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I selected this holiday to get a feel of a part of Italy that I had not yet experienced and I was not disappointed. The trip leaders were outstanding. Trips to Matera and Gravina di Laterza were highlights.
D.L. Devon, April 2022
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Puglia in Spring
Tour Code: ITA16An 8-day holiday in search of the natural history and cultural treasures of Puglia in southern Italy.
8 days
from
£1,995 (Inc flights)
£1,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£1,895
£1,895
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Situated in the far south-east – ‘stiletto heel’ – of Italy, Puglia offers a profusion of spring flowers, as well as an excellent variety of butterflies, birds and other wildlife. During this 2-centre holiday we will stay in charming family-run ‘Masseria’ (fortified Puglian farm houses). We begin our holiday with an exploration of the Capo D’Otranto, Italy’s most easterly point and an excellent vantage point for watching the spring raptor migration as birds pass north towards the Balkans. The region’s colourful maquis vegetation should be in full bloom during our visit and we’ll look for orchids and numerous butterflies on daily excursions. We will also visit some of the region’s ancient cave dwellings and characteristic ‘trulli’, while a walk along the Gravina di Laterza offers the chance to see breeding Egyptian Vulture and Lanner Falcon.
- 2-centre holiday exploring a deeply rural & little-known region of Italy
- Enjoy excellent, local cuisine in charming ‘Masseria’ hotels
- Lesser Kestrel, Blue Rock Thrush and spring migrants among avian highlights
- Beaked Ophrys, Apulian Bee, Bumblebee & Lax-flowered Orchids plus many more
- Colourful pink & white Cistus & yellow Callicotome among special maquis flora
- Butterflies include Italian Marbled Whites, Swallowtails & Adonis Blues
- Led by expert naturalist guide
Grading
Day walks. (B because of uneven terrain on occasion and occasionally steep but slow paced)Situated in the far south-east of Italy, the delightful Puglia region, known for its olive trees and traditional conical-roofed ‘trulli’ (Apulian dry stone huts), offers a profusion of spring flowers as well as the largest colony of Lesser Kestrels in Italy. Puglia boasts some impressive limestone gorges, caves and sinkholes, the best known of which is the 12-kilometre ‘Gravina di Laterza’ which has been called ‘Italy’s Grand Canyon’ and reaches a depth of 200 metres. The region’s dramatic karst landscapes and beautiful coastal scenery are not only attractive to the eye, but also provide a mosaic of different habitats for Puglia’s varied wildlife.
We begin our holiday with a flight to the city of Bari, located on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. From here we drive southeast to Otranto, a historic and attractive village set on the ‘heel’ of Italy’s bootshaped coastline. We will be based in a delightful ‘Masseria’ — a fortified Puglian farmhouse — just inland from Otranto for three nights, whilst we explore this attractive region and visit Capo D’Otranto, Italy’s most easterly point. This is an excellent site for watching the spring migration of raptors, along with an interesting variety of migrant warblers, pipits and flycatchers. The vibrant coastal maquis here is dotted with pink and white species of cistus in April along with the yellow callicotome and bright green Tree Spurge. Open areas are home to plants with a more easterly distribution such as Jerusalem Sage, Micomeria graeca, the bellflower Asyneuma limonifolia and the figwort Scrophularia lucida. At this time of year a colourful selection of butterflies should also be on the wing, including Italian Marbled White, Swallowtail and Adonis Blue, whilst Italian Wall Lizards bask in the warm sun.
Further north, we explore the Oasi Le Cesine, one of the best-preserved wetlands in southern Italy. Although the reserve is home to a wide variety of birds, we will also turn our attention to the ground in search of Apulian Bee Orchid, Ophrys sphegodes subsp. candica and Bumblebee Orchid. On another day we will explore the Ionian coast, finding more orchids amongst the heath and saltmarsh of Palude del Capitano, and visit one of the 16th century coastal defence towers at Santa Caterina, which affords glorious views along the Salento coast.
Moving on, we will head north-west to our second base in the rolling hills of eastern Murgia, close to the small town of Crispiano (north of Taranto). Our hotel’s extensive grounds should be carpeted in orchids! We will be based here for the final four nights of the tour whilst we explore locally and head a little further afield to the towns of Matera and Laterza, about an hour’s drive away. Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and European capital of culture in 2019 — is best known for its ‘sassi’, ancient houses carved into the limestone rock. We will visit the Parco Mugia, the plateau above the Matera Gorge, from which one can view the rows of sassi opposite. Lesser Kestrel, Red and Black Kites, Alpine and Pallid Swifts and Blue Rock Thrush are among the birds we may encounter here. Lizard Orchids, the endemic yellow rock-rose, Helianthemum jonium, and the vivid mauve Matthioa fruticulosa are among the other floral treasures to be found.
On another day we will visit the Gravina di Laterza, Italy’s so-called Grand Canyon. Here we will join a guided walk along the side of the gorge, not only to enjoy the dramatic views, but to look for some of the wildlife that lives here such as Egyptian Vulture, Lanner Falcon, Blue Rock Thrush and, for the very fortunate, perhaps a roosting Eagle Owl. Peonies (Paeonia mascula) are found in the Holm and Macedonian Oak woodlands that line the gorge, whilst a host of orchid species grow in the more open areas.
On our final day we will walk to the bottom of the Bosco delle Pianelle, a collapsed cave known locally as a ‘doline’. On the woodland floor grow Spring Cyclamen, Naked Man Orchid, Bird’s-nest Orchid and several species of helleborine. We will also visit the ‘Trullo Grande’ which stands in a clearing near the woodland edge and, further afield, explore the charming hill-top town of Cisternino.
This relaxed-paced holiday has something for everyone, from interesting birds, flowers and butterflies to unique local culture, traditions and exceptional food! At the end of our stay we must return to Bari for our flight back to the UK.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Bari and transfer to Otranto
Day 2/3
Birdwatching and botanical walks in the Salento
Day 4
Transfer to our hotel near Crispiano
Day 5/7
Natural history walks in Le Murge
Day 8
Transfer to Bari and fly London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: Two comfortable and friendly family-run hotels, both with private facilities.
- Food:
All meals are included in the cost of this holiday, except for any meals required during travel, and starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 8.
Reviews
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The scenery and wild flowers were absolutely beautiful. Our leaders, Jessica and Paul were excellent as always; good natured, full of knowledge and so hard working. Brilliant!
JS, Cambridgeshire, April 19 -
The two trip leaders, Jessica and Paul, were outstanding and worked incredibly hard. Everything on the holiday was of interest from butterflies, to beetles and reptiles - this made the trip wide ranging and exciting.
SD, Worcestershire, April 19 -
What made this particular holiday so excellent was that the two guides were well informed and interested in everything - birds, plants, insects, butterflies. This made the holiday really fascinating and we all came away with increased knowledge of the natural world - and a greater awareness of the ecological need to see the whole rather than just the parts of the experience.
S.D. Worcestershire, Apr 19 -
I enjoyed this holiday enormously, delighting in being in Puglia for the first time, with other people who care about the natural world. The abundance and variety of flowers, their tapestry of textures and colours, and the sheer number of different species, meant most to me. The handsome Puglia bee-orchid. So many wild orchids! Birders had good days too. I saw bee-eaters, lesser kestrels, a hoopoe, and a splendid Scops Owl through their scopes. Olive trees, butterflies, bees, bugs, turtles, lizards. Podolica Cows with traditional bells. This balanced by fascinating afternoons: Oporto on the coast, and the unbelievable city of Matera. Trulli. Food? Fresh-baked Puglia bread in the second hotel...and...and... This was my eleventh Naturetrek holiday, over 12 years. Grade A for walking difficulty. I enjoyed it enormously.
J.C. Bristol
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Tue 1st Apr – Tue 8th Apr
FULL
£2,095
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£245
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Jessica Turner
Tour Leader: Jessica Turner
Jessica claims she started her lifelong love of plants through having a field guide as a favourite picture book at an early age! She went on to study Botany at Cambridge University, specialising in ecology and pollen analysis, and has been involved in a variety of botanical survey projects for the National Trust and a local Wildlife Trust. Jessica is based in Oxford where she now works as a hospital chaplain. However, plants remain a passion, together with birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history. She loves sharing her enthusiasms with others, and has travelled with Naturetrek over a number of years, first as a client and now a leader.
Tue 8th Apr – Tue 15th Apr
3
£2,095
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,895
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
Female sharing available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£245
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Tue 7th Apr – Tue 14th Apr
SPACES
£1,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£245
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There are few more pleasing sights in the natural world than a meadow filled with wildflowers. Seeing plants in their native habitat is always exciting and our flower tours offer you an incredible choice, from dazzling tropical blooms and the thrill of finding elusive orchids or delicate alpines, to seeing island endemics or British flora. Our tours range from week-long holidays focusing on the ‘Alpine flowers of the Swiss Alps’, the ‘Italian Dolomites’ and the ‘Alpine Flowers of Slovenia’s Julian Alps’, to orchid-hunting on Italy’s Gargano Peninsula and searching for the Autumn Plants of Greece’s Peloponnese. We also visit more remote areas of the world in search of plant-life, from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan where we look for wild tulips, to the rainforests and spiny deserts of Madagascar where over 80% of the flora is endemic.
Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.
Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?
- All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
- All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
- We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?
- Travel with a group of like-minded people
- Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
- Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora
In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.
Our specialist recommends...
"I'd recommend 'Wengen – Alpine Flowers of the Swiss Alps', 'Crete' and 'The French Pyrenees', which all offer some fascinating European botany, along with plenty of wider natural history and some stunning scenery. If you’re keen to travel a little further afield, I’d suggest joining us in South Africa for our 'Wild Flowers of the Cape & Namaqualand' tour”
David Tattersfield - Tour Leader
David Tattersfield - Tour Leader
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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