Walking: Puglia-Matera-Amalfi

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1 Walking: Puglia-Matera-Amalfi Eight days travelling through southern Italy, Fascinating and rewarding walks Walking through history This eight day package takes you through key areas of southern Italy, with walks that allow you to get a close up feel for the land, the people and the traditions. In Puglia, walk through the countryside amongst olive groves and trulli houses, through vineyards alongside dry-stone walls. In Matera walk through the gravina valley seeing the cave churches, where the monks lived. There are precious Byzantine frescoes in many of these churches In Amalfi walk through the historic Valley of the Mills. Then walk the Path of the Gods high above the coast, looking out to Capri. We organise the itinerary, accommodation, and a driver to take you to all the destinations. For the self guided walks we provide detailed instructions (maps / directions / photos). For the Matera walk we provide guiding and entry fees. We provide detailed information on the places that you visit. We also we provide on-call local support both before & during the trip. Walking: Puglia Matera Amalfi Price: 1495 per person *based on twin share, price is denominated in Euros ( ), excludes July/August * deposit is fully refundable (up until 45 days prior to start date) Small Group Tours of Italy Puglia Amalfi Sicily

2 Walking Puglia - Matera - Amalfi Itinerary Day 1 Buongiorno Puglia! You will be picked up in Bari from your arrival point. Our driver will take you to the Valle d Itria, the area famous for trulli houses, where you stay for the next four nights. This area is dotted with charming towns such as Locorotondo and Martina Franca. The historic centres of these towns are lined with elegant baroque palaces of the noble families, evocative lanes amongst the whitewashed buildings, and piazzas with the traditional passeggiata in full swing each evening. Over the next few days you'll have plenty of time to explore the town at your own pace. Baroque details Day 2 The trulli walk in the countryside You will be picked up and driven to the start of your walking path. Today you can walk along a scenic route through the Valle d Itria. This is the area called the Valle d Itria, a high plateau with an interesting mix of olive and almond trees, artichokes and capers. Your trail is an old water supply route now converted into a walking and cycling path (about ten kms long). From the end of the path walk the final two kilometres along country roads lined by dry stone walls into the town of Locorotondo. Lanes in the historic centre Locorotondo is a hilltop town in the Valle d Itria overlooking the rich horticultural landscape. Locorotondo, has been voted as one of the Borghi più belli d'italia (most beautiful villages of Italy). The town is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Valle d'itria, a broad fertile valley. Locorotondo is renowned for wine production, with a DOC classification for the local white wine. The walking path

3 The town is a great place to explore on foot as it is compact centre spans on central piazza. The historic part of town - the centro storico - is circular with little lanes lined with historic buildings, including some impressive baroque archways. The Santa Maria la Greca church is inspired by the roman-gothic style with its beautiful rose window. Mid-afternoon your driver will pick you up from Locorotondo and drive you a short distance to Alberobello. The picturesque Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a unique town with streets lined with 'trulli'. In fact it is known in Italy as the Capital of trulli. Trulli are small stone houses with a distinctive conical roof, built years ago. You will be fascinated by the magical and fairytale atmosphere of this place. Locorotondo Later in the afternoon your driver will take you back to your accommodation. Day 3 To Matera You will be picked up from Martina Franca and driven to Matera. Alberobello Matera is in the neighbouring Basilicata region, is a step back in time. The town consists of houses carved out of the rock face along the side of a steep ravine. Your driver will drop you off at your hotel. Your hotel is located near the historic centre of town. During the afternoon, walk around the 'sassi' area, with the typical houses built into the rock. Matera A peasant population lived in these dwellings right up until the 1950s when the final residents were moved to modern houses. Visit cave churches hewn out of the rock, featuring medieval frescoes and an interesting history. You are able to enter some of the sassi', the typical houses built into the rock. Some of these cave houses have multiple levels and a labyrinth of tunnels in the rock face. The oldest cave dwellings go back to the Bronze Age. Matera was used for Cave church in Matera

4 .crafting wonderful tours of Italy the filming of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ - you'll see why it is so easy to imagine Matera as being completely removed from the modern age. Day 4 Walking Matera Spend the day walking on the paths along the river valley known as the gravina. We will provide transport to and from the best place to start the walks from, just out of Matera. The walks will be done with the assistance of a local guide, so that the best route will be taken, and the points of interest shown to you. These walks will give you an even better insight into the lifestyle of times past. There are over 150 chiese rupestre (cave churches) in the Matera area, and the majority of them are actually strung out along this valley. You will see where the monks lived, and there are precious Byzantine frecoes in many of these churches. Historically a large proportion of the proportion of the men from Matera spent most of their time living here in the valley, tending their animals, and returning periodically to their families in the town of Matera. The Gravina di Matera Walking near Matera Day 5 To Amalfi You will be picked up from Matera and driven to Amalfi. Following a drive along the stunning Amalfi Coast road, with hairpin bends and amazing views in equal measure, we reach the town of Amalfi, where you will stay for the duration of the tour. Byzantine frescoes Your hotel is wonderfully situated near the piazza in the centre of town, making it easy to come and go as you please to enjoy la dolce vita of Italian piazza life. The restaurants and cafes are waiting to be enjoyed, and the beach is perfect for sunbathing and cooling off. Amalfi

5 Day 6 Walking the Valley of the Mills Today s walk takes in the Valley of the Mills, a narrow valley that was historically a hive of industry, with paper mills and iron works. Today it is largely back to its natural state, but it is fascinating to see the remains of these historic buildings. The trail takes you along one side of the valley heading inland, which gives us a quite different landscape and flora from the coastal areas. The head of this valley is a nature reserve, with a series of waterfalls and lush forest wedged between dramatic limestone cliffs. Once you have arrived at the upper reaches of the valley you then follow the river back towards the coast. Pass by old stone aquaducts, once part of an iron mill. Walking to the Valley of the Mills Following the river down the valley you then come across a series of old paper mills. Paper making was an important industry here from the middle ages. You are back in Amalfi by mid-afternoon, so there is plenty of time to explore here. Or just find your nearest café, put your feet up and sample the local specialty limoncello! A picnic in the valley Day 7 Walking the Path of the Gods You are driven up to a high point above Amalfi, and from here you start today s walk which has the grand title 'The Path of the Gods' (Sentiero degli Dei ). This is one of the more popular trails on the Amalfi Coast, and walking along this path high above the sea you ll see why it has gained such renown. It commands fantastic views right out to the island of Capri. The trail takes you through a mixture of wooded areas as well as typical Mediterranean countryside, rocky with wild herbs, flowers and scattered olive trees. Goat herders are often seen on the grassy terraces tending their flocks, and peregrine falcons soar high above. The Path of the Gods Following the walk you will be picked up by your driver. You may choose to return directly to Amalfi, or alternatively visit Positano (with a ferry ride back to Amalfi later in the day).

6 Positano, famous for elegant fashion boutiques and seaside charm, has been a holiday destination since Roman times. Positano has an enviable combination of a good beach with a broad seaside promenade, with cafes and chic boutiques jostling for position in the pastel coloured buildings. This is a good time for a swim, or you can spend some of the afternoon exploring the narrow back streets lined with bougainvillea. Positano Day 8 Arrivederci Today is your last day, we organise private transfers for you to your departure point in Naples and bid you buon viaggio.