Trip Notes WALKING IN PUGLIA AND BASILICATA. Day 1 Start Ostuni.

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1 Trip Notes Trip Code: TEV Country: Italy Amended: April 2013 Edition No: AD Valid from: 12 April Dec 2013 WALKING IN PUGLIA AND BASILICATA HIGHLIGHTS Visit UNESCO towns of Matera and Alberobello Charming hotels in great locations Explore the undiscovered region of Basilicata Free day for optional cooking class or trip to the Baroque city of Lecce SUMMARY In the heart of the Mediterranean lie Puglia and Basilicata, two unique regions sandwiched between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas. New for 2013, our itinerary explores the very best walks in these captivating and still relatively unknown regions in Southern Italy. During the week we base ourselves in three comfortable hotels, carefully handpicked for their charming character and great location, allowing us to relax after a day's walk. We start the week in the stunning white city of Ostuni, perched high on a hill overlooking the Adriatic and walk towards the idyllic coastline. As we move inland, we explore the lush Itria Valley, dotted by thousands of ancient olive trees and the fairytale Trulli houses, still standing after 5000 years. The remainder of our journey takes us to the undiscovered region of Basilicata, which is still one of the hidden treasures of Italy, due to its remoteness and turbulent history. From the picturesque hilltop village of Montescaglioso, built around a Benedictine Abbey, following the bed of a canyon and walking past rock churches and caves, we reach Matera. This fascinating town is famous for its Sassi houses carved out of the rock and inhabited since the Prehistoric times and we will have the opportunity to sleep in a stylishly converted cave-like hotel dating back to the Paleolithic Age. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? Grade: A/B or leisurely/moderate During the days we walk for 3 to 6 hours (including lunch and photo stops). The terrain and type of path will vary from manmade paved tracks and tarmac to gravel. The walks are easy, although some ascents and descents should be expected, so a reasonable amount of fitness is required. Please be aware that Puglia can also be very warm, possibly reaching 30 degrees in the summer. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Start Ostuni. Day 2 In the morning we explore the beautiful countryside walking through ancient olive groves and vineyards overlooking the Adriatic coast. We will have a lunch in a typical "Masseria", a charming renovated farmhouse. In the afternoon we have free time to discover the white city of Ostuni, famous for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses. Afternoon visit to the Archaeological Park of Santa Maria D'Agnano and overnight stay in a Masseria - a renovated farmhouse typical of the Apulian region. (9km, approx. 4hrs walking) (B,L,D) Day 3 Morning walk from Ostuni to the coast, where we have time to relax on a beach or swim in the mild waters of the Adriatic. After lunch, a short transfer takes us to Alberobello, home to 1500 Trulli (conical roofed houses) that have made its historical centre a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The origin of these funny-looking stone dwellings is obscure. However, local farmers claim they were originally built in an effort to evade taxes. When the tax inspectors were in the area, the dry stone walls could easily be dismantled by simply removing the key stone above the door and quickly rebuilt after the inspection. This area is also famous for its lovely wine and we have the opportunity to visit one of the wineries, seeing the production process and even getting to taste some of the end result. Overnight in Alberobello. (7km, approx. 4hrs walking) (B) Day 4 Our destination today is Locorotondo. Sitting on the top of a hill, it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and is reknown for its white wine and Cantina Sociale, the local winery. Following narrow country lanes, we walk over the rolling hills of the idyllic Itria Valley, dotted with olive trees, vineyards and trulli. We then make our way back to Alberobello by train. Overnight in Alberobello. (18km, approx. 6hrs walking) (B,D) Day 5 Today is free to rest or explore Alberobello. Alternatively, you could visit the lovely town of Martina Franca (only a 20-minute train Exodus Travels Ltd Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: (44) Fax: (44) sales@exodus.co.uk

2 ride away), the nearby Castellana Caves, or take a trip to the beautiful Baroque town of Lecce, the capital of the Salentinian Peninsula, home to over 40 churches, countless palaces, as well as a Roman ampitheatre and theatre. Lecce is a 2-hour train journey away from Alberobello. Or finally, for those who are looking for something a bit different, your leader can advise on cooking classes in Alberobello. (B) Day 6 We transfer by private minibus to the hilltop village of Montescaglioso, developed around the Benedictine Abbey of San Michele and offering fantastic views over the Matera Gravina, a 200m-deep canyon. From Montescaglioso we make our way towards Matera. Following the canyon rim trail, we explore rock churches, abandoned Neolithic villages and caves, where hawks, buzzards and kites nest. Short taxi ride (approx. 10 mins) to Matera. Overnight in Matera. (13km, approx. 4hrs 30min walking) (B) grown just a few steps from the sea, then olives, broad beans and chicory, all used to prepare simple, tasty dishes such as the pasta delicacy "orecchiette" served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep's ricotta-cheese, "cavatelli" with pulses, aubergine and parmesan bake, roasted peppers, courgettes "alla poverella" - marinated in oil, garlic, mint and vinegar, etc., to accompany grilled fish, seafood, horse-meat chops, lamb, "burrata" (soft mozzarella and cream cheese), mozzarella and "caciocavallo" sheep's cheese... plus excellent wines. This region is a food lovers paradise! Transport A private minibus will be used for transfers and organised excursions. We take a train from Locorotondo to Alberobello on Day 4. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY Day 7 Today we explore Matera's Rock Churches Park, a vast protected area home to over 150 rupestrian churches dating back to the VIII century, once inhabited by hermits and adorned with coloured Byzantine frescoes. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided visit of Matera's Sassi district, rock-hewn houses inhabited since the Palaeolithic Age, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in The guided visit is followed by a local produce tasting. Overnight in Matera. (8km, approx. 3hrs walking) (B) Day 8 End Matera. (B) ACCOMMODATION All hotels have been specially selected for their location, character and comfort. They are classed as premium, based on these specifics in addition to the star rating. We stay in 3 and 4 star hotels, often renovated traditional buildings, and we spend one night in a typical Masseria - a traditional farmhouse - surrounded by olive groves and overlooking the sea. All rooms are en suite and hotel in Alberobello features a swimming pool. Room upgrades are available on request. Single Accommodation: A limited number of double rooms for sole use are offered for a supplement of 195 (or approx. US$350), which must be booked and paid for in advance (subject to availability). Extra Accommodation: We can book additional accommodation before or after the trip in Bari, Ostuni, Matera, or Lecce (subject to availability). Please notify us at the time of booking and we will provide up-to-date prices. FOOD & TRANSPORT Food All breakfasts, 1 lunch on Day 2 in a typican Apulian Masseria, 1 wine tasting, 1 local produce tasting and 2 dinners are included. In Puglia you will find genuine regional cooking that has strong links to the land and the sea. To give you just a small list of the types of food on offer in Puglia: Bread from the Murge, durum wheat pasta, vegetables such as aubergines, peppers and courgettes, which are The Puglia region of Southern Italy enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate with all year round sunshine and just enough rainfall to ensure that the green is never too far off. Although Puglia covers a large area it is long and narrow, never more than 30km across means that you're never far from the sea which has a moderating effect on the weather. JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 8 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sat Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of EasyJet (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Airport Transfers Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. Those arriving from London on non-group flights should read the airport transfer section below for information on reaching the start point. Please check with the Exodus office. 2

3 travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. Certain European nationalities may be able to travel within Europe on their national identity card. Check carefully with the relevant authorities if you intend to do this. No visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. JOINING THE TRIP IN OSTUNI 8 days, normally start Ostuni Sat, end Matera Sat Itinerary start The easiest way to reach Ostuni from the UK is to fly to either Bari (80 miles away) or Brindisi (40 miles away). Bari International Airport is served by Easyjet that operates direct flights from London Gatwick. Please contact our Sales Team for prices and availability. Both Bari and Brindisi airports are served by the budget airline Ryanair operating direct flights from London Stansted. Please visit for further information. From Bari Railway Station, Ostuni is a 1-hour train journey away and a single ticket costs approximately 5. From Brindisi, it's only a 20-minute train ride and costs approx. 3. Trains timetable can be found on If you wish to spend a few days in Lecce before the tour, we suggest you fly to either Bari or Brindisi, take an onward train to Lecce and then make your way to Ostuni by train (approx. 1 hour journey, 5). The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. Local Time GMT +1 Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 6 and 16 people. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. Finally, if you are already in Italy and would like to reach Bari by train, the journey from Rome takes about 5 hours and from Florence, it's about 7 ½ hours. Trains timetable can be found on com RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. On this trip we stay in locally-owned hotels and we eat in small restaurants offering Apulian specialities. The group's activities have a low impact on the environment, and our operator rents all equipment locally. These aspects contribute to the continuation of the community itself, by creating jobs and offering career prospects to local people, who may otherwise be tempted to move to a larger city in search of employment. Most importantly, our local partner is an active member in "addiopizzo", a grassroots organisation established by local businesses and private citizens who refuse to pay the "pizzo" - Mafia extortion money. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas Most nationalities, including British, require a full passport that must be valid for 3 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Italy is the Euro (EUR), with an exchange rate of 1.2 to the UK and 0.75 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques In every town you can withdraw the local currency from a Cash Machine (ATM) but we do recommend you obtain some of your spending money in Euros before you leave the UK. Credit cards are also accepted in most places you visit but cash is easier. 3

4 Extra Expenses and Spending Money For lunches and dinners not included allow about 170 depending on the standard of restaurant chosen. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Small rucksack (for water bottle, camera etc) Lightweight waterproof jacket and wind stopper Trail shoes or walking boots with sturdy sole Long walking trousers as some paths may be overgrown A warm jumper or fleece (for the evenings and for winter departures) Sun hat and other sun protection equipment Warm hat and gloves for winter departures Optional items: Walking poles A small umbrella in case of unexpected showers Swimming costume Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Reading List: Chris Harrison (2010), Head over Heel: Seduced by Southern Italy If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO 4

5 HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay by cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 5