PUGLIA TOUR – FOOD, WINE & FUN
Custom Trip
8 days of cultural & epicurean experiences in Puglia. This adventure in Puglia can be tailored to best suit your travel needs.
“Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” – Federico Fellini
With whitewashed buildings, secret castles and the crystalline Mediterranean Sea you will
experience an abundance of seafood, an outstanding array of fruits, vegetables, and vineyards to
ensure you will enjoy exemplary food and wine from the Puglia region. Indulge in local cuisine with inspirational flavours from Michelin Chefs, local trattorias, and secret street food matriarchs. Whilst sailing in the exquisite crystal waters of the Adriatic you will soak up the sun and enjoy boutique luxury accommodations as we share 8 wonderful days in Puglia.
Contact us for a tailor-made adventure to this enchanting part of Southern Italy. This Food, Wine, and Fun-Focused Puglian Adventure is fully customizable and can be tweaked to best suit your travel needs.
Day 1 – Arrival in Brindisi, Puglia (Italy)
Welcome to Puglia!
Arrival in Bari/Brindisi airport and transfer to your seafront hotel in Trani, where you’ll be welcomed
with a drink. Dining (a la carte beverages) in a local fish restaurant.
Overnight in Trani
Day 2 – Trani / Andria
This morning we will visit a local market to fully act like locals, truly a genuine experience! Your day in Andria continues with a visit to the Museum of Confetto with the sweetest tasting ever, then we fully appreciate why this town is renowned to be the hometown to the delicious burrata (made from mozzarella and cream) we’ll enjoy in a diary farm, along with a special lunch based with their range of dairy foods.
Return to hotel.
In the afternoon transfer to a magnificent wine estate owned by the Antinori’s family. Crossing the, approximately, 130 vine yarded hectares, we approach the farm that reminds us of the typical “masserie” of the Murgia with its structure and brilliant white tufaceous walls.
After a tour of the cellar, you’ll taste some of the wines just before a delightful dinner.
Overnight in Trani
Day 3 – Trani / Polignano a Mare
Visit the coastal town of Trani, once the most important political-administrative centre of all of Southern Italy and as such was granted the title of the main town in the region. This title was later revoked in favour of Bari by Murat and Bonaparte. We’ll visit the characteristic old town, hosting a Jewish quarter, its great harbour and its stunning Cathedral set right on the seafront. Transfer to an authentic underground oil mill with an opportunity to learn some valuable facts about medieval peasant culture by walking through olive groves, caves, and country roads. The Puglia region has over 50 millions olive trees and it’s the first producer of extra-virgin olive oil in Italy and the biggest single-production region in the world. Tasting of the product along with some other local delicacies.
Check-in at your seafront hotel in Polignano a Mare.
Guided walk to admire the impressive panoramas from the seaside terraces overhanging the magnificent limestone rocks, with an unparalleled view over the blue-green Adriatic, and why not, indulging yourself with a tasty gelato or granita, pride of the locals.
Overnight in Polignano a Mare or Monopoli
Day 4 – Polignano a Mare / Bari
This morning we will experience Polignano from the water as we tour around the shoreline and its caves. After a dip in the ocean and a light lunch on board, you will have time to explore this magical haven. (In the event of bad weather, this morning will be free time and then we will meet for an included seafood lunch at an iconic restaurant).
Your day continues with a guided visit of Bari, Puglia’s prosperous seaside capital, with tangled streets and the charming old town reveals Romanesque churches, the riotous market and the elegant medieval piazzas, the beautiful St. Nicola’s Basilica, home of Saint Nicolas, one of the most beloved saint in the whole world and father of the legend of Santa Claus; guided walk to other remarkable historical attractions, seaside promenade and busy pedestrian shopping area. We’ll finally experience the whole range of the local street food – panzerotti, focaccia, sgagliozze and popizze.
Overnight in Polignano a Mare or Monopoli
Day 5 – Matera
The first destination today is Matera in the Basilicata region, another astonishing UNESCO World Heritage Site: this city has gained international fame for its ancient town, the “Sassi di Matera” (meaning “stones of Matera”). The Sassi originate from a prehistoric (troglodyte) settlement and are suspected to be some of the first human settlements in Italy. Because of the ancient and primitive scenery in and around the Sassi, it has been used by filmmakers as the setting for ancient Jerusalem: a good number of
famous biblical period motion pictures were filmed in Matera, amongst which Mel Gibson’s blockbuster
“The Passion of the Christ”.
Afternoon free at leisure.
Overnight in Matera.
Day 6 – Alberobello / Ostuni
Early transfer toward Alberobello, the World Heritage Site of fairy-tale trulli, traditional dry stone huts with conical roofs, constructions specific to this area of the region. Visit the wine museum and the adjacent winery, with a tasting of their premium wines and local snacks.
Hard work in the afternoon: you’ll be involved in a cooking class in which you’ll learn how to make fresh pasta in a charming 1600’ Masseria (farmhouse) immersed in a wonderful expanse of olive trees. And your dinner today will be based on your efforts, brightened by a group of traditional Pizzica folk dancers.
Overnight in Ostuni.
Day 7 – Ostuni / Martina Franca or Ceglie Messapica
With a pleasant trip through the dramatic scenery of the Itria Valley we’ll first visit an estate producing an extraordinary quality of typical cold cut called capocollo, which we’ll enjoy accompanied by a glass of sparkling Verdesca wine.
Following we will pick up our Vespa’s and head towards the shoreline for a relaxing picnic on the beach. (In the event of bad weather we will head to Ceglie Messapica, the gourmet capital of the south where we will first visit Ceglie’s iconic market and then head to two very unique locations, a delicatessen & pasticceria typical of the region).
Back to your Relais, then dinner tonight is at our Michelin-star restaurant.
Overnight in Ostuni.
Day 8 – Departure
After breakfast, bid farewell to our beautiful home and hosts as you will be transferred to Bari or Brindisi to catch your flight or to continue your adventure.
If you would like to extend, please let us know and we’d be happy to help you plan your stay in Puglia or elsewhere in Italy.
Tour Exclusions
Air Travel
Flights are not included in the tour price. DO NOT purchase any airline tickets until the trip is confirmed to take place. Pre and post-tours can be arranged through available at an additional charge. Please contact Finisterra Travel for further details info@finisterra.ca
Visa & Passports
Travel Visa requirements and passports are the responsibility of the participants. Please note that most countries require passports to be valid for 6 months from the date of your return flight. We are not responsible if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct passport, visa, or other travel documentation (vaccinations, Covid PCR tests, etc).
Travel Insurance
Cancellation, Travel, Flight, and Health insurance are required and are the responsibility of the participant to research and secure the appropriate coverage. Click HERE for a Travel Insurance Quote or please email nicola@finisterra.ca for a quote.
Check with your local travel agent /insurance provider/health plan for advice about traveling overseas.
Waiver Form
All participants will be required to sign a Waiver Form prior to departure.
Are you all ready for your next adventure?
Even though we wish you a flawless trip, things can happen, especially nowadays. Make sure you are prepared with a Travel Insurance policy that is right for you. Finisterra recommends Manulife Insurance or John Hancock Please feel free to ask us about Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance, Cancel for Any Reason Policies, Travel Medical Insurance, or any other questions you may have.
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WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
At Finisterra Travel we help you discover, push personal boundaries, and explore the unknown.
We are super passionate about sustainable, transformational, and adventure travel. Definitely not “armchair travellers”, we have firsthand experience of where you’ll be heading.No one wants to feel like a tourist which is why when we plan a custom travel experience for you, we strive to make your adventure as authentic as possible. We offer an array of Small Group Adventures & Custom Trips, and have something for every type of traveller.
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