Our Top Cooking Vacations in Puglia, Italy in 2022-2023
With more than 300 days of sun a year and 500 miles of coastline, Puglia, or Apulia, is the “heel” of Italy’s boot, and home to such towns as Bari, Brindisi, and Lecce, which you can discover on our cooking vacations in Puglia, Italy. It is a land of grains, olive oil, a warm climate, full-bodied wines, and fresh seafood.
Our cooking vacations in Puglia Italy are hands-down some of our best! The rural landscape is populated with fortified castles, olive groves, and whitewashed Trulli, distinctive conical-shaped dwellings that distinguish Puglia from other parts of the country. Puglia is one of the oldest settled parts of Italy, and the archeological sites (early Italic, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and more) and stunning Baroque cities provide a wealth of cultural explorations to round out your culinary tour.
You’ll find olives here, as well as grapes, figs, and almonds. Local cuisine specialties include seafood risotto, fava beans, orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta), as well as burrata, a creamy cheese somewhat like mozzarella.
Similar to an agriturismo, masserias are country homes that operate in Puglia both as hotels and working educational farms. During this perfect cooking adventure for foodies, your accommodations are located near Brindisi at a masseria surrounded by olive trees that were planted more than 400 years ago. The unique estate has been renovated and altered over the past few centuries; rooms that were once noble quarters are now charming rooms for guests. The masseria is a family affair, run by a brother and sister team, and the latter, Chiara, will be your cooking instructor during your Puglia cooking vacation.
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Puglia Food Experience Holidays Highlights
In this getaway to Puglia — which gets 300 days of sunshine a year — discover the local cuisine with five hands-on cooking classes with a local chef! Your amazing Puglia food experience includes:
- hands-on cooking classes at the manor house of a family-owned farm
- wine tastings and local producer visits
- excursions to Matera, Bari, Ostuni, Polignano ,and Alberobello
- accommodations at a charming, recently renovated masseria
- transfers and transportation
Puglia is one of Italy’s best kept secrets, as you will discover when you explore this one-of-a-kind foodie destination during our cooking vacations.
Itinerary
Learn this day-by-day itinerary of the best Puglia, Italy luxury food trips and authentic culinary tours. We can also customize your Italian cooking vacation to suit your tastes!
Day One
- Arrive at either Bari or Brindisi airport, and group transfer to the masseria, your accommodations for the week.
- Take some time to settle in and relax.
- Get to know the family, and enjoy an aperitivo with them before dinner.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Following breakfast, visit a cheese factory for a live demonstration of how to make mozzarella and burrata, and enjoy a tasting of this wonderful cheese.
- Next, visit an ancient oil mill in the Ostuni area to learn about this “green gold.”
- After, take a walk through the old town’s small alleys and enjoy an apperitivo overlooking the sea.
- Return to the masseria for the first of your hands-on cooking courses in Puglia, which will focus on fresh and filled pasta and the local glory – focaccia.
- Dinner to follow based on your efforts.
- Overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast.
- In the early morning, depart for Matera in the Basilicata region, an awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site that has become famous worldwide for its ancient town “Sassi di Matera” which translates to “stones of Matera.” This prehistoric settlement is thought to be among the first human settlements in Italy, and it’s been featured in a variety of filmmakers as the setting for ancient Jerusalem. Visit a traditional bakery for a tasting of the city’s famed bread.
- Lunch on your own.
- Enjoy some free time on your own in the afternoon.
- Dinner tonight is in the masseria.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- Breakfast.
- In the morning, take part in your next cooking class to learn about traditional pizza and other local specialties like panzerotti, friselle, and taralli.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- After lunch, head to the picturesque town of Polignano a Mare to admire the impressive panoramas from the seaside terraces. Perhaps indulge in a gelato while there.
- From there take a very picturesque drive through Itria Valley. Visit a local winery for a wine tasting, then to head to Alberobello, the UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its fairytale trulli. While there, experience a guided visit of the site.
- Finish your day with a wonderful dinner al fornello, where you’ll be served various cuts of meats from the local butcher. This is a rustic and completely Pugliese experience!
- Overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast.
- In the afternoon, head to the capital city of Bari to explore the old town. This guided walk will take you to remarkable historical attractions — such as the beautiful St. Nicola’s Basilica, home to Saint Nicolas, a beloved saint and father of the Santa Claus legend — as well as the seaside promenade and busy pedestrian shopping area.
- For lunch explore the local street food scene, including raw fish at the safood market, and street food such as focaccia, sgagliozze, and popizze.
- Drive south to Monopoli, an enchanting harbor town to explore its cobble-stone alleys and seafront. And yes, another chance for a gelato!
- Return to the masseria to participate in a cooking class that focuses on fish and classical seafood dishes, from linguine to octopus, in a Mediterranean style, as well as vegetable dishes.
- Dinner based on your efforts.
- Overnight.
Day Six
- Following breakfast, depart for an excursion to Locorotondo, a beautiful town in the Itria valley, and visit their local market, where you’ll enjoy an apertivo like the locals.
- Transfer to a renowned factory to taste the local cold cut, capocollo.
- Return to the masseria for your final cooking class, where you’ll discover the tricks of Pugliese desserts and cakes, such as biscotti, and Italian limoncello.
- Farewell dinner to follow based on your efforts, along with a certificate of attendance.
- Overnight.
Day Seven
- Breakfast and check out. Group transfer to Bari or Brindisi airport.
Apulia Culinary Trip Details
Included in the 6-Night Puglia, Italy Food and Wine Tour
Accommodations
6 nights accommodation at the Masseria (mezzanine room or 2-room apartment)
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 4 lunches (including 2 tasting lunches)
- 6 dinners
- Wine, water, and coffee with all meals
Classes & Instructors
Your 4 hands-on cooking classes take place in the kitchens of your masseria and will be led by either Chiara or one of the other family members, or by the chef of the property, Damiano. Chiara has managed the masseria’s restaurant since 2007, and has led cooking shows for the Puglia Region Authority, as well as an educational laboratory for a group of foreign journalists. In the past, Chef Damiano has worked for a number renowned Puglia restaurants. Both specialize in Apulian cuisine, and look forward to sharing a rich culinary tradition with you during our 7 days culinary vacations.
Classes will feature:
- fresh and filled pastas and focaccia
- pizza and traditional Apulian savory pastries
- fish, seafood, and vegetables
- desserts
Excursions
- Excursion to Matera
- Visit of Bari
- Visits of Ostuni, Polignano a Mare, and Alberobello
- Excursion to Locorotondo
- 1 winery visit
- 1 cheese factory tour and tasting
- 1 salami factory tour
- 1 oil mill factory tour
- 1 traditional bakery visit
Transfer Details
Round-trip group transfers from/to Bari or Brindisi airport. (Late arrivals or early departure transfers may incur an additional fee. We would be happy to confirm transfers with you before you finalize your travel arrangements.)
Country:
Italy
Region:
Puglia
Tour Dates:
Available any dates you choose for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details.
6 Nights
Starting at
$3,950
Accommodation Information
Surrounded by 400-year-old olive trees, the Masseria Salamina, located just a short distance from the Adriatic sea, is a relaxing getaway full of historic charm. The rooms are located in the main house and the surrounding buildings and reflect the history of the area. All rooms offer air conditioning, heating, safe, LCD TV, Wi-Fi, and hair dryer. The property itself features a restaurant specializing in traditional Apulian cuisine as well as a swimming pool with a beautiful view of the sea.
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Pricing & Dates of Italian Cookery Vacations in Puglia
Find the dates and pricing for our culinary vacation tour packages in Puglia, Italy.
Puglia, Italy Food Tours Pricing:
Low Season
October 21 - March 31
6-night Program
US$3950 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$560 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Upgrade to a manor suite: please inquire.
Custom Biking and Cooking or Walking and Cooking itineraries also available.
Puglia, Italy Food Tours Pricing:
Mid Season
April 1 - June 30 & September 23 - October 19
6-night Program
US$4150 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$560 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Upgrade to a manor suite: please inquire.
Puglia, Italy Food Tours Pricing:
High Season
July 1 - September 22
6-night Program
US$4250 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$560 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Upgrade to a manor suite: please inquire.
Puglia Gourmet Holidays Dates 2022-2023
Our Italian cooking vacations in Puglia are available year round for a minimum of 2 people. If you’d like to customize your Puglia cooking vacation, just drop us a line or give us a call and we’ll get started crafting the trip of your dreams.
Sample Puglia food tour dates follow: Other start dates are also possible, please inquire.
2023
March 12-18
March 19-25
March 26-April 1
April 2-8
April 9-15
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6
May 7-13
May 14-20
May 21-27
May 28-June 3
June 4-10
June 11-17
June 18-24
June 25-July 1
July 2-8
July 9-15
July 16-22
July 23-29
July 30-August 5
August 6-12
August 13-19
August 20-26
August 27-September 2
September 3-9
September 10-16
September 17-23
September 24-30
October 1-7
October 8-14 – sold out
October 15-24 – sold out
October 29-November 4
November 5-11
November 12-18
November 19-25
November 26-December 2
December 3-9
December 10-16
December 18-23
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We Can Help Plan The Best Cooking Holidays in Puglia, Italy
Explore the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables lovingly applied in the flavorful yet simple local authentic Italian cuisine during your cooking vacation in Puglia.
There are many ways we can help with to make your cooking vacation in Italy the trip of your dreams. Contact us for more information, or you can indicate your interest during check out and we will follow up with you directly! Contact UsYou May Also Like Other Italian Foodie Vacations
Take a moment to explore the list of our other decadent cooking holidays and culinary tours in Italy.
FAQ
What is the most famous dish in Puglia?
One of the most popular Apulia dishes is orecchiette con le cime di rapa – handmade orecchiette pasta with turnip tops. In fact, orecchiette pasta (which translates as “little ears”) is probably Puglia’s most iconic food, and you can observes rows of housewives and nonne (grandmothers) making them for the local restaurants in the Old Center of Bari. Other popular Apulian dishes are panzerotti, a type of turnover, and tiella barese, a dish featuring potatoes and mussels.
What is the best time to visit Puglia?
Spring, early summer, and fall are the best seasons to visit Puglia. High summer is hot but also popular, with higher prices to match demand. If you are a beach-lover, then you should choose the warmer months to take advantage of Puglia’s many stunning beaches. But if you want cooler temperatures and wonderful produce, spring and fall are your best bets. We’ve also had clients enjoy traveling to Puglia over the winter months!
Country:
Italy
Region:
Puglia
Tour Dates:
Available any dates you choose for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details.
6 Nights
Starting at
$3,950
Want more flexibility? We can customize all of your trip details for you, including:
- Trip length and Itineraries
- Hotels and Tours
- Transfers and Airfare
Let us show you how we can create a complete package just for you. Contact Us