09 May 2019
Zoom Puglia
PrintZoom Puglia
Descriptions
Affectionately referred to as the heel of Italy’s “boot,” Puglia is known for its whitewashed hill towns, ancient farmland, delicious cuisine, and hundreds of miles of Mediterranean coastline.
It is in Puglia where one can achieve the “old world” experience one often sees in movies. The pasta at even the most casual restaurants is handmade, wines are crafted with pride and care, the mozzarella is perfection, and thousand year old olive groves create olives, the likes of which you may not have ever tasted.
And Puglia certainly doesn’t have a shortage of sights. One of the most beautiful towns is Lecce, known as “Florence of the South” for its baroque architecture, will surely be one of your highlights, as well as Alberobello and the Itria Valley, home to the fairytale-like “trulli,” stone huts with distinctive conical roofs.
Finally, we leave Puglia for neighboring Matera, a city on a rocky outcrop in the region of Basilicata, best knows for its cave dwellings carved into the mountainside.
Fully escorted with the services of a Zoom Vacations® Concierge throughout the trip
4 nights at Tenuta Monacelle
4 nights at Risorgimento Hotel (Lecce)
1 night at Palazzo Gattini (Matera)
private coach service for the entire tour + driver (including his overnights)
private tour with English speaking guide where specified
Final party with local folkloristic group at Tenuta Monacelle.
All “tastings” mentioned in the itinerary.
Lunch in Alberobello/Locorotondo.
Boat tour of the marines caves around Polignano a Mare
Lunch at “Grotta Palazzese”
Lunch at “Tormaresca Bocca di Lupo”
Lunch and dinner in Lecce (or dinner in Minervino di Lecce at the famous “Origano”)
Private full day boat trip around Otranto Coast
Cooking class in an historical Villa in Casarano
Dinner in a typical Cave restaurant in Matera
Space is limited. Call us today to book this tour: 773.772.9666.
Departures 2019 & Prices
May 09 to May 18, 2019 – $5,999.00 USD
Quick Facts
Duration: 10 days
Start in Tenuta Monacelle.
End in Bari.
Accommodations
Luxury Accommodations
Tenuta Monacelle
Tenuta Monacelle is a place with a profound soul. Its architecture draws on the Apulian cultural tradition and contains the living stone, the dry stone walls, the red geraniums, the pinnacles of the trulli, the genuine flavors. Staying here means recovering a relaxing dimension and authentic pleasure. Set among the olive trees of Valle d’Itria and close to the Adriatic Sea, in every corner of the estate you can hear a story made of gestures, smells and voices that tell an authentic land. Many souls cohabit here.
Risorgimento Hotel
The Risorgimento Resort of the Vestas Hotels & Resort group is a 5 star luxury hotel in the historical center of Lecce. The history of an ancient residence dating back to the 1400s meets modernity.
Enjoy a unique experience at this hotel, known for its high level of service: 47 rooms and suites with contemporary design furnishings that recall the territory of the Salento, gourmet food & wine, an intimate spa, and the beautiful Janet Ross Bar.
Palazzo Gattini
In the beautiful Duomo’s Square, Palazzo Gattini open its doors to you, at the highest point of the entire and exclusive town of Matera, offering a breathtaking view of the Sassi (meaning “Stones”).
Air: International and domestic airfare not included.
Passports: Your valid passport should have at least two blank visa pages and should be valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the country you are visiting.
Note: Passport pages titled “Endorsement Pages” are not visa pages.
Visas: Please note that currently US citizens do not need a visa to enter Italy. If you are not a US citizen, please contact your nearest Argentine Consulate to determine your visa requirements.
While Zoom Vacations will assist when possible, please note that passport, visa, and vaccination requirements vary from country to country and are the sole responsibility of the traveler. If you are a US resident, you may click here for more information on passport, visa, and vaccination requirements for various countries.
*Land only Introductory rate, based on double occupancy. Prices are subject to change. Need a roommate? Zoom Vacations® is happy to match you with someone, at no additional charge. Or, you may pay a single supplement and go as a single.
Please read Terms and Conditions prior to booking.
Itinerary
Arrival at Bari airport and transfer to your accommodation in the Itria Valley
Welcome dinner party
Accommodations: Tenuta Monacelle
MealsIncluded: Welcome Dinner
After breakfast start your excursion of the Itria Valley.
Meet your guide and head on to Alberobello and Locorotondo.
Lunch in a “Organic Italian Trattoria” in Alberobello, with its small botanical garden where the owners grow the vegetables and spices they use to prepare their dishes in Trattoria!
In the afternoon visit to an ancient Masseria with underground oil mill dating back to Roman times and century-old olive trees (2000 years old). The owner will welcome you and you will visit the estate and have an olive oil tasting.
Visit of Ostuni and back to the hotel. Dinner on own account
Accommodations: Tenuta Monacelle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Your day will start with a visit of Polignano a mare and a boat tour on small boats to visit the amazing marines caves.
A lunch at “Grotta Palazzese” known as one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world.
In the afternoon visit of Bari town and its historical centre, you will also have a street food experience, tasting al the typical street food in Bari: focaccia, panzerotto, olives, “sganozze” and much more…and you also be shown the preparation of typical “orecchiette” by the ladies sitting out of their houses
Accommodations: Tenuta Monacelle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today you will head on to Altamura, where you will visit a local bakery and taste the famous “Altamura bread dop”. Visit of a local winery “Tormaresca Bocca di Lupo and its vineyards ….tasting and lunch
Accommodations: Tenuta Monacelle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Check out and transfer to Salento
On the way stop in Lecce and visit of “The Florence of the South”
Lunch included during the tour
Visit of a private old Palazzo dating back to XVI cent. Where the owner himself will welcome you and show his house telling the stories and anecdotes of his family. At the end final lunch with the owner!
Check in at the hotel
Dinner in Minervino di Lecce at the restaurant of Cantine Menhir “Origano”
Accommodations: Risorgimento Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Departing to Otranto where you’ll get a private full day boat trip on a yacht along the coast, do some snorkeling, swim and visit marine caves. Have lunch on board with local food and wines!
Dinner on your own
Accommodations: Risorgimento Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Visit of a local farm producing dairy products. You will be shown the productions of mozzarella, burrata and ricotta. If you wish and ..accept an early wake up in the morning.. you can also take part in the preparation of cheese and if you are lucky also the milking of animals.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodations: Risorgimento Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today you will experience a cooking class in a local farm with the owner, Sigra Tuglia where you will be given an apron and a booklet of recipes and learn how to prepare local dishes or in an historical Villa in Casarano, where the owner Sig.ra Agnese will learn you local dishes. Final dinner /lunch with the family.
Accommodations: Risorgimento Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Check out and say goodbye to Salento. Drive towards Matera, 2019 Capital of European Culture.
On the way stop in Manduria, to visit Museo del “Primitivo” (famous wine). Visit and tasting.
Arrive in Matera check in and visit of the town.
Until Next time dinner party in a restaurant built into a cave
Accommodations: Palazzo Gattini
Meals Included: Breakfast,wine tasting snacks, and dinner
Check out of the hotel and transfer to Bari airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Space is limited. Call us today to book this tour: 773.772.9666.
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