Heading to Italy’s Heel for a Quiet Summer Break

Want to experience the best of Italy? A trip to Puglia offers epic coasts, gorgeous cities and everything else you could possibly wish for
Want to experience the best of Italy? A trip to Puglia offers epic coasts, gorgeous cities and everything else you could possibly wish for | © Baglioni Masseria Muzza

Editorial Manager

Italy has bounced back from pandemic restrictions in a big way. The country has seen international visitors return in big numbers and domestic tourism continues to grow too. With many people choosing the summer months to head to the major cities and glorious coastlines, it can be hard to pick a spot if you want to explore in peace and quiet. We take a look at some of the highlights from Puglia, a region which has increased in popularity in recent years but that has ample room to accommodate all.

Fancy a trip to Italy? We’ve got a series of Epic Trips and Mini Adventures to showcase the best of the country. See the highlights of Northern Italy in one go to experience the most popular destinations in the country with Culture Trip on a small-group trip, or follow our local insider to the South and take in the gorgeous Amalfi Coast with an expert in the know.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Everyone knows the outline of Italy. It’s arguably the most distinctive country to pick out from a map thanks to its uncanny resemblance to a boot. If you head towards the ‘heel’, you’ll find Puglia, a culturally rich region which has the historic cities, amazing coastlines and famous hotels you’ll find in places like Rome, Milan, Naples or Florence, but with a noticeable lack of crowds.

Things to do in Puglia

Bari is the main town most people head to in Puglia (a region also known as Apulia). There is a large train station which is a great way to arrive if travelling across the country from Rome, and an international airport only 30 minutes from the centre. This is an excellent place to use as a base for exploring, and it’s easy to continue via train or car. The roads here are a lot easier to navigate than in other parts of Italy, with virtually no tolls on the highways and plenty of parking in the cities.

Serving some of the best (and freshest) food in Puglia, Bari is the perfect place to start a trip to the ‘heel’ of Italy

Make sure you try some of the food as a lot of it is prepared fresh in small eateries right in front of you. Pasta, wine, eggplants and olive oil feature heavily, and if you have a hankering for seafood then you’re in luck as the fishing boats that come in daily will serve the best options, although prepare to try it raw as that’s the way it’s eaten around here.

Lecce is another popular hub, with a cultural feel that makes it a wonderful spot to walk around. Caffe Leccese is an instant pick-me-up for anyone looking to refuel on the go and is a region-wide drink that originated here. A shot of espresso, a few cubes of ice and almond syrup (or milk) are all it takes to create a refreshing concoction that you’ll quickly find to be irresistible.

Further south you’ll notice whitewashed pointy roofed houses known as Trulli. You’ll find a few examples of these local dwellings in the south of Puglia but the best known area is Alberobello, a very popular tourist attraction where you might want to time your visit to avoid the crowds.

You can’t leave Puglia without taking a trip to Matera in neighbouring region Basilicata. The ancient stone city has become well known in recent years for its unique properties that are largely carved straight into the rocks. No Time to Die (2021) – the latest 007 adventure – featured Matera in its most famous scenes and has boosted tourism but you can still get a very affordable place to stay if you look around. It’s a beautiful place to visit at night, when the lights give it a pleasing glow and is popular with day trippers in the daytime, however the best time to explore is in the morning just as the sun comes up and before it gets too hot.

As seen in ‘No Time to Die’, Matera is an essential stop on any trip to the region

Where to stay in Puglia

Away from the cities – and if you really want to quietly retreat somewhere for your holiday – then head to Baglioni Masseria Muzza. This newly refurbished property is perfect as part of a road trip as you can park up and spend a few days leisurely exploring the southern coast or just relax by the pool getting some much-deserved luxury.

The restaurants will serve you the ultimate in local cuisine, which surprisingly comes mainly from the land. You will, of course, still find incredible fish on the menu, but expect wholesome vegetables and red meat too. You can also check out the fantastic spa, where treatments are focussed on the more lengthy approach for complete effect, with a sauna and indoor pool if you really want to avoid the intensity of the sun in the day.

A cool place to stay in Puglia is the Baglioni Masseria Muzza

Another great way of finding out more about the region is booking one of the experiences offered by the hotel. Talk to the helpful staff if you’re not sure, but we can certainly recommend the gourmet tour of Otranto. This will take you to Italy’s easternmost town which boasts a rich mix of history, architecture, fine views and white sandy beaches. Learn more about the magnificent Aragonese castle and Santa Maria Annunziata cathedral with the marvellous mosaic inside.

This takes you to the end of the heel but you’ll also feel like you’ve found the soul of Italy on the way here.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

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It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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