Fresh sea urchin at a seafood market in the Puglia region of Italy

Off the Beaten Track Culinary Tour of Puglia

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Trani, Bari, Alberobello, Guagnano...

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Suggested Duration

9 Days

From storybook homes to coastal castles, home-cooked meals to luxurious beaches, you will discover unforgettable flavors while traveling off the culinary beaten path in Southern Italy’s historic fishing port, Trani. Vines stretch across the arid landscape, reaching into the hillsides and taking flavors from the sea breeze. Olive trees grow like dense forests. Confectionaries fill the air with nutty sweetness. Learn to craft traditional regional pasta and enjoy a demonstration on making celebrated...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Relish the creamy interior and stringy exterior of burrata cheese after a demonstration on making the decadent blend of mozzarella and cream
  • Indulge in the sweet aromas of the sea on a private cruise in search of the perfect catch before cooking the fare under the guidance of a celebrated chef
  • Delight in the flavors of Puglia with a private olive oil and bread class, learning baking technique and the flavorful differences between olive oils
  • Traverse the wine museum in Guagnano to view the evolution of tools and machinery that helped to create the wines of today in the Puglia region
  • Wander through the medieval streets and historic caves of Matera to view the troglodyte lifestyle of locals as recent as the 1960s
  • Revel in the beautiful scenery of Alta Murgia National Park while touring a vineyard teaching you the distinct characteristics of the soil and wines
  • Enjoy the aesthetic pleasures of baroque Lecce and unique conical homes of Alberobello
  • Learn to make the delectable traditional pasta orecchiette during a private cooking class in charming Lecce

Detailed Description

Your 9-day Southern Italy itinerary is handcrafted to your preferred tastes while taking you off the beaten path of the country’s famous gastronomy. The culinary journey begins with your arrival in Bari. Your private transfer greets you at Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport and escorts you to a luxurious hotel in Trani, with rooms overlooking the sweeping Adriatic coastline. Indulge in the luxurious ambiance of your accommodation and the medieval atmosphere of Trani, with its magnificent cathedral crowning the coastal cliff. In the evening, you have your first taste of Puglian cuisine at dinner, accompanied by a celebrated regional wine.

The following morning, your guide leads you on a private tour of the storybook homes at Alberobello. Take to the countryside outside of the town to visit a traditional mill producing olive oil and homemade bread to sample the elegant and rustic flavors. Then, you have a private tour of the baroque architecture of Lecce. Relish the beauty of the piazzas, streets, and homes before partaking in a private cooking class designed to teach you the prominent dishes and flavors featured in Puglia. Take to the bustling port city of Bari to visit the vibrant fish market and traverse the maze-like streets of the antique neighborhood.

Continue to a vineyard offering panoramic views of Alta Murgia National Park to sample stunning wines produced in the region graced by hills, valleys, and a refreshing sea breeze. Indulge in the flavor of olives once again during a private olive grove tour to learn about the distinct differences between oils. In the afternoon, you visit a dairy farm to learn the art of crafting renowned burrata cheese. The next day, you take to the water on a private fishing cruise. Relish the open sea and refreshing air, offering a pleasant, relaxing time whether a fan of fishing or tranquil scenery.

Return to town for a private cooking class crafted around what you caught at sea. You next venture to Matera for a full day tour of the medieval streets and famous caves inhabited from ancient times until the 1960s. Visit a local salumeria, an Italian delicatessen, to sample the local treats. Venture to the village of Guagnano to wander amongst the galleries and halls of the Wine Museum. On the final day, your private transfer greets you at the hotel and escorts you to the Bari airport for your flight home.

Starting Price

$4,100 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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