Matera to the Puglia region: Private day trip

Trulli are a traditional style of house found only in Puglia. Made from local limestone, with thick walls and conical roofs, their design allows residents to control the interior temperature - an ingenious solution from the days before air conditioning. Founded in the 16th century, visitors can wander around the town, admiring the unique architectural style that dates back to pre-history. Several have been converted into museums or shops to further educate visitors about the tradition. The history behind Alberobello's settlement, and their choice of using Trulli is particularly humorous - the houses could be dismantled at a moment’s notice to fool the authorities into thinking Alberobello was not an inhabited settlement so locals could evade taxes.

Polignano A Mare has been settled since prehistory, and based on archaeological findings, was known as Neapolis by the Greeks. Believed to be one of the most important settlements in the region, despite there being no written record of it, the town was subsequently settled by everyone from the Romans to the Huns to the Normans. Today, the charming town is a popular weekend escape from Bari, who come to watch the crashing waves from the cliffs, explore the many caves on the coast, or simply enjoy the delicious ice cream and cornettos (Italian croissants). While the Red Bull Cliff Diving competition draws major crowds, perhaps the town’s best known export is Domenico Modugno, the man responsible for the international hit ‘Volare’ (you know the one).