A Taste of Puglia, Italy

May 23

May 31, 2027

Puglia, the sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot, is a region of dazzling coastlines, ancient towns, and unforgettable food. It’s a dream destination for travelers seeking authenticity, beauty, and flavor without the crowds of more famous Italian regions. Famed for its rustic cuisine, superb wines, artisanal cheeses, and rich history, Puglia offers a perfect blend of gastronomy and culture.

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Day 1: Arrival in Bari – Welcome to Puglia

Independent arrivals at Bari airport and transfer to our Masseria may be arranged upon request. Time to relax and settle in before our welcome meeting followed by dinner.

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Day 2: Apuglian Cheese, Alberobello Trulli

Head to a traditional farmhouse that produces organic mozzarella, caciocavallo and other Apulian cheeses. Meet the owner and see how homemade cheese is crafted. Then, enjoy a light lunch with local specialties paired with wine.

In the afternoon, reach Alberobello and its 1400 trulli (traditional Apulian dry stack stone houses) declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Enjoy a walking tour through the curious, white-washed structures featuring pyramidal, conical, or domed roofs and built of corbelled local limestone without mortar. Visit the Trullo Sovrano, the largest one, built on two floors.

Evening at leisure.

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Day 3: The Sassi of Matera

Set out on a walking tour of Matera. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the Sassi di Matera do not identify with a monument, but, instead, with a way of life and a model of development lasted for millennia. The Sassi represent a unique urban settlement in the harsh territorial area of Murge and have been the stunning scenario for many famous films, including the spectacular movie "The Passion" by Mel Gibson.

Lunch at a local restaurant and return to the masseria in the afternoon.

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Day 4: Bari walking tour, afternoon cooking class

This morning, enjoy a guided tour in Bari. The journey begins in Piazza Mercantile, where you meet your local guide outside the historic Martinucci pastry shop for a first taste of Apulian espresso - a ritual that sets the tone for the day.

From here, the walk slips naturally into Bari Vecchia, a dense weave of narrow streets where churches, courtyards, and everyday scenes sit side by side. As you move through the old quarter, stops at small gastronomic shops for street food tastings of local specialties. Cap off the experience with a plate of freshly made orecchiette, Bari’s emblematic handmade pasta.

In the afternoon, enjoy a private cooking class at a farm in the Apulian countryside. Wear your apron and get ready to become chef for a day! Often translated as “the food of the poor”, “la cucina povera” is the Italian term to indicate Apulian cooking. Feast on your creations for dinner. B,L,D

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Day 5: A Day at Leisure

Day at leisure to relax at the beach or pool, visit Monopoli or Polignano al Mare, etc.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a guided tour in the lovely town of Locorotondo, known for the peculiar buildings known as "cummerse". As the afternoon fades, gather for a delightful aperitivo among the vines of an urban vineyard, where sparkling wine and warm light set the perfect scene.

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Day 6: Winery, walking tour of the white city of Ostuni

In the morning, head to a local winery for a visit, followed by a wine tasting lunch.

This afternoon, we will enjoy a walking tour of Ostuni, known as the White City.

Transfer to Lecce and check-in Le Club Boutique Hotel

Dinner this evening is at a local masseria.

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Day 7: Lecce walking tour, Olive Oil

Set out on a walking tour to discover Lecce, the “Florence of the South”. Start your tour at a pastry shop to taste the special iced coffee of Lecce, prepared with the addition of almond milk.

Piazza del Duomo is considered as the elegant “living room” of the city, framed by the majestic and refined surrounding architectural scene featuring the wonderful Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta. The latter is a monumental work that well represents the greatness of the Baroque in Lecce.

Enjoy a street food lunch with typical dishes in the gastronomic workshops of the city and cap it off with a pasticciotto tasting, a typical dessert filled with cream.

Next, we visit a traditional frantoio to enjoy an in-depth look at olive oil production, from the harvest of the olives to pressing and bottling the finished oil. Guided through each stage of the process, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the techniques and care that define high-quality extra-virgin olive oil. The focus then turns to a tasting of regional olive oils, paired with local products that highlight their aromas, textures, and distinctive character. This is a simple, sensory way to connect with one of Apulia’s most essential traditions.

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Day 8: Otranto walking tour, Farewell dinner

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Otranto, a natural bridge between the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Enter the old town by Porta Alfonsina and explore the ancient village, recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage Site as "messenger site of peace". Here you will find the Aragonese Castle, the defensive fortress of the town, and the marvelous Cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria Annunziata, built in Norman times on ancient Messapian, Roman and early Christian vestiges.

Its beautiful mosaic floor is a masterpiece created by the monk Pantaleone between 1163 and 1165 and represents the tree of life.

Free time this afternoon followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

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