Duration:
7 days (6 nights)
Transportation:
Ground transportation provided throughout
Arrival Airport/City:
Bari Airport
Departure Airport/City:
Bari Airport
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Enjoy the sumptuous seafood & wine delicacies of the Puglia, a true gem of the Mediterranean, and discover its stunning Unesco-heritage historic attractions and wonderful beaches. From the conical houses of Alberobello to the baroque wonders and Roman ruins of Lecce and Otranto, every day guarantees discoveries and emotions, with plenty of possibility for beach relax and sailing activities. Including hands-on meetings with winemakers and even making your own mozzarella and burrata. Complete an unforgettable journey with a visit to Matera, a one-of-a-kind Unesco-heritage town completely carved in limestone.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites included: Trulli of Alberobello, The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera
- Outdoor activities (optional, upon agreement with participants and subject to meteorological conditions): cycling tour of historic olive trees plantations and fortified farmhouses in Monopoli, sailing excursion to Polignano a Mare, visit of Castellana caves
- “Burrata aka when mozzarella goes to paradise “. Learn how to make traditional cheese like the deliciously creamy burrata and stracciatella in a fun and informative hands-on workshop at an organic farm, where cows get massaged and relaxing spa-like treatment to get the best milk you will ever taste.
Itineraries
Day 1
Bari to Monopoli for a welcome to Puglia
Your guide will meet you either at Bari Airport or Train Station. Regular inexpensive flights from several locations within Italy to Bari or by direct trains from Rome. Transfer to your accommodation in the scenic historic center of Monopoli, a quaint seaside town which will be our home base for the next three days. According to the arrival time, we can visit Putignano, sunny and quiet hilltop village tasting traditional recipes with the elegant modern touch of a master chef. The welcome to Puglia will be a relaxing and informative stroll in town with an expert local guide, followed by a tasting dinner to kick-off our journey through the unique culinary delights of this peninsula stretched across the Adriatic and Ionian sea. Meals included: L, DDay 2
Alberobello and Polignano a Mare: Trulli, mozzarella & wine
After breakfast, we head to Alberobello, famous for its unique prehistoric “trulli” buildings designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Transfer across scenic landscapes dotted by olive trees to visit the organic farm of a traditional cheese producer to taste the famous mozzarella, caciocavallo, ricotta and more delicacies, learning how to prepare these traditional cheese hands-on. After a home-style tasting lunch at the farm, we head to a nearby historic family-run winery to taste sparkling, rose, white and red wines in the heartland of the famous "Ferrovia" cherries, and return to Monopoli for relax and a nice swim in the city beaches or the scenic "small Atlantide" of Capitolo beach. Optional excursions: instead of the winery, according to the group's preference,, we can visit the stunning caves of Castellana, a world-class natural wonder or head for a special coffee and “digestive stroll” to Polignano a Mare, a scenic seaside village just up the coast from Monopoli perched atop a rocky outcrop, with an optional boat trip to admire the picturesque marine caves nearby. Before dinner we will meet for an aperitivo at a seafront bar and your guide will give some recommendations for dinner. If you're about ready for a change then there is an outstanding sushi restaurant with two Japanese sushi chefs a short walk from the old town. Meals included: B, L.Day 3
Matera & Altamura "time-travel"
The tradition says that “Meteoron” was the name given by travellers to the unique settlement while approaching the honeycombed “Sassi” and the stars reflected upon them like a meteorites’ shower. The third oldest human settlement in the world (after Jericho and Aleppo), with its millennial stones in the “Gravina” steep cliffs, a plethora of unique frescoed rupestrian churches , a well-deserved UNESCO world heritage site , 2019 European Capital of Culture with countless artistic events and installations, Matera seems suspended in time , a magic place where enchantment blends with sincerely warm welcoming and delicious cuisine. We will visit this historical gem with a stop along the way in the historic town of Altamura to sample its delicious traditional focaccia straight out of a medieval oven. Meals included: B, L, DDay 4
Manduria noble wines & Otranto
After breakfast, transfer towards Manduria, famous for its world-class primitivo and rosé wines. We will discover the history, tradition and taste of this nectar while visiting the Consorzio Produttori and its folk museum, with a guided tasting by a local sommelier with light lunch. Afternoon relax on the gorgeous white sandy beaches nearby, part of a protected natural area. Transfer to Otranto, a lively historic town in the heart of the historic and natural attractions of Salento. We will eat family-style at a lively local osteria in the heart of the old town. Meals included: B, L, DDay 5
Salento Beaches & Duke's wines
We will start the exploration of the gorgeous local beaches of the „Italian Maldives“ and optionally make an excursion to Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost tip of the region for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit a splendid winery, run since 12 centuries (yes, 1200 years!) by the same family of Dukes, with Norman origins. Dinner is at your leisure in Otranto and your guide will give you some suggestions. Meals included: B, LDay 6
Lecce Baroque Jewels
After breakfast we will to visit Lecce, a UNESCO tentative-listed baroque jewel, with an expert local guide. Today we will practice our skills and learn new secrets in a fun and informative cooking class with a local couple in their splendid mansion in the center of Lecce, and visit an ancient traditional mill in the countryside. Afternoon dedicated to beach relax in the splendid locations of Baia dei Turchi , Torre dell’Orso and Grotta della Poesia for the most adventurous swimmers. We will enjoy a tasting dinner in Otranto as farewell to Salento. Meals included: B, L, DDay 7
Ostuni, “the white city” on the way to Bari
In the morning we say farewell to Otranto but there are still interesting attractions waiting for you along the way. According to your departure time from Bari, we will stop for a stroll and snack in the splendid Ostuni, one of the most stunning cities in southern Italy famous for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses which earned the nickname “the white city”. A genuine and charming example of Mediterranean architecture to be explored on foot along a maze of staircases, alleys, arches and plenty of historic and artistic sites. Your driver will bring you to Bari airport or train station in due time to continue your exploration of other Italian destinations or Croatia, since Bari is well connected by an overnight ferry to Dubrovnik. Meals included: B.- Flights to and from Europe
- Tips for Tour Guides and Drivers
- Travel Insurance
- 2 evening meals (daytime tastings and other activities make these very ‘optional’)
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