’s oldest town
The Sassi di Matera are cave dwellings carved into the limestone, inhabited continuously for somewhere around nine thousand years. Walking through them at golden hour is one of those experiences that recalibrates what “old” means in Europe.
The trulli of Alberobello
Conical-roofed stone houses, painted white, packed into a small Puglian town that’s both UNESCO-listed and somehow still living. Walking tour included — ask us about upgrading to an overnight in a converted trullo.
Cooking class and a masseria stay
Four nights at a secluded 4-star masseria flanked by olive groves and Adriatic views — the kind of stay that explains why southern Italy is increasingly the destination people return to. The Apulian cooking class and the regional wine tasting put the food and the region in context.
Day by Day
The Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival
UK to Puglia
Flight from your selected UK airport (Gatwick, Stansted or Manchester) to Bari. Transfer to the masseria. Welcome briefing with your Tour Manager.
Day 2
Puglian hill towns
Drive through Puglia’s hill country. Stops at characterful towns including Carovigno and Locorotondo.
Day 3
Alberobello and the trulli
Walking tour of Alberobello — the UNESCO-listed trulli village. Free time for lunch among the conical-roofed houses.
Day 4
Matera — into Basilicata
Cross into Basilicata. Arrive in Matera. Walking tour of the Sassi cave dwellings and rock-hewn churches.
Day 5
Matera in depth & evening in Lecce
Deeper into the Sassi and the modern town above the gorge. Drinks reception at one of Lecce’s historic houses.
Day 6
Baroque Lecce & Castellana Grotto
Lecce’s baroque centre. Castellana Grotto — Puglia’s prehistoric rock formations.
Day 7
Apulian cooking class & wine tasting
Cooking class dedicated to authentic Apulian cuisine at or near the masseria. Wine tasting featuring regional varieties.
Day 8 — Departure
Return to the UK
Transfer to Bari airport. Fly home.
Price Includes
What’s Included
✓ Return flights from a UK airport
✓ 7 nights’ 4-star masseria accommodation
✓ Small-group escorted tour
✓ Tour Manager throughout
✓ Coach transport between all sites
✓ Walking tours of Matera, Alberobello, Lecce and Locorotondo
✓ Castellana Grotto visit
✓ Apulian cooking class
✓ Regional wine tasting
✓ Drinks reception at a historic house in Lecce
✓ Daily breakfast and selected dinners
✓ Full Road Trip Club support pre-trip
Not Included
✗ Travel insurance
✗ Personal spending
✗ Optional excursions
✗ Drinks at meals (other than the included wine tasting)
✗ Tips and gratuities
15% off selected Puglia 2026 departures
Multiple departure dates April–October 2026 from Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester, with 15% off on selected dates. Tell us your preferred travel window and we’ll come back with a tailored quote — including the exact price for your dates — within 24 hours.
