Culinary Adventures in Puglia & Basilicata with Lyndey Milan

We recommend you arrive into Bari Aiport no later than 11am. Our driver will shuttle you to Matera for check in at your first hotel just next to the famous "Sassi" district. Our tour kicks off with a visit to a bakery in the nearby town of Altamura for an in-depth look at the making of this extraordinary DOP bread. Back in Matera tonight we will enjoy an unforgettable meal at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Palazzo della Fontana, Matera

This morning we will stroll around the heart of Matera to experience the Sassi with our local expert guide, who will bring to life this unique and ancient city perched high on a beautiful hillside. The famed UNESCO World Heritage Site has been the location of several recent blockbuster movies including James Bond: No time to die, Wonder Woman and Ben Hur.

After the tour you enjoy some free time for shopping and lunch (lunch not included).

In the late afternoon we will have our first introduction to the beautiful wines that this land has to offer. We will visit an old cave where wine was made many centuries ago and enjoy an in-depth tasting of a selection of wines from the region of Basilicata. Some wines are grown in volcanic soil with a very distintive flavour! After the meal we'll enjoy a delicious dinner in the same location, which has been converted into a restaurant. Buon appetito.

Overnight: Palazzo della Fontana (B. D)

After checking-out of your lodging in Matera, we are off to discover Puglia's famous trulli houses. These cone shaped dwellings are unique to the region and in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello you will see a concentration of over 1,000 trulli houses. Our expert guide will bring the history of this picturesque town to life. Next visit a local dairy farm to learn the secrets of cheese-making in the ancient traditions of Puglia. You will meet local cheese artisan Giorgio at his farm, where he will demonstrate the art of making fresh burrata and let you try twisting a knot of mozzarella or two! After the visit enjoy a tasting lunch of the farm’s produce in the family’s home. To conclude the day it's time to check in to your next hotel, the beautiful country retreat, Masseria Montenapoleone. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Masseria Montenapoleone (B, L, D)

Take an authentic deep-dive into the making of the traditional tomato sauce or "salsa di pomodoro" at the home of local chef and food expert Gianna. Walk in Gianna's garden to pick fresh tomatoes together with our farmer who will answer all questions about the cultivation of the different tomato varieties. In the kitchen undertake all the phases of the preparation: Cleaning, washing and squeezing; cooking, passing of the tomatoes through the press, 2nd cooking, sterilization of bottles, canning, cooling and finally, labeling. Typically on this day, locals will eat a spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce and caprese salad, so of course we will enjoy the same! During the waiting times for the cooking there will also be a chance to discovery the aromatic herbs in the Sensory Garden. After your hard work you will have two bottles of tomato sauce to bring home with you. For dinner this evening we will visit the nearby town of Cisternino for a rustic experience at a butcher shop/restaurant for a feast of locally-reared meats and salads.

Overnight at Masseria Montenapoleone (B, L, D)

We travel to Lecce, the capital of the Salento Province. Known as the ?Florence of the South', the city hosts amazing Baroque masterpieces and treasures of Italy. In Lecce you will embark on a dedicated walking tour where our guide will reveal the secrets of the imposing architecture and millennia of fascinating history revealed before your very eyes. Our guide will take you to visit one of Puglia's most renowned wineries - Li Veli. After a fascinating tour with the vineyard's expert oenologist, you will be treated to a private lunch and wine tasting over-looking the ageing barrels of wine. Back at the masseria this evening, there is the option to have a light aperitif with snacks.

Overnight at Masseria Montenapoleone (B, L, light dinner snack)

A full tour of the Montenapoleone estate is on the agenda this morning, including the almond groves, the wheat fields and the many different fruit orchards. All the varietals are indigenous to the area and you will already have sampled many of them at the Masseria's delicious breakfast. After the tour you will get busy in the kitchen for a hands-on cooking class using the estate's produce. Learn the many secrets of Puglia's long culinary heritage and enjoy a feast of the dishes you have made for lunch. After lunch there will be some leisure time for a swim in the pool or for some relaxation in the gardens. In the late afternoon visit one of Puglia's oldest olive oil estates for a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating olive oil history of the area and of course a tasting of the delicious extra-virgin olive oil. To follow there is a visit of the striking White City of Ostuni, a picturesque old citadel full of winding cobbled-stone streets. You are free to explore the boutique shops and enjoy dinner (dinner not included).

Overnight at Masseria Montenapoleone (B, L)

Overnight at Montenapoleone (B, L, D)

Private transfers available on request at a supplement