Lisa Vonnegut’s Fitcation to Puglia-Matera was a jaw dropping, take your breath away experience, one of the most amazing of my life. Every detail was magnificently planned, from the superb hotels we stayed in, to the cities we visited, to the fascinating tours, to the hikes we took overlooking poppies, wildflowers and coastline. Our small, lovely group of 10 visited the ancient city of Matera, hiked the Gravina de Matera, dined at farmhouses and restaurants where we were treated to amazing spreads of mouthwatering dishes. We tasted wines produced in the region, had workout classes overlooking sparkling waters, and boated and swam in the Adriatic Sea. Sophia, a tour guide and Puglia local whom Lisa partnered with, had special knowledge of the area and led us to places off the beaten path away from the congestion of tourists. Every trail we took, every town we visited, every kilometer we traveled, uncovered the sweeping, gorgeous, dramatic vistas of this gem of a region.
This trip was a gift I gave myself for my 70th birthday and I was a bit apprehensive about how I would hold up. From the moment I got there though, with Lisa’s unwavering encouragement, I felt up for the challenge and safe. The members of the group, many of whom who were much younger than myself, were all supportive and simply delightful. Thank you, Lisa Vonnegut, for putting together a perfect trip!