Southern Italy 360°: A Journey through Puglia & Matera
Southern Italy 360°: A Journey through Puglia & Matera
The trip in a nutshell
Embark on an enchanting group journey through Southern Italy where every corner promises a unique experience! Join us as we uncover the hidden treasures and gems of this captivating region, from the bustling streets of Bari to the serene beauty of Trani, Alberobello, and Matera. Immerse yourself in a delightful blend of culture and nature, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Our adventure begins with exploration of the coastal cities of Bari and Trani, followed by a journey into the ancient marvels of Matera - the town where the James Bond film Skyfall was filmed! From there, we'll wind our way through picturesque villages overlooking the sea, stopping to admire the characteristic trulli of Locorotondo and Alberobello. Strolling along cobblestone streets shaded by ancient olive trees, we'll uncover the charm of destinations like Santa Maria di Leuca and Lecce.
As we traverse the region, we'll pause to relax on the stunning beaches of the Puglian coast, basking in breathtaking sunsets and indulging in delicious aperitifs. And of course, no journey through Italy would be complete without savouring the flavours of traditional dishes, complemented by the warm hospitality of the locals.
Prepare to be captivated by the beauty and charm of Puglia as we embark on this unforgettable adventure!
Trip type
360º - it's our great classic that allows you to discover the destination in all its aspects. We recommend packing a backpack rather than a suitcase as there will be lots of moving around.
Physical rating
LOW - this itinerary is easy-going and any extra sports or activities are entirely optional - minimum physical effort is required.
Entry requirements
Please visit your country's official government website to find out the necessary requirements for entering the country of destination.
Arrival and departure
This trip will begin and end in Bari. Aim to arrive on the first day by 5pm. On the last day you are free to leave whenever!
What's included
7 nights accommodation in shared rooms
All breakfasts
Car rental from day 2 to day 7
Embark on a stunning boat tour along the coast of Santa Maria di Leuca
An extraordinary cooking class experience in a traditional Sassi cave in the ancient city of Matera
Indulge in a sensational dining experience at a traditional 'Masseria'
Travel coordinator services
Cancellation up to 31 days before departure - 100% refund (deposit refunded as a gift card) or option to change trips.
Itinerary
Welcome to Italy!
Check in
Round trip flights are not included in the package, so you can choose from where and when you want to fly. This is to give you maximum freedom of choice!
We find ourselves in Bari, right at the Airport, where our adventure begins by picking up our cars. After reaching our accommodation and dropping off our bags we’re going to head out and grab some dinner - let's go for authentic Italian cuisine!
Included: overnight stay, rental car
Not included: meals and drinks
Giovinazzo and the wonderful Trani
Tasting of typical oil
We kickstart our day bright and early with a hearty breakfast and then we hop in our cars and drive to Giovinazzo, a little town near Bari. Here we’ll get involved in a local oil tasting experience and try other products of this region!
After the tasting we have the option to visit the town and grab a spot of lunch on the seafront.
Trani
After lunch we’re going to visit Trani, the busy town centre is famous for its cathedral, a fine example of the Apulian Romanesque style, and the historic centre overlooking the sea. Trani's iconic seafront cathedral is one of the finest anywhere in Italy! By late evening we’ll arrive in Matera.
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, rental car
Money pot: oil tasting, fuel, any extra activities
Not included: meals and drinks
Matera, the “City of Sassi”
Matera
Hello Matera! Matera is a historic city located in the Basilicata region. It’s renowned for its unique cave dwellings, known as “Sassi”, which are ancient cave dwellings carved into the limestone cliffs of the Gravina River gorge. It was also the set of Skyfall - James Bond!
The best sunset of your life
In the afternoon we’ll make a stop in Altamura, which is known throughout Italy and beyond for its famous bread! Cooked in wood-fired ovens and crafted following age-old methods, it possesses a flavour and aroma that leave a lasting impression.
As the evening draws in, how about having an “aperitivo” while watching the epic sunset together.
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, car rental
Money pot: fuel, any extra activities
Not included: meals and drinks
Alberobello and Locorotondo
Alberobello and Locorotondo
When it comes to this enchanting town, one simply cannot overlook its iconic trulli: currently numbering around a thousand. These traditional dwellings have held the status of a national monument since 1930 and have more recently been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The trullo, a symbol of timeless rural architecture, has long been intertwined with the essence of Puglia, serving as one of the region's most emblematic representations of its rural heritage.
After a short drive we’ll arrive in Locorotondo, one of those must-visit places. It's located in the picturesque area of the Itria Valley and its name means "round place," due to the circular shape of the walls surrounding the town since its origins. Its historic center is a true marvel and can easily be explored in a couple of hours!
In the afternoon we’ll head to Lecce, a baroque city with a historic centre full of extravagant architecture!
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, car rental
Money pot: fuel, any extra activities
Not included: meals and drinks
Boat excursion to Santa Maria di Leuca
The southernmost point in Puglia
Today we are embarking on a beautiful boat excursion covering all the caves along the Ionian and Adriatic coast of Leuca.
After passing Cape Meliso and then skirting the lighthouse, we will be able to appreciate the caves and coves along a route of about 5.5 km!
Later on, we'll have the chance to relax at the beach, and there are so many between Torre San Giovanni and Gallipoli! Here, we are truly spoilt for choice.
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, rental cars, boat excursion
Money pot: fuel and any extra activities
Not included: meals and drinks
The Pearl of the Adriatic
Dawn at the lighthouse
In the morning we will head to the lighthouse of Punta Malascia, where we can relax in front of the sea, waiting for the sun to rise in this truly beautiful place.
Then we’ll make an easy trek through a little cave before reaching Otranto. There, we’ll visit the city and sample the local food.
Local dinner
In the afternoon we’ll reach “Baia dei Turchi” which is one of the most famous beaches in Puglia. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
In the meantime, have you ever heard of a “Masseria”?. A Masseria is a sort of farm that looks like a typical construction of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Tonight we’re going to have a typical dinner in a Masseria, be prepared and get excited!
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, rental cars,dinner in a masseria
Money pot: fuel and any extra activities
Not included: meals and drinks
Nature reserve of Torre Gauceto
A bike ride through the nature
Located in the Upper Salento region, nestled between Ostuni and Brindisi, Torre Guaceto beckons with its status as both a Nature Reserve and Protected Marine Area. Here, amidst the lush Mediterranean Maquis vegetation and teeming with diverse animal species, visitors can lose themselves in a day-long odyssey of exploration and wonder. Whether you prefer leisurely strolls through the verdant landscape, immersive birdwatching experiences, or thrilling snorkelling adventures in the pristine marine habitats, Torre Guaceto offers a tapestry of natural marvels waiting to be discovered at every turn!
Ostuni the “White Town” and Polignano a Mare
Before returning back to Bari, we’re going to visit Ostuni - a place famous for its medieval white walls constructed between the beginning of 1400 and 1500, in order to protect the town from enemy invasions.
We are also going to check out Polignano a Mare for one last dip in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic before heading back to Bari. Here, we grab a seaside aperitif, and choose the best restaurant for our farewell dinner!
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, rental cars
Money pot: fuel and any extra activities
Not included: meals and drinks
Goodbye Italy!
Check-out and goodbye
Check-out and goodbye – until your next WeRoad adventure!
End of services. The itinerary may undergo some variations that differ from what is stated above. These variations may not be predictable nor depend on WeRoad’s will, i.e. climate conditions, national holidays, strikes, etc.

The travel coordinators
Our travel coordinators are chosen because they are people like you. Not only are they the best travel buddy you could hope for, but they're trained professionals guaranteed to show you a travel experience like never before
Available dates
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
About Italy
About WeRoad
Round-trip flights are not included in any of our trips because we like to give you autonomy and flexibility: you can choose the airline you want to fly with, the departure airport that suits you best, and how many and which stops you want to make.
Since flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: if possible, you can arrive at your destination a few days earlier or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!
This is the question of all questions, and here’s the answer, broken down into points!
The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all tour participants and managed by your Travel Coordinator.
It is used to streamline paymentsfor extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do and to guarantee flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group.
It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure.
You’ll find the amount of the money pot on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the money pot’ – how do you get there? Look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money pot? Click here’, and you’ll find the details.
The amount varies depending on the destination chosen.
It is used exclusively for group expenses that ALL participants decide to take part in.
It is estimated based on the experiences of other groups but can vary depending on the needs of the group itself. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip.
If not all of the money pot is used, the difference will be returned to all participants at the end of the trip in equal amounts.
The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the money pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator.
If you pay in advance part of the money pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded in case of trip cancellation.
We offer several payment methods to fit every need:
1. Credit or prepaid card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Scalapay up to €4,999 (only available with the “Full trip payment” option – not available with the “Deposit and balance” option; pay in 3 instalments up to €1,200 or in 4 instalments over €1,200);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account;
5. Welfare credit – BEFORE BOOKING, reach out to us at [email protected].
If you choose the deposit and balance option, you’ll also be able to pay the balance via bank transfer from your Personal Area.
Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. (Deposits will be refunded in the form of a gift card valid for 365 days from issue date.) If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.
If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option. Deposits will be refunded in the form of a gift card valid for 365 days from issue date.
How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at [email protected] or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.
In general, we always choose local accommodations, avoiding large hotel chains, because we love to experience the culture of the place and, whenever possible, contribute to the local economy. Typically, our accommodations are hotels, apartments, guesthouses, and hostels run by local entrepreneurs, with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.
For our Collection trips, which are our premium category, the accommodations are always 4 or 5-star or carefully selected boutique hotels.
The list of accommodations for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator between 5 and 3 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!
If you're wondering why WeRoad trips have a money pot, we’re assuming you already know what it is. If not, or if you have any doubts, we invite you to read all the information here!
Let’s quickly recap: The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all tour participants and managed by your Travel Coordinator. It’s used to speed up payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do and to guarantee flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group.
But let’s get to the point: why the money pot? First of all: it gives us a lot of flexibility. In all WeRoad trips you will have a bunch of Must See/Must Do activities already included - these are experiences, places or activities that simply cannot be missed! Any extra activities is decided by the group, why? Because each group is unique and may have particular wants or desires and the Money Pot allows each group to customise their trip to make it perfect for their requirements!
It also helps us speed up payments – imagine being in the subway in New York City, one by one purchasing the ticket...a nightmare right? Thanks to the Money Pot, the Travel Coordinator can simply purchase the tickets for everyone making the entire processes smoother! Any leftover money will be returned at the end of the trip and split equally amongst all participants.
In some destinations, buying goods or services on site is more economical as you are able to negotiate the price - places like Morocco, or South East Asia, bargaining is part of the culture. As such, our Travel Coordinators will be able to secure the best deal for all participants.
The amount of the money pot is specified in each trip – look for this button
which will take you to a detailed breakdown for each trip, like this:
Even if we don't know the flights of all WeRoaders, there are several ways to find out which flights your travel companions have purchased.
1. Each WeRoader has the ability to communicate their flight details after booking within their personal area so that other travel companions can see the details anonymously. Enter your booking and you will find this section:
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2. If you want to find out before booking, instead, you can contact us and we will support you in your search or you can ask your travel companions for direct information by joining our Facebook group 'WeRoad... let's get to know each other before leaving! (official)' – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weroadit) look for a post associated with your trip, or ask the group administrators for help in getting in touch with your future adventure companions!
If the coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you are interested in, you can easily find his/her presentation post in the group through the site: in the shift list click on 'Ask the coordinator', or in the trip tab, in the coordinator section, click on 'Ask [coordinator name] about this shift in our Facebook group'. For both cases, see the screenshots below!
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In all our groups, the Travel Coordinator and participants speak English – knowing how to speak and understand English is therefore a fundamental requirement to participate in our trips.
On average the groups are made up of 6-15 people, with a minimum of 3/4 participants and a maximum of 15.
All our travellers are in theirs 20s, 30s and 40s. If you're very curious to know the age range of the group for a tour you're interested in, you can see this by finding the trip on our website, and clicking the down arrow to see the ages & genders of participants. You'll need to have created a WeRoad account with us to do this.
Any issues finding this info just give our team in the office a call, we're always happy to help!
Regarding the male-female ratio, this is not guaranteed and varies trip by trip.
Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking – although, in our opinion, that kind of spoils the surprise! You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!
Yes, in all our trips you will share a room with other same-sex travellers, and the bathroom will either be private or shared only with fellow participants of the trip. The rooms we select can be doubles, triples, quadruples, or multi-bed (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.
There are never dorms with people outside the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodations like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.
During the booking process, you can also choose to opt for a mixed room: in this case, if needed, only those who have agreed to this option may share a room with travellers of a different sex. If you are booking for multiple people together and select this option, the room will not be exclusive to your group but may be shared with other travellers in the group.
The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller and will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will be available for any eventuality and will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary (transports, timings, accommodations, meeting points, etc.), so you can enjoy the trip without any worries!
You will have the chance to get to know them when the WhatsApp group is created approximately 2 weeks before departure - this will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking – their details will be specified in the schedule or on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your Personal Area, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.
When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'Once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you, even if you no longer travel with us.
But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. We can also meet up for a dinner or a trek together at one of the events organised by our coordinators around the world!