Smart Trip - Open Play - Puglia & Basilicata

TRIP DATES

June 06 - 13, 2026
September 12 - 19, 2026

The selection of your preferred dates is done directly at checkout (at the bottom of the page).

OVERVIEW OF THE TRIP

Join us for an unforgettable journey that blends sport, culture, cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes — all set in the stunning regions of Puglia and Basilicata. This 8-day adventure is designed for pickleball lovers who want to combine their passion for the game with the magic of Italian travel at an accessible price point. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or part of a group, this trip offers the perfect balance of play, relaxation, and discovery. Even those who don’t play pickleball are more than welcome!

We’ll be staying in a wonderful Sport Resort, strategically located to allow easy access to all the regions’ highlights. Your stay includes Full Board service (all meals and beverage during the meals) — with delicious handmade Italian meals and drinks included — so you can fully relax and savor the best of Italian hospitality.

Each morning you will play pickleball freely: whether you’re just beginning or have plenty of experience, there will be opportunities to play and connect with others in a fun, welcoming environment. After pickleball, you can enjoy the resort's facilities or the surrounding landscapes.

After an active and energizing start to the day, the afternoons and evenings are reserved for exploration and unique cultural experiences. You’ll have the chance to participate in our unforgettable excursions and activities. From authentic food and wine tastings to visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites and coastal gems, every day will bring something new and inspiring.

Among the highlights of the trip:

An unforgettable visit to Matera, the incredible ancient "Sassi" (cave dwellings), a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A stunning excursion to Alberobello, famous for its unique conical-roofed "Trulli" houses.
A guided Wine Experience, where you’ll taste local wines straight from the source.
A special Gastronomic Experience dinner, showcasing an authentic, handmade Southern Italian meal.
A friendly pickleball tournament or clinic session.

We’ve also designed optional activities for those who want to explore even more. These include a trip to Bari (where mothers still make pasta in the street); a visit to the Castellana Caves; or a scenic drive to the coastal towns of Polignano a Mare & Monopoli.

To make your journey effortless and carefree, we’ve included private transportation to and from Bari Airport (BRI), all excursions by deluxe private coach, a bilingual tour leader, professional guides, travel insurance, and special welcome gifts to kick off the trip in style.

This trip is more than a vacation — it’s an experience of joy, community, and discovery. You’ll enjoy an intimate atmosphere that allows for real connections, both with fellow travelers and with the heart of Southern Italy. We can’t wait to welcome you for this exciting adventure. Come for the pickleball — stay for the magic of Puglia!

WHAT IS INCLUDED

7 nights / 8 days in a wonderful Sport Resort
Pickleball Activities
Private Transportation to and from Bari Airport (BRI)
Full Board (all meals and beverage during the meals)
All special handmade Italian meals
Private deluxe motor coach for excursions
Tour at Matera and Alberobello
1 gastronomic experience
1 wine experience
Professional guides
Travel Insurance
Bilingual tour leader
Welcome gifts

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Airfare, special drinks, tips, extras, personal spending

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Trip to Bari (Where mothers still prepare homemade pasta out in the street)

Trip to Taranto (with its fantastic Aragonese castle on the water)
Trip to the Castellana Caves (offering an extraordinary experience in the heart of Puglia)
Trip to the Famous Polignano a Mare & Monopoli
Trip to Craco: one of a kind ghost town in Basilicata Region
Visit to the Metapontum Archaeological Park
Many other Authentic Food & Wine Experiences in Masseria
Golf, equitation and much more

Our facilities ensure plenty of court time. We utilize a minimum of 2 tennis/basketball courts converted into 8 pickleball courts.

TOUR LEADER

You will have a Worry-Free Journey with the experienced and professional Tour Leader of Pickleball Italy Trips. This expert will be your travel companion, ensuring a seamless experience at every step. Our Tour Leaders, with their deep knowledge of the area and exceptional coordination skills, will create an engaging and unforgettable journey for you, filled with relaxation and discovery.

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1: Saturday, June 6th - From Bari Airport Arrival to the Resort, relax, Check-In, Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Sunday, June 7th - Pickleball & enjoy the resort. Afternoon: Wine Experience. Dinner.
Day 3: Monday, June 8th - Full-day excursion to Matera (Basilicata). Guided tour of the incredible ancient "Sassi." Dinner.
Day 4: Tuesday, June 9th - Pickleball Activities (including clinics/tournament) & enjoy the resort. Evening: Special Gastronomic Experience dinner.
Day 5: Wednesday, June 10th - Half-day excursion to Alberobello. Afternoon: Free time or optional activities. Dinner.
Day 6: Thursday, June 11th - Pickleball Activities & enjoy the resort. Afternoon: Free time or optional activities (e.g., Taranto). Dinner.
Day 7: Friday, June 12th - Enjoy a relaxed breakfast. Free time for optional activities (e.g., Polignano a Mare or Caves). Afternoon: Final group Pickleball Activities session. Farewell Dinner.
Day 8: Saturday, June 13th - Departure Day.

THE MEALS

All the meals are included and they comprehend also water, local authentic wine and soft drinks. The meals are carefully selected to offer the best quality, authenticity and taste, starting with breakfast served in the resort and then continuing with typical lunches, relaxing dinners, and the authentic culinary experiences we have arranged for our guests

CANCELLATION POLICY

110+ Days prior to arrival – deposit always refundable
71 – 110 Days prior to arrival – deposit non-refundable
0 – 70 Days prior to arrival – 100% of the Total Price non-refundable

PLEASE NOTE: if the number of participants doesn’t reach the minimum number of participants, the trip will not be held and the full amount paid will be refunded.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

As a professional Tour Operator operating legally and in compliance with all current regulations, we always include travel insurance for participants in our trips.

In case you want to add additional travel insurances, we can suggest you to compare other policies with other well-known travel insurance providers, such as:

Travelex Travel Insurance and Travel Guard. You can also use InsureMyTrip.com to compare multiple companies’ plans.

USEFUL INFO

AIRPORT

The arrival and departure airport is Bari Airport (BRI) The day of arrival must match the first day indicated and the day of departure with the last day.

We will provide the ground transportation to and from the airport!

IMPORTANT: We recommend that you arrive at the Airport, on or before the first day indicated.

We’ll meet as a group on the first day indicated at 1pm (13:00) at the Airport (our private bus will leave at 1pm). Please ensure that your flight arrives at least 75 minutes before this time.

On the last day of your trip, the private bus will take you to the airport, arriving at 11am (11:00). Please ensure that your flight departure time is after this time (we suggest at least 3 hours after this time for international flights).

If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact us.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

You will need:
Your passport
An EU outlet adapter (available on Amazon)
Your Pickleball paddle (if not don’t worry you can write us)

Recommended:

A portable charger for longer tour days
50 - 200 Euros to have on hand. We recommend withdrawing Euros from an ATM once you arrive. Euros will be useful for street souvenirs, cash-only shops, tips, etc.

You will not need:

a Visa
a Covid test or vaccine
Tips are not expected by drivers/servers/staff in Europe. If you would like to tip, though, 5%-10% on your bill or a few Euros is the typical tipping range.

PRICING & PAYMENT

Double Room - € 2,350 (per person when sharing a room) - initial deposit € 2,000 (€1,000 per person)
Single Room - € 2,950 (per person) - initial deposit € 1,000 per person

Initial deposit will be always deducted from your grand total (listed above).

If you travel alone but you selected a double room (to be shared), please note that is possible to have two beds in one room (one bed for each person). Just write it in the additional notes so that we are aware.

After placing your initial deposit, your full payment is due 70 days prior to arrival.

The price in USD is for informational purposes only. All the transactions will be processed in the local currency (Euro). More info on our terms of service.

Book now

€1.000,00