Italy, Puglia – Eat, Drink & Explore Puglia

Sweets, Burrata & Wines

Enjoy breakfast then we will visit a local market. Here you will see what the locals do every day in order to ensure their produce fresh and seasonal.

Your day continues on to Andria where you’ll visit the Museum of Confetto famous for sugared almonds and dragées. This store preserves and presents the heritage of these sweets, with over 200 types available for tasting while browsing.

Following your sweet tastings, we move on to a dairy farm where you will discover why Andria is renowned for its burrata (made from mozzarella and cream). A special lunch based with their range of dairy foods will be enjoyed during the visit.

Return to hotel.

In the afternoon, transfer to the magnificent wine estate owned by the Antinori family. With 130 hectares of vineyards, and a long heritage in wine production, they are one of the most highly regarded producers of the region. Upon arrival you will take a tour of the cellar, then enjoy a tasting before a delightful buffet dinner.

Overnight in Trani

Meals B, T(Sweets), L, T(Wines), D

Polignano a Mare

Check out this morning, then after breakfast we explore the coastal town where you have been staying – Trani. This was once the most important centre in Southern Italy, however it was later changed to Bari. The old town features a Jewish quarter, majestic harbour and stunning Cathedral located right on the seafront.

Transfer to an authentic underground oil mill with an opportunity to learn of the medieval peasant culture by walking through olive groves, caves and country roads. The Puglia region has over 50 million olive trees; they are the first producer of extra-virgin olive oil in Italy and the biggest single production region in the world. Partake in a tasting of the produce during your visit, along with other local delicacies.

Check-in at your seafront hotel in Polignano a Mare.

After arrival, take a guided walk to view the seaside terraces overhanging limestone rocks, with an unparalleled view over the blue-green Adriatic. And while enjoying the view, why not indulge in a tasty gelato or granita, pride of the locals.

Overnight in Polignano a Mare or Monopoli

Meals B, T (Olive Oil)

Polignano a Mare & Bari

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*.

Your day continues with a guided visit of Bari, Puglia’s prosperous seaside capital, with tangled streets, the charming old town reveals Romanesque churches, a riotous market and elegant medieval piazzas. You will also see the beautiful St. Nicola’s Basilica, home of Saint Nicolas, one of the most beloved saints in the whole world and father of the legend of Santa Claus. The guided walk will reveal other remarkable historical attractions, a seaside promenade and busy pedestrian shopping area.

Finally we get to experience a whole range of the local street food panzerotti, focaccia, sgagliozze and popizze.

Overnight in Polignano a Mare

* 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 restaurant

Matera

The first destination today is to visit an Artisan pasta maker where you will learn the secrets of producing perfect pasta!

We will then head to Matera in the Basilicata region, an astonishing UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city has gained international fame for its ancient town, the “Sassi di Matera” (meaning “stones of Matera”). The Sassi originate from a prehistoric (troglodyte) settlement, and are suspected to be some of the first human settlements in Italy.

Because of the ancient and primitive scenery in and around the Sassi, it has been used by filmmakers as the setting for ancient Jerusalem: a good number of famous biblical period motion pictures were filmed in Matera, amongst which Mel Gibson’s blockbuster “The Passion of the Christ”.

Lunch at your leisure.

Afternoon free to stroll around before reconvening for an Aperitivo before a delightful dinner.

Overnight in Matera

Meals B, D

Alberobello, Ostuni & Cooking

We have an early departure this morning and head for Alberobello, the World Heritage Site of fairy-tale trulli. They are traditional dry stone huts with conical rooves, a construction that is unique and specific to this region.

There will be a visit to the wine museum and the adjacent winery, where you can taste the wines and enjoy some local antipasti.

This afternoon we roll up our sleeves for a cookery course where you’ll learn to make fresh pasta and limoncello in a charming 1600C masseria (farmhouse), surrounded by an expanse of olive trees.

Overnight in Ostuni

Meals B, T(Capocollo & Wine), D

Martina Franca or Ceglie Messapica*

Take a pleasant trip through the dramatic scenery of the Itria Valley, as we head toward an estate producing an extraordinary quality of typical cold cut called capocollo. Here we will stop to learn more about this specialty, and enjoy a tasting accompanied by a glass of sparkling Verdesca wine.

Following we will pick up our Vespas and head towards the shore line for a relaxing picnic on the beach.

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

Overnight in Ostuni

Meals B, T (Capocolla & Wine), D

*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.

Departure

After breakfast it’s time to say farewell, and you will be transferred to the Bari/Brindisi airport.

Meal B