8-Day Five Senses of Puglia Tour in Italy

Once you arrive in the beautiful city of Bari, we’ll transport you to your new home for the week, where you can relax and unwind for the afternoon. Come evening time, we’ll take you to one of the local eateries to enjoy locally produced drinks and fine foods to sate your appetite. We’ll also give an overview of the exciting activities awaiting you this week.

Known as the white city, Ostuni is the first thing on our agenda where you’ll be able to shop, explore the area and enjoy food from any number of the local stores and eateries. Next, we’ll meet up at a local trattoria for an exciting lunch, followed by a tantalising olive oil taste testing in the afternoon, courtesy of one of the oldest Pugliese oil producers in the region. If you didn’t know; Puglia plays host to no fewer than 60 million olive trees and their locally produced oils are a staple part of the daily diet in the region. Lastly, you’ll get to enjoy dinner in the evening on us!

Early this morning, we are going to travel into the Italian region called Basilicata which is home to the wonderous and magical city of Matera. Upon our arrival in this sweepingly beautiful and unique hilltop city, which has been used as a backdrop for numerous iconic films, we will have a quick coffee before meeting our friendly and knowledgeable local guide. Our guide will lead us on a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Sassi di Matera, the fascinating ancient cave dwellings that were inhabited for over 2,500 years until the end of the 2nd World War. After our tour you will be free to explore this very special city on your own. From incredible religious architecture, local artisan street stalls, to mouthwatering local cuisine, there is so much to see and do in this culturally and historically rich city. This evening’s dinner will be a traditional home cooked Pugliese meal made for us by our wonderful accommodation’s hosts and sourced with ingredients from the farm property.

This morning we’ll take a leisurely drive through the tranquil countryside and make our way to the local working farm and Caseificio, which is situated in the Valle d’Itria. We will be given a tour of this beautiful agricultural property, surrounded by peaceful greenery and sprawling woodlands, and then we will learn how to make fresh mozzarella cheese by one of their expert dairymen. We will then be served an incredible “Rural Apulian Tasting” lunch. After lunch we’ll drive to the largest town in Valle d’Itria, the lovely Martina Franca, for a stroll and perhaps a gelato. Later that afternoon, we’ll head into Alberobello, the city known for its iconic white conical trulli homes and protected by UNESCO for the past 25 years. There is something a bit fairytale about this white city which is now bustling with local stores, bars, and eateries. We’ll learn all about this historic town on a guided tour before we indulge in an amazing dinner together at one of our favorite local restaurants.

Later that afternoon, we’ll head into Alberobello, the city known for its iconic white conical trulli homes and protected by UNESCO for the past 25 years. There is something a bit fairytale about this white city which is now bustling with local stores, bars, and eateries. We’ll learn all about this historic town on a guided tour before we indulge in an amazing dinner together at one of our favorite local restaurants.

This morning we’ll be making our way to the beautiful, fortified seafront town of Monopoli which is located on the Adriatic coast and offers a castle, a belltower, a cathedral, a working harbor, and incredible views of the sea at every turn. During our guided walk we’ll learn about Monopoli’s history and see some of its most interesting architecture. You’ll then have some free time to explore Monopoli on your own. Perhaps you’ll want to take stroll along the seaside promenade or enjoy a bit of shopping. Next, we’ll be visiting one of our favorite seaside dining spots to indulge in an incredible seafood lunch al mare with stunning views of the Adriatic.

After lunch, we’ll move on to Polignano a Mare, a charming cliff-top town which is perched directly on the Adriatic Sea and known for its ancient caves, picturesque swimming spots, and panoramic vistas. Poliganano a Mare has a fascinating history and the ruins of four watchtowers, which used to overlook this region for hundreds of years, spanning the Spanish, Byzantine and Norman periods, still remain. We’ll take a guided walk to learn more about this lovely town which is called the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” You’ll then enjoy some free time where you can choose your own Polignano a Mare adventure—be it shopping, swimming, or perhaps a gelato with an epic view of the sea.

Today we will be visiting the stunningly beautiful Baroque city, Lecce. Known as the “Florence of the South,” Lecce is a city celebrated for its incredible art and uniquely ornate limestone and sandstone architecture. We will start with a coffee before we embark on our guided walk of Lecce which boasts a 2,500-year-old history that includes many contributions by the Romans, including its fortification walls and ancient amphitheater. After our walk, you’ll have free time to explore Lecce and to have a delicious lunch on your own. Later in the afternoon we will head back to our Masseria where we will learn how to cook a fresh and delicious traditional Apulian meal using fresh produce straight from the farmhouse gardens and typical local products from the region. This cooking experience will literally be “farm-to-table.” Tonight’s dinner will be both relaxing and delicious: a homecooked Pugliese meal and local wine enjoyed at the Masseria.

Today is entirely yours to do as much or as little as you desire. Whether you enjoy this day relaxing at one of our favorite beach clubs, taking a bike ride through the countryside, or exploring a nearby town, we’ll be here to help you craft and curate your very best free day in Puglia. After this lovely free day, we will regroup for our final dinner this evening and head to a local town to visit one of our favorite restaurants for our farewell dinner.

It is time to say not goodbye, but Arrivederci, until we meet again, to Puglia. After enjoying one last epic breakfast spread at the Masseria and perhaps one last dip in the pool, we will escort you to the Bari Airport or Train Station.