You are about to embark on a unique and memorable journey into an
ancient landscape rich in tradition and history.
What our participants are saying...
"Thank you to Stephanie and Neal for an outstanding tour of the Puglia region. So much to eat, drink, see and learn. Loved it. Highly recommended." -J.S.
"This is a do not miss vacation! If you love Wine! Fabulous Italian food! Art! History! Off the beaten track, little known jewels of discovery...this tour delivers." -C.M.
"First rate in every respect!" -L.M.
"I did this tour last year and it was beautiful! Stephanie does a great job of incorporating culture, history, wine, food and fun on this trip! Get ready to be amazed!!" -B.H.
"This is a bucket list must. Fantastic trip." -T.C.
Here are sample itineraries and photos from our previous Puglia Journeys.
*Every trip is unique according to seasonal availability and schedules of producers*
*Every trip is unique according to seasonal availability and schedules of producers*
Sample Itineraries
*Please note: these itineraries change according to supplier availability but the activities remain the same*
Itria Valley & Beyond
Day 1:
-arrivals and welcome dinner
Day 2:
-dairy farm visit with cheesemaking demonstration and tasting
-tour and tasting at small, family run olive oil producer
-stop at a hidden megalithic site
-dinner at home
Day 3:
Monopoli
-morning street market
-lunch at Osteria Pericci
-free time to explore the old town
-scenic drive home (beach time)
-dinner at home with pasta making lesson
Day 4:
Locorotondo
-vineyard lunch and wine tasting at Bufano
-free time to explore
-winery tour and tasting at i Pastini
-dinner at home
Day 5:
Mottola/Matera
-guided tour of Byzantine cave churches in Mottola
-lunch in Matera at La Pignata
-afternoon walking tour
-dinner at a countryside pizzeria
Day 6:
Cisternino
-tour and tasting at winery co-op Upal
-lunch at Terra Madre
-Ceglie Messapica for dinner and free time
Day 7:
Grottaglie
-ceramics museum/visit the artisans district
-lunch at La Capasa
-dinner at home with focaccia lesson
Day 8:
Ostuni
-time to explore
-lunch in the old town
-tour and olive oil tasting at Masseria Brancati
-dinner at home
Day 9:
-departures
Heart of Salento
Day 1:
-arrivals and welcome dinner
Day 2:
-walking tour of Campi Salentina
-tour, tasting and picnic lunch in the olive grove at Frantoio Taurino
-visit the abbey of Santa Maria Cerrate
-dinner at home
Day 3:
Otranto
-walking tour including Otranto's famous Byzantine church with mosaics
-lunch at a local restaurant
-stop to see the 'Cave of Poetry' (weather permitting)
-dinner at a local pizzeria
Day 4:
Cutrofiano
-ceramics museum
-ceramics demonstration with a local artisan
-wine tasting and lunch at Masseria L'Astore
-dinner at home
Day 5:
Manduria
-CP Vini wine museum and tour/tasting of their famous Primitivo
-lunch at a local restaurant
-scenic drive back along the Ionian Coast (beach time)
-dinner at a local masseria
Day 6:
Lecce
-train to Lecce
-walking tour
-lunch at La Porcaria
-visit the privately owned Museo Faggiano
-free time to explore
-train back to Campi Salentina
-dinner in a local restaurant
Day 7:
-morning market in Campi Salentina
-winery tour and tasting at Masseria Li Veli
-dinner at home with pasta making lesson
Day 8:
Gallipoli
-cheesemaking demo and tasting
-lunch in Gallipoli
-walking tour/free time
-dinner at home
Day 9:
-departures
Day 1:
-arrivals and welcome dinner
Day 2:
-dairy farm visit with cheesemaking demonstration and tasting
-tour and tasting at small, family run olive oil producer
-stop at a hidden megalithic site
-dinner at home
Day 3:
Monopoli
-morning street market
-lunch at Osteria Pericci
-free time to explore the old town
-scenic drive home (beach time)
-dinner at home with pasta making lesson
Day 4:
Locorotondo
-vineyard lunch and wine tasting at Bufano
-free time to explore
-winery tour and tasting at i Pastini
-dinner at home
Day 5:
Mottola/Matera
-guided tour of Byzantine cave churches in Mottola
-lunch in Matera at La Pignata
-afternoon walking tour
-dinner at a countryside pizzeria
Day 6:
Cisternino
-tour and tasting at winery co-op Upal
-lunch at Terra Madre
-Ceglie Messapica for dinner and free time
Day 7:
Grottaglie
-ceramics museum/visit the artisans district
-lunch at La Capasa
-dinner at home with focaccia lesson
Day 8:
Ostuni
-time to explore
-lunch in the old town
-tour and olive oil tasting at Masseria Brancati
-dinner at home
Day 9:
-departures
Heart of Salento
Day 1:
-arrivals and welcome dinner
Day 2:
-walking tour of Campi Salentina
-tour, tasting and picnic lunch in the olive grove at Frantoio Taurino
-visit the abbey of Santa Maria Cerrate
-dinner at home
Day 3:
Otranto
-walking tour including Otranto's famous Byzantine church with mosaics
-lunch at a local restaurant
-stop to see the 'Cave of Poetry' (weather permitting)
-dinner at a local pizzeria
Day 4:
Cutrofiano
-ceramics museum
-ceramics demonstration with a local artisan
-wine tasting and lunch at Masseria L'Astore
-dinner at home
Day 5:
Manduria
-CP Vini wine museum and tour/tasting of their famous Primitivo
-lunch at a local restaurant
-scenic drive back along the Ionian Coast (beach time)
-dinner at a local masseria
Day 6:
Lecce
-train to Lecce
-walking tour
-lunch at La Porcaria
-visit the privately owned Museo Faggiano
-free time to explore
-train back to Campi Salentina
-dinner in a local restaurant
Day 7:
-morning market in Campi Salentina
-winery tour and tasting at Masseria Li Veli
-dinner at home with pasta making lesson
Day 8:
Gallipoli
-cheesemaking demo and tasting
-lunch in Gallipoli
-walking tour/free time
-dinner at home
Day 9:
-departures
Here are some tips to ensure you have the best experience possible:
Make sure you have comfortable footwear. This could be the single most important item you bring. We will be doing a fair bit of walking on various terrain, from fields to cobblestone streets.
Bring a rain jacket or poncho, sunscreen, hat and bug repellent. It will still be summer in Puglia, and we will be spending a lot of time outdoors.
Please bring a reusable water bottle - we will have jugs of fresh water with us for refills at all times.
Carry some spending money. You can use the bank machines in Italy no problem, but not direct debit. We will visit markets, small farms and local producers who may not accept credit cards. Also, there happens to be killer gelato and coffee. Everywhere.
Pick up an Italian phrasebook, or try the DuoLingo app on your smart device. Many people speak English but it will help you feel more confident when you’re haggling over the price of those shoes in the local market.
They eat late here. Quite late. Be prepared to eat dinner around 8:00 - 9:00. That said, don’t shy away from that great big lunch! You will be hungry by nightfall - I guarantee it, so tuck in!
Time is flexible. Everything happens ‘in 10 minutes’. In Puglia (as much of the south) 10 minutes simply means ‘soon’. Schedules are loose. Relax, have a glass of wine or an ‘espressino’. Good things come to those who wait.
Get ready to meet some beautiful, passionate people who love their corner of the planet and are eager to share their traditions.
Bring a rain jacket or poncho, sunscreen, hat and bug repellent. It will still be summer in Puglia, and we will be spending a lot of time outdoors.
Please bring a reusable water bottle - we will have jugs of fresh water with us for refills at all times.
Carry some spending money. You can use the bank machines in Italy no problem, but not direct debit. We will visit markets, small farms and local producers who may not accept credit cards. Also, there happens to be killer gelato and coffee. Everywhere.
Pick up an Italian phrasebook, or try the DuoLingo app on your smart device. Many people speak English but it will help you feel more confident when you’re haggling over the price of those shoes in the local market.
They eat late here. Quite late. Be prepared to eat dinner around 8:00 - 9:00. That said, don’t shy away from that great big lunch! You will be hungry by nightfall - I guarantee it, so tuck in!
Time is flexible. Everything happens ‘in 10 minutes’. In Puglia (as much of the south) 10 minutes simply means ‘soon’. Schedules are loose. Relax, have a glass of wine or an ‘espressino’. Good things come to those who wait.
Get ready to meet some beautiful, passionate people who love their corner of the planet and are eager to share their traditions.
