Experience the definitive characters of landscape and food on your 8-day Italy tour of Puglia. You will have insight into history and tradition as you explore authentic gastronomy to uncover the flavors that burst from the heel of Italy’s iconic boot shape. Olive orchards bring oil cultivation, and vineyards yield distinctive tastes from the arid plains, rugged mountains, and the Adriatic Sea, castles, and fairytale homes that accentuate unforgettable Puglia.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Locorotondo – Arrive in Puglia with a Fabulous Walking Tour and Dinner
The loudest sounds in the quiet town of Locorotondo come from the boisterous laughter that often spills out of the cafes and drifts through the cobblestone streets. The historical city center will glisten with opulent white facades against the red geraniums that blossom on the windowsills as the town stands on the Murge Plateau at an elevation of 1,350 feet above sea level. Your eyes will find the Church of St. George the Martyr, built between the 18th and 19th centuries at the center of the labyrinthine streets and alleyways. Pitched rooftops define the houses, and the surrounding Itria Valley glows with emerald hues.
Your flight will land at Bari’s Karol Wojtyla Airport, and your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival and escort you to the comforts and charm of your family-owned hotel situated inside a traditional villa. After taking some time to settle in, your guide will greet you and escort you into the heart of Locorotondo to enjoy wandering amongst the winding lanes and alleys.
As you walk, you will stop to view the Romanesque façade of the 12th-century Church of the Madonna of Grace as the aroma of freshly made orecchiette, the traditional pasta shaped like small ears, drifts through the restaurants. You can take your seat at an outdoor table to enjoy the cool, refreshing breeze as you sip a delightful wine made from the minutolo grape that brings an intense spiced aroma that will lead to the slightly sweet and citrusy flavor of white flowers and nectarine.
What's Included:
Day 2
Locorotondo – Experience Charm and Wine on a Grand Tour of Alberobello
Day 3
Locorotondo – Visit Baroque Lecce and Enjoy a Private Cooking Class
Day 4
Locorotondo – Enjoy a Burrata Class and Olive Oil Tasting and Visit Ostuni
Day 5
Locorotondo – Relish a Boat Tour at Polignano a Mare and Local Cooking
Day 6
Locorotondo – Traverse the Rock Caves and Medieval Homes of Matera
Day 7
Locorotondo – Discover the Bari Fish Market and Alta Murgia National Park
Day 8
Locorotondo – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Learn about the history and cultivation of burrata cheese from a dairy farmer who will teach you the proper way to create the best flavor
- Trace the history of wine in the town of Alberobello as you sample the locally made varietals inside one of the storybook structures the town is known for
- Relish a cooking class taught by a private local chef to practice your hand at making the regional pasta or orecchiette
- Travel along the rock walls of the gorge of Matera, home to the cave houses and rock churches that date back more than a millennium
- Sample the wines of Puglia on a vineyard that is situated amongst the unique landscape and castle-clad hills of Alta Murgia National Park
- Enjoy a private cruise on the Adriatic for a grand view of the whitewashed walls and cliffs of Polignano a Mare before a seafood cooking class
- Stroll beneath the elaborate display of Baroque architectural style that is found in Lecce with the many gargoyles, cherubs, and animals that grace Santa Croce Basilica
Detailed Description
The marvels of Italian cuisine will abound during your 8-day culinary tour of Italy that will focus on the spectacular flavors of the southern region of Puglia. Your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival at Karol Wojtyla Airport in Bari and bring you to your luxury villa-style accommodation located near the welcoming historical town of Locorotondo. The remainder of the afternoon will be at your leisure to relish the comforts of your hotel and stroll through the historical streets of the town before enjoying an introductory dinner to the gastronomy of the region.
Wake the next day, and your private transfer will escort you to the storybook town of Alberobello, known for the unique structures known as trulli. Explore the architecture design before entering the wine museum to learn about the evolution of wine cultivation in the region. Sample the distinctive varietals at the end of your tour before returning to Locorotondo for a quiet evening. The next day, you will travel to the Baroque city of Lecce, often referred to as the “Florence of the South.” The magnificent architecture that lines the cobblestone streets and piazzas will capture your heart. Meet a local chef that afternoon who will teach you the intricacies of the simple, yet profound, food of Puglia during your private cooking lesson.
Venture into the countryside the following day to meet a local dairy farmer to work together to make burrata cheese from scratch and then visit a nearby olive grove to learn the art of crafting perfect olive oil as you discern the many flavors. In the town of Ostuni, you can wander amongst the whitewashed homes in view of the sea before returning to your villa for the evening. The next day, wake ready to step aboard your private boat to sail along the Adriatic Sea outside of Polignano a Mare. Upon returning to the cliff-top town, you will meet a chef known for utilizing the fresh seafood of the region to create elaborate dishes steeped in tradition and enjoy time taking it all in.
Venture next to the incredible town of Matera to view the mixture of medieval architecture and old homes that have been built into the caves along the gorge wall. Find Byzantine churches, mosaics, and captivating history. The next day, travel to Bari in the morning to experience the vibrant fish market and then continue into Alta Murgia National Park to view the beautiful scenery and enjoy a private wine tour that will exemplify the distinct flavors of the region. Conclude as you return to Bari by private transfer with plenty of time to check-in for your flight home at Karol Wojtyla Airport.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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