Puglia is a region with so much to offer even seasoned travellers. Puglia offers unique sights, such as the trulli conical stone houses, and the nearby cave town of Matera. Stunning landscapes, such as the very photogenic town of Polignano A Mare which is poised on the rocks high above the turquoise sea. Amazing food – the creamy burrata cheese, the ripe figs. Each day includes organised activities, visits to all the key sights and a progressive discovery of the local Puglia cuisine. We enjoy long lunches, taking time over the multiple courses to enjoy the atmosphere and to relax.
This itinerary can be arranged at a time to suit you. We organise the guided visits and the activities, accommodation, and a driver to take you to all the destinations. We provide detailed information on the locations that are self guided. We also we provide on-call support, in English, both before and during the trip.
Our tours are a balance between being informative (examples of the culture and lifestyle, historical details) as well as having everything that makes for an enjoyable trip (long lunches in good restaurants, a relaxed pace). We plan the itinerary in the way that you would plan to travel yourself, or with a group of friends.
Food & Wine Tour Puglia Highlights
- The UNESCO World Heritage sites of Alberobello (with its conical trulli houses) and Matera (with its cave houses)
- Try recipes handed down through the generations, Puglia is considered 'foodie heaven' given the quality of the fresh produce and these culinary traditions. You will have a cooking lesson with a chef, where the focus will be on cooking typical Puglia dishes, first taking you through the types of ingredients used and their provenance.
- Visit an olive estate with ancient olive trees, an underground oil mill thousands of years old, and taste a range of different olive oils.
- Visit a family run winery and taste local wine varieties that are specific to Puglia.
- Visit the towns of Locorotondo and Ostuni
Food & Wine Tour Puglia Itinerary
Day 1: Buongiorno Puglia!
You will be picked up in Bari from your arrival point and taken to your accommodation.
For your time in Puglia you stay in the picturesque seaside town of Monopoli. The historic centre of Monopoli is a gem: it is lined with elegant baroque palaces of the noble families, evocative lanes amongst the whitewashed buildings, as well as a charming seafront and cute piazzas with the traditional ‘passeggiata’ in full swing each evening.
Over the next few days you’ll have plenty of time to explore Monopoli at your own pace, enjoying the sea views and being immersed in the local lifestyle.
Note: If selecting accommodation options B or C you will travel directly to those accommodation locations on the first day.
Day 2: Locorotondo - Winery - Alberobello
You will be picked up and driven to your first stop, the town of Locorotondo. Take the time to look around Locorotondo, an absolutely gorgeous town, in fact voted as one of the most beautiful
villages in Italy (“Borghi piu belli d’Italia”). It is perched on a hilltop and along its narrow lanes you feel like being in an earlier time.
Moving on to the nearby winery that produces wines that are are unique to the Valle d’Itria subregion of Puglia. The winery is family run, and focused on making quality wines expressive of the area. The traditional varieties that are grown include minutolo and susumaniello. You will be shown through the vineyard. The terroir provides the basis for these excellent wines – deep limestone soils combined with cooling breezes. You taste their range of wines following the visit.
Onwards to Alberobello. The picturesque Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a unique town with streets lined with ‘trulli’. In fact it is known in Italy as the “Capital of trulli”. Trulli are small stone houses with a distinctive conical roof, built 300-400 years ago. You will be fascinated by the evocative atmosphere of this place.
Day 3: Matera
You will be picked up and driven to the town of Matera in the neighbouring Basilicata region. Visiting Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is like a step back in time. In fact this is one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in the world. The oldest cave dwellings go back to the Bronze Age.
In Matera you will meet a local expert guide to have the key sights explained during your private two hour walking tour. The town consists of houses carved out of the rock face along the side of a steep ravine.
Visit the ‘sassi’ cave area, and enter one of the typical houses built into the rock, showing the difficult existence in these conditions. Also visit a cave church hewn out of the rock, featuring Byzantine-style frescoes and with interesting histories as their usage has evolved and adapted over the years.
Note: some churches and museums charge for entrance in Matera, this is to be paid in cash at the time (€2-€3).
Day 4: Olive Oil - Ostuni - Cooking
In the morning your driver will first take you to the olive grove. This family owned estate produces superior extra virgin olive oil from trees that are many centuries old.
This land has been worked for thousands of years – you are shown the remnants of the ancient Roman agricultural production here, along with items from habitation from the middle ages through until modern times.
After seeing the ancient trees, you enjoy a degustation of a range of olive oils. This allows you to compare the different tastes from the olive varieties grown here.
You will be then be driven to Ostuni, known as “la città bianca” (the white town). Ostuni is a cluster of whitewashed buildings perched on a hilltop overlooking the coast. Walking through the narrow streets of Ostuni you have the wonderful combination of a long and fascinating history, along
with many excellent cafes where you can relax. Ostuni looks out to the coast over an expanse of olive trees. We advise keeping your camera at the ready!
Then you will have a special experience, taking a cooking lesson from a local chef. The focus will be on cooking typical Puglia dishes, first taking you through the types of ingredients used and their provenance.
The cuisine of Puglia is based on the produce at a very local level, so is different to the food from other Italian regions.
Seasonal vegetables, as well as focaccia and other breads, dominate this cuisine. All these are based on the abundant fresh ingredients as well as the ever-present extra virgin olive oil – a simple and effective cuisine.
Recipes have been handed down through the generations and are truly expressive of the Mediterranean diet.
Day 5: Arrivederci Puglia
Today is your last day in Puglia, we organise private transfers for you to your departure point in Bari.
Food & Wine Tour Puglia Accommodation
There are 3 accommodation options for this tour itinerary
Accommodation Option A: Monopoli
In Puglia we stay in the charming town of Monopoli. The historic centre is lined with elegant old buildings, evocative lanes amongst the whitewashed buildings, and piazzas with the traditional ‘passeggiata’ in full swing each evening.
Alongside the town centre is a small swimming beach. You stay at the Albergo Diffuso Monopoli, a boutique accommodation provider with a personal touch (rated 4.5 / 5 by Tripadvisor with a ‘Certificate of Excellence’). The rooms are located in a collection of historic buildings in the centre of town . We’ve chosen this central type of accommodation so that you can really get a feel for the lifestyle of a town in Puglia.
Accommodation Option B: Masseria Borgo Santuri
During this tour you stay in traditional ‘massseria’ accommodation. A ‘masseria’ is a large farmhouse, and previously these were fortified, largely self-contained rural centres. The masseria where you will stay, Masseria Borgo Santuri, has been tastefully renovated as a boutique hotel (see www.borgosanturi.it ).
By staying in the masseria you will be directly experiencing Puglia’s history. Set amongst olive groves and fig trees, the buildings were constructed in the 17th century.
But we don’t forget the needs of the present! The masseria offers all you would expect during your time here, such as wifi, air conditioned rooms, and a swimming pool. They have their own excellent restaurant.
Accommodation Option C: Masseria Il Melograno
The Masseria Il Melograno is a 5 star hotel featuring all the amenities that you’d expect…..and more! (see www.melograno.com ).
As well as their large outdoor pool, they have an indoor pool, spa treatments and a sauna.
A short ten minute drive (by complementary shuttle) is their own private beach club. Enjoy their cocktail bar overlooking the clear turquoise waters of the Adriatic. They have a superb restaurant serving local fare with a modern twist.
Food & Wine Tour Puglia Cost and Inclusions
- All Accommodation is includes breakfast.
- All transport during the tour is included. Travel is with a professional driver and is solely for your party (no other passengers).
- We provide transport to all the destinations as detailed in the ‘Itinerary – Puglia Food and Wine’.
- We include guided visits in Matera and Alberobello
- Cooking session with a chef including a full meal.
- Visit to a family run winery
- Visit to an olive oil estate.
- In other locations that are self guided we provide information, maps and details of the place visited.
- Italy With Pleasure provides on-call support for the duration of your time in Puglia.
There are 3 accommodation options for this itinerary:
- A) Stay in the vibrant coastal town of Monopoli. – Cost €1950 pp (twin share basis)
- B) Stay at the historic estate Masseria Borgo Santuri, enjoying their pool and homegrown produce. – Cost €2050 pp (twin share basis)
- C) Stay at the 5 star resort Masseria Il Melograno, with their private beach facilities nearby. – Cost €2650 pp (twin share basis)
Prices are per person, based on double / twin share occupancy.
Food & Wine Tour Puglia Reviews
L Z, CANADA 
Italy With Pleasure curated an amazing itinerary and ultimately, experience in Puglia for our group of 7. Mark, our incredible tour guide, shared the history, highlights, and hidden gems in each glorious location. Daily, we shared delicious meals, all local recipes, made with fresh ingredients from the region…a true highlight of the entire experience. Each day had the right balance of group and free time and while I may be biased, I think our group was the best…a shared experience with amazing people from around the world!
This was the first time I joined a tour and it will not be the last. I have my eye on Sicily next! My entire experience with Italy With Pleasure was superb and I highly recommend them for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of Italy.
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P B, AUSTRALIA
I can't thank the small tour group, Italy With Pleasure, enough for a fantastic trip to Puglia. The group size was perfect and our guide, Anita, was amazing, knowledgeable and so caring of everyone. This area of Italy for non-Italian speaking guests was the absolute best way to visit. I was amazed at the beautiful cultural sites in all the towns AND the fabulous late luncheons featuring the local specialties. Spectacular! I have never had such great food on a tour or anywhere.
Thanks again and I have already shared our great experience with a number of my friends and family.
Click here to see full review
J I, AUSTRALIA
The tour was first class, excellent in every way. An amazing way to see & learn about Puglia. The accomodation, sightseeing, superb food & mini van with great driver and Anita leading the group was sensational.
We highly recommend this is the best way to see and learn about Puglia.
Click here to see full review
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