Tour overview
Immerse yourself in the authentic charm of Puglia on this 7-day gastro-tour through one of Italy’s most enchanting regions. Begin in the seaside town of Polignano, famous for its whitewashed streets and stunning beaches. Explore local traditions with visits to artisanal pasta producers and the ancient cave city of Matera. Discover the rustic beauty of Cisternino and enjoy hands-on cooking classes where you’ll master Apulian specialities like pizza and focaccia.
Cruise the Adriatic Coast with local fishermen, learning ancient seafaring techniques and admiring the natural wonders of the Polignano caves and Torre Guaceto reserve. In Martina Franca, savour the local delicacy of Capocollo and enjoy wine tastings featuring Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes. Glide through picturesque villages on an e-bike tour, visiting the iconic trulli of Alberobello and the charming streets of Locorotondo.
This journey through Puglia’s rich landscapes, flavours, and culture promises unforgettable memories, connecting you to the heart of Italy’s culinary heritage.
Tour information
Itinerary
Arrive Polignano
Transfer to Polignano You will be met a Bari Airport by one of our English speaking representatives for a private transfer to your boutique hotel in Polignano. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Free Day in Polignano
A free day to relax and enjoy local life in the very beautiful whitewashed seaside town of Polignano. Wander the ancient streets, enjoying speciality gelato with time to chill on the unique beach of Lama Monachile Polignano A Mare, often described as one of the worlds best-kept secret beaches.
Artisanal pasta and bread and tour of Matera
After Breakfast, we visit a small local pasta producer for a demonstration on how it is made and suggestions on how to eat it! Following our pasta demonstration visit, we will make our way toward Matera in the Basilicata region. This is an astonishing UNESCO World Heritage Site: the 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. Numerous famous biblical period motion pictures were filmed in Matera, including Mel Gibson’sThe Passion of the Christ. We finish our day by trying some of the local artisan bread that are famous in the region.
Visit Citernino then learn to cook Alpulian specialities
After breakfast, we meet our guide for a visit to Cisternino. Cisternino is a small, utterly charming old town centre that has remained virtually intact for centuries. Its whitewashed houses, narrow, shady streets, historic churches and elegant central piazza open out onto a series of panoramic viewpoints from which visitors can take in the surrounding countryside, with its rolling hills, dry stone walls and white-tipped conical trulli roofs piercing the green fields. Then on to a local Apulian farm for a cooking experience where we’ll learn how to cook some of the most typical Apulian/Italian dishes: pizza, focaccia and local specialities like panzerotti, calzone and taralli. We eat what we make for lunch…buon appettito!!!
Adriatic coastal experience with local fisherman
Today we cruise along the Apulian Coast, spending the day with local fishermen, learning about their trade and techniques of this ancient profession. As we travel along the Adriatic coast, we see and learn about the wonders of the Adriatic, including the caves of Polignano a Mare, the remains of the ancient city Egnatia, the white Savelletri houses, the Torre Guaceto marine reserve. A splendid way to experience Puglia!
Visit to Martina Franca, cured sausage and wine tatsting, Puglian dining experience
After breakfast we visit the Old Town of Martina Franca. Martina Franca is a in the heart of Puglia, southern Italy. The town’s jewel is its lovely historic centre, a memorable maze of winding alleys, where whitewashed simplicity sits side by side with baroque extravagance.
The town is built on a hill in the green Valle d’Itria, the trulli area of Puglia. Martina Franca is an incredibly photogenic town, so come equipped to take lots of pictures: the narrow lanes that are so hard to photograph well in other Italian cities are here illuminated by whitewashed walls, pale stone and tiny open spaces. After the tour we will visit a local farmer to try the local delicacy of Capocollo of Martina Franca. The cured sausage is similar to salami and made on farms in the Valle d´Itria. After our capocollo tasting, we are off to a winery to taste the Primitivo and Negroamaro wines made from typical local grapes. To complete such a glorious day, what’s better than a dinner al fornello – an outdoor ding experience in real Pugliese style!
e-bike tour of the villages and winery visit
After breakfast, it is time to explore Alberorello by pedal-assisted E-bike. Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site and symbol of Puglia, has the best examples of trulli, characteristic dry-stone houses with conical roof dating back to the fourteenth century, giving the town a fairytale feel.
We then take a guided tour of Locorotondo, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Locorotondo is a small town of the Itria Valley that fascinates visitors with its old town and the characteristic pitched roof white houses. Our e-bike tour ends at a local winery, where you will learn more about the wine making process and taste excellent wines made from native grapes, in combination with typical local products.
Tour Ends
Tour ends. After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport in time to catch your flight.
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