PUGLIA AND MATERA PHOTO TOUR ITALY – OCTOBER 2024 Sold Out

PUGLIA AND MATERA SOUTHERN ITALY PHOTO ADVENTURE

Destination  Summary

Photograph and experience the azure blue of the Adriatic, the rich red earth and olive groves of the Itria valley. You’ll also explore and photograph two UNESCO world heritage sites, the Trulli architecture of Alberobello  and one of Europe’s most unique and ancient landscapes, the Sassi di Matera.

This immersive  seven-day Puglia and Matera photo tour focuses on the captivating region at the heel of southern Italy. It offers a rich historical background with both stunning Adriatic coastline and vibrant rural landscapes that are dotted with charming villages.

 Both Puglia and Matera in Basilicata  offer a visual feast combining culture, food,  architecture and natural landscapes for the adventurous travel photographer.  This part of Italy retains plenty  of its authentic charm and allure and its only in the last couple of decades that it’s being taken seriously as one of Italy’s most important regions.

The tour will be bookended by two costal sessions firstly in Monopoli and Polignano di Mare  before heading inland to explore the Itria Valley and Matera.  Then back to the coast and the  Jewel of the Adriatic, Trani where we’ll spend our final night.

After our coastal sessions we’ll take to the higher ground and back roads of the Murgia plateau that connect the hill top towns to capture some rural scenes including olive groves  rural scenes and Trulli architecture.

One of the unique locations of this trip is the UNESCO World Heritage listed village of Alberobello, famous for its Trulli houses. These unique white drystone huts with conical roofs create a fascinating  atmosphere. Nestled in the picturesque Itria Valley, we’ll also explore other captivating towns like Locorotondo and experience the allure of Ostuni, known as the “White City,” with its whitewashed hilltop architecture—an ideal subject for exploration and photography.

Adjacent to Puglia, the region of Basilicata is home to the awe-inspiring vistas of the ancient town of Matera and its Sassi cave dwellings, providing a captivating visual centre piece to this tour. One of the oldest continually habited places on the planet it’s full of history and interest. We’ll pay a visit to Casa Noha at the start of hour visit  to get the full emotive  back story  to get a better sense of the place before we explore.

In addition to the remarkable sights, we’ll immerse ourselves in the local culture and savor the diverse food scene. You’ll have the opportunity to sample Burrata cheeses, seafood stews, Bombetta, Friselle (toasted bread), and specialty local pastas. Moreover, we’ll indulge in the exquisite wines of the Pugliese wine country Negroamaro and Primitive being two of the best.

Taking place in early October, the Puglia and Matera photo tour offers a pleasant climate, free from the intense summer heat. The landscape will also display the start of  autumn colours, creating a picturesque backdrop for your photography. Daytime temperatures are expected to hover around the low twenties.

Getting there

We depart at 13:00 on the 29th September.

You made need to arrange pre trip accommodations around Bari depending on your flight arrival times.

Meet up at the B&B LA VILLA AMBIENTI SANIFICATI CON GENERATORE DI ONZO Via Francesco SPeranza, 18, Bari Palese, Bari, 70127, where I will be based.

It is less than 5km from Bari airport in the small beachside suburb of Palese.

I will be staying there and you may also choose to stay here ( if there is availability ) or a hotel close by in Palese, there are several options. Contact me if you are in any doubt about location suitabilty.

Or if you choose to stay in Bari you can take the train from Bari Cenral to Bari Palese station (15 mins)   and I can pick you up there Meet up at the listed venue / Palese / Palese station between 12:00-1300hrs*

*We aim to be away by 13:00hrs

End point will be the same venue / station / or Bari airport on the 5th October at 12:00 – 1300hrs

If you have any specific requirements or further questions, please let us know.

Accommodation 

After meeting and some sessions the on the coast we head up towards Locorocondo for a 3 nights stay at an outstanding  Agriturismo.

3 nights near Locorocondo. You’ll be staying in well appointed 16th century Trulli houses at the Masseria Aprile ( former fortified working agricultural estates). Comfortable, stylish single occupancy accommodations hosted by an Italian family.

2 nights Matera*  – Staying in the heart of the Sassi with less than a minutes walk to one of the best views over the old town. Single occupancy room with breakfast

1 night Trani*  – one night in the Jewel of the Adriatic in a  single occupancy room. We’ll have breakfast by the harbour on our final day.

Meals 

We’ll be eating at simple but good restaurants and cafes with the best the region has to offer.

Fitness levels

Like most medieval towns and villages in Europe, steps and hills will be encountered. There are plenty places to rest up but a lot of the towns are explored on foot.

For any other information please get in touch directly.