7-Day Puglia & Matera Explorer (Age 21 To 41)

Traveler Reviews

• OA

  Olivia2.0•June 2026
  This tour had both positive and negative aspects, but overall we were disappointed and felt that the price we paid...
  This tour had both positive and negative aspects, but overall we were disappointed and felt that the price we paid did not match the experience we received. We were on the “Puglia and Matera Tour,” and unfortunately, we expected a much higher level of comfort, organization, and service for the cost. The accommodations were one of the biggest disappointments. While they were clean, they were very basic and located at least a 15-minute walk from the old towns or city centers. None of the properties had staff available during our stay. After long travel days, we repeatedly had to call and wait for someone to arrive and let us in, which became frustrating. Two of the properties had no elevators or assistance with luggage, and two did not provide breakfast or even offer an option to purchase one. One of our accommodations was changed without any notification from Italy on a Budget. We only learned of the change after arriving at the original location with no one there to answer the door. We had to search for a phone number to resolve the issue ourselves and then walk to another location and wait. Accommodation details were also only provided a few days before departure, and had we known sooner, we likely would have made alternative arrangements based on location and comfort. The itinerary was likewise shared only days before the tour and changed slightly from what had originally been advertised. Our first day initially included a walking tour, which was later switched to a food tour. While that might appeal to some travelers, we had already independently done a food tour the day before and found that several stops overlapped. My daughter was not feeling well, so we skipped both the tour and dinner, though based on what we had read and experienced, we likely would have opted out anyway. A “welcome dinner” was also offered, but after reading numerous negative reviews of the restaurant, we were not excited about attending. There was no guide or representative present to greet guests, which made the “welcome dinner” feel impersonal. It also seemed odd to have a food tour immediately followed by another meal. These were the only meals included in the package. Given the long days, including breakfasts or additional meals would have improved the experience considerably. The tour was marketed specifically for travelers ages 21–49, which struck us as an unusual distinction. Based on the pace and style of the trip, we actually found it surprising that it was targeted toward younger travelers. Long days on large buses, very basic accommodations, and a largely self-guided format did not seem especially appealing for many people in their twenties who might be expecting a more social or immersive group experience. Because our departure never reached the minimum group size, the tour ended up being completely self-guided. We never actually met anyone from Italy on a Budget. Local walking tour guides and bus operators from other companies were used, which we understood in advance, but we had expected more continuity and support from a dedicated guide throughout the trip. The company was responsive on WhatsApp and available to answer questions, but that did not replace having someone checking in with the group or providing a more personal experience. Travel days were also quite demanding, with large charter bus departures beginning around 8:00 a.m. and returns often not until 6:30 p.m. We understood that multiple cities would be visited each day, but the pace became exhausting and, by the end, we wished the itinerary had been less ambitious. Future travelers should be prepared for long, busy days. We have noticed several recent reviews expressing concerns similar to ours, along with some rather aggressive and defensive responses from the company. We are not interested in debating our experience or receiving explanations. We simply want to share honestly how we felt about what we paid for and what we received. Everyone's expectations are different, but we hope our experience helps others make informed decisions before booking.Show more
  Traveled in June 2026
  

  Reply from: Italy on a Budget Tours

  Dear Olivia, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are truly sorry to read that your experience did not meet your expectations. We always take our travelers’ comments seriously, and while we regret that your overall impression was so negative, we would like to kindly clarify a few points for future travelers reading this review. Regarding the accommodations, Puglia is still one of the more authentic and less mass-touristic regions of Italy. For this reason, many properties in the area are family-run guesthouses or B&Bs rather than large hotels with 24-hour reception, elevators, or extensive facilities. Their style is often simple and traditional, which is quite typical of the region. In some cases, family-run accommodations manage rooms in nearby buildings, and the assigned room is located a short walk away. We understand this may not have been what you expected, and we are sorry it affected your comfort. At the same time, we would like to emphasize that all accommodations were carefully selected by our team, taking into account the tour budget while ensuring the best possible balance between quality, location, and facilities. We would also like to clarify that, after your itinerary was sent, no further accommodation changes were made by our team. With regard to the meals, as stated in the tour description on TourRadar, the only meal included in the package is the Welcome Dinner on Day 1. This dinner was arranged at one of our trusted partner restaurants, which currently holds a 4.6-star rating on Google. The Day 1 activity in Bari is indeed a walking tour that also includes a few complimentary tastings of local products along the way. We are sorry this did not suit your plans, especially as you had already joined a food tour independently the day before—something we could not have known in advance. At the same time, we hope that a few complimentary local tastings offered during the walking tour would not normally be considered a negative aspect of the overall experience. Concerning the tour format, as outlined on the tour page and confirmed before departure, this tour operates as fully guided only when the minimum group size is reached. When the fully guided departure is not confirmed, the tour runs as a partially guided itinerary. In this format, travelers do not have one tour leader accompanying the group throughout the entire trip, but instead join daily activities and excursions operated by our trusted local partners, while our team remains available throughout the tour to provide remote assistance whenever needed. We understand that this format may have felt less personal than expected, but it was clearly communicated before the tour departure and accepted prior to travel. Regarding the age range of 21–49, this recommendation applies to the fully guided version of the tour, where travelers share the experience with a group of like-minded people within a similar age range. When a departure operates in the partially guided format, however, the local tours and excursions are not organized exclusively by us and are therefore open to travelers of all ages. Overall, we were genuinely saddened to read your review. Many of the points raised—including the tour format, the accommodation style, the included meals, and the pace of the itinerary—were clearly outlined on the tour page before the booking was made. At the same time, other concerns, such as the confusion regarding your accommodation or your disappointment with the Day 1 activities, could very likely have been addressed quickly and effectively had you contacted us during your trip. We are always happy to assist our travelers and do our best to find prompt solutions whenever possible, and we truly believe that this would have significantly improved your overall experience. On a personal note, I was especially sorry to read your review, as I personally organized your trip and, knowing that your departure would operate in the partially guided format, I did my best to accommodate your requests wherever possible and enhance your itinerary whenever I could. This included arranging options such as a/c where available along your journey, upgrading the original walking tour in Bari to a Bari walking tour with local tastings, organizing a comfortable day trip to Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, and Locorotondo instead of a simple train visit to Monopoli and Polignano a Mare, and including breakfast in Gallipoli. I genuinely hoped these additional arrangements would make your experience even more enjoyable, so I was naturally very sorry to learn that your overall impression of the tour was so disappointing. Thank you again for sharing your perspective, and I sincerely wish you and your daughter many wonderful travels in the future. Kind regards, Anastasia

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