Matera and Alberobello Private Day Tour from Rome

The capital of Apulia and an important touristic destination and commercial harbor, Bari lies on a fertile coastal plain facing the Adriatic Sea. The landscape of the Murge Plateau, where time seems to stand still, stretches further inland. Timeless panoramas reveal a bare landscape whose sameness is broken up by rocks, hollows and ravines. Wide open spaces have adapted themselves to man’s needs over the centuries, and even dried-up river beds have become farmland. Olive and almond trees and vineyards paint the vast expanse of the plateau in intervals, where one finds ancient masserie (farmhouses) that long ago served as a means of defense against raids.  As a result of carsism, a unique landscape has been sculpted by water and the passage of time. In the Province of Bari lies the Itria Valley, one of the most symbolic sites in the region, and home to the famous trulli habitations, standing out with their grey conical roofs from the geometric field pattern that characterizes the entire valley. Rocky strips of land alternate with long sweeps of white sand, with the crystal-clear waters of the sea adding the finishing touches to the beauty of the landscape.  The province's stretch of coastline extends from Molfetta, north of Bari, to Monopoli further south. Along this itinerary, nature’s charm merges with the picturesque villages and the precious heritage of imposing castles and marvelous cathedrals. Further evidence of this can be found in the hinterland, scattered with charming locations, like chapters of a history book.  Celebrations and festivals, genuine flavors and tasty wines are at the center of ancient but never-forgotten traditions that the people of this land continue to preserve with love and abidance.