Gastronomy of Puglia

After enjoying complimentary airport lounge access, fly out to Bari, picking up your hire car at the airport. Before heading to your hotel take in the city’s welcoming piazzas, 12th-century castle and Norman basilicas, discover the main historical buildings and the famous Via delle Orecchiette, where expert housewives prepare handmade pasta every day. 

Stay: Tenuta San Francesco or UNA Regina, Bari  

After breakfast, explore Bari with its atmospheric and suggestive old quarter, the Basilica and boardwalk, enjoy tasting a typical Apulian panzerotto with tomato and mozzarella from one of Bari's famous bakeries. Then drive to the Alta Murgia National Park, a limestone plateau scored by deep ravines and sudden sinkholes. The remote landscape is the setting for Castel del Monte, an awe-inspiring octagonal construction carrying a UNESCO world heritage site award. Afterwards, perhaps journey to Trani for dinner beside its charming marina, before heading back to Bari.

Stay: Tenuta San Francesco or UNA Regina, Bari 

Drive north to the area of Gargano National Park, stopping along the way at historic Barletta, a coastal town famous for the Swabian castle built in 1228. Then head on to Margherita di Savoia known for its salt pans and Lucera for its well preserved Roman amphitheatre.

Stay: Agriturismo Giorgio or Araie Hotel, Gargano 

Today, explore the Gargano region starting in Vico del Gargano, a small town in the National park of Gargano. Continue on the scenic drive to Peschici and Vieste, both historic towns built on the coast, characterised by cliffs and historic centres with small and fascinating streets. Take an optional boat trip along the coast from Vieste to Mattinata to explore the famous seacaves. In the afternoon, drive back to your accommodation via the cool Umbra Forest to discover the nature of this area.

Stay: Agriturismo Giorgio or Araie Hotel, Gargano

After breakfast, continue to visit the central part of Gargano. Visit the Monte Sant’Angelo, and its caves which provided sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo and then continue to Padre Pio Sanctuary, the most important pilgrimage place in Puglia, then to centre of San Giovanni Rotondo. Then, go to San Marco Lamis convent and Rignano Garganico in the same area, named as the balcony of Puglia for stunning view.

Stay: Agriturismo Giorgio (Standard) or Araie Hotel, Gargano (Superior)

This morning, cross the border into to the rural region of Basilicata. Stop enroute at Venosa for its Castle, Abbey, and Roman Theatre, in the afternoon, move to Melfi and its Norman-Swebian castle with its national archeological museum about Prehistoric Age, Roman,Byzantine and Norman periods. Melfi is known also fort he cave churches. Nature-lovers may enjoy a stop in Rionero in Vulture with its panoramic views of Monticchio lakes. Continue to your accommodation for the next three nights in Matera.

Stay: Tenuta Danesi or Hotel Sassi, Matera  

After breakfast, head to nearby Altamura, famous for its traditional bread and focaccia where you will experience a tastings. After visiting the town, move on to Gravina in Puglia where, like Matera, its houses are carved into a rocky hillside. Return to Matera in the afternoon to explore the UNESCO World Heritage city on a Riscio tour.

Stay: Tenuta Danesi or Hotel Sassi, Matera 

After breakfast, head for the Acerenza and its impressive cathedral, followed by Lagopesole and its Swabian Castle, and then on to small towns of Pietrapertosa and Castelmezzano, after exploring and maybe some hiking in the Dolomiti Lucane before heading back to Matera along the scenic road via the villages of Tricarico and Miglionico.

Stay: Tenuta Danesi or Hotel Sassi, Matera 

Today explore another area of Puglia the Itria Valley. Visit Taranto situated on the sea and founded by the Greeks in 8th century BC . Its history is represented by the Aragon castle. After visiting the so called City of the two seas, drive toward Massafra, a Byzantyne and Medieval town, with a castle and then move onto Martina Franca, known for its baroque architecture, and visit the Basilica of San Martino. The heart of Itria Valley is characterised by two towns; Cisternino where you will visit a local restaurant for a cooking class where you will prepare typical Apulian pasta and taralli, and then enjoy the works of your labours with the chef.

Continue onto the twin town of Locorotondo, both towns are characterized by small white historical centres from where you can admire panoramic views of the Itria Valley.

Stay:  Mare Nostrum Hotel or Tenuta Mazetta, Ostuni

Today, start to explore the Salento area starting from Lecce, explore the Florence of the south on a Riscio tour enjoying its Baroque monuments, art and buildings from the 1600s. Visit the Cathedral, the historical centre and the Roman Theatre. Then, drive to the beautiful whitewashed town of Otranto with a small historical centre bordering a turquoise lagoon. Don’t forget to visit the historic coastal town of Gallipoli, with it's selection of fresh seafood eateries.

Stay: Mare Nostrum Hotel or Tenuta Mazetta, Ostuni

This morning, visit the caves in Castellana grotte, discovered in 1938, and measuring 3348 metres in length and 122 metres deep. The main cave is named "La Grave" and other caverns contain a range of coloured stalactites and crystals. Then continue to Alberobello, famous for its concentration of whitewashed distinctive trulli houses and a UNESCO heritage site. Enjoy wine tasting in Enoteca, trying 4 different Puglian wines, and a selection of local snacks.

In the afternoon explore Ostuni, also called white town for the characteristic colour of its houses, and also a centre for rural olive oil production, enjoy a complimentary olive oil tasting in nearby Cisternino and a tour in a local factory before returning to your accommodation.

Stay:  Mare Nostrum Hotel or Tenuta Mazetta, Ostuni

After breakfast, it’s time to head for home, depending on your departure flight, you may be able to visit other places before you leave, perhaps Monopoli & Polignano, two seaside towns with beautiful coastlines. Enjoy a last taste of Puglian cuisine at one of the many little "Trattoria“  where you can eat homemade traditional specialties such as Orecchiette with Cime di Rapa – Pasta with turnip tops and Polpette – meatballs), before heading to the airport to return your car and fly home to the UK.