A dream itinerary among the immense beauty of the “White City”, the fascinating stone city of Matera and the magic of Trulli. Breathe the essence of Italy while relaxing under the shade of thousand-years olive trees, having fun on exciting traditional cooking classes and enjoying the romantic atmospheres of the vibrant South.
Start Date
May, 10 2021
Duration
8 Days
Group Size
Maximum 12
Guided
By Angelina
Apulia (Puglia in Italian language), the spur of the Italian Boot, is an enchanting region that spreads lengthwise along the sea. Blessed with marvellous beaches that will delight every traveller, Puglia is a charming region that can be visited all year round and is rich in nature, history, tradition, tastes and spirituality. Apulia offers a wide range of places that testify to the ancient origins of this land: from prehistory to Magna Graecia, from the Imperial Age to the Renaissance. The trulli, for example those of Valle d’Itria, offer an evocative testimony of the rural past of the region. Meanwhile, numerous castles dot the shores of the southern coast, hinting at an era when both perils and commerces landed on these shores.
The hallmark of regional cooking is homemade pasta, made with durum wheat or a mix of durum and soft wheat: from recchietelle (also called orecchiette) that, in its many versions, is a symbol of the region, to the famous strascinati, that once were the main course for the poorest families and are now served in the best restaurants. Among the quality products, awarded with the labels DOP (Denomination of Protected Origin) or RGI (Regional Geographical Indication), are Altamura bread, famous for its crispness and the famous wines and extra-virgin olive oils, all with their very own characteristics according to the area where they were produced.
The wonderful Basilicata is embedded between Calabria and Apulia, in the south of Italy. The woods and forests that cover the mountains are dotted with small and charming villages, some even at an altitude of 1000 mt., where pure air, genuine flavors and the beauties of nature are combined with historical vestiges satisfying every curiosity.
Matera‘s Paleolithic setlements, the Sassi, are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with Matera’s numerous rupestrian churches. Taking a walk along the lanes of the Civita, the oldest part of the town, you enter the ancient urban area formed by a dense network of caves, dug out of the rock by shepherds to shelter their family and livestock. It is an ancient architectural work with no design, which now attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.
This place is so singular that is was chosen by the famous actor and director Mel Gibson as the setting for his movie “The Passion”.
The typical food of Basilicata, simple and fragrant, is entirely based on a few local products, wisely combined in typical and ancient dishes.The tastiest sauces always contain hot pepper (peperoncino), the real symbol of cuisine in Basilicata, locally known as diavolicchio (little devil).
Are you ready for a tasty safari with me in two of the greatest wonders of Italy?
✔ Six nights accommodation in typical old Apulian Masseria and historical old mansion
✔ Private driver transfers from Brindisi Airport and to Bari Airport
✔ Ostuni, the White City, with a Evo Oil Tasting
✔ San Vito dei Normanni, gorgeous Apulian medieval town
✔ Locorotondo and Alberobello, experiencing the best “Apulian Gourmet Street Food”, with a wine tasting&tour discovering the Primitivo Red Wine
✔ Matera, known worldwide as “The Stone City”, with its special Pizza Lucana
✔ Altamura, the Italian capital of bread, with a visit of traditional local Cantina with wine tasting
✔ Apulian Cooking class and Rosolio tasting
✔ Daily gourmet breakfast
✔ Welcome Aperitif and Arrivederci Aperitif, six lunches and six dinners (with Welcome and Farewell Dinners) and beverages included during the meals (1/2 lt of wine per person)
✔ English-speaking Staff
✔ Food&Wine Expert Guide and concierge services.
✖ Travel Insurance
✖ Airfare
✖ Lunch and dinner during the free time as well as extra beverage and food
✖ Tips and personal expenses
✖ Everything not mentioned in the package.
We suggest you to bring with you:
• A pair of walking/comfortable shoes
• A cardigan for the evening
• A rain jacket