This was a great chance to taste the street food of Bari! Nicholas did an outstanding job telling us the stories of the food and the families that made it. There’s only one stop where you sit down, so be prepared for a lot of standing. The focaccia was absolutely amazing and worth standing in line and taking your chances with Rino the Bouncer. Fortunately, Nicholas took care of that for us! The octopus was unexpectedly good, don’t be scared off because it’s octopus. The Panzerotti were delicious as well.
Great experience got to see many of the sights in Bari. Old town and new rown. Giancarlo our guide was great, knowledgeable and very friendly and funny at times. Really excellent tour guide. The food was tasty and just enough. Need to know how to ride a bike well especially in tight spots
We were switched to the pasta making tour. The guide and the experience was absolutely wonderful and perfect for us. My husband is obsessed with making pasta by hand. When I checked in with the clerk, I spoke Italian so the clerk started speaking Italian ery quickly. I didn't understand her, but nodded. She switched us to the other tour, but I didn't know. It was deliightful but confusing when we didn't get lots of food. It really was the most fortunate change for us. I loved getting a view of the way a local woman liives by sitting with her in her kitchen.
We only did the bus transfers, no guided tours or extra tickets, but it was exactly as we expected! Our driver was great, the whole day was timely, and we had plenty of time to explore both towns on our own. Clear instructions and plans for the whole day.
We had the best time in Bari, this tour delivered everything described and more. Chaira the tour leader was BRILLIANT! Incredibly knowledgable, efficient and funny! The pasta making was a wonderful experience and we ate delicious pasta (not the ones we made! lol!)
Good valued short tour to see coastline along Polignano a Mare. Tour was 1.5 hours. We arrived early and ristorante nearby to have lunch before the tour. Our skipper Andrea was kind and informative. Great boating skills negotiating small sea caves. Bonus to stop for swim at end plus enjoy glass of Prosecco.
Totally enjoyed the relax fun of a small tour van to the 3 cities of Alberobello, Monopoli and Polignana a Mare. This is NOT a guided tour. The van driver was however friendly, entertaining and informative throughout the drive and pointed us in the right directions once we arrived in the town. Just the right amount of time was given to us in each of the cities. Worth the extra money for the small van over a big bus tour.
We had a wonderful day exploring Ostuni and Alberobello with Gabry. From the beginning, Gabry tailored the tour to our interests, creating a truly personalised experience that went far beyond the typical tourist itinerary.
His passion for Puglia and its many regions is infectious, and his knowledge of the area’s history, culture, food, and traditions made every stop more meaningful. One of the highlights was enjoying an authentic seafood lunch at a seaside restaurant frequented mostly by locals—something we would never have discovered on our own.
Gabry also gave us a rare opportunity to visit a friend’s Trullo home that has been preserved in its original state. It was fascinating to see such an authentic piece of Puglian history and provided a unique insight into traditional life in the region.
Gabry’s warm personality, local connections, and genuine love for Puglia made this one of the most memorable experiences of our trip. We highly recommend him to anyone wanting to discover the real Puglia through the eyes of a passionate local guide.
Amazing boat tour through the caves of Polignano a Mare! Beautiful views, crystal clear water, and an unforgettable experience.
Special thanks to Christian for the excellent service, professional, and attentive throughout the tour. Highly recommended!
If you want to understand Bari more deeply than Spritzes, Foccacia and Orrecchiette this is the tour to take. My guide was able to help me understand the beauty of Bari, some history, the legends and the facts. He was so knowledgeable and he responded to my specific questions and curiosities. I thoroughly enjoyed this and it enriched my experience of this city. Thank you.
Very professional company, everything was perfectly organized. The driver and guide were both super friendly, knowledgeable and made the day really enjoyable. Matera is a unique town, that must be visited once in a lifetime. They also offered to change the drop-off point at the end of the tour as we preferred to stay closer to Bari city center see the christmas lights. You can trust them completely - and you won't regret it!
This boat tour was absolutely incredible! Our guide Claudio was outstanding – knowledgeable, professional, and engaging throughout the entire journey. Despite traveling from the United States (New Jersey), we couldn't have asked for a better experience exploring the stunning Polignano a Mare coastline.
What Made This Tour Special:
Expert Commentary: Claudio delivered fascinating historical and geological information about the area, from the famous Domenico Modugno statue and "Volare" connection to the Red Bull Cliff Diving Challenge platforms. His explanations about the limestone formations, seashell fossils, and tectonic processes were educational without being overwhelming.
Spectacular Cave Exploration: We visited multiple stunning caves including Grotta Palazzese (home to the famous restaurant), Bishop Cave, Grotta Ardito with its historic passage, and the massive Pigeons Cave. Each had unique features and stories.
Swimming Opportunity: The stop for swimming near Grotta Palazzese was a highlight – the water temperature was around 18-19°C (mid-60s°F), refreshing and totally worth it!
Perfect Pacing: The ~1.5 hour tour covered approximately 3.5 nautical miles of coastline without feeling rushed. Claudio balanced narration with time to simply enjoy the views.
Small Group Experience: Our boat (Marika) had a comfortable group size, allowing for personalized attention and easy interaction with our guide.
Bonus Details: Learning about local history like the trulli structures, the former butchery cave that once attracted blue sharks, and the illegal salt production caves added authentic cultural depth.
Pro Tips: Book early, bring a towel if you plan to swim, and don't worry about the November timing – the experience is magical year-round!
Highly recommended for anyone visiting Puglia. Worth every euro!
What You Should Know Before Booking This Tour:
BOOKING & LOGISTICS:
Book well in advance – tours fill up quickly
Meeting point is at the port in Polignano a Mare
Check-in involves paperwork (one person fills out main form, others just sign)
You'll be assigned to specific boats (ours was "Marika")
Tour duration: approximately 1-1.5 hours
Distance covered: 3.5 nautical miles of coastline
WHAT TO BRING:
Towel if you plan to swim
Waterproof case/bag for phones and electronics (water spray is possible, especially with southeast winds)
Light jacket – it gets breezy on the water even if the day is warm
Bathing suit under your clothes if you want to swim
SWIMMING DETAILS:
There IS a swimming stop (not all tours offer this in November)
Water temperature in November: 18-19°C (mid-60s°F) – cold but doable
Depth at swimming area: approximately 5 meters
Boat has platforms and stairs for easy water access
Swimming is optional – no pressure to get in
Most participants did swim despite the temperature
WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Tours run year-round, including November
Expect some bumps and water spray, especially with southeast winds
The guide will warn you about conditions at the start
Dress in layers
LANGUAGE:
Tour conducted in English (guide speaks slowly and clearly for international guests)
Guide accommodates multiple nationalities on same tour
ACCESSIBILITY:
You'll need to board/exit the boat via stairs/platforms
Some movement required during the tour
Not ideal for those with severe mobility limitations
WHAT YOU'LL SEE:
Multiple sea caves (Grotta Palazzese, Bishop Cave, Grotta Ardito, Pigeons Cave, Saddle Cave, Well Cave)
Red Bull Cliff Diving platforms (27m for men, 21m for women)
Domenico Modugno statue ("Volare" singer)
Old Town Polignano elevated 23m above sea level
Limestone cliffs, seashell fossils, rock erosion patterns
Port Alga (old fishermen's village)
Hermit Rock island with cross monument
Views toward Monopoli
GUIDE QUALITY:
Claudio is a licensed ship master with 10+ years experience
Extremely knowledgeable about local history, geology, and culture
Professional yet personable
Takes photos for guests
Willing to answer questions
GROUP SIZE:
Small groups split across multiple boats
Intimate experience, not overcrowded
Easy to hear guide and ask questions
VALUE CONSIDERATIONS:
This is educational AND experiential – not just a scenic ride
You get historical context, cave exploration, AND swimming opportunity
Comparable to or better than similar coastal tours in Italy
Well worth the price for the quality of experience
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Excellent photo opportunities throughout
Guide will take photos of you with cave backgrounds
Protect your phone from water spray
Best lighting is during "golden hour" (late afternoon)
SAFETY:
Life jackets available
Professional captain with proper licensing
Boats are well-maintained
Guide explains safety procedures at start
NOT INCLUDED:
Hotel pickup/drop-off (you meet at the port)
Food or drinks
Wetsuits (if you want to swim comfortably in cold water)
BEST FOR:
Couples, families, small friend groups
History and geology enthusiasts
Photographers
Adventure seekers willing to swim in cooler water
First-time visitors to Polignano a Mare
BOTTOM LINE:
This is a must-do experience in Puglia. The combination of natural beauty, expert narration, cave exploration, and swimming opportunity makes it exceptional value. Don't skip it due to cooler November temperatures – the experience is worth it year-round!
