Visit Ginosa: the complete guide
Visiting Ginosa means discovering a hidden pearl of Puglia, located at the foot of the Murgia...
19.04.2024
Private tour 
Walking
Trulli and White Towns of Puglia
PugliaDifficulty path:Easy
Private tour · WalkingDuration: 5 daysCode: wg015
departure on request
Highlights
We will discover, at a slow pace, the greenest heart of Puglia with this trekking in Valle d’Itria.
The base of our trip will be the energetic and lively Martina Franca. We will walk along the paths and country lanes of the latter southern part of the Murge plateau, surrounded by millenary olive trees, dry stone walls and fairy tale trulli.
Part of this naturalistic and cultural journey will be dedicated to visiting the wonderful towns of Locorotondo, Alberobello and Cisternino.
To keep us company there will be an expert local guide, who will show us the itinerary and offer authentic experiences to fill the days with light-heartedness and enrich the soul.
The base of our trip will be the energetic and lively Martina Franca. We will walk along the paths and country lanes of the latter southern part of the Murge plateau, surrounded by millenary olive trees, dry stone walls and fairy tale trulli.
Part of this naturalistic and cultural journey will be dedicated to visiting the wonderful towns of Locorotondo, Alberobello and Cisternino.
To keep us company there will be an expert local guide, who will show us the itinerary and offer authentic experiences to fill the days with light-heartedness and enrich the soul.
Book your PRIVATE TOUR:
choose your date and travel with your own group, always accompanied by one expert local tour leader.
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The Baroque and the delicacies of Martina Franca
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The Botanical Conservatory of Pomona Gardens
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The green way of the Apulian aqueduct
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The fine white wines of Locorotondo
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The spontaneous architecture of Cisternino
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Here a story of father and son about this experience
Program
Day1
Welcome to Martina Franca
Welcome to Puglia for this beautiful trek in the Itria Valley!
Martina Franca welcomes us, a pretty and dynamic town. The historic center overflows with its own Baroque style, distinguished by the use of white lime, typical of the villages in this area. This hill town is also well connected and will be an excellent starting point for hiking in the coming days.
Today the first dinner will get you started on exploring the rich offer of Apulian food and wine.
Overnight in Martina Franca.
Day2
Hike to Alberobello
18km, +230m -240m
After a hearty breakfast, the group will meet the guide, to start walking together on the first trekking itinerary in the Itria Valley.
We will descend Monte San Martino, walking among the colours of the cultivated fields and admiring the landscapes of this lush plateau.
Shortly before arriving in Alberobello we will explore the Bosco Selva Nature Reserve, a natural oasis that still retains a part of dense woodland formed mainly by different types of oak.
There are signs of human presence in this area since time immemorial, which can be seen in the old dry stone walls, the craters of the charcoal pits and the jazzi, stone fences used by shepherds to guard their flocks.
Once in the capital of the trulli, we will have time to discover its history, perhaps by visiting the Territory Museum, or simply wandering around the Rione Monti to discover the small shops where women still produce fine textiles on old wooden looms.
Return to Martina Franca by train and overnight.
Day3
Hike to Locorotondo
14km, +170m -170m
Today we will reach the "round town", a small urban jewel of the Itria Valley with a circular shape.
The second trek starts from Martina Franca to reach the pointed roofs of the cummerse of Locorotondo: these typical houses adorn the edges of the urban enclosure almost forming an imperial crown.
Locorotondo is mainly famous for its doc wines. In addition to the classic Verdeca and Bianco di Alessano, we recommend Minutolo: an ancient vine that gives life to an excellent and aromatic wine. A stroll through the vineyards and ancient trees leads to the small, well-preserved historic centre.
The particular morphology of the territory has ensured that this small village has been preserved intact and still authentic.
So it's no surprise that Locorotondo is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and has been declared an Orange Flag 'for its interesting historic centre... as well as being easy to visit on foot', just the way we like it.
Return to Martina Franca and overnight.
Day4
Cisternino - Apulian aqueduct trek
15km, +230m -180m
Last excursion of the Itria Valley trek.
After breakfast we will take the local train to reach Cisternino in a few minutes. Walking through the narrow alleys of the white village we will try to understand why Cisternino is defined as the Casbah of the Itria Valley. Whitewashed houses and arches are followed by small courtyards, blind alleys and flowered balconies: all coordinated by a spontaneous play dictated by the sharing of common and private spaces. A superb example of what is called 'spontaneous architecture'.
After leaving Cisternino we walk on the Apulian Aqueduct, one of the greatest hydraulic engineering works of the 20th century. Thanks to this enormous work, Puglia, called Apluvia by the Romans because of the difficulties it had in water supply, was able to solve one of its biggest problems.
And the last gem of the trek in Valle d'Itria will be the Botanical Conservatory of Pomona Gardens, a paradise of biodiversity with more than six hundred fig plants from all over the world.
Return to Martina Franca by train, final dinner and overnight stay.
Day5
Martina Franca
After breakfast, end of services.
For a proper conclusion to your trek in the Itria Valley, remember to taste and take home some excellent Apulian olive oil from the Oil Mill Acropoli di Puglia, where Vincenzo will tell you all about the green gold of Puglia.
Tour programme variations
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.
What's included
Our offer includes
- 5 nights with breakfast in shared room
- English Speaking locale guide during excursions and included dinner
- 2 Dinners (drinks not included)
- Alberobello guided visit, day 2
- Wine tasting in a local winery, day 3
- Entrance to I Giardini di Pomona, day 4
Not included
- Transfer IN and Transfer OUT
- Other meals and drinks
- Entrance fees and tips
- Public transport
- Hotel tourist taxes
- Insurance and what's not listed as Included
Departures and prices
Departures every day on request01/01/2025 => 31/12/2025
Supplements per person
Transfer Bari/Brindisi Apt-Martina Franca (min 2 pax)
Superior80 € /p
Other Information
Grade
Easy trekking, suitable for anyone with a minimum of training. The length of a walking day ranges from a minimum of 14km to a maximum of 18km, with almost undemanding unevenness and travel times between 3,5 and 5 hours.
The tour winds mainly through dirt paths and country lanes; rarely, and only when strictly necessary, on busy roads.
We recommend to wear comfortable walking shoes, better if trekking boots, and to bring with you a hat, drinking water, sun cream and a waterproof jacket in case of rain.
Accomodations & Meals
- 4 nights at 4* hotel a few steps from the historic centre of Martina Franca with swimming pool
All rooms are ensuite.
4 breakfasts, 2 dinners and 1 tasting included. All other meals are not included.
Private tour
Holiday designed for small private groups of friends, families and colleagues. The presence of an expert local guide is guaranteed during the scheduled excursions.
→ Departures every day on request.
Choose your departure date, who you are going with and ask us for a personalised quote!
Price per person
The price varies according to the services requested and the number of people.
Support
You will be accompanied during the excursions and dinners by one of our expert tour leader, coordinator of the group and passionate about travel, nature and the territory visited. He/she will become your travel companion, always attentive to the needs of the group, facilitating and promoting an authentic, relaxing and fun holiday.
Travel documents
A few days before departure you will receive by email the documentation containing the latest information relating to your holiday.
Arrival and Departure
Getting there
Martina Franca is easily reachable by public transport, car and by air.
BY TRAIN. Trenitalia connects Martina Franca to the central stations of Bari, Taranto and Lecce, usually with a few train/bus changes. NB: on Sundays and public holidays there are no trains but only a few buses..
BY AIR. The closest airports are Bari and Brindisi, both connected with the most important Italian and foreign cities. Once arrived at the central stations of both cities, continue with Trenitalia services.
BY CAR. The main highways are the A14 Bologna-Taranto and the A16 Napoli-Canosa. We recommend you to exit the motorway in Bari Nord and continue along the SS16 to Monopoli and continue on the SP113 towards Alberobello and then Martina Franca. google.maps.com can help you with the directions.
→ If you prefer to travel in total comfort, you can book a private transfer on the days of arrival and departure.