Discover Puglia: Italy's Ancient Heel

Most Inspirational Moment

Staring off in a world heritage site that is Matera was amazing! It is like walking around a movie set, every street and corner was breathtakingly beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ioana was a ray of sunshine! She was so knowledge and passionate about where we were visiting, it made such a difference having someone like Ioana there to guide us the whole way. She also gave us some amazing food recommendations which (as a foodie) was very welcomed!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was very hot in June when i visited so i would recommend visiting in cooler months.

Most Inspirational Moment

A difficult choice as we had many. You do need to explore by yourself once the guide has left and be prepared for a lot of walking on uneven steep surfaces. The Museo Archeologico Faggiano in Lecce was fascinating and maybe should be added onto the itinerary.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Unfortunately, our original group leader was not available due to being ill. We were met in Matera and walked up to our hotel by a very helpful lady (I cannot remember her name) who recommended some restaurants for the evening. Our group leader would join us the next day and would be available from 1.30pm. Unfortunately, he did not arrange a briefing session and spoke to the group members individually, who received slightly different information. This continued throughout the trip and while being very pleasant, approachable and put in a lot of effort , resorted to Wikipedia for information and generally did not have the in-depth knowledge of the area that we have been accustomed to from Exodus guides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to avoid the Italian holidays Lecce in particular was very busy. Ensure that you have sturdy comfortable footwear, there is a lot of walking required to get the best out of the trip

Reply from Exodus

Thank you for your thoughtful review and for highlighting the many positives of your trip through Puglia. We’re so pleased to hear that you found Matera, Alberobello, Ostuni, and Lecce to be fascinating and atmospheric—each with its own unique charm. It’s great to know that the centrally located accommodations in the first three towns, especially the cave house and trullo, added to the experience and made your stay memorable.

We’re sorry to hear that the accommodation in Lecce didn’t meet expectations. Your feedback about the hotel’s location, facilities, and overall atmosphere is very important to us. We understand how a final stop can shape the overall impression of a trip, and we regret that this part didn’t reflect the high standards set earlier in the itinerary.

We’re currently reviewing our accommodation choices in Lecce and will take your comments into account as we work with our local operator to improve the experience for future travellers.

We hope to welcome you on another Exodus adventure soon.

The Exodus Team

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many it's difficult to choose! But an unexpected highlight was a visit to the Museo Archeologico Faggiano in Lecce. Not on the itinerary, but a fascinating introduction to the history of Lecce - a chance discovery of Roman ruins under a house when undertaking sewerage works.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Unfortunately our original group leader became suddenly unavailable just as the trip was about to start. This was managed reasonably well by the tour company on the ground. However, we were not given an adequate explanation of what happened, though it was inferred that the tour leader had suddenly decided against doing the tour. The stand-in leader arrived on the afternoon of the second day. Unfortunately he had not taken an Exodus tour before and his knowledge of the itinerary was limited and he sometimes had to resort to reading from Wikipedia to relay information about places and events. His English was poor and this lead to a number of misunderstandings between him and the group, for example regarding costs and timings. The combination of these factors meant that we had a less than optimal experience and certainly were not as well-informed about the history and locality as we have been on other Exodus trips. On the plus side he worked very hard on our behalf and was approachable and accommodating.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Avoid Italian Bank Holidays! And take note of what so many reviewers have said about the need for sturdy footwear, particularly in Matera where the steps can be slippery as well as steep and numerous. The recent change in status from 'Easy' to 'Easy to Moderate' accurately now reflects the level of fitness required to comfortably manage and get the most out of the trip.

Reply from Exodus

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback and for awarding the tour a 4-star rating. We’re delighted to hear that you found the overall structure of the trip so enjoyable and that Matera, Alberobello, and Ostuni left such a strong impression. These towns truly are gems, and we’re glad the central, characterful accommodations added to your experience.

We’re sorry to hear that the Eos Hotel in Lecce didn’t meet expectations. Your comments about its location, atmosphere, and breakfast offerings are noted and appreciated. We understand how important the final stop of a trip can be, and it’s disappointing to hear that this part didn’t reflect the high standards set earlier in the tour. We’ll be reviewing this feedback with our local partners to explore alternative options that better align with the rest of the itinerary.

It’s also helpful to hear your thoughts on the local guide in Lecce. We aim to provide consistently excellent guiding throughout our trips, and we’ll take this on board as we continue to improve.

Thank you again for your thoughtful review. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!

The Exodus Team

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the winding steps and visiting the cave houses in Matera, looking out over the edge of the hillside to see lush green and a beautiful river, flowing with the back drop of a rugged Matera behind it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ioana was amazing. Caring, showed compassion for group members when they were finding anything confusing or stressful. She was obviously very passionate about the places visited and shared that with us. She made recommendations for meals really easy, and helped other clients book tables if needed. Above and beyond!

Advice for Potential Travellers

A good pair of boots/shoes to climb the steep and sometimes slippery Matera Staircases! Bring a light fleece, its sometimes very windy even in the sun!

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera, Monopoli, Otranto

Thoughts on Group Leader

5 stars+!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Highly recommend

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning the history in Matera on the guided tour! Our guide was so knowledgeable and had a personal connection to the city.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gabrielle was amazing! He was very personable, patient, and I enjoyed getting to know him throughout the week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There was only a place to exchange dollars to euros in Lecce. I recommend exchanging money at the airport when you land or having a card to use ATM.

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying in a Trulli House was something so unique and special

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ioana - such an asset to Exodus. Really knowledgeable and personable!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a swim costume for the coastal destinations - the sea is beautiful!

Most Inspirational Moment

Alberobello and staying in the trullo house and walking around Alberobello. But saying that I enjoyed everywhere we went on the trip and all the places we saw - Matera was also fascinating to wander around.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Generally good. Knowledgeable and helpful. Did some good guided tours around places we visited and suggested good places to go in free time. He dealt with a difficult (and quite frankly unpleasant and rude) client in a polite and professional manner - she was not the usual client you would expect on an Exodus trip and seemed to have completely unrealistic expectations of for example accommodation (asking if there would be a swimming pool in historic building in historic city centre!! (embarrassing)). The rest of the group felt sorry for her travelling companion (who was nice). He dealt well with the change of plan when we could not go to the masseria for the pasta making demonstration and lunch, finding a great local alternative restaurant and arranging the drink and buffet dinner at the Lecce hotel which was appreciated. Changed the itinerary for Lecce so guided city tour was in morning instead of afternoon (as it said in trip notes). This is the way it should be as you want to do a city tour before free time to get some ideas of places to go back to so the trip itinerary should be changed to reflect this. Areas for improvement - (1) it would have been helpful to have an overall summary of the trip and events on each day on the first briefing, (2) I would have liked more than 1 hours notice (on the bus) of the option for the free day - opportunity to go to both Monopoli and the caves by minibus and the cost of this. I think we should have also be advised of public transport availability (it seems that public transport is limited so it is likely I would have thought that the minibus was the best option but I felt pressured into the minibus option at this short notice), - I think this is something that should have been mentioned on the overall summary on the first night (3) I was surprised that only 3 group evening meals were offered. When I have done Exodus trips in the past group evening meals were offered on every night except the free day (4) I was surprised he didn't know or inform us that there would be a procession and fireworks on our last night in Matera (as an extension of the 2 July saints day)

Most Inspirational Moment

The guide, Brunella at Maters. Also Anna at the olive Grove.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mainly good but he didn't really bond with the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good shoes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Olive oil tasting on a historical family-owned masseria with 2000-year-old olive trees, followed by an amazing lunch at another beautiful masseria. Matera is so unique and beautiful and the hospitality and comfort at the trulli in Alberobello were top notch too! Otranto for a beach day and the architecture in Lecce is incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

In Matera and Lecce we had local guides who made the cities come alive. Our trip leader throughout was able to give us a great introduction to Italian culture and made us feel right at home.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was my first trip to Italy and it was perfect! We went mid-April, my sister and I flew into Milan for a few nights and then down to Bari to meet the group at the airport for Discover the Heel Italy. In spring, before it becomes a summer vacation destination for Italians, Puglia feels off the beaten path and you get the historical sites and beach towns all to yourself! Wear comfortable walking shoes and take waterproofs if rain is in the forecast so you can stay out all day. There is a lot of free time on the trip, so take advantage of the opportunity to wander around and discover on your own. There’s something for every diet, but the bread and cheese is incredible, and the vegetables are super fresh.