From Polignano a Mare: UNESCO Tour of Alberobello and Matera
The tour begins in Polignano a Mare, in Via Anemone 39, with a warm welcome from our team. Leaving the coast, we head towards Alberobello, crossing typical Apulian rural landscapes, among centuries-old olive groves and rolling hills. During the journey, the tour guide will entertain us with stories and interesting facts about the local culture. Upon arrival, we are greeted by the spectacle of the trulli, traditional stone houses with conical roofs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We begin our visit in the Rione Monti, the most famous district, where we stroll among hundreds of trulli lined up in a picturesque manner. We will enter some of them, now artisan workshops and small museums, to discover the life of the past and admire local products. A must-see is the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-story trullo, which retains its original furnishings and offers a panoramic view of the village. The tour continues in the Rione Aia Piccola, a more authentic and less touristy neighborhood, where about 400 trulli are still inhabited. We then admire the Church of Sant'Antonio, built in the trullo style, and the Basilica dei Santi Medici, the spiritual heart of the village. The Museo del Territorio "Casa Pezzolla" shows us tools and environments from the peasant life of the past. A stop at the Parco delle Rimembranze offers a splendid view of the historic center. In the afternoon, we head towards Matera, in Basilicata, crossing the Murgia and its wild landscapes. Once in the city, we immerse ourselves in the millenary charm of the Sassi, the famous districts carved into the rock, inhabited since prehistoric times. We stroll through the winding streets of Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, among caves, rock dwellings, and churches carved into the tuff. We visit a furnished cave house to discover the lifestyle of the past and admire the Romanesque cathedral, which dominates the city from above. Matera, which became European Capital of Culture in 2019, tells a story of redemption and beauty, between stone and sky. If time permits, we will take a short break to savor the flavors of Basilicata: Matera bread, local cheeses, and cruschi peppers. A complete tour of Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, and Matera, combining sea, traditional architecture, and thousands of years of history in a single intense and unforgettable experience.