PUGLIA AND MATERA PHOTO TOUR ITALY – SEPTEMBER 2027

PUGLIA AND MATERA SOUTHERN ITALY PHOTO ADVENTURE

Destination  Summary

Photograph and experience the azure blue of the Adriatic and the contrasting rich red earth and olive groves of the Itria valley. This Puglia and Matera photo tour  highlights two UNESCO world heritage sites, the Trulli houses and architecture of Alberobello  and one of Europe’s most unique and ancient inhabited sites, 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 the region of 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 around Polignano di Mare and Monopoli before heading inland to explore the hill top towns and landscapes of the Itria Valley and breathtaking Matera and the Sassi.  From Matera you travel back to the colourful port town of 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, vineyards  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 of Locorotondo and experience the allure of Ostuni, known as the “White City,” with its whitewashed hilltop architecture both ideal locations  for exploration and photography to capture a sense of place.

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 museum at the start of our  visit  to get the full emotive  back story  to better understand its past.

Finally we head back to the Adriatic coast to the coastal town of Trani. Labeled the Jewel of the Adriatic. The town’s colourful harbour is packed with fishing boats, fishermen mending and sorting nets , selling their catch of the back of the boats and locals trying their luck for Octopus and squid in the dawn light. On our final evening we’ll sample some of their catch at one of the towns good seafood restaurants.

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 meet up near Bari airport at 11:30  late September 2027

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

Tour start TBA – Meet in the coastal suburb of Palese or Santo Spirito a short taxi ride from Bari airport. Details to follow.

Or if you choose to stay in Bari city you can take the Metro from Bari Central to Europa  station (15 mins)   and I can pick you up there.

*Please note we aim to be on our way by 11:30

End point will be at the Europa Metro station  at 12:00 – 1300hrs

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

Accommodation 

After meeting up 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 with breakfast.

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.