What better way to explore the heel of Italy’s boot than on foot?
As I walked among gnarled olive trees, strolled on thyme-scented trails blazed by shepherds and scrambled on wave-washed rocks where barefoot women once harvested sea salt, it became clear: Every step tells a story.
A hiking journey is a journey unto itself, a type of travel that allows clients to slow down and savor the sights, sounds, fragrances, flavors and conversations that crop up along the way. My 10-day journey through Puglia and Matera with Wilderness Travel was a moving meditation on this complex and historic region.
Hikers among olive trees in Ostuni
Credit: 2025 Getty ImagesGroup Trekking
Our group gathered in the city of Bari; we were a total of 13 hikers, including several repeat customers of Wilderness Travel. A minibus with two Italian trip leaders and a driver whisked us southward through the olive- and vineyard-filled Itria Valley and down to the Salento peninsula.
Across 47 years in the adventure tour business, Wilderness Travel has nurtured strong relationships with its host destinations, and a local guide joined us each day for a valuable insider’s view. We didn’t only see the sights; we immersed ourselves in experiences.
Based on a moderate level-three rating, daily hikes on this trip ranged from two to four hours. Our odyssey led us through labyrinthine, whitewashed villages (such as Ostuni and Locorotondo), around Otranto’s walled old town (with its looming castle and powerful cathedral) and into the Baroque beauty of Lecce.
Ambling along the Apulian Aqueduct path, we were in awe when we first glimpsed stone trulli, the distinctive round structures that dot the countryside and line the streets of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was an extra treat to spend two nights in a trullo at the dreamy hotel Borgo Canonica. On another day, we hiked through groves of ancient olive trees on our way to an olive oil tasting and lunch at Masseria il Frantoio, an elegant country farm and lodge. Puglia produces about 40% of Italy’s olive oil, and the craft is celebrated here with pride.
Many dishes the writer enjoyed on her journey incorporated local seafood.
Credit: 2025 Getty ImagesThe sparkling sea was our constant companion. Kicking off our boots, we tiptoed through the sand for a seafood lunch at a beach cafe, trekked through wildflowers on red soil trails beside turquoise waters and scrambled into the cool shade of hidden caves. When we arrived at the Punta Palascia lighthouse, which marks Italy’s eastern-most point, my phone pinged an upbeat “Welcome to Albania!” — a note from the country just across the sea.
A quick jolt of Leccese coffee — iced espresso mixed with almond milk and syrup — put a spring in our step, and our local guide foraged edible plants for us to taste along the way. At the southern tip of the peninsula, where the waters of the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, we spent two days among the fanciful villas of Santa Maria di Leuca before continuing up the Ionian coast. There, we trekked through Aleppo pine forests, past 16th-century watchtowers and along rocky coves.
Trekkers rested and refueled during multicourse meals at local establishments.
Credit: 2025 Dan HellerCuisine Along the Route
Our fuel came in the form of multi-course feasts, during which culinary creations were made with goods from the surrounding land and water. Fresh fish and seafood, almonds, olives, tomatoes, fava beans, chicory, barley, turnip greens, fennel and capers were accompanied by orecchiette pasta, crunchy taralli Pugliesi (a regional breadstick-like snack) and the region’s bold, red primitivo wine. We also made a pilgrimage to Manduria for a behind-the-scenes winery tour and tasting.
Matera was one of many stops on the 10-day walking tour with Wilderness Travel.
Credit: 2025 Laura BeausireThe grand finale of our trip was Matera, where we walked among the city’s incredibly intricate warren of ancient caves made into dwellings, restaurants, shops and even churches. We returned each evening to panoramic views from our home base at the splendid Palazzo Viceconte hotel.
This region is too rich for a hurried glimpse. For clients seeking an immersive travel experience in Puglia and Matera, this adventure offers an opportunity to take it slow — and step into your very own story.
