Guide #5626
PUGLIA (or APULIA) PRIVATE TOURS by GIANLUCA GUADAGNINO I'm Gianluca, an experienced and passionate tour leader for Puglia (or Apulia) and Matera, born and raised in this lovely part of the world. As only a real local does, I'll be more than happy to meet your expectations to the fullest extent. I can drive you around my region and more: sightseeings, food&wine and extra virgin olive oil itineraries, street food tours, cooking classes. . . and in the most unlikely places, looking for your Italian and Puglia's roots. "LIFE IS NOT MEASURED BY THE NUMBER OF BREATHS WE TAKE BUT BY THE MOMENTS AND PLACES THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY" Feel the vibes of the places you're visiting. . . let it take your breath away! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you're planning to travel to Puglia and Matera FOR A VACATION or you're looking for a CUSTOMIZED private "EXPERIENCE" or SHORE EXCURSION from Bari or Brindisi during your Mediterranean cruise, don't hesitate to contact me. If you're originally from this part of Italy and YOU'D LIKE TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT YOUR ANCESTORS, I'll be more than happy to take you to your relatives' hometown and help you in dealing with locals and local offices. HALF-DAY, FULL-DAY, MULTI-DAY and CUSTOMIZED tours, according to your preferences and interest. My private tours ALWAYS INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION, as well as pick up/drop off service at your convenience, either with a comfortable and modern minivan or rented minibus. To provide your experience with an added value and make it more memorable, I'll be more than happy to provide you with suggestions about sights, itineraries and interesting activities, typical restaurants and accommodations (the places where we locals go. . . ), grocery shops and markets where you can listen, smell and taste the real Puglia. Or a private cooking class, in a typical farmhouse or directly at cook's house. Wine, olive oil and typical food tasting. . . and I could go on and on. BARI and surroundings, ALBEROBELLO, LOCOROTONDO, OSTUNI and the charming villages and the lovely countryside of the VALLE D'ITRIA. POLIGNANO A MARE, MONOPOLI on the Adriatic sea. LECCE and its baroque, TRANI and CASTEL DEL MONTE, religious itineraries in the GARGANO PENINSULA, etc. Last but not least, the amazing MATERA. . . a place unique in the world! And beyond, in the Basilicata region: lovely small villages where time stands still, ghost towns, etc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although Puglia (Apulia) is getting more and more popular, it still offers and will continue to offer less traveled routes, charming villages and relaxing landscapes, miles and miles of scenic backroads, unspoilt beaches and turquoise sea, friendly people, unique food & wine experiences. . . in Puglia you can still feel the pleasant feeling of traveling off the beaten path. And feel the pleasant feeling of taking pictures that doesn't include millions of strangers, sitting down at a table in a quiet alley to enjoy your delicious lunch or dinner, walking alone in the countryside and stand in the shade of an ancient olive tree, staying in a typical, local dwelling with your own patio and garden. You don't need public transportation and stressful transfers. . . you only need your local expert to take care of you. "Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost" (F. Scott Fitzgerald) "Get lost" with a real local and live your truly, authentic holiday experience. Enjoy the magic of traveling. . . visit Puglia and Matera! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Credentials: Licensed Tour Leader (with qualification in English Language) Qualified promoter for Puglia and Basilicata: sightseeings and typicity Fluent in English language (Advanced Level Certification, issued on behalf of EU by European Career Evolution, Cork - Ireland) Many years of experience in tourism field (Ireland / Italy) Keen traveler and photographer I've been blessed to travel all over the world: far and wide in the USA, all over Europe. I've learned about different cultures travelling to Australia, India, Indochina, Japan, Middle East and Turkey, Central and South America, Caribbean, etc. I'm also the father of a wonderful little girl . . . a "different" journey, but intense and exciting in the same way. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My tours are intended for small groups*, provided in full compliance with sanitising and hygiene practices. If I'm marked as unavailable, contact me as I might still assist you *pls ask for more than 4 pax, as I can contact the van/minibus company I work with
Lecce
Foggia
Matera
Brindisi
Bari
Trani
Taranto
Monopoli

Contact your local guide to know more!!
We had a wonderful tour of the Puglia region with our guide Gianluca. He was very professional and knowledgeable. I was travelling with my elderly parents and my husband who used a walking aid, he was very kind and never rushed us. Highly enjoyed and recommend. Thank you Gianluca for a great day.
We loved our time with Gianluca. We had a single day in Puglia, docking on a cruise ship at 11 am... most tours for the area had times that left long before we arrived. I messaged Gianluca and he said he could show they the area and get us back to the ship by 7pm. He promptly met us at the dock and gave us a wonderful day in Puglia. We enjoyed the late summer crowds in...
Replied from the guide, Gianluca G.
August 2026Thank you Thomas! It's been a great pleasure to be your private tour guide and driver for your shore excursion. I'm glad you enjoyed the day spent together, visiting Bari and the charming villages of the area (Alberobello, Locorotondo and Polignano a Mare)...as well as the lovely countryside and the local delicacies, gelato, etc. You're very nice people and great...
Extremely accommodating. He found shade spots when we stopped to talk. Great knowledge.
Replied from the guide, Gianluca G.
August 2026Thank you Brian! It's been a great pleasure to be your private tour guide and driver. I'm glad you appreciated my knowledge and fully enjoyed the day spent together, visiting Bari and the most charming villages of the area: Alberobello, Locorotondo and Polignano a Mare. You're very nice people and great travelers. A big hug and...greetings from Puglia! Gianluca
Gianlucca was a fantastic guide. He was very patient with our pace and was able to tour us at both Matera and Alberobello in one day. I highly recommend him.
Replied from the guide, Gianluca G.
July 2026Thank you Mary! It's been a great pleasure to be your private tour guide and driver. I'm glad you enjoyed the full-day spent together visiting and enjoying Matera and Alberobello, definitely the most unique sights of the area. You're very nice people and great travelers. A big hug and...greetings from Puglia! Gianluca