Pasta, Pastries, and Pottery in Puglia, Italy

• Arrive at the Bari airport under independent travel arrangements and join the group transfer to the hotel. Take time to settle in and refresh before the official start of your culinary adventure.

• Begin your culinary journey with a welcome reception at the hotel, hosted by your Travel Ambassador Meredith Abbott. After a celebratory toast, transfer by coach to the welcome dinner at Vita Pugliese, a restaurant that brings the Apulian story to life through its seasonal menu and regional traditions.

Included Meals: Reception, Dinner
Accommodations: Tenuta delle Monacelle

• Today centers on two Apulian essentials: handmade pasta and regional wine. Begin the morning with a walking tour of the village of Alberobello where you will gain insight into the culinary history of the area, including the iconic Trulli, the dry-stone huts that define the village’s charm, you’ll also have time to explore on your own. 

• Continue to Trulli il Castagno for a hands-on cooking class led by the famed pasta grannies (nonne)! With their multi-generational wisdom and guidance, you will learn to make traditional orecchiette pasta by hand. Settle in for lunch among the vines, enjoying your freshly made orecchiette paired with Apulian wines and classic appetizers.  

• Once you have a granny-approved full stomach, explore the surrounding vineyards and meet the fourth-generation winemakers while overlooking the Itria Valley. Learn more about the wines you enjoyed at lunch and the family’s legacy in the region. In the evening, return to the hotel to enjoy a light dinner and time to unwind. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
Accommodations: Tenuta delle Monacelle

• Today’s journey explores the foundations of Apulian cuisine through two local staples: bread and cheese. Begin with a private visit to the historic artisanal bakery Di Gesù in Altamura, where fifth-generation baker Giuseppe di Gesù will guide you through the traditional process of making the region’s celebrated bread. From milling durum wheat to forming and firing your loaf, you will gain hands-on insight into the techniques that earned Altamura bread the distinction of being the first bread in Europe to receive the designation of Protected Denomination of Origin. As you bake, learn why this area is known as the Breadbasket of Italy and how age-old methods continue to thrive in the modern kitchen.  Alongside your own fresh loaf, you will have the chance to sample a variety of traditional baked goods hot from the oven! 

• Next, travel into the heart of Murgia Park for a curated cheese tasting at Baby Dicecca, a rustic wooden kiosk that boasts a range of cheeses and local products. This outpost reimagines traditional Apulian cheeses with bold new flavors. Expect unique pairings like  nerone, semi-matured sheep milk cheese aged in Apulian figs, or Istinto Primitivo, a blue cheese enhanced with red fruits. Your tasting will be accompanied by regional wines selected to complement each cheese’s distinct profile.  

• Return to the hotel in the late afternoon with time to relax and refresh before dinner. 

• In the evening, head to nearby Polignano a Mare, a postcard-perfect town perched on the cliffs above the Adriatic Sea. Enjoy dinner at leisure and gather for a creamy scoop of gelato before returning to the hotel for the night. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Tenuta delle Monacelle

• Depart Bari and make your way deeper into the heart of Puglia. Your first stop is Grottaglie, a town renowned for its centuries-old ceramic tradition. Begin with a stroll through the Ceramics District then enjoy exclusive access to the workshop of Nicola Fasano, one of the region’s most acclaimed artisans. Observe traditional pottery techniques passed down through generations with a focus on kitchen and tableware. Discover how form, function, and craftsmanship come together to influencer both flavor and presentation in Apulian culture.

• Following the visit, enjoy lunch at La Capasa, where local dishes are thoughtfully served in handcrafted ceramics made just down the road. 

• Next, continue to Agrosalento, an estate known for producing exceptional olive oil. Tour the olive groves and milling facility to gain a deeper understanding of how olives are cultivated, harvested, and transformed into “liquid gold.” A guided tasting in the garden grove will introduce you to the nuances of oil classifications, tasting notes, and culinary applications including the surprising science of frying with extra virgin olive oil.    

• From there, journey to Lecce and settle into your accommodations at Chiostro dei Domenicani. The hotel is a short walk from the historic city center, where you will have the evening free to explore Lecce’s baroque beauty and choose a dinner spot that suits your mood. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Chiostro dei Domenicani

• Get to know Lecce with a morning walking tour, focusing on the history and culture of this provincial capital city. Wind your way to the historical center of the city for a private, hands-on cooking experience. You will head to the market to gather ingredients for the meal and learn to prepare a traditional meal featuring fish and pasta with the guidance of a trained chef. Lunch will feature your culinary creations and a rosé tasting.  

• In the afternoon you will visit the Legno d’Olivo Lab, a workshop dedicated to handcrafted kitchenware made from olive wood. Discover the artisanal beauty of olive wood in the cutlery, cutting boards, bowls, and whimsical napkin holders at the workshop. Return to Lecce and enjoy your evening independently.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Chiostro dei Domenicani

• Venture to the coast to explore the maritime town of Gallipoli, known for its fishing traditions and coastal cuisine. Start the day at the local  fish market led by a chef who will share how to identify the freshest catch and source ingredients like a local. With your seafood in hand, head into the kitchen and roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class featuring a regional favorite:  Zuppa di Pesce alla Gallipolina, a hearty stew made with shrimp, mollusks, and fish in a tomato and white wine broth.  

• Enjoy the results of your cooking over a relaxed lunch, then spend the afternoon at leisure in Gallipoli. Explore the historic city center, stroll along the coastline, or stop for a gelato with sea views.  

• Later, continue to Leverano and enjoy a guided tour of Birra Salento, a craft brewery that blends innovation with regional tradition. After the tour, sit down for a casual dinner. Return to Lecce and spend the remainder of your evening at leisure.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Chiostro dei Domenicani

• On your final day in Puglia, return to Bari to dive deeper into the city’s rich cultural heritage. Begin with a walking tour through the winding streets of Old Bari and visit the nonne in the heart of the city. This is a perfect moment to compare your orecchiette handiwork from Alberobello to theirs.  

• Following the tour, enjoy time to explore and stop for an independent lunch. Sample street food favorites you spotted on the walking tour, like focaccia Barese and panzerotti.  

• In the afternoon, journey to Andria for a special visit to Cibelle, a textile manufacturing lab preserving centuries-old embroidery and linen-making techniques. Meet the next generation of young local artisans who hand-stitch linens using time-honored methods passed down through generations and committed to keeping the traditions alive. 

• Return to Bari with time to refresh before gathering for a celebratory farewell dinner. Raise a glass of the flavors, friendships, and unforgettable moments of your journey. Tonight’s table will highlight traditional Pulian dishes with a creative and contemporary twist.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: JR Hotels Grande Albergo della Nazione Bari

• Before departing, savor one last Italian caffe before checking out of the hotel. Use the group transfer to reach Bari Airport.  

Included Meals: Breakfast