Designed for foodies and wine lovers, this one-week journey explores the highlights of Puglia and Matera while combining carefully selected gastronomic experiences with representative wineries of the region.
The tour is divided into four centres. The first four nights are planned in a traditional Masseria in the countryside near Ostuni or Fasano, surrounded by olive groves and peaceful rural landscapes, or in central Ostuni if preferred.
The following two nights are planned in Lecce, in an elegant historic palazzo within the old town, allowing guests to fully experience the city’s refined Baroque atmosphere.
The final night is in Matera, with accommodation options either within the spectacular Sassi cave districts or in the elegant medieval Piano district, depending on personal preference and desired comfort level.
Day 1 – Arrival in Puglia & Transfer to the Itria Valley
Arrival at Bari or Brindisi Airport.
Private transfer with a professional driver to your accommodation in the Ostuni/Fasano area.
Depending on your arrival time, there will be free time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the Masseria or explore the whitewashed old town of Ostuni, according to your accommodation preferences.
Overnight in the Ostuni/Fasano area.
Day 2 – Alberobello, Itria Valley Winery & Mozzarella and Burrata Experience
After breakfast, set off to discover the heart of the region: the Itria Valley.
Begin in Alberobello, one of Puglia’s most iconic destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, internationally renowned for its unique trulli houses. Walking through the trulli-lined streets with a private guide, you will discover the fascinating history and traditions behind this extraordinary village.
Continue through the bucolic countryside, dotted with vineyards and ancient olive groves, to a boutique winery for a tasting experience focused on native Apulian grape varieties.
To discover the true soul of the region, a visit to a traditional dairy farm is a must. Here you will learn how Puglia’s famous mozzarella and burrata are produced, followed by a tasting of the fresh and mature cheeses for which the region is renowned.
Return to the accommodation in the afternoon.
Overnight in the Ostuni/Fasano area.
Day 3 – Bari, Polignano a Mare & Seafood Lunch
Today your driver and local guide will take you north along the Adriatic coast to explore Bari, the vibrant capital of Puglia, and Polignano a Mare, one of the region’s most picturesque destinations.
In Bari, discover the city’s distinct character and traditions: from the elegant boulevards of the Murat district to the lively atmosphere of Bari Vecchia, where you will encounter local street food such as focaccia and panzerotti, fish vendors displaying the day’s catch, and the famous ladies preparing handmade orecchiette pasta outside their homes.
In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through Polignano a Mare, dramatically perched on limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Here, we will arrange a seafood lunch in a carefully selected local restaurant, offering an authentic taste of the area’s coastal culinary traditions.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Overnight in the Ostuni/Fasano area.
Day 4 – Martina Franca, Capocollo Tasting & Ostuni + Evening Excursion to Ceglie Messapica
Set off in the morning for Martina Franca, one of the most elegant Baroque towns of the Itria Valley. Enjoy a walking tour through its ornate historic centre, including a stop to taste the regional delicacy Capocollo di Martina Franca. Discover the artisanal production method behind this cured meat and its recognition by the Slow Food movement.
In the afternoon continue to Ostuni with your guide, where winding whitewashed alleys, hidden courtyards, and panoramic terraces overlook endless olive groves stretching towards the Adriatic Sea.After returning to your accommodation, your driver will take you to Ceglie Messapica in the evening for dinner. Ceglie is renowned locally for its long culinary tradition and excellent restaurants, and here we can organise dinner in a Slow Food restaurant or traditional osteria. Overnight in the Ostuni/Fasano area.
Day 5 – Salento Winery Experience on the way to Lecce
After breakfast, check out and transfer into the Salento region.
Stop at a historic Masseria winery surrounded by vineyards and peaceful countryside landscapes. Here you will enjoy a guided visit of the estate, followed by a tasting of six wines produced from local grape varieties. The experience is completed with a traditional four-course lunch, carefully paired with each wine.
Continue to Lecce in the afternoon and check in to your next accommodation in the vibrant Baroque city.
Before dinner, meet your guide for a private walking tour through Lecce’s historic centre. Discover elegant churches and palaces carved from the warm local Lecce stone, alongside hidden Roman ruins and lively piazzas filled with cafés and wine bars.
Overnight in Lecce.
Day 6 – Cooking Class & Otranto
In the morning, meet a local chef for a hands-on cooking class, where you will learn how to prepare fresh pasta and traditional regional dishes using fresh local ingredients. After the lesson, sit down and enjoy a long Apulian lunch featuring the dishes you have prepared together.
After lunch, depart for Otranto, a beautiful coastal town overlooking the Adriatic Sea, renowned for its remarkable Cathedral and extraordinary twelfth-century mosaic floor. Accompanied by your guide, discover the fascinating history of what was once an important outpost of the Byzantine Empire on Apulian soil, as well as a significant cultural and artistic centre of the region.
Return to Lecce in the evening.
Overnight in Lecce.
Day 7 – Transfer to Matera, Guided Visit & Dinner
After breakfast, check out and depart for Matera, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Upon arrival, meet your guide for a private walking tour through the extraordinary Sassi districts, where ancient cave dwellings, rock churches, and winding stone alleyways create one of the most unique urban landscapes in Italy. Discover the fascinating history of this remarkable city, shaped over centuries by both hardship and resilience.
For your final evening, enjoy a traditional dinner featuring Lucanian specialities, accompanied by regional wines produced from local grape varieties. Enjoy an evening soaking up the atmosphere of Matera by night, when the illuminated stone city becomes especially magical.
Overnight in Matera.
Day 8 – Transfer to Bari Airport
Private transfer from Matera to Bari Airport according to your flight schedule.