Fall in Love with Puglia
Italian travel at its most authentic—untouched, undiscovered, and laid-back.
Overnight in a 16th century stone farmhouse surrounded by olive groves, a baroque inspired palazzo, a conical trullo dwelling, or a small boutique hotel carved out of ancient seafront ramparts. You choose!
Embark on a walking tour of Lecce, known as “The Florence of the South” full of spectacular baroque palaces, ornate churches, artisan boutiques, and mouthwatering Pugliese pastries.
Explore the unique town of Alberobello and learn about the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and its 1,500 cone-roofed trulli homes. You’ll half expect to see a hobbit emerge from these stubby homes of whitewashed walls and pointy roofs!
Get lost wandering the alleys, climbing staircases, and dipping under archways in the characteristic Greek inspired white washed villages. Have the freshest seafood lunch of your life in Gallipoli, an enchanting coastal town. A highlight of the town is the raucous and slippery fish market, an authentic and fascinating culinary and cultural experience.
Soak up the sun at the many beaches that dot the coastline. Instead of cruise ships and hordes of tourists, you’ll find quiet coves and picturesque ports where fisherman haul in the day’s catch the old-fashioned way.
Spend the day burning off some calories after several days of irresistible Pugliese cuisine. Hike through olive groves, kayak into secret coves, or cycle along flat trails that hug the coastline.
Meet a local cheese artisan at his farm where he will demonstrate the art of making fresh burrata and mozzarella, and try your hand at twisting a knot or two! Afterwards, visit one of Puglia’s renowned wineries where you will be treated to a private tour of the vineyards along with lunch and wine tasting on the family estate.
Experience another of Puglia’s most important treasures, olive oil. Visit an ancient olive estate that has been in use for thousands of years and enjoy an olive oil inspired meal under majestic trees dating back to Roman times.
In nearby Basilicata, explore the extraordinary city of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perched high on a beautiful hillside, the city is filled with ‘Sassi’, ancient cave dwellings recently restored for current use as homes, shops and restaurants. The Passion of Christ was filmed here, and as you walk around you will truly feel as though you have been transported to biblical times.
