Grottaglie Tours

A gnome village and a north African-style medina – exotic doesn't even begin to describe the stars of this tour. You'll discover the UNESCO-listed fairytale conical-roofed ‘trulli' homes of Alberobello before heading to the whitewashed hilltop town of Ostuni. Two truly enchanting places.

Discover why the city of Lecce is one of Puglia's must-sees. This half-day tour lets you take in all the historical highlights on a guided walk, while stopping for plenty of photos and even a taste of some local delicacies while you're there.With buildings adorned with gargoyles, cherubs and gremlins, Lecce's version of baroque will distract you with its sheer ornateness as you wander around. You'll head into the city known as the ‘baroque pearl of Salento' for free time to explore.See all the main showstoppers, including the cathedral, the Piazza del Duomo and Roman amphitheatre. You'll round off the tour with a tasting of a typical leccese cake and leccese coffee before returning to your resort.

Discover why the city of Lecce is one of Puglia's must-sees. This half-day tour lets you take in all the historical highlights on a guided walk, while stopping for plenty of photos and even a taste of some local delicacies while you're there.

Get a real snapshot of local life in Gallipoli with this morning visit to the city. With your knowledgeable guide, you'll explore the ancient old town – wall-to-wall with baroque-style architecture – and lose yourself in Gallipoli's café-lined cobbled streets.Arrive in the city early morning, and you'll start your guided tour. Stopping by baroque chapels and maze-like lanes beneath the 14th-century walls, you'll soon see why the ancient Greeks called this the ‘beautiful city'.Head to one of the corner cafés in the cobbled backstreets, shop the boutiques, or take a walk along the promenade – the views are outstanding. But the real star of the show is watching the locals chatter back and forth as they go about their business – it's Gallipolini life to a tee. You'll return to the resort early afternoon.

This full day tour allows two of Puglia's gems to shine brightly. You'll travel to the UNESCO-listed town of Alberobello, known as the capital of ‘trulli' houses, then round it all off with a visit to the white city of Ostuni.

Elevated above the turquoise hues of the Adriatic Sea, the town of Otranto is filled with all manner of eye-catching spots. On this evening tour, you'll visit the medieval centre and enjoy some free time to browse the stalls that set up once night has fallen.

Founded by the Spartans, and one of the largest cities in the world by 500 BC, Taranto is still an important port city and naval base to this day. This half-day tour will give you an introduction the city with a guided walk around the old town and new town followed by free time for shopping.

Matera has a lot going for it – it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, European Capital of Culture 2019 and a cave city dating back over 5,000 years. Tour its historic lanes and ancient cave dwellings, try local Basilicata food and wine, then choose to visit the cave house museum or a rupestrian church. Anna, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The cave houses of Matera were once considered a shameful place to live, best known for poverty, disease and crime. Nowadays, many caves have been transformed into chic homes, restaurants, and hotels.'Considered one of the most outstanding and intact troglodyte settlements, Matera's big draw are the ancient cave dwellings known as ‘sassi', which translates to ‘stones'. First up, we'll check out the baroque quarter, where churches and palaces are built on top of the caves. Next, we'll venture into the Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso areas to see ancient sassi carved into the flanks of Gravina canyon. The dramatic setting overlooking the wild, rocky landscape is all part of the charm.You'll pause for thought in the old quarters, where inhabitants lived in squalor up until the 1950s, which was when the whole population of around 20,000 was rehoused. Wandering around today's visually arresting town, it seems hard to believe how tough life once was here. You'll also get to try typical food and wine at Lucany Restaurant, before choosing between an optional visit to the cave house museum or a rupestrian church, cut into the rock.

Lauded as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, Otranto delivers on great views and a fascinating past. Spend a few hours here soaking up the scenery, shopping in the market, or losing yourself in the maze-like medieval centre. A must-see is the Romanesque cathedral, famous for its ornate mosaic floor.