Matera, Alberobello, Bari

About the destination: Matera is the capital of the Matera province in the Basilicata region of Italy. It's home to the sassi, well-preserved rock-cut settlements that are a World Heritage site and one of Southern Italy's many significant attractions. The town centre, the oldest part of town, was built on the edge of a bare plateau where a high rocky mount towers over the spot where a valley descends to the long deep river-ravine. This is where you'll now find the town cathedral and the fairly typical Italian town centre. The town's main historical museum, the Museo Nazionale Ridola, contains exhibits from distant eras of Basilicata's past, from prehistory to the Roman age (closed Monday mornings; a small entrance fee). Nearby, Palazzo Lanfranchi houses the Museo Nazionale d'Arte Medievale e Moderna della Regione Basilicata - an art museum incorporating the Pinacoteca D'Errico, which has lots of religious paintings by southern painters and, more interestingly, the Centro Carlo Levi, which contains a range of paintings by the twentieth-century artist and writer who is a part of this region's modern history.

About the destination: Alberobello, a small town in Italy’s Puglia region, is famous for its fairytale trulli: whitewashed, conical-roofed stone houses that look like they belong in a storybook. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town’s historic districts—Rione Monti and Aia Piccola—are packed with these unique dwellings, some dating back several centuries. Wandering the narrow lanes, you’ll find trulli converted into shops, tiny museums, cafés, and cozy guesthouses, all preserving their original charm. Begin your visit in Rione Monti, the more touristic quarter, where over a thousand trulli climb the hillside. Climb up to the Belvedere terrace for a panoramic view of the clustered cones, especially beautiful in the soft evening light. Nearby, the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-story trullo open to the public, offers a glimpse into traditional local life, with period furniture and household tools showing how families once lived in these compact spaces. For a quieter, more authentic atmosphere, head to Aia Piccola, where residents still live in many of the trulli. Here you can soak up daily life, chat with locals, and take photographs without the crowds. Don’t miss the trullo church of Sant’Antonio, with its distinctive cone-topped façade, and consider joining a guided tour to learn about the construction techniques and symbolism behind the painted roof symbols. Alberobello also makes an excellent base for exploring the wider Valle d’Itria. Combine your stay with visits to nearby white towns such as Locorotondo, Martina Franca, and Ostuni, or take a day trip to the Adriatic coast for a swim. In the evenings, sample Puglian specialties in local trattorias—orecchiette pasta, fresh seafood, and rich olive oil—paired with regional wines like Primitivo or Negroamaro, rounding off your stay in this uniquely enchanting town..

About the destination: Despite the fact that Bari is quite a large modern city, it has managed to maintain the unique atmosphere of small towns. In this city, ancient buildings and strict gothic castles sit side by side with new trading centres and restaurants, making Bari even more attractive and elegant. Take a stroll along the narrow streets of the city centre to reach the Cathedral of Bari. Built in the 12th century, its crypt is a masterpiece of Baroque art. In these winding streets, another fine example of Baroque architecture stands, the beautiful church of San Nicola, built a thousand years ago. Castello Normanno Svevo, which was built in 1132, is one of the most notable sights of the city. The Museum of Archaeology is another place of interest in Bari as excavations in the old part of the city haven’t stopped even now, so the museum constantly receives new exhibits. If daytime is traditionally used for leisurely walks in shady valleys, night turns Bari into one lively discotheque. Trendy bars, pubs, and clubs are ready to entertain their visitors until dawn.