panoramic view of poliagno mare at sunrise (puglia, italy)

A Secret World: Things to do in Puglia

Puglia
young blonde woman wearing sunglasses and holding a glass of white wine

Faye Smith

Faye relishes in discovering the history and cuisine of each country she ventures to, usually with a book in one hand and a glass of white wine in the other.

6th December 2022

Uncover the secrets of Puglia

Italy has a striking presence in the world, full of awe-inspiring architecture, rich history and delectable culinary sensations. You’ve undoubtedly heard of the mighty Colosseum in Rome and magnificent Rennaissance history in Florence, but what about the hidden gems of Italy waiting to be discovered? With Blue-Roads Touring, we delve deeper, uncovering the lesser-known jewels which, undeniably, transfix you with their own beauty.  

Puglia, Italy’s Heel of the Boot, is one of those jewels.  

Wander through ancient cities with underground mysteries. Soak in the mesmerising magic of wondrous caves. And witness the beauty of stalactites formed over 2 million years ago. Our Secrets of Puglia tour traverses this land full of captivating history and enchanting sights on an astounding eight-day journey. 

 

Unearth Puglia’s luminous oil empire

underground olive mill museum, created by stone

Descend into the golden glow of the Underground Olive Mill Museum which lies in the heart of serene fishing port, Gallipoli. Here, stand within the dimly lit rooms surrounded by ancient stone and take in impressive machinery of centuries gone by. During your small group tour of Puglia, you’ll discover many extraordinary tales hidden within its walls. The pride of working there. The ancestral techniques behind ‘green gold’ extraction. And how this once-bustling oil empire became the central source of light for great cities across Europe.  

 

Discover the Sassi Caves in Matera

UNESCO world heritage site of Matera Sassi Caves stacked on top of one another under blue skies and a sunlight in the distance

Stumble into the breathtaking town of Matera to find the Sassi caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Tumbled together in a labyrinth of ancient stones, these cave dwellings feature underground churches, sacred frescoes and crumbling homes. Dwelling beneath the surface of the mesmerising caves is a haunting history of famine, disease and poverty. Here, with our expert Tour Leader, we’ll learn the extraordinary tales of life within these walls which have transpired since the Neolithic and Palaeolithic times.  

 

Let the Castellana Caves cast a spell on you

underground Castellana Caves with 2-million-year-old stalactites and an angel in rock formation in the centre

Far from the opulent architecture of Rome and calming canals of Venice lie a magical collection of mystical caves filled with spellbinding stalactites and stalagmites. These jaw-dropping formations began to emerge over 2 million years ago, leading to the largest network of caves in Italy. As you become transfixed with the sun-streaked rocks and enchanting ambience, you can wonder about the ghostly tales spun during the 18th century when the caves were first discovered. Locals whispered about ghouls and monsters who lingered within the largest chasm, La Grave... Who knows what else ambles beneath the beauty of this mesmerising place?  

 

Alongside the serene caves and underground glories of Puglia’s past and present is a blend of seaside charms, quaint villages and rich flavours. Explore it all with our unmissable Secrets of Puglia tour