A Culinary Adventure in Puglia
A Culinary Adventure in Puglia
This trip is eligible for our Worry-Free Booking promotion.
With more than 300 days of sun a year and 500 miles of coastline, the heel of Italy — known as Puglia — is a beautiful region known for its warm climate, full-bodied wines, and fresh seafood. Our cooking vacations in Puglia Italy are hands-down some of our best, and some of our favorites! 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. The region may be a lesser known area of the country, but its offerings are immense, as you will discover on our Puglia culinary vacations.
The gastronomy in Puglia is influenced by Italy’s neighboring countries and past invaders — Greeks, French, Germans, and Arabs — as well as both the agriculture and the sea. 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. To use the name a property has to have existed for over 20 years, and must offer educational activities in addition to their farming work. 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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Trip Details
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
Itinerary
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.
Trip Details
Included in the 6-Night Trip
Accommodations
6 nights accommodation at the Masseria
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.)
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 three wings of the masseria 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 Puglian cuisine as well as a swimming pool with a beautiful view of the sea.
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Pricing & Tour Dates
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Pricing:
6-night Program
US$3690 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$600 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
This trip is eligible for our “Worry-Free Booking” promotion*, which means your deposit is fully refundable up to 31 days prior to the trip start date. Questions? Please contact us!
*See our terms & conditions for details and exclusions.
Custom Biking and Cooking or Walking and Cooking itineraries also available.
Tour Dates
Available year round for a minimum of 2 people.
Puglia food tour dates in 2021-2022: Other start dates also possible, please inquire.
2021
May 2-8
May 9-15
May 16-22
May 23-29
May 30-June 5
June 6-12
June 13-19
June 20-26
June 27-July 3
July 4-10
July 11-17
July 18-24
July 25-31
August 1-7
August 8-14
August 15-21
August 22-28
August 29-September 4
September 5-11
September 12-18
September 19-25
September 26-October 2
October 3-9
October 10-16
October 17-23
October 24-30
October 31-November 6
November 7-13
November 14-20
November 21-27
November 28-December 4
December 5-11
December 12-18
December 19-25
2022
January 2-8
January 9-15
January 16-22
January 23-29
January 30- February 5
February 6-12
February 13-19
February 20-26
February 27-March 5
March 6-12
March 13-19
March 20-26
March 27-April 2
April 3-9
April 10-16
April 17-23
April 24-30
May 1-7
May 8-14
May 15-21
May 22-28
May 29-June 4
June 5-11
June 12-18
June 19-25
June 26-July 2
July 3-9
July 10-16
July 17-23
July 24-30
July 31-August 6
August 7-13
August 14-20
August 21-27
August 28-September 3
September 4-10
September 11-17
September 18-24
September 25-October 1
October 2-8
October 19-15
October 16-22
October 23-29
October 30-November 5
November 6-12
November 13-19
November 20-26
November 27-December 3
December 4-10
December 11-17
December 18-24
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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
$3,690
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