Matera & Alberobello Guided Tour with Transfer: Explore Sassi and Trulli

it started with a poorly air conditioned bus. we got to Matera where you get off and walk a good 15 minutes into the town to be able to start the tour. upon meeting our guide he couldn't even answer where a toilet is or if there would be one on the way. half way into the tour we pulled out we could barely hear him with the amount of people in the group. it was ridiculously hot, there was no offer to grab a drink or go toilet. then theres the 15 min walk back to the bus where we head to alberobello. aircon still very dim. we got back onto the bus & others had taken the seats we sat in on the way there. I was then separated from my daughter & husband. tour leader did nothing to assist besides saying seats aren't assigned. we get to alberbello our tour guide their Melina was amazing knowledgeable & gracious. best part of the day. on the way back air con was actually better thankfully. it was turned up! we didnt recieve the free cave pass stated in the tour info & inclusions.

He realizado muchas excursiones en mi vida, pero ésta ha sido la peor: cero preocupación de la guía por girar, aunque sea una vez, para saber si vamos todos; menos por llevar una bandera alta para señalar dónde está la guía. Cero conteo del grupo para saber si estamos todos, cero preocupación por ofrecer ir al servicio de baño, ni media hora para pasar a refrescarnos o comprar algo para comer; todo rápido, poco organizado y cuando hubo cambios de guía en Matera, el trato dejó mucho que desear de la persona que nos presentó al próximo guía que nos enseñó Matera; de éste nada que decir: educado e información completa. De Alberobello no alcanzamos a recorrer el pueblo, tuvimos hora y media sólo para un sector pequeño del lugar; triste, en verdad. El bus tenía varios asientos que se salían completamente de lugar, no fue una buena experiencia. Optaré por arrendar automóvil e ir por mis propios medios.

The actual tour guides were fantastic . The issue was after walking 2 hours in the heat of Matera the bus was waiting another 20 mins walk out of the town, as we had a very big bus for a small amount of people - they should use a mini van so that it will be easier for the pick up and drop off - the excuse for the 20 mins hike was due to police not allowing the big bus to pick us up where we were dropped off which was 20 metres from the centre- we found this hard to believe. This part was a huge disappointment as I was so exhausted that I could not continue with the Alberobello tour instead I stayed in a restaurant for 2 hours which was not great as I really wanted to explore Alberobello given we were from Australia . The guides taking the groups were great - just the guide on the bus wasn’t organised and this created a very average day. They should pre warn the tourists of the 20min walk back to the bus in Matera especially as it was uphill. They should advise before booking.

I would have appreciated having more free time during the tour to explore independently. In my opinion, it is important to allow enough time to sit down and eat, stop along the way, visit shops, make purchases, and enjoy the place at a personal pace. I felt that a large part of the tour was devoted to explanations, and that we stopped very frequently for another explanation. I would have preferred fewer explanations and more time to see, experience, and explore the area independently without the guide.

This is a very long day. We paid quite a lot extra for guided tours rather than digital DIY. The tour in Matera we could have easily done on our own. I didn't learn any more than what I had read prior to the visit. We also did not have any free time in Matera and had to ask if we could stop early so we could have the chance to buy a drink and go to the loo before getting back on the bus ( no chance to eat and no eating on the bus). This is ridiculous as it is an early start. The tour guide needs to factor in at least half an hour to manage these things. The tour in Arberobello was on another level. So, informative and charismatic and the guide tailored the tour so that we would finally have e chance to grab some food ( about 4.30pm). So, I would not suggest you have a guided tour in Matera and instead wander the streets of this lovely town and have a sit in a cafe.

Highly recommend this trip! We traveled so comfortably on a big charter bus and were transported to the two different cities where we were walked directly to the tour guide groups to start. Bring lots of sunscreen, water and some euros for the public restrooms during the tours (if needed). They handled all the tour guide logistics, and we just showed up. It was truly so well organized and timing was perfect throughout the day. On the way home, we did arrive a little late but mostly due to the evening traffic (if you have dinner reservations after). Sylvie was incredible!