Southern Adriatic Food Adventures with Paola Bacchia

Our adventures starts at the beautiful Masseria Montelauro, a restored farmhouse in the typical style of Salento. We recommend you book your flight into Brindisi Airport (about 1 hour’s drive). Our group will meet for drinks and an orientation to kick-off the week, followed by a delicious first dinner featuring local seasonal produce. Welcome to Puglia!

This morning we are heading south, to Santa Maria di Leuca, the very tip of Italy’s heel. En route we will also stop at a cheese-maker for an experience in the fresh cheeses of the area such as ricotta. Known in Roman times as Finnibus Terrae, Santa Maria di Leuca really is land’s end. On certain days you can even see a line in the water where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea and the shores of not-so-distant Albania! Learn about the ancient fishing traditions of the town as we walk along the pier and enjoy a typical seafood lunch. This evening we will head into Otranto, just a few miles from our hotel. This historic town has a distinctly Byzantine feel and is lapped by crystal clear sea waters. We’ll stroll by the imposing castle and cathedral. You are free for dinner at one of the town’s many restaurants.

Can you think of a better setting for a pasta-making class than in the kitchen of a private castle? In this incredible property, that has been in the same family for over 70 years, we will meet the local cooking ladies who will be delighted to share their culinary secrets with you. The town in which the castle is located seems to be have frozen in time and even speaks a dialect more similar to Ancient Greek than Italian. If you have any room left, we’ll enjoy a light dinner at the hotel this evening!

We leave Masseria Montelauro this morning and head north. En route we visit the astonishing city of Lecce, full of baroque palaces and ornate churches. Our guide will share the best treasures of the city with us, including the some lovely artisan boutiques and a signature pastry a “pasticiotto leccese” filled with a delicious custard. You are free for lunch before we head for one of Puglia’s leading wineries. We will stroll around the vineyards and enjoy a tasting! Next we transfer to your second lodging, a tasteful working estate, Masseria Montenapoleone. Dinner at the hotel

This morning you will discover the passion that the owners of Masseria Montenapoleone have for organic farming and indigenous crops, fruits and vegetables. Giuliano will take us on a foraging tour of the estate and then conclude our visit with a hands-on cooking lesson in the country kitchen. In the afternoon you will be treated to a visit of one of the world’s most exceptional olive oil estates. Featuring majestic trees dating back to Roman times, and a fascinating underground mill, this is a truly unique experience. Of course you get to taste the olive oil too! Following the visit we take a walk around the famous White Citadel of Ostuni where you are free for dinner.

Head to the coast this morning and meet with Leonardo, our favourite local charismatic fisherman. Leonardo will welcome us aboard his genuine fishing boat for a morning of octopus fishing! A popular local delicacy, octopus has long been a staple of the Puglia culinary tradition. After a few hours on the water we will head to the famous cliff-top town of Polignano a Mare for a walk through the town (and some scenic photo spots) and then a seafood lunch. To finish off our memorable week, we’ll enjoy a final gala dinner in a special setting at the hotel.