Meals included: breakfast and lunch | Accommodation: Bari

The day begins with a wonderful breakfast buffet served on the rooftop of our luxury hotel in Bari, with stunning views over the Adriatic sea and the harbor.

Drive for about one hour to the countryside of the Murgia region, a picturesque land with gentle slopes, traditional farmhouses, olive groves, and their typical white-stone walls built to define different properties.

Late in the morning, arrive at a historic estate surrounded by 39,000 olive trees and producing the DOCG wine appellation of Castel Del Monte. The wine is aged in the impressive underground cellars dug into the tufa rocks under the estate’s central courtyard.

Learn useful information about the production of olive oil as we taste it with local bread and partake in a traditional farmer’s lunch paired with wine-tasting

After lunch,  the iconic shape of Castel Del Monte will appear on the horizon after a short drive.

 The tour of the castle brings to life the stories of Emperor Frederik II of Svevia, one of the most eclectic and controversial characters in Italian history, who built the bold structure in the mid-1200s.

Listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site, Castel Del Monte is a must-see on a tour of Puglia for the 360° views over the region and its incredible references to infinity and to the number eight that recur in the architecture and many symbols.

Return to Bari in the late afternoon and enjoy a dinner on your own, as the tour manager is on hand to recommend restaurants within walking distance from the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, and dinner | Accommodation: Masseria, north of Lecce

Check out from Bari and drive to Monopoli, a small fisherman town along the Adriatic coast whose origins date back centuries ago and it developed around the 16th-century Castle of Charles V.

The charming harbor with fishing boats bobbing in the water is the beginning of a leisure walk led by the tour manager along the whitewashed narrow streets adorned with vases of flowers, cacti, and colorful doorways.

Lunch on your own.

The Puglia & Matera Luxury Tour continues with a short drive through the mainland to the entrance of the caves of Castellana. Meet a local expert for an easy walk underground that does not require too much effort.

These caves are a fascinating natural wonder located in the province of Bari, renowned for their stunning limestone formations, intricate stalactites, and stalagmites, which have been formed over thousands of years through the process of erosion and mineral deposition.

Make sure to pack sneakers or sturdy closed-toe shoes with good grip and a warmer layer for our 50′ tour that covers a distance of approximately half a mile.

In the afternoon the straight highway connecting Bari to southern  Puglia takes us to our home for the next three nights, a restored  Masseria a few miles north of Lecce.

Staying in this former fortified farmhouse is one of the highlights of the trip and an experience that takes us back in time.  

Upon arrival check-in and relax in the central inner courtyard or in one of the many lounges decorated with an exquisite taste by the young couple who inherited this extraordinary property and welcome guests in their home. From the pool to the wine cellar, the greenhouse and the garden, and the kitchen filled with pots and old pans, every corner is like an open book that reveals a story. Rooms are spacious and well-appointed with elements that remind us of their original function.

Sit at the table and enjoy homemade Apulian cuisine at its best prepared only with seasonal ingredients and served in colorful ceramics.

Meals included: breakfast and lunch | Accommodation: Masseria, north of Lecce

The fourth day of our Puglia & Matera Luxury Tour is planned to take in the vibe of Salento, in the southern part of Puglia, rich in cultural heritage, with influences from various civilizations including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Norman.

After a hearty breakfast in our Masseria, the first stop of the day is Gallipoli known for its crystal-clear coastline and the medieval walls built above the Ionian Sea. 

Weather permitting, it’s possible to stop at the pristine beach Spiaggia dell
a Purità, and deep our toes in the water. Free time for souvenir shopping.

Then we are off to a nearby winery focused on growing Negramaro grapes and producing traditional wines of Salento. The modern facility is a masterpiece of engineering and it includes a museum dedicated to the family’s history.

Sit in the winery’s garden for an al-fresco lunch paired with the wine tasting.
 

The next stop is Lecce, once a Roman city rebuilt in Baroque style by exploiting the local yellowish stone that gives the historic center a unique shade of light, especially at sunset.

The walking tour with a local guide is planned for late afternoon and it includes a look at Roman ruins, the highly ornate exterior of the church of Santa Croce as well as other hidden treasures.

End the day in Lecce with dinner on your own in one of the many cozy restaurants or simply toast with an aperitivo and enjoy people-watching in one of the bustling piazzas.

Return to the Masseria.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner | Accommodation: Masseria, north of Lecce

Enjoy a lazy morning with breakfast served in the central courtyard of our Masseria and take in the peaceful vibe of the countryside, maybe reading a book by the pool or discovering the grounds and the surroundings of the farmhouse on foot.

Late morning a leisurely foraging walk in the farmhouse garden is an opportunity to get familiar with Puglia’s abundant natural resources and farmers’ traditions.

Next, learn how to knead the orecchiette pasta – shaped like an ear – and delve into Puglia’s culinary heritage with a casual and fun cooking class.

Once lunch is prepared, we sit down to enjoy a leisurely farm-to-table feast. The table is set in the picturesque common areas of the Masseria, savouring the flavours of Puglia while soaking in the ambience of the Italian countryside. Engage in lively conversation with your fellow food enthusiasts, sharing stories and culinary tips as you enjoy the fruits of your labor.

In the afternoon we visit the nearby medieval Abbey of St. Maria di Cerrate that in the past used to control the surrounding fortified farmhouses and the local southern Puglia coastline.

Next, we are off to Ostuni, one of the most picturesque towns of Valle d’Itria, a sub-region located in the middle section of Puglia.

Ostuni, often referred to as the “White City” due to its characteristic whitewashed buildings, is perched on top of a hill. Take a leisure walk with our tour manager in secondary alleys where locals live, up to the striking façade of the Cathedral with a unique rose window and a towering campanile.

Our culinary adventure continues with a gourmet dinner in a renowned restaurant of Ostuni as tonight we focus on the modern cuisine of Puglia, with reinvented traditional dishes. Return to the Masseria after dinner.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner | Accommodation: Matera

After breakfast, check out and head north toward one of the most iconic towns of Puglia: Alberobello.

An expert local guide will lead us through the dwelling with the highest concentration of the famous trulli houses, which are cylindrical structures with conical roofs made of limestone.

Stories of what was like to live in these homes are revealed as well  as the historical facts that imposed tributes to each new urban  settlement, therefore the idea of conceiving buildings that could be  demolished quickly in case of controls.

Free time for some souvenir shopping and lunch on your own in Alberobello.

Next, we drive north, all the way to the town of Altamura.

We take an afternoon coffee break in a local pastry shop and indulge in cream-filled puff cakes with a funny and curious name. Follow our tour manager through the narrow passageways of Altamura, passing by small courtyards known as claustri where people still live, and arrive at a historic bakery with a wooden fire oven. A small tasting of the famous bread of Altamura is a must!

As we walk in front of the majestic Cathedral and along the high street, get a glimpse of life in this part of Puglia before heading to Matera.

Matera is a short drive from Altamura
, nestled in the neighboring region of Basilicata. Upon arrival, our luggage will be delivered by van to the hotel.

Check-in for the next two nights in a hidden gem, a former aristocratic palace that underwent a long restoration process to welcome guests in spacious and luxurious accommodations. We gather in the central living room of this boutique hotel to admire the view over the Sassi district, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Enjoy the privileged position of this hotel conveniently located between the modern and the old town, avoiding unnecessary climbing of steps.

Tonight a casual dinner features fresh salads and pizza prepared with ancient types of grains and local toppings.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner | Accommodation: Matera

This morning we explore one of the most unique cities in the world where people used to live in cave dwellings dug into the limestone rock until a few decades ago. 

Words cannot describe the beauty and surreal atmosphere of the old Sassi districts,
and the surrounding landscape.

A funny ride onboard the Italian three-wheel Ape will take us back to the upper city at the end of the tour! 

Enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace Matera.

Tonight we celebrate the end of our Puglia & Matera Luxury Tour with a full-tasting menu in a Michelin-star restaurant in the city. Shake hands with your fellow travellers and take the time to recollect all the long-lasting memories of this trip.

Meals included: breakfast | Accommodation: n/a

After breakfast, a group transfer is scheduled to Bari’s airport, located only one hour away.

Flights should not be booked before 11:00 am.

Arrivederci, until next time!