Experience Authentic PUGLIA April 4 10, 2016 Experience the warmth of Puglia hospitality in a land of rare beauty and discover one of the most southern Italian destination. Join us for a week full of networking, tour ideas, information, site inspections, education, great food, wines and of course fun. Get to know the real Puglia through its fascinating places, masserie, hotels, unique locations and day trips
Monday April 4, 2016 Arrival in Brindisi airport and private transfer to the charming Masseria Provenzani just in time for a welcome aperitif and dinner. Be ready for a full immersion in the local culture through an informal presentation of the destination. You will also enjoy a tasting of some great local wines. Tuesday April 5, 2016 After breakfast, leave for a site inspection at a nearby Masseria. We will then transfer to a local winery for a sublime wine tasting followed by a picnic enlivened by traditional Salento music in an olive grove and a tantalizing lunch featuring local foods. The dessert, including caffé and dolcetti will be served in another Masseria of the area. Return to the accommodation for a little rest. In the late afternoon transfer to our cooking class location in a cozy village not far from Lecce. We will then enjoy a short walking tour of the town s historic center before our Pasta and Focaccia Class with moms.
Wednesday April 6, 2016 Free time in afternoon to enjoy Lecce at your own pace. Dinner in the historic center of Lecce included. After breakfast, check out and transfer to Lecce where we will check-into a 4 star hotel in the historical center. We will then enjoy a journey at the discovery of the lifestyle and culture of Lecce We will explore some of the gorgeous Baroque architecture of Lecce that has led to its nickname, Florence of the South, as well as the workshop of a papier-maché artist. Be also ready for a tour by classic cars followed by a light lunch in a great location in the city. Thursday April 7, 2016 After breakfast, transfer to Gallipoli, the city of fishermen. We will enjoy a tour of the old town center that sits on a tiny island connected to the mainland by a 17th century bridge. It is almost completely surrounded by defensive walls, built mainly in the 14th century. We will then have some free time for shopping before lunch at a local restaurant with sea view. Afternoon transfer to Otranto, for a walking tour at the discovery of the main highlights of the city including the old town, the Byzantine church, the 11th century cathedral and 15th century castle. Then enjoy some time at leisure before returning to Lecce.
Dinner will be at a local restaurant in the historic center of Lecce. Friday April 8, 2016 Dinner in the historic town of Ostuni. Check out from your Hotel in Lecce and transfer to the next accommodation, a boutique Hotel in Ostuni. We will then have a guided tour of the White City, namely Ostuni and A guided city tour of Ostuni and Cisternino, one of Puglia s most historic and picturesque hilltop towns. After another delicious lunch, we will move towards Locorotondo for a site inspection at a hotel of the area. Saturday April 9, 2016 After breakfast, we will reach Alberobello, the Capital of Trulli, for a guided tour through its narrow streets. You will discover when and why the trulli were firstly built as houses with corbel-vaulted stone roofs; nowadays they are still the unique symbol of the Itria Valley. We will then move towards Polignano a Mare, a very charming town, for lunch. After a quick site inspection in a local hotel/masseria, we continue towards to Bari for a walking tour of the old town. Explore pretty piazzas and side streets, admire fine
examples of Romanesque architecture and learn about the city's history and culture from an expert guide. Return to Ostuni and dinner at a local restaurant. Sunday April 10, 2016 Breakfast, briefing on the destination, aperitivo di arrivederci and transfer to Bari Airport.