5 Senses of Puglia

Once you arrive in the beautiful city of Bari, we’ll transport you to your new home for the week, where you can relax and unwind for the afternoon.

Come evening time, we’ll take you to one of the local eateries to enjoy locally produced drinks and fine foods to sate your appetite. We’ll also give an overview of the exciting activities awaiting you this week.

This morning we will be exploring the incredibly beautiful hilltop city of Ostuni, also known as la citta bianca, the white city, via a guided walk by one of our trusted local guides. Known for its whitewashed buildings and white stone streets, this charming medieval city with its fascinating history, glows day and night. Ostuni is a delightful city to wander, and we’ll meander through its incredible maze of narrow streets and visit some of its iconic architecture. After our guided walk, you’ll be free to explore this city on your own and enjoy a lovely lunch. We love Ostuni and we’ll have lots of recommendations for you about our favorite places to lunch, to shop, and to experience the awe-inspiring panoramic views of the both the sea and surrounding valley. Due to its elevated location, Ostuni is truly an amazing place to simply stop and enjoy the view. After lunch, we will take a short drive along peaceful country roads into the beautiful green valley to visit, one of the oldest olive oil producers in Puglia. Both an ancient olive oil mill and fortified farmhouse, this Masseria is surrounded by majestic olive groves filled with trees that are thousands of years old. The natural beauty of this property is extraordinary and after our tour, we’ll do a tasting of the superior extra virgin olive oil that is harvested and produced here from its ancient olive trees that were said to be planted during the Roman times. After our unforgettable oil tasting, we’ll make our way back to our accommodations where you can enjoy some leisure time at the Masseria. This evening, we will dine together at one of our favourite local restaurants nearby to enjoy more incredible Pugliese cuisine and wine.

Early this morning, we are going to travel just outside of Puglia into the Italian region called Basilicata which is home to the wonderous and magical city of Matera. Upon our arrival in this sweepingly beautiful and unique hilltop city, which has been used as a backdrop for numerous iconic films, we will have a quick coffee before meeting our friendly and knowledgeable local guide. Our guide will lead us on a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Sassi di Matera, the fascinating ancient cave dwellings that were inhabited for over 2,500 years until the end of the 2nd World War. Our tour will last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and after that you will be free to explore this very special city, named the 2019 European Capital of Culture, on your own. From incredible religious architecture, local artisan street stalls, to mouthwatering local cuisine, there is so much to see and do in this culturally and historically rich city. As always, we will be happy to share our favorite dining and shopping recommendations. Late that afternoon we’ll head back to our Masseria where you can enjoy some free time. This evening’s dinner will be a traditional home cooked Pugliese meal made for us by our wonderful accommodation’s hosts and sourced with ingredients from the farm property. Don’t forget the local wine!

Today we will be visiting the stunningly beautiful Baroque city, Lecce. Known as the “Florence of the South,” Lecce is a city celebrated for its incredible art and uniquely ornate limestone and sandstone architecture. We will start with a coffee before we embark on our guided walk of Lecce which boasts a 2,500-year-old history that includes many contributions by the Romans, including its fortification walls and ancient amphitheater.

After our walk, you’ll have free time to explore Lecce and to have a delicious lunch on your own. Later in the afternoon we will head back to our Masseria where we will learn how to cook a fresh and delicious traditional Apulian meal using fresh produce straight from the farmhouse gardens and typical local products from the region. This cooking experience will literally be “farm-to-table.”

Tonight’s dinner will be both relaxing and delicious: a home cooked Pugliese meal and local wine enjoyed at the Masseria. 

Today is entirely yours to do as much or as little as you desire. Whether you enjoy this day relaxing at one of our favorite beach clubs, taking a bike ride through the countryside, or exploring a nearby town, we’ll be here to help you craft and curate your very best free day in Puglia.

After this lovely free day, we will regroup for our final dinner this evening and head to a local town to visit one of our favorite restaurants for our farewell dinner. 

It is time to say not goodbye, but Arrivederci, until we meet again, to Puglia. After enjoying one last epic breakfast spread at the Masseria and perhaps one last dip in the pool, we will escort you to the Bari Airport or Train Station.