Food, Wine & Culture: Apulia

10 Days in Apulia & Basilicata: A Culinary Journey Through Southern Italy

Pricing starting at $6600 per person

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Apulia and Basilicata capture the essence of Italy’s rich culinary and cultural heritage. From the whitewashed towns of Ostuni to the stone dwellings of Matera, every stop reveals a story shaped by centuries of tradition. This journey invites travelers to explore local kitchens, historic farms, artisan workshops, and vineyards that define southern Italian life. Guests will learn pasta and cheese-making from local masters, taste celebrated regional wines, and uncover the artistic traditions that make Apulia and Basilicata unforgettable. Hosted by Chef Robert “Bob” Colosimo, this experience blends food, culture, and history in one remarkable itinerary designed for those who appreciate authentic flavors and immersive travel.

Top 6 Highlights of the Apulia Experience

  • Pasta Making in the Countryside – Learn the art of traditional Apulian pasta from a local chef inside a historic masseria surrounded by ancient olive groves. Create handmade orecchiette and cavatelli using time-honored techniques before enjoying a meal that celebrates the essence of rustic Italian cooking.

  • Cheese Workshop and Alberobello’s Trulli – Step into a working dairy farm to see how mozzarella and burrata are crafted by hand. Taste freshly made cheeses under the shade of countryside trees, then tour the UNESCO-listed town of Alberobello, famous for its cone-shaped trulli houses.

  • Ceramic Art and Wine in Manduria – Experience Grottaglie’s legendary ceramics district where artisans create intricate pottery inspired by centuries of local tradition. Later, visit one of Manduria’s oldest vineyards for a guided tour and tasting of full-bodied Primitivo wines, paired with regional cuisine.

  • Baroque Beauty and Artisan Traditions in Lecce – Discover Lecce, known as “The Florence of the South,” through its stunning baroque architecture and creative spirit. Learn the centuries-old craft of papier-mâché from a local artist and create your own handmade keepsake using traditional techniques.

  • Ancient Stones and Timeless Art in Matera – Explore the ancient cave dwellings of Matera’s Sassi district, one of Europe’s oldest inhabited settlements. Visit rock churches and traditional cave homes, and end the day with an evening aperitivo overlooking the glowing stone city at sunset.

  • Basilicata Wine and Countryside Traditions – Travel through the volcanic hills of Basilicata to taste the region’s celebrated Aglianico del Vulture wines. Visit vineyards, enjoy rustic farm-to-table meals, and explore the ancient abbeys and ruins of Venosa, birthplace of the poet Horace.

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10 Days in Apulia

  • Arrive in Bari and transfer to the Polignano area. Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring regional dishes and local wines.

    Day Highlights:

    • Private airport transfer to Polignano

    • Welcome dinner with regional wines

    • Evening at leisure

  • Meet your local chef in a traditional masseria for a pasta-making class using local ingredients. Explore the “White City” of Ostuni and its historic architecture.

    Day Highlights:

    • Pasta-making workshop

    • Guided tour of Ostuni

    • Lunch featuring handmade pasta and local wine

  • Visit a countryside dairy farm and learn how burrata and mozzarella are made. Enjoy a picnic of fresh cheeses, then explore the trulli houses of Alberobello.

    Day Highlights:

    • Burrata and mozzarella workshop

    • Picnic lunch under olive trees

    • Guided walking tour of Alberobello

  • Visit the pottery studios of Grottaglie to learn about traditional ceramics, then travel to Manduria for a vineyard tour and lunch paired with Primitivo wines.

    Day Highlights:

    • Hands-on ceramic workshop

    • Vineyard tour and tasting in Manduria

    • Traditional lunch with wine pairings

  • Tour Lecce’s ornate streets and baroque landmarks, then learn the traditional art of papier-mâché from a master artisan. Enjoy a group dinner in the evening.

    Day Highlights:

    • Guided walking tour of Lecce

    • Papier-mâché workshop

    • Dinner with wine

  • Visit the seaside town of Otranto and its historic Aragonese Castle. After lunch, participate in a Lecce stone carving workshop led by a local sculptor.

    Day Highlights:

    • Guided tour of Otranto

    • Hands-on stone carving experience

    • Afternoon at leisure

  • Travel to Altamura for a bread-making demonstration and tasting before heading to Matera. Explore the charming streets and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

    Day Highlights:

    • Altamura bread workshop

    • Light lunch with local specialties

    • Dinner in Matera

  • Explore Matera’s ancient Sassi district and visit Casa Grotta, a restored cave home. End the day with an aperitivo overlooking the historic skyline.

    Day Highlights:

    • Guided walking tour of the Sassi

    • Visit to Casa Grotta

    • Aperitivo at sunset

  • Spend the day in the countryside of Basilicata visiting vineyards and tasting Aglianico del Vulture wines. Tour ancient abbeys and enjoy a farewell dinner.

    Day Highlights:

    • Vineyard tour and wine tasting

    • Visit to Venosa and Abbazia della Trinità

    • Farewell dinner with wine pairings

  • Transfer to Bari Airport for your return flight home. Take with you lasting memories of Apulia and Basilicata’s landscapes, flavors, and people.

    Day Highlights:

    • Private transfer to Bari Airport

    • Breakfast included

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