A culinary tour in Puglia by car to discover the historical-artistic and Eno-Gastonomic beauties of Puglia from the Gargano to the Salento through the Central Puglia, touching the most evocative places of this fantastic region straddling east and west. In addition to the undisputed beauty of Puglia you can discover the magnificent Matera and its famous Sassi.
Bari International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
If there is an Italian region in which the cuisine, while identifying itself in a domineering way with the territory, maintains a single common denominator, this is Puglia.
From the old stones of Matera to Lecce, passing by the famous « Trulli » of Alberobello, this trip will take you through one of Italy’s most beautiful places Puglia … With its olive groves as far as the eye can see, its fields of cereals and vines, and its crystal clear waters, you will discover the « Salento », region of the heel of the Italian boot, which has preserved its natural beauty and its ancient culture.
Whether we are talking about dishes of the maritime tradition or typical dishes of the peasant culture, the king of the table is always the olive oil , the yellow gold, capable of enriching, without ever overpowering, every flavor.
Arrival in Puglia with your car or with a flight to Brindisi or Bari and pick up the car if booked. Overnight in the area of Castel del Monte.
Trani – Castel del Monte (70 km) / After breakfast, departure for Trani. Here you can visit the Queen of Romanesque Cathedrals of Puglia named after San Nicola Pellegrino, which is striking for its simplicity and grandeur. After a few km Castel delMonte (UNESCO World Heritage) appears as a crown on the hill and dominates the landscape for miles. The octagonal building with eight octagonal towers on each corner because of its absolute harmony is among the most impressive and mysterious structures of the Middle Ages and has become a symbol of Puglia. Here we see the whole visionary spirit of Frederick II of Swabia who built it for who knows what purpose, certainly not military, probably as a hunting lodge or study center. Return to the hotel and overnight.
Breakfast and departure for Altamura, whose medieval old town was built by Frederick II in 1230. Visit of the magnificent cathedral, one of the four Palatine basilicas of Puglia. In Altamura you will taste the typical « focaccia », a sort of pizza without cheese. Transfer to Matera. You will discover the magnificent city & agrave; dei Sassi, typical caves carved in the ravine used as a dwelling. The Sassi di Matera (UNESCO World Heritage) have been excavated and inhabited since the prehistoric period and up until the Second World War. Take a walk on the « Strada Panoramica dei Sassi », with a beautiful view of the ravine and the cave houses. Do not miss a visit to a Cave House and a Cave Church. Return to the hotel, overnight stay.
After breakfast, transfer to Castellana Grotte to visit the largest karst cave in Italy. The tour begins with the impressive Grave and ends in the magnificent White Cave if you decide for the longest route. Alberobello is the center of the trulli, the circular cone-shaped buildings in stone. Over 1000 trulli make up the historic center of this town that was declared in 1996 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Walk through the Monti district to the Church of S. Antonio. Tasting of wines and spirits. Lunch in a restaurant with a typical menu. Then, continuation towards Polignano aa Mare, whose historical center is situated on a 25 m high cliff. In the historic center you can walk around the square and along the narrow streets that open repeatedly towards the blue Adriatic. Great and try the homemade ice cream. Return to the hotel, overnight stay.
After breakfast, transfer to Ostuni, after the discovery of the magnificent historic center with its narrow alleys, between the houses painted with lime. We also recommend a visit to the Romanesque Cathedral that is not to be missed. Visit and tasting of olive oil at the cooperative oil mill of Ostuni which collects and sells the product of hundreds of small olive producers in this area. Consider that about half of Italian olive oil is produced in Puglia! At midday transfer for lunch in a typical farmhouse immersed in the countryside in the cool of ancient olive groves. In the afternoon transfer to Lecce, southern Florence. The most important monuments of this magnificent baroque city are: the Duomo, Piazza S. Oronzo with the Roman amphitheater, the Basilica of Santa Croce, San Matteo, Santa Irene, Porta San Biagio, Porta Napoli and Porta Rudiae in addition to the countless palaces of the historic center. Hotel accommodation. Overnight.
After breakfast departure for Castro Marina, meeting at the port with a fisherman for a sightseeing tour by boat or motorboat of the sea caves. You will discover the azure caves of Palombara and Zinzulusa. after the boat ride you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca along the State Road n & deg; 173 declared one of the most beautiful and scenic in Italy, until you reach the sanctuary of » Finibus Terrae » on the extreme tip of the heel. In the afternoon pass for Gallipoli, the « beautiful city » located on the Ionian side of Salento. You will discover this fantastic seafaring city with unique and very picturesque views of its historic center among the alleys that suddenly appear on the ramparts and the sea. This city preserves numerous monuments of remarkable historical-artistic interest such as the cathedral and the numerous noble palaces, testimony of the flourishing past.
Breakfast. Our tour ends with one of the most fascinating cities of Puglia: Otranto, the most « Eastern » city of Italy that was probably founded by the Greeks. A long sandy beach leads to the old town, located on a small promontory on the fishing harbor. Visit of the Norman Cathedral with its famous floor mosaics, the Byzantine Church of San Pietro, the Aragonese Castle and the Ramparts. The cathedral is known for its beautiful mosaic floor and dedicated to the 800 martyrs decapitated during the Turkish invasion in 1480. Return to the hotel, typical Apulian dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast and departure or transfer to Brindisi or Bari airport.
