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!!
421 reviews
Extremely accommodating. He found shade spots when we stopped to talk. Great knowledge.
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
Really enjoyed this private tour!
Replied from the guide, Gianluca G.
July 2026Ciao Anthony, and thanks for your excellent review! It was a great pleasure to spend a full-day with you, visiting the charming villages of the Valle d'Itria: Alberobello, Locorotondo and Polignano a Mare. You're very nice people and great travelers, hope to meet you again in my beloved region. A big hug and...greetings from Puglia! Gianluca
Gianluca was an excellent tour guide and provided a fantastic full day experience for us that included Matera and Alberobello but also Alta Mura and multiple other unique stops that weren’t even explicitly spelled out on the itinerary but offered as ways to round out the day and satisfy our interests. Gianluca has a wealth of knowledge to share about the history of the...
Replied from the guide, Gianluca G.
June 2026Ciao Jennifer, and thanks for your excellent review! It was a great pleasure to spend a full-day with you, visiting the two main sights of the area: Matera and Alberobello. I'm glad you liked the extra experiences and my willingness to go out of my way, in order to show you different perspectives of the area and make your tour even more unique. You're very nice people and...