Italy, Puglia – Food & Wine Discovery

Alberobello & Martina Franca Wine Tasting

Breakfast in the Masseria.

Today we visit the UNESCO listed site of Alberobello, the Capital of the Trulli. The historic center is unique in the world: entirely made up of very particular pyramid-shaped buildings. The roofs are pinnacled and decorated with pagan symbols.

Following, at a local cellar you will enjoy getting to know some highly regarded local wines paired with excellent typical products.

Martina Franca, considered the pearl of the Apulian Baroque. The town is full of ducal palaces embellished with floral decorations about their windows and doorways.

In the evening, there will be an excursion to Ostuni, also known as the White City, for dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight in the Masseria

Meals B, T(Wines & Produce), D

Castel del Monte, Trani

Breakfast in the masseria.

Today we visit another UNESCO world heritage site, Castel del Monte, which stands solitary and majestic at a height of 540 metres, on the highest hill of the Murgia region. Universally renowned for its octagonal shape, it is masterpiece of medieval architecture.

It also an emblematic expression of multifaceted personality of Frederic II of Swabia, keen on mathematics, poetry, philosophy and astronomy. We explore the site with a local guide.

Following we stop in Trani for a delicious meal at an excellent seafood restaurant overlooking the sea. Trani, a slow food city (be sure to try the local dessert wine: “moscato di Trani”) whose pièce de résistance is a magnificent Swabian fortress and the wonderful romanesque cathedral.

Return to the Masseria.

Dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight in the Masseria

Meals B, L, D

Cooking Class

Today you have a cooking class at your tour host’s private home!!

Cooking with locals in a casual and friendly environment: classes are hands on, using the freshest of ingredients, together with samples of olive oil and wine produced directly on the grounds.

You will learn how to prepare the typical Puglian pasta “orecchiette” (little ears). Your guide will assist you during the cooking lesson, while you prepare pasta, bread or the focaccia as well as explaining some of Puglia’s main dishes.

Remove the apron, and enjoy your lunch creation together with a fabulous local wine.

Following lunch you will see the white historic quarters of Ceglie Messapica, before you head back to the masseria.

You probably won’t be hungry for the rest of the day. But, if you wish, the masseria will provide cheese, salami and focaccia for you (a light dinner on request).

Overnight at the Masseria

Meals B, L(Cooking Class), D(Antipasti upon request)

Brunch in Caseificio (Mozzarella Farm), Lecce

This morning is free to spend as you wish – sleep in, wander into town, or just find a quiet spot to read a book.

At about 11.30am we transfer to Lecce for a tasting of specialty cheeses in a local Caseificio, and to see how they make “mozzarella”. The tasting is accompanied with a variety of homemade breads, jams and chutneys and salads, all of which are homegrown using biodynamic and organic farming methods.

After the mozzarella experience, explore the capital of Baroque, Lecce. Known as the “Florence of the South”, Lecce, will enchant you with its elaborate architecture of Piazza San Oronzo, Piazza Duomo and the Church of Santa Croce.

Here, you will take a guided walking tour, complete with a tasting of the little cake typical of Lecce ‘Pasticciotto’ followed a little later by dinner at local restaurant.

After an enjoyable day, we’ll make our way back to the masseria, where we have the rest of the evening to relax and do as you wish.

Overnight at the Masseria

Meals Brunch, T(Cake)

Manduria & Primitivo Wine Tour

Our food and wine tour today becomes multi-sensory with the discovery of the renowned Primitivo di Manduria wine.

First we will visit the Primitivo Museum, equipped with ancient machinery and tools for harvesting and crushing grapes. Then we will taste 4 wine labels from the region with an expert sommelier, accompanied by typical local products.

Following the tasting, we will have an excursion to Manduria, an ancient Messapian center between Magna Graecia and Great Salento. Visit to the archaeological center to admire the Fonte Pliniano: a natural cave with a perennial spring.

Return to the farm.

Finally, in the evening, we will organize a special dinner for you: a panzerottata in the masseria! Panzerotto is the typical fried Apulian calzone filled with mozzarella and tomato.

Overnight at the Masseria

Meals B, T(Wines & Produce), D

Matera & Altamura (Bakery Visit)

Today we will visit the UNESCO listed site of Matera. Also known as the City of Stones, it is one of the oldest cities in the world. In fact, it holds evidence of human settlements from the Paleolithic to the present day. The original urban nucleus rises within two large natural amphitheatres. These are Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano.

We will stop for lunch in an historical bakery in Altamura to taste a particular quality of bread called Pane di Altamura DOP and other local culinary specialties, washed down of course with fabulous red wine or two (light lunch).

After lunch, we’ll make our way back to Masseria together.

Dinner at a local braceria in Ceglie Messapica.

Overnight at the Masseria

Meals B, L, D

Departure

This morning it’s time to bid farewell.

You will be transferred from the Masseria to a local airport or train station.

Meals B