Puglia

We begin in the city known “The Pearl of Puglia”, where the contrast of the deep blue sea fights the starkness of the limestone glossy streets in the city beyond

After your transfer from Bari airport or Trani station, we make our way to our luxurious hotel overlooking the spectacular views of the seaside port of Trani. Meet Melina at the terrace bar at 6pm for a welcome drink. Your culinary journey of Puglia now begins in our beautiful restaurant, who’s chef has created a cuisine that is simple yet refined. Tonight’s’ menu plays with tradition, and will perplex your senses and draw you into the magic that is Puglia.

Meals – Dinner
Accommodation – Luxury Accommodation

This morning we swap sundrenched coastline and immerse ourselves in cheese and wine as we head towards Andria.

First stop is the hustle and bustle of the busy market and where the miracle of ‘cucina povera’ – peasant cooking begins. The star in Andria is the delicious burrata, a typical cheese of the area and only produced in Puglia. As the artisans make this soft and creamy cheese, we lunch antipasto style before heading off to visit the Museum of Confetto. The Museum of Confetti, (traditional Puglian sweets), is the result of patient and passionate research, which not only tells the history of confetto, chocolate and sweet making, but also recounts the age old enterprise of the Mucci Family.

The magnificent wine estate owned by the Antinori’s family is next. Crossing the 130 hectares of vine we approach the farm that reminds us of the typical “masserie” of the Murgia with its structure and brilliant white tuffaceous walls. An exclusive experience, we enjoy a private cellar tour and dine on the palatial balcony as we watch the sun set over the vines as they seemingly roll into the Adriatic Sea

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and wine tastings

On a drive through the old roman roads, past ancient masserie we head into the heart of Puglia’s ancient olive trees

This morning we experience the joy of making Puglia’s pride and joy… Olive oil. We will arrive onsite at an authentic underground oil mill, and head out for a walk through ancient olive groves, before sampling all things olive and lunching on site.

In the afternoon we check into our luxury resort then head for the picturesque town of Polignano a Mare, a shining gem on the coast of the Valle d’Itria, perched atop a 20 metre-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic. The breathtaking Grotta Palazzese, a marine cave carved out of magnificent limestone rocks, with an unparalleled view over the blue-green Adriatic is our location for dinner tonight. Here we will dine on the local seafood whilst listening to the sounds of the waves and sea breeze toying with all our senses

Meals – Breakfast, Tastings, lunch, Dinner
Accommodation – Luxury accommodation

From our boat we will experience why Polignano is often called Pearl of the Adriatic, as we set sail on its’ crystal clear waters

 *This morning we will experience Polignano from the water as we tour around the shore line and its caves. After a dip in the ocean and a light lunch on board you will have time to explore this magical haven.  Why not stroll through the town and have a coffee or Gelato in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, then head down to the Blue Flag beach, just a few minutes’ walk from the old centre. A firm favourite with the locals, the beach is flanked on two sides by cliffs from which children and teenagers dive all through the day until sunset.

This afternoon we head out for Bari. Hidden away in the warren of narrow alleys and secret passages is some of the best food you will find in Italy… tonight we celebrate the revival of ‘Street Food”  In Bari, families often sit with windows and doors open, filling the air with the fragrance of ‘home food’, an open invitation for the curious passer-by to share in a ‘bite’. This charming old town with tangled streets reveals Romanesque churches, seaside promenade, a riotous market, elegant medieval piazzas and the beautiful St. Nicola’s Basilica, home of Saint Nicolas also known as Santa Claus and of course orecchiette!

*Sailing on day 4 will be determined by safe weather conditions. Departure confirmation will be decided at the discretion of the tour leaders. In the event of bad weather, this morning will be free time and then we will meet for an included seafood lunch at an iconic Polignano restaurant.

Meals – Breakfast, lunch, Dinner
Accommodation – Luxury accommodation

Matera, rich and vibrant in history and culture and an artist and photographer’s paradise.

Southern Italy is famous for many things but once of the most important of those is Pasta, so our first destination today is an Artisan pasta maker of the region.

From there we head onto Matera, the emerging Italian treasure. This astonishing UNESCO World Heritage Site must be seen to be believed and so we will take a tour of the “Sassi di Matera” (meaning “stones of Matera”). Because of the ancient and primitive scenery in and around the Sassi, it has been used by filmmakers as the setting for ancient Jerusalem. After our walking tour enjoy some free time and lunch at your leisure before being transferred to your luxury accommodation, set right in the heart of the honeycomb of natural caves and this breathtaking protected settlement. Take some time before dinner to browse the local artisan shops and pick up that gift that is really something unique or join us for Aperitivo!

Dinner tonight will complete our magnificent day, as we venture out for a real Apulian experience!

Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation – Luxury accommodation

The unique Trulli of Alberberobello, Folk dancing and a cooking lesson in 16^th Century Masseria … today is the day you will never forget!

A guided walk around the streets of Alberobello, the World Heritage Site of fairy-tale trulli, traditional dry stone huts with conical roof are specific to this area of the region. Alberobello is also a centre of linen making and its artsians are internationally renowned for this fine and detailed craft. For those interested, we will make our way to an artisan crafter of linen, or for those who prefer, you may stay behind and haggle with the locals in a bar about who makes the best liqueur from the area.

Hard work in the afternoon: you’ll be involved in a cookery course which you’ll learn how to make fresh pasta and limoncello in a charming 1600’ masseria (farmhouse). Agriturismo Masseria Salamina is immersed in a wonderful expanse of olive trees and your dinner today will be based on your efforts!

Tonight we stay in a beautiful relais in the town of Ostuni.

Meals – Breakfast, Tastings, Dinner
Accommodation – Luxury Accommodation

Home to our stunning relais, Ostuni has long been an awe inspiring gem, rising high above the carpet of olive trees that’s stretches across the plains right to the Adriatic, today we experience in true Italian Style from our Vespa’s

Regarded as an architectural jewel, Ostuni is commonly referred to as “the White Town” for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture, at the heart of which sits the magnificent gothic cathedral. Forget Santorini, Ostuni is the new pride of Europe. For our first stop, we will first visit an estate producing an extraordinary quality of typical cold cut called capocollo. From there we will pick up our *Vespa’s setting off through the dramatic scenery of the Itria Valley and head towards the shore line for a relaxing picnic on the beach.

* Vespa tours will be determined by safe weather conditions. Departure confirmation will be decided at the discretion of the tour leaders. In the event of bad weather we will head to Ceglie Messapica, the gourmet capital of the south where we will first visit Ceglie’s iconic market and then head to two very unique locations, a delicatessen & pasticceria typical of the region.

Back to your Relais, then dinner tonight is at our Michelin star restaurant

Meals – Breakfast, Luch, Tastings, Dinner – Michelin star restaurant
Accommodation – Luxury Accommodation

After breakfast it’s time to depart and say goodbye to Puglia, start your journey home OR extend your holiday and stay on in Europe. For anyone joining us on our Calabria tour, we will be transferred by private coach to our new destination.

Meals – Breakfast
Transfer – included to Bari/Brindisi airport or Ostuni train station.

• Seven (7) breakfasts, Eight (8) Tastings, Five (5) lunches, seven (7) dinners & One (1) wine tasting
• One (1) Michelin dinner & Two (2) fine dining dinners, 2 x private street food tours
• Excursions – Market tour in Andria, Visit to confetto Museum, Artisan producer Burrata visit, Winery tour, Guided walk of Trani. Visit to an oil Mill, Guided walk of Polignano, Guided walk of Bari with guided tour of St Nicola’s Cathedral, Guided walk of polignano, Visit to artisan pasta producer, Guided tour of Matera, Visit to Lacemaker and Deli in Alberobello,private cooking lesson in 16th century masseria, traditional folk dancers , Ostuni old town tour, Ceglie bakery and Castello tour, artisan Capocollo production facility with tasting.
• Fully escorted by Melina Puntoriero, Manuelina Culinary

TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS,
• TRAVEL INSURANCE,
• PASSPORT,
• ITEMS OF A PERSONAL NATURE (LAUNDRY, ETC),
• BEVERAGES,
• TIPPING

• PLEASE NOTE: Hotels listed are subject to change. All menus and meals listed are subject to change without prior notice.
• Sailing and Vespa tours will be determined by safe weather conditions. Departure confirmation will be decided at the discretion of the tour leaders. In the event of bad weather, excursions of equal value and quality will be substituted.