PUGLIA, ITALY

Group transfers from Bari airport to the magnificent Masseria Salamina in Fasano. A welcome dinner will be enjoyed at the masseria.

Continental breakfast at the masseria.

Today, we travel to the village of Alberobello, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of fairy-tale trulli, traditional dry-stone huts with conical roofs, construction style specific only to this region of the world!

Next, we will experience another of Puglia’s most important treasures: OLIVE OIL. We will visit the renowned Masseria Brancati. The olive mill on this ancient estate has been in use for thousands of years and provides a fascinating insight into olive oil production. We’ll walk the beautiful grounds of the estate and of course enjoy some olive oil tasting. For lunch, we have prepared an exclusive dining experience in the heart of the olive groves. A truly memorable moment.

Next, we visit Ostuni, regarded as an architectural jewel, commonly referred to as “the White Town” for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. Get lost in the hundred alleys, amongst workshops and Baroque churches.

We then return to the Resort to attend our first cooking class, learning to make fresh pasta and focaccia in an incredible outdoor kitchen. We will enjoy the dinner we create paired with locally produced wines! This remarkable experience is highlighted by a group of traditional Pizzica folk dancers.

Continental breakfast at the masseria.

Our day begins with a tour of Bari, Puglia’s prosperous seaside capital, where tangled streets and charming old town reveal Romanesque churches, the market, and the medieval piazzas; the beautiful St. Nicola’s Basilica, home of Saint Nicolas, one of the most beloved saints; and an intimate visit in the home of a local orecchiette pasta maker. Finally, we will experience the whole range of the local street food at a local’s home.

Our day continues with a visit to breathtaking Polignano a Mare to admire the impressive panoramas from the seaside terraces overlooking the blue-green Adriatic as we indulge in a tasty gelato, the pride of the locals. Admire the beautiful marine caves carved out of magnificent limestone rocks and visit the dramatic sea caves by motorboat and imagine the many centuries of smugglers who used the caves. Enjoy a dip in the Adriatic Sea and an aperitivo on board. We return to the masseria for a relaxing evening and dinner.

Continental breakfast at the masseria.

Early departure to Lecce and meet up with local chef, Gianna, to visit the simple food market at Porta Rudiae and buy produce for today’s cooking class. From here, we walk to her beautiful cooking school in the heart of Lecce’s old city. Gianna will share secrets of the region’s culinary traditions while you get hands-on in making a delicious 4-course lunch.

After lunch our guide will take you on a fascinating and detailed walking tour of this city rich in history, architecture, and culture. From the Roman amphitheater to the noble palazzi, the city is just brimming with imposing sites. Lecce is also known for its pastries and we will be sure to try some of the city’s famous “pasticciotto leccese.”

We return to the masseria to pack for the next day’s transfer, and free time to relax by the pool. To complete our day, we will experience dinner al fornello; we select and are served various cuts of local meats in a true butchery – a real Apulian experience!

Continental breakfast at the masseria.

After check-out, we will transport you to the town of Altamura, where you will stop at a DOP bread producer for an inside look at how the traditional breads of the region are made. Here you will be welcomed into the bakery where the techniques and secrets for making these special breads will be revealed. You will even have a chance to try working with the dough yourself, shaping the bread before putting it into the oven to bake. The visit will conclude with a tasting of the bread we made as well as some incredible focaccia.

Next, we head to Matera in the Basilicata region, another astonishing UNESCO World Heritage Site: this city has gained international fame for its ancient town, the “Sassi di Matera” (meaning “stones of Matera”), with dwellings thought to be the first human settlements in Italy. Because of the ancient and primitive scenery in and around the Sassi, many famous biblical period motion pictures were filmed in Matera, including “The Passion of the Christ”. Lunch is on your own and at your leisure.

In the afternoon, we head toward your next hotel, Ognissanti Hotel, on the harbor in Trani. Balance of day to settle in with a welcome drink followed by dinner at lively restaurant harbor-side near the hotel.

Continental breakfast at the hotel.

Today we begin with a casual tour of the coastal town of Trani. We will tour the characteristic old town, hosting a vibrant Jewish quarter, its grand harbor, and stunning Cathedral set right on the seafront.

Our day continues in Andria with a visit to the Museo del Confetto, one of the oldest and most famous chocolate-makers in all of Italy! Next, we visit a mozzarella factory, Famiglia Olanda, where the popular burrata cheese originates! Watch and learn how this cheese is made by hand, and then enjoy an incredible lunch featuring cheeses, foods, and wines from the region. Next we’ll move to a charming masseria where we will experience our next cooking class followed by a delicious dinner.

Continental breakfast at the hotel.

Today we visit Castel del Monte, an imposing castle built by Swedish emperor Fredrick II in the 13th century and full of mystic power. With neither moat nor drawbridge it seems unlikely the castle was ever meant as a defensive fortress. Scholars have suggested that the castle was used as a hunting lodge, but the highly unusual architectural design suggest a more profound use, still the subject of conjecture. The fortress is an octagonal prism with eight octagonal towers, one at each intersection of the main octagon. Federico II possibly drew inspiration from the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem for the design. The Castle was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996.

Next, we visit the magnificent wine estate owned by the Antinori Family. Crossing the 130 hectares of vines, we approach the farm that reminds us of the typical “masserie” of the Murgia with its structure and brilliant white tuffaceous walls. Enjoy a private cellar tour and a delightful tasting of their best wines, paired with a delightful lunch.

Back to your hotel to pack and relax. Our farewell dinner tonight is at a popular seafood restaurant.

Continental breakfast at the hotel.

Transfers to Bari airport; departures for home destinations or wherever your travels may take you!