Puglia Countryside - Photo by: Betsy Spivak
Are you ready to Experience Puglia?!
Join us to discover this magnificent region through Local Foods, Artisan Crafts, History and Nature!
Our home base for our tours in Puglia include a Masseria which is a fortified farmhouse located in the countryside in the province of Bari, a Boutique Hotel in Grottaglie, the city of ceramics in the province of Taranto and a Bed & Breakfast in the Grecia Salentina area of Salento.
On our tours throughout Puglia, you will meet some of the most wonderful people who care about their land and want to share the richness of it with you,
You will learn the history, myths and legends that have been passed down through families for centuries.
You will taste some of the most delicious food you have ever tasted and learn the recipes in hands-on cooking classes and bring those memories home with you to re-create in your own kitchen.
This is the Puglia that I want to share with you, through the eyes and hearts of my wonderful friends and collaborators.
View an itinerary and some photos below and stay tuned for an Autumn 2024 Tour Date and Itinerary coming very soon.
Some Highlights Include:
8 Days/7 Nights in a centrally located hotel or Masseria
Private Van Transportation and English-speaking guides throughout.
Hands-on Cooking Classes learning to cook traditional dishes from Puglia.
Eating some of the most delicious foods you have ever tasted!
Visits to Farmers Markets, Cheesemakers, Fish Mongers and more
Traditional Cheesemaking Experience (hello Burrata!)
Wine Tasting
Olive Oil Tasting Experience
Visits to UNESCO Heritage Sites
Day Excursions to seaside villages, mountain, and cave towns such as, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Grottaglie, Lecce, Taranto and Matera
And so much more!
Dates for Upcoming Tours:
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2024 Dates:
October 22 - October 29, 2024
Pricing:
Contact for more information.
2024 Private Tours:
Customized Private Tours
Want to travel with friends or family on a private tour?
We offer guided customized tours for 4 or more people!
We also offer tailor-made tour planning and experiences!
Click here to email Betsy directly for more information and pricing!
Puglia! An example of one of our tour itineraries in Puglia.
Experience Puglia through Local Foods, Cooking, Nature and History
Day 1
Plan to arrive to the Bari International Airport or the Bari Centrale Train Station no later than 3:00pm
Check to our Masseria our “home” for this tour.
Welcome Dinner and Introduction to Puglia and our next 8 days together.
Day 2
Leisurely breakfast in the big dining room
Our first cooking class using fresh-picked vegetables, herbs, and wild greens that we have gathered from the gardens.
Lunch and Siesta. Perhaps a pisolino (a little nap), a leisurely walk along the country roads surrounding the masseria or just relaxing outside under the century’s old olive trees.
In the afternoon we go to Mola di Bari to the fishing docks to meet the boats as they arrive with the days catch picking out our fresh fish and seafood for our evening cooking class.
Our meal concludes with some of Rita’s famous house-made after dinner liquors (amaro, limoncello, nocino…)
Day 3
Today we are off for an action-packed day adventure in the Valle D’Itria.
Our first stop is to an exclusive farm in the countryside of Alberobello for a cheese making experience learning the process of making fresh cheese, such as the soft and sublime ricotta.A visit to the UNESCO heritage village of Alberobello, known for its town conical stone houses called Trulli.
Onward to Polignano a Mare for a gelato and to take in the breathtaking views! You will have time for yourself to shop, walk around the little lanes and take lots of photos!
Back to the masseria for a rest and relax followed by dinner later.
Day 4
Another action-packed day!
We go to the village of Altamura famous for its bread. We will go to the oldest bakery in the town that was established in 1423!
Onward to the ancient cave town of Matera
You will have the afternoon to yourself to roam around this beautiful and haunting cave town.
Day 5
In the morning we walk along the narrow streets of Mola di Bari, where we will have a guided market tour and experience the unusual tradition of how the farmers display and sell their daily products of vegetables and fruits.
Here is where we will buy our ingredients for our morning cooking class.
After lunch, we will go to one of the close seaside towns such as Monopoli where you will have the afternoon to yourself.
Return to the masseria for dinner.
Day 6
Today we go the the seaside village of Trani.
Onward to the town of Barletta, the birthplace of artist Giuseppe De Nittis, who was one of the most important Italian painters of the 19th century, whose work merges the styles of Salon art and Impressionism.
We will visit the very special lesser-known museum that houses some of his most important works.
After lunch we will go to UNESCO Heritage Site, Castel del Monte
We return to the Masseria for dinner.
Day 7
In the morning we head to the city of Bari, the capital city of Puglia.
We will visit the old town and walk along the “Arco Basso” famous for the women who make and sell their handmade orecchiette in the narrow streets of the centro storico.
We return to the Masseria for our last cooking class. Today we are learning to make pasta including orecchiette and cavatelli, the famous Ragu and some other typical dishes.
After lunch, we go to the nearby village of Rutigliano known for its artisans who make terracotta pottery. We go to the workshop of Antonio Samarelli.
This is the pottery that Rita uses in her kitchen
We will have dinner at the Masseria eating all the delicious things we made together.
Day 8
Following Breakfast: Transfer to Bari International Airport, Bari Centrale Train Station.
Arrivederci! Ci vediamo presto!
We will see you on our next adventure!
REGISTER TODAY!!!
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Or email Betsy Spivak or call 267-318-7081 to register or for more information.