Puglia and Matera

1st DAY – Naples

Arrival at Naples airport, meeting with the guide. Transfer to the city, hotel accommodation.
Free dinner, overnight stay.

2nd DAY – The path of the seven stones, Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa – Altamura

After breakfast, transfer to Castelmezzano. The two villages of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa are included among the most beautiful villages of Italy. Today’s route, called “the path of the seven stones” connects Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa, is a path used by farmers in ancient times.
Transfer to Altamura, dinner in restaurant and overnight stay.
• Duration: 5h00 (round trip)
• Height difference/difference in height: – 120 / + 320; -320 + 120 (total: + 440 / -440)
Trasferimento ad Altamura, cena in ristorante e pernottamento.

3rd DAY – Sassi, the Park of Murgia, Matera, Altamura

In option: possibility of guided tour with authorized cultural guide

Today’s walk begins among the Sassi of Matera and develops at the entrance of the Park of Murgia. It is a natural archaeological park that covers an area of 8,000 hectares. Transfer by bus to Belvedere, starting point of the excursion. Inside the gravina (canyon) of Matera, it will be possible to observe the rich variety of endemic plants and visit the rock churches of medieval origin, appreciating a landscape that shows a strong connection between history and nature. In the afternoon, free visit of the center of Matera and the Sassi, where the residences are obtained directly from the rock and from the tuff, a unique spectacle that earned the city the inscription to the UNESCO heritage in 1993. Return to Altamura, dinner and overnight stay.

4th DAY – Alberobello – Monte/Mount Sant’Angelo

Departure towards Alberobello and visit of this famous village for its houses with conical roof, the TRULLI. Alberobello is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walk through the Apulian countryside between Trulli and ancient olive trees, along a part of the path called “Via Verde del Mezzogiorno/Greenroute of midday”.
Transfer to Monte Sant’Angelo/Sant’Angelo Mount, dinner and overnight stay.

5th DAY - Vignanotica Bay - Walk through the monuments of agro-pastoral architecture

The itinerary develops along a very suggestive and panoramic path that from the high of white cliffs overlooking the sea overlooks the bay of Mergoli and the Bay of Zagare, with its characteristic stacks. Here the vegetation consists of the Mediterranean forest. At the end of this beautiful path, we reach the bay of Vignanotica, also known as Bay of Seagulls. In the afternoon, a small excursion to Monte Sant’Angelo, along a fascinating itinerary along a limestone crest, immersed in the Mediterranean scrub. Along the way, interesting examples of typical dry stone structures (tholos)

Back to Monte Sant’Angelo, visit the village.

6th DAY - Umbra Forest – Monte Sacro

The excursion develops in a protected natural reserve located inside the Park of Gargano, at an altitude of about 800 meters, in a natural and landscape setting of great beauty. The secular beech trees of this forest, which reach up to 40 meters in height and one meter in diameter, are registered/inscribed in the UNESCO heritage. In the afternoon excursion to Monte Sacro, to discover the ruins of an ancient Benedictine abbey. Here the integration of nature with the ancient abbey is amazing, in an environment that becomes mystical.

Return to Monte Sant’Angelo, dinner and overnight stay.

7th DAY– Vieste – Naples

Visit of Vieste, little “pearl” on the Adriatic Sea. Pizzomunno, an imposing monolith in white limestone of 25 meters, is the symbol of the city. Lunch in the restaurant. Departure for Naples, free visit of this city unique in the world for the richness and variety of its culture and its heritage.

Free dinner and overnight stay.

8th DAY – Naples Airport

Transfer to the airport, departure.