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Uncover the flavors of Puglia, Italy's heel: savor local cuisine, soak up history & discover authentic Italian charm

from US $ 8110 pp

Italy Map

Tour Highlights

Bari Private Tour

Cheese-Making Class

Wine and Food Tasting

Pasta-Making Class

Conical Trulli Homes

Country Home Dining

Sea Cave by Boat

about this tour

about this tour

Discover Puglia through its food, traditions, and daily life. Try the region’s wide range of dishes, from the hearty meals of the countryside to the fresh seafood of the coast. Learn how to make pasta by hand, taste olive oil pressed from local groves, and enjoy traditional meals paired with wines from nearby vineyards. Visit towns such as Bari and Matera, where quiet streets and old stone buildings reflect the past. Spend time in smaller villages, each offering its own local craft or custom, whether it’s pottery, folk music, or market life. This tour goes beyond meals and sightseeing. It gives you the chance to meet the people who live here and see how traditions are kept alive through daily routines. You’ll take part in workshops, share meals with local families, and walk through landscapes shaped by farming and community. There’s time to slow down, enjoy your surroundings, and get to know a region through the details that often go unnoticed. It’s not about ticking off highlights, but about building a sense of connection with the places you visit. Whether you’re rolling pasta dough, helping with a harvest, or listening to a local story, each moment adds depth to your experience. By the end of the trip, you’ll leave with more than just photos. You’ll carry a sense of place and the memory of shared meals, conversations, and everyday life in Puglia.

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CHEESE-MAKING CLASS Travel to a farmhouse set in the Mercadante forest, where you’ll learn how cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, scamorza, and burrata are made using traditional methods. Local producers will guide you through each step, offering insight into the care and skill involved in the process. After the demonstration, enjoy a tasting session followed by a lunch made entirely from ingredients grown or prepared on the farm. It’s a chance to slow down and appreciate the work behind everyday foods.

  • 1

    Arrival in Bari

    Upon landing at Bari Airport, you will take a short transfer to your hotel located in Bari city center. This region of Italy is known as Apulia, or Puglia in Italian. It forms the "heel" of the country. You can easily walk to the city's seafront, where you can enjoy views of the Adriatic Sea reflecting the city lights. Bari Vecchia, the old town, is also within walking distance. This historic area offers a mix of traditional shops, local businesses, and modern establishments. In the evening, try the traditional dishes such as popizze (fried dough pockets filled with ricotta cheese) and teglia barese (a rice, potato, and mussel dish) in a local restaurant.

    overnight

    Upon landing at Bari Airport, you will take a short transfer to your hotel located in Bari city center. This region of Italy is known as Apulia, or Puglia in…
  • 2

    Altamura - Cheese & Focaccia - Matera

    After breakfast, depart for Altamura. This city is home to a unique cathedral, the only one built by Emperor Frederick II. The well-preserved old town offers a glimpse into medieval life. Enjoy the region's renowned bread and focaccia, freshly baked in a traditional oven. Continue to a nearby farmhouse nestled in the Mercadante forest. Observe the process of transforming milk into cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, scamorza, and burrata. Savor a lunch featuring the farm's fresh produce. In the afternoon, journey to Matera, an ancient city with distinctive cave dwellings known as the Sassi. Explore these unique homes and the city's historic center. Return to Bari in the evening.

    After breakfast, depart for Altamura. This city is home to a unique cathedral, the only one built by Emperor Frederick II. The well-preserved old town offers a glimpse into medieval…
  • 3

    Bari Tour

    Begin the day with breakfast followed by a unique guided tour of Bari. Participate in a lively and interactive exploration of the city, including a visit to the cathedral, a shared place of worship for Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Discover the surprising connection to Santa Claus. A complimentary lunch will be provided. In the afternoon visit an ancient farmhouse for a hands-on pasta-making class focused on orecchiette. Conclude the day with a satisfying dinner featuring a selection of Apulian delicacies, including homemade pasta, local cold cuts, and cheeses. Return to Bari in the evening.

    Begin the day with breakfast followed by a unique guided tour of Bari. Participate in a lively and interactive exploration of the city, including a visit to the cathedral, a…
  • 4

    Alberobello - Locorotondo

    After breakfast, depart for Alberobello, the heart of the Puglia region renowned for its distinctive trulli. These ancient stone dwellings, capped with curious conical roofs, dot the countryside amidst rolling hills, vineyards, and centuries-old olive trees. Enjoy the opportunity to build your own miniature version of these iconic structures. Explore the town, discovering shops and craft activities within the trulli. Savor the flavors of the region with a tasting of local products.  Continue to Locorotondo, a picturesque town celebrated for its circular layout and whitewashed houses. Experience the local charm with a visit to the "cummesse" and savor a traditional dinner featuring roasted "bombette". Return to Bari in the evening

    After breakfast, depart for Alberobello, the heart of the Puglia region renowned for its distinctive trulli. These ancient stone dwellings, capped with curious conical roofs, dot the countryside amidst rolling…
  • 5

    Polignano a Mare - Ostuni

    After breakfast, depart for Polignano a Mare, a renowned seaside village perched on the Adriatic Sea. Discover the town's historic center and learn about its famous native son, singer Domenico Modugno, creator of the iconic song "Volare." There will be a stop for a seafood lunch, a quintessential taste of the region. In the afternoon, continue onwards to Ostuni, nestled between the hills and the sea. The town is characterized by its lime houses, and known as the the “città bianca” (white city). Ostuni's strategic location positions it as a gateway to the Salento region, the southernmost tip of Puglia, a land embraced by the sea and distinguished by its unique character. Following this visit, transport to your hotel in Lecce's historical center. The evening is at your leisure to explore the area and try one of the traditional local restaurants.

    After breakfast, depart for Polignano a Mare, a renowned seaside village perched on the Adriatic Sea. Discover the town's historic center and learn about its famous native son, singer Domenico…
  • 6

    Gallipoli - Salento Wine & Food

    Today begins with a visit to Gallipoli, the pearl of the Ionian Sea. The small town is known for its historic center, which stands on an offshore island, and for the crystal-clear waters that surround it. The town boasts a castle, reminiscent of Matera's Sassi architecture, and numerous churches, contributing to its rich artistic heritage. Here, tourism coexists with fishing and the slow rhythms of southern life. Once you have seen Gallipoli, there is a visit to a typical Salento masseria (country property), for a wine tour and to taste some local products starting with the renowned "primitivo," accompanied by the famous taralli and other local delicacies. Later, return to the hotel in Lecce.

    Today begins with a visit to Gallipoli, the pearl of the Ionian Sea. The small town is known for its historic center, which stands on an offshore island, and for…
  • 7

    Lecce Tour

    Today is dedicated to exploring Lecce, often referred to as the "Florence of the South." Discover the city's renowned Baroque architecture, including the cathedral with its unique double facade and the intricate sculptures adorning the Santa Croce rose window. Uncover remnants of the Roman era, starting with the city's amphitheater. There will be plenty of time to wander through the historic center, and visit artisan shops filled with unique treasures. Conclude the day with a delicious pizza, a testament to Puglia's strong pizza-making tradition.

    Today is dedicated to exploring Lecce, often referred to as the "Florence of the South." Discover the city's renowned Baroque architecture, including the cathedral with its unique double facade and…
  • 8

    Santa Maria di Leuca - Sea Cave by Boat

    This morning begins with a transfer to Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas converge dramatically. This unique location makes it one of Italy's most enchanting seaside destinations. From here, there is a boat excursion to the Zinzulusa sea cave, a remarkable natural formation featuring stunning rock formations and crystal-clear waters. The cave is known for its archaeological significance as well as its natural beauty, discoveries within the cave suggest it was once a place of worship. After a day by the sea, what better than a seafood dinner in Otranto, the pearl of the Adriatic and easternmost point of Italy. This ancient city has a rich history spanning Italic, Greek, and Roman periods. The city is also a poignant reminder of the population's heroic resistance to the Turkish siege, as evidenced in the cathedral, where they house the skulls of 800 martyrs. After dinner, there is transport back to the hotel in Lecce.

    This morning begins with a transfer to Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas converge dramatically. This unique location makes it one of Italy's most enchanting seaside…
  • 9

    Departure Day

    Your guide will advise you of collection time from your hotel for transfer to the airport. If you have a later flight, the morning is yours at leisure. We trust you have enjoyed the flavors and history of this special part of the world!

    Your guide will advise you of collection time from your hotel for transfer to the airport. If you have a later flight, the morning is yours at leisure. We trust…

Why Book With Us?

Selected luxury hotels that deliver exceptional service in authentic local style.

Finest Hotels

Our in-country experts have in-depth knowledge of their city and culture for an exceptional travel experience.​

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Our experienced travel consultants are there to support you throughout your journey.​

Customer Support​

We favor local partners who share our focus on quality customer service while providing value to the local communities.​

Responsible Tourism​

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Our in-country expert

Hello, I’m Becky, a seasoned professional with nearly two decades of experience in the travel industry. My career has spanned various roles, including Marketing, Sales, Aviation, Customer Experience, and Operations. This diverse background has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the industry and a unique ability to navigate its many facets. Traveling is not just...
Becky
Becky

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