PUGLIA EARLY SUMMMER 2024

Welcome to the fairytale countryside of Puglia’s Valle d’Itria! This area of Puglia starts from Putignano in the north to Ostuni in the south, and encompasses vineyards, never-ending olive groves, and of course the iconic coned roofs of Trulli, traditional stone huts that locals once lived in. We meet in the region’s vibrant capital Bari and whisk you away to a ‘locals only’ countryside restaurant nestled between the olive groves.

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable long lunch Pugliese style! Dish upon glorious dish will arrive as we sit back and get to know the group over crisp white Verdecca wine. Explore the charming property in between courses - there are beautiful flowers in bloom all through the garden and locals in the know enjoying quality time together.

Refortified and inspired after our first taste of Pugliese cuisine, we travel onwards to our gorgeous countryside masseria. Here you have time to unpack and relax. This luxurious country farm house hotel will be our home for the next few days and the perfect base to explore the wonders of land and sea close by.

Once you are settled in, get acquainted with the rest of our group and your host Olivia and indulge in a favourite Italian past-time: aperitivo. Relax with a spritz or glass of local wine as you soak in the beautiful location, before we sit down together to enjoy a traditional Pugliese dinner.

• MEALS: Lunch with wine and Evening welcome aperitivo
• ACCOMMODATION: Luxury 4 Star masseria country style hotel in the Valle d’Itria - Masseria San Michele or similar

This morning we hit the road for a seaside adventure in pretty Monopoli, where colorful fishing boats bob up and down in the turquoise Adriatic waters. Here we enjoy a short guided tour before you have time to wander on your own, popping into one of the many beautiful boutiques in town with gelato in hand.

With the sea breeze in our hair and tummies beginning to rumble, we’re back on the road to drive a short distance to a hidden away beachside ‘shack’ on the glorious Adriatic Sea for a tremendous seafood lunch together. Catch of the day fresh fish and shellfish carpaccio and seafood pasta awaits, washed down with a refreshing glass of Pugliese white wine of course. The restaurant is right on the beach - so pack your swimming costume if you’re keen for a dip!

Relaxed after our long lunch, we head inlands towards an up and coming winery in the Val d’Itria. This organic family-run winery is working to recover and enhance ancient native local vines including Verdeca and Primitivo varieties. Together we tour the estate and learn more about the fantastic work being done by this winery to produce top quality Pugliese wines and of course enjoy a tasting together.

This evening, we hit the road to visit one of the borghi più belli d’Italia (most beautiful villages of Italy) – Alberobello. This town is most famed for its trulli houses and was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996.

We meet our guide and enjoy a guided walking tour through this fairytale town that enchantss and delights all who go there. We follow our noses down the little lanes and go underground into one of the best restaurants in town where we have the chance to watch the team of chefs in the kitchen as they prepare our traditional feast!

• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch with wine, Dinner with matching wines
• ACTIVITIES: Guided walking tours of Monopoli and Alberobello, and winery visit
• ACCOMMODATION: Luxury 4 Star masseria country style hotel in the Valle d’Itria

This morning we’re off to visit Baroque gem Martina Franca – one of the largest towns in the Valle d’Itria. The drive there is truly dreamy through the olive groves and red, red earth which seems even more intense against the backdrop of the bright blue sky. We have some free time to wander through the maze of winding alleys and whitewashed buildings in the historic centre.

After our walk, you’ve surely built up an appetite so we venture to a neighbouring town for a stop at a caseificio (dairy). Here we taste the traditional cheeses of Puglia and discover their unique production techniques. Relax in the outdoor terrace as we have a deliciously cheesey light lunch together.

Pugliese ceramics are famous throughout Italy and we’re about to find out why. This afternoon, we drive to Grottaglie – a town known for its artisan crafts and quality product. Here we visit a ‘secret garden’ - our lips are sealed as to what makes this just so special…Afterwards, we continue onto our guide’s workshop and watch artisans at work before having some time to wander (and shop) through the array of fantastic ceramic shops in the quartiere di ceramiche (ceramics quarter).

Stop for a caffe’ where you will drink out of quite possibly the country’s most beautiful tazze (cups) and observe even the local dogs drinking out of beautifully crafted water bowls.

After a truly off the beaten track experience, we return to our masseria where you have time to freshen up, go for a swim, or relax. Tonight, we head out to a nearby countryside trattoria to indulge in cured meats, and delicious local pastas.

• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with wine
• ACTIVITIES: Martina Franca stop, Dairy visit, Ceramics workshop and garden visit
• ACCOMMODATION: Luxury 4 Star masseria country style hotel in the Valle d’Itria

Today we explore one of the most picturesque towns in all of Puglia – Polignano a Mare. Renowned for its characteristic beach nestled between the cliffs, we will have plenty of time for photos, exploring and watching daring locals leap from the cliffs into the sea.

Our guide shares stories as we stroll through this pretty town before enjoying free time to wander, swim or shop.

We meet again for a seafood lunch at a casual local eatery. Try the local crudo (raw fish) or enjoy a seafood panino! Don’t leave town without a fortifying glass of ‘caffe speciale’ either - it’s a hyper local drink from Polignano itself.

In the afternoon, we journey back to our Masseria where you can relax, read, or go for a swim or a walk around the property. Tonight, we will be rolling up our sleeves and learning how to make the traditional pasta of Puglia (orecchiette), as well as some other local dishes. Relax with a delicious dinner and local wine – we’ve earned it!

• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with wine
• ACTIVITIES: Polignano visit and tour, Cooking class
• ACCOMMODATION: Luxury 4 Star masseria country style hotel in the Valle d’Itria

Sometimes called the ‘Florence of the South’, today we visit truly beautiful (and unique) Lecce. This Baroque town is famous for its many churches, but perhaps above all else its stunning golden sandstone buildings.

Enjoy some free time this morning wandering the streets and shopping in the many excellent artisan workshops. You have free time for lunch - our tip? Don’t miss a ‘rustico’ and caffe lecesse! This local pastry is filled with piping hot passata (tomato sauce) and oozing mozzarella, and is even more delicious than it sounds. The famed caffe’ lecesse – a cold coffee drink with almond flavouring that is very refreshing on a warm day is sure to be a hit too. We’ll share our favourite addresses to find them.

This afternoon we meet our local guide for a walk through the historical centre of Lecce which includes a stop at the Roman amphitheatre, the cathedral and hidden sights down the city’s many picturesque laneways.

Did you know Puglia is famous for olive oil? In fact, the region produces around 40% of Italy’s total supply. Relax as we head to a nearby olive grove for a guided tour before enjoying an extra virgin olive oil tasting of three different varieties. We learn how extra virgin olive oil is made and what to look for when tasting and buying a top quality product.

This evening, we head to nearby Ostuni - an incredibly beautiful whitewashed jewel of a town in Puglia. It sits high perched on a hill with a fabulous view over the coast. We meet our local guide for a quick orientation tour before you have free time to explore its nooks and crannies or enjoy an aperitivo. We meet again a little later to enjoy a delicious dinner together.

• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with wine
• ACTIVITIES: Lecce and Ostuni visits and tours, Olive oil grove visit
• ACCOMMODATION: Luxury 4 Star masseria country style hotel in the Valle d’Itria

We say farewell to our beautiful masseria today, and travel outside of Puglia to the region of Basilicata. On our way, we make a stop to get to know the capital of Puglia a little better.

A lively and exhilarating port city, Bari has fascinating sights, sounds and food waiting for us to discover. We spend our time in Bari enjoying a fantastic historic walking tour with a focus on local food traditions including a wander around the fish market, and watching local women roll orecchiette (local pasta) in the street.

Barese focaccia is made with semolina flour and potato and is studded with tomatoes and olives. It’s delicious and the perfect snack to munch on as we stroll along the beautiful lungomare (promenade) soaking up the atmosphere.

This afternoon we are off to the truly unique city of Matera. Famous for its sassi or cave dwellings, built into the cliff face, many date back to the Palaeolithic era, meaning the city is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world.

We check in at our luxury cave hotel for a truly once in a lifetime stay. This afternoon, you have free time to explore or indulge in our unique dwelling for the night before our evening ‘rooftop’ aperitivo with an incredible view.

Matera is ethereally beautiful at nighttime, so make sure to take it all in as the sun sinks below the horizon. Afterwards, we wander over to a local restaurant. It’s our final dinner together tonight and we try some local specialities of the Basilicata region (including fantastic local bread).

• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Aperitivo, Dinner with wine
• ACTIVITIES: Bari food and walking tour
• ACCOMMODATION: Luxury 4 Star cave hotel in Matera

After enjoying perhaps the most unique breakfast spot you're ever likely to experience, we get to know a little more about fascinating Matera. This morning, we meet our local guide in the city of the sassi for a guided walking tour where we hear about the city’s incredible history and stories over many hundreds of years of inhabitation.

Blown away by incredible Matera, we enjoy a final lunch where we try favorite dishes from our week together mixed in with local Basilicata specialties.

We say farewell in Bari later that afternoon after an incredible week of exploring and tasting some of the best that Puglia has to offer – bellies and hearts full to the brim.

• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
• ACTIVITIES: Guided tour of Matera
• TRANSFERS: Back to Bari

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