Departure from the USA for an overnight transatlantic flight to Bari or Brindisi Airport.
Please let us know the details of your flight or train arrival in Bari or Brindisi. We can arrange your transfer by private car to go to Leonardo Trulli Resort, located a few miles away from Alberobello.
Get settled in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Enjoy your welcome dinner on premises with freshly-picked vegetables from the garden.
Overnight at Leonardo Trulli Resort.
Visit Bari, Puglia’s prosperous seaside capital with our expert guide. Stroll the tangled streets and the charming old town to discover the lively market, the spacious medieval piazzas and the beautiful San Nicola Basilica, home of Saint Nicholas, one of the most beloved saint in the whole world and father of the legend of Santa Claus. The city also boasts a lovely seafront promenade and an elegant pedestrian shopping area.Your culinary experience will start at the fish market where you’ll meet local fishermen and, if you are feeling brave, taste a wide choice of raw seafood! Then move to the old town and see the local ladies making pasta in the narrow streets outside their homes and sample the whole range of the local street food – focaccia, panzerotti, sgagliozze and popizze just to name a few!
Duration: about 6 hours.
Overnight at Leonardo Trulli Resort
Get ready for a superb day! Today we visit the famous Trulli of Alberobello. These cone shaped dwellings are unique to the region and in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello you will see a concentration of over 1,000 trulli houses. Our expert guide and local superstar will bring the history of this picturesque town to life.
Next we’ll meet a local cheese-maker to discover more about mozzarella’s wildly indulgent cousin, burrata. This delicious fresh cheese is one of Puglia’s most celebrated products. He will demonstrate the art of making fresh burrata and let you try twisting a knot of mozzarella or two! Enjoy a light tasting lunch at the farm. After we will stop in the hilltop town of Locorotondo for stunning views over the Itria Valley. Return transfer to Leonardo Trulli Resort and remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Leonardo Trulli Resort.
Duration: about 6/7 hours
You are off to discover the magical “white city” of Ostuni – an imposing citadel overlooking the olive plains all the way to the Adriatic. The tiny winding streets of the oldest quarter are known by the Arabic term “Casbah” and certainly look more Greek or eastern than the stereotypical piazzas of northern Italy. Our guide will reveal some of the hidden treasures of the town.
Next you will travel to the olive plains of central Puglia to discover one of Puglia’s most important treasures: olive oil! The olive mill on this ancient estate has been in use for thousands of years and provides a fascinating insight into olive oil production. We’ll walk the beautiful grounds of the estate and of course enjoy some olive oil tasting. Sit down to enjoy an unforgettable private dining experience in the monumental olive groves. Shade will be provided.
Return transfer to Leonardo Trulli Resort
Duration: about 4/5 hours
In the evening we will transfer you to the countryside near the town of Conversano to meet our friends at their beautiful farmhouse. Get hands-on in helping to prepare pasta. As you make it, Mara and Marina will share with you secrets of local dishes and ancient techniques of Southern Italian cooking. After the lesson, sit down around the table and enjoy the wonderful meal you have created. During the meal, Marina, also a sommelier, will introduce you to some of her favorite local wines. This experience is sure to provide you with plenty of wonderful memories and recipes that you can recreate at home. Transfer back to the hotel
Duration: about 4/5 hours
Overnight at Leonardo Trulli Resort
Today we’ll cross the borders and visit Matera, in Basilicata.
In the morning we will stop in Altamura for a special culinary journey. Here you’ll meet one of the most famous cheese producers in town. He will take you from the pulsating heart of his family business. During the tour, you will get a chance to taste their best cheeses, carefully paired with suitable wines, as well as to experience cheese production live, in a perfect blend of tradition, culture and culinary delight. You will then walk to the center of Altamura where you will visit one of the oldest ovens in town, renowned for its traditional bakery. Along the way, we will stop again for a visit to the Monastery of Santa Chiara followed by shopping at the pastry shop in front of the church. This is the bakery where the tradition of the “tette delle monache” was born, the typical sweets also known as the “Sospiri Pugliesi”. Enjoy a traditional Pugliese lunch before being transferred to Matera. Duration: about 4 hours.
Upon arrival in Matera meet our best local guide who will take you to a walking tour of the town!
A unique and ancient city perched high on a beautiful hillside and only recently seen by foreign eyes. This famed UNESCO World Heritage Site is just across the border from Puglia, in the Basilicata Region and has been awarded “European Capital of Culture 2019”. Our expert guide will lead you on a walking tour of the ‘sassi’, ancient cave dwellings restored for current use as homes, shops and restaurants. Return transfer to Leonardo Trulli Resort and evening at leisure
Duration: full day
Overnight at Leonardo Trulli Resort.
After check-out, we’ll head south where we’ll spend a few days exploring the Salento area and its culinary traditions. En route to Lecce, visit one of the most renowned wineries – Li Veli. After a fascinating tour with the vineyard’s expert oenologist, you will be treated to a private lunch and wine tasting overlooking the aging barrels of wine.
You’ll then be transferred to your next lodging in the heart of Lecce, Risorgimento Hotel.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight at Risorgimento Hotel
This morning you will have the chance to go even further south! You are headed to Gallipoli for a cooking class and lunch with our friend and culinary legend, Anna Maria.
First stop is the small fish market to select the ingredients for the class. Our chef will introduce you to local vendors and the renowned local seafood. Then we will head straight to the kitchen for a hands-on cooking lesson. Anna Maria will welcome you into the kitchen and share with you her vast knowledge of the Pugliese cuisine. Learn tips and tricks for creating delicious, traditional Pugliese dishes. After the class, sit down together and enjoy the beautiful meal you have created along with a glass or two of Pugliese wine. This experience is sure to provide you with lots of fun memories and wonderful recipes you can recreate at home. Return transfer to the hotel.
In the evening we head to a truly charming country estate specializing in all the traditions of Salentine produce and recipes. See the ancient cheese stores and taste focaccia fresh from the wood oven. Everywhere you turn you will see evidence of the history of the estate which dates back to the 1200s and the delightful décor of hanging vine tomatoes, dried herbs and vintage olive presses where you will enjoy the dinner.
Duration: about 6 hours & dinner (about 3 hours)
Overnight at Risorgimento Hotel
Morning at leisure.
In the evening you’ll meet an extraordinary host at her private home: Marilena.
Former professor in psychology, she dedicates herself to permaculture and puts all her knowledge into the house to make it self-sufficient. She will open the doors of her house and welcome you at her property. Pick the vegetables from the garden, cook and share the meat together as friends. We guarantee you will have a memorable day! Next we will head to Lecce where our guide will take you on a fascinating and detailed walking tour of this city rich in history, architecture and culture. From the Roman amphitheater to the noble palazzi the city is just brimming with imposing sites. Return transfer to the hotel and evening at leisure
Overnight at Risorgimento Hotel
Breakfast and check out. Transfers to Brindisi airport will be arranged according to your flight schedule or a possible extension of your trip.
This itinerary is subject to possible changes or adjustments due to weather and traffic conditions or other unpredictable events. We will make every effort to ensure that any substitutions are of equal value and interest.
This custom tour was created for Aliza Green Culinary & Cultural Tours
www.alizagreen.com, spice@alizagreen.com
Aliza Green is a renowned chef, an award-winning author of 15 cookbooks, and a certified tour director who is experienced in planning and leading international culinary tours. She loves to share her deep culinary knowledge, her fascinating stories, and kitchen tips and tricks gained from her extensive experience in the kitchen.
Reservations are made through Celestial Voyagers.
Leonardo Trulli Resort (5 nights)
Address: C.da, S.C 54, Contrada Semeraro, 107, 70010 Locorotondo BA, Italy
Contact #: +39 080 431 6298
https://www.leonardotrulliresort.com/
The upscale Leonardo Trulli Resort is surrounded by lush countryside, not too far from Locorotondo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and the most dynamic community in the Itria Valley. Our lifestyles embody our search for the most profound wellness, thanks to our close contact with nature, for rediscovering authentic values and the for the freshest bath in the swimming pool. At the Leonardo Trulli Resort, you will make direct contact with the most welcoming part of Apulia: our trulli were finely restored into 3-bedrooms and suites thanks to an attentively conservative intervention with precious improvements making them an ideal location to spend unique and romantic moments.
Risorgimento Hotel (3 nights)
Address: Via Augusto Imperatore, 19, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy
Contact #: +39 0832 246311
https://risorgimentoresort.it/
The Risorgimento Resort, one of the first hotels built in the historical city of Lecce, was inaugurated in 1880. After a restoration and refurbishment, the hotel reopened its doors in October 2007. The architectural design and the modern features of the Risorgimento Resort set it apart as the leader of the town’s accommodation. Located in the historical city center, the hotel allows for easy access to the city’s haute boutiques and nightlife.
$7,950 per person sharing in a double room
Deposit $1,500 due upon registration
Single supplement + $1,445
Final payment due: Monday, February 3, 2025
| This trip is a land only program. Your airline ticket is to be issued to travel from the USA to Bari or Brindisi Airport, returning from Brindisi airport. Celestial Voyagers is an IATA licensed tour operator. We will be able to advise the best schedule, the most convenient routing and best value for your ticket to Italy. Please contact us before booking your flights. Should you choose to purchase your airline ticket on your own, provide us with a copy of your schedule. Celestial Voyagers can also assist you with providing a private car or taxi on arrival and departure |
Celestial Voyagers Terms and Conditions relate to specific contracts with various suppliers. The policies and regulations below must be strictly enforced.
Aliza Culinary & Cultural Tours, Celestial Voyagers and all their partners in Puglia will surpass your expectations and deliver a trip of superior quality.
We may adjust the program, but we will commit to creating the best possible program for guests with safety, comfort, and ease as our top priorities.
A deposit of $1,500 needs to be paid at time of registration and will guarantee your space and the type of room you wish to reserve. We do recommend registering as soon as possible. The hotels we mentioned require a deposit to confirm our reservations.
Full payment due by Monday, February 3, 2025
Should the trip cancel due to the evolution of the pandemic all payments will be refunded up to 60 days prior to departure.
A cancellation can always be replaced with a new participant and name change fees will be waived.
We highly recommend that you protect yourself with trip cancellation insurance including medical coverage.
All changes and cancellations must be provided in writing via email or postal service.
Your deposit is refundable up to Friday, January 31, 2025 minus $350 processing fee.
For cancellation received in writing between Saturday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the deposit is non refundable.
For cancellation received in writing between Wednesday, February 19, 2025 and Tuesday, March 4, 2025 the penalty is 50 % of the trip value.
For cancellation received in writing after Tuesday, March 4, 2025 and in case of no show the penalty is 100% of the trip value.
Should you be able to provide a new participant to take your place the name change fee will be waived and no penalty will apply.
We highly recommend taking travel insurance to protect yourself from these penalties.
We advise all travelers to purchase travel insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances and if you are no longer able to travel. We offer the following insurance policies through Allianz Travel Insurance: Basic, Classic, and Classic with cancel anytime. Prices vary with age and amount insured. Click on the link below for more details:
https://celestialvoyagers.com/leisure/leisure-insurance-passports-visas/
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Passport
Most countries require that a passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires before November 13, 2025, you must apply to renew your passport.
Visa
If you are not a US citizen please check with the Consulate of Italy or a visa agency for the latest requirements. You will also need a re-entry permit to return to the USA
Aliza Green is a renowned chef, an award-winning author of 15 cookbooks, and a certified tour director who is experienced in planning and leading international culinary tours. She loves to share her deep culinary knowledge, her fascinating stories, and kitchen tips and tricks gained from her extensive experience in the kitchen.