Discover the Tastes of Salento & Southern Puglia - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Andrano, Olive Oil Tour & Tasting

Bienvenuti in Apulia! Puglia is one of Italy's southern regions known for its white-walled towns, centuries-old farmlands, and sparkling Mediterranean coastline. Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will transfer you to your accommodation in Andrano, a charming town bordered by olive and citrus groves in the Salento Peninsula, Italy's "heel." The area is popular for agriturismo (agritourism), where boutique centuries-old farmhouse accommodation meets delicious fresh produce, beautiful views, and a warm welcome from your hosts.

Settle into your room, and when you're ready, enjoy a tour of the casale (farmhouse) grounds and soak up the rural setting amid the acres of olive groves. Puglia produces around 40% of Italy's olive oil, and depending on the season, your host will take you on a tour of the local mill to see the new-season olives pressed and turned into organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). You'll get to taste the olive oil along with fresh pane Pugliese (local bread), while later on, you'll feast on homemade Salento specialties using the farm's produce. 

Day 2: Guided Tour of Lecce, Pasta Factory Visit

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the farm, and head out on a guided tour of the area when you're ready. Your driver will drop you in Lecce, often described as the "Florence of the South." Brimming with beautiful Baroque architecture, lively piazzas, and narrow streets leading to historic churches, you'll discover the town's 2,000-year-old history with a guided walking tour of the city. Pass through several stone gates into the Old Town and start in the Piazza del Duomo, where you'll see the city's grand Cathedral, the 17th-century Duomo di Lecce.

Stroll the town's main street, Via Salvatore Trinchese, until you reach the buzzy Piazza San Oronzo and the ancient ruins of the Roman amphitheater. Continue your tour and admire landmarks, including the 19th-century Teatro Paisiello and the Castello di Lecce (Lecce Castle), before lunching at one of the neighborhood restaurants. Afterward, discover how the region's fresh pasta is made with a visit to a traditional pasta factory in Maglie. You'll learn all about the factory's origins and see the techniques involved in producing artisanal pasta.

It's a scenic drive back to the farmhouse, and your driver will make several stops along the way to take in the sun-drenched views across Salento's rocky coastline and calm, turquoise waters. You'll return in time for dinner, where you'll enjoy a sumptuous dinner featuring the region's exquisite fish and seafood paired with local wines. 

Day 3: Guided Day Trip to Otranto, Fresh Pasta Cooking Class

Fuel up on delicious local pastries and caffè at breakfast this morning in preparation for a day exploring the peninsula's coastline. Your destination is Otranto, where your guide will lead you on a tour of this popular coastal town and its sweeping views. Meander the historic old quarter and visit the 15th-century Castello Aragonese (Aragonese Castle) and the intricate architecture of the Byzantine Chiesa di San Pietro. Break for lunch and try local dishes, including orecchiette con cima di rappa (pasta with broccoli, garlic, and chili) and a glass of the local vino. 

Relax after lunch with a trip to the incredible natural pools of Marina Serra, not far from Santa Maria di Leuca. Spend a leisurely couple of hours bathing in the beautiful coves and enjoying the sunshine, then return to the farmhouse via a trip to the seafood market in Porto Badisco to pick up fresh produce for tonight's cooking class. In the safe hands of your hosts, you'll learn how to cook a three-course dinner of Pugliese specialties, including fresh pasta and your catch of the day. Afterward, sit down with your fellow chefs and enjoy your meal with a selection of local wines. 

Day 4: Guided Tour of Puglia & Zinzulusa Seacaves, Dinner in Gallipoli

Start the day with caffè alla salentina (an iced espresso with almond milk) and a pasticciotto leccese (a delicious pastry filled with ricotta or egg custard), and then set off with your driver to explore both sides of the peninsula. Your first stop along the southern side of the Ionian Coast is the prehistoric sea cave in Zinzulusa, teeming with marine wildlife. Continue to Santa Maria de Leuca, a seaside town at the southernmost tip of Italy's boot, known for its gleaming white architecture, rocky coast, and elegant Art Deco villas lining the seafront. 

Stop for gelato and admire the views, where on clear days, it's possible to see as far as the coasts of Albania and Greece. Don't miss the iconic lighthouse on Punta Meliso and the Basilica Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, which sits at the lighthouse's base. It's a wonderful spot to gaze out over the Ionian Sea. 

Next up is the glamorous town of Gallipoli, a popular and charming spot on the other side of the peninsula. It's famous for its gorgeous Old Town, which sits on a tiny island connected to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge. Your guide will lead you through notable sites, including the Angevin Fortress and the Santuario di Santa Maria del Canneto, dedicated to Gallipoli's patron saint. After a few hours of sightseeing, your guide will lead you through the labyrinthine streets to a local Pizzeria Napolitana, where you'll enjoy dinner before returning to your accommodation. 

Day 5: Visit Alberobello & Ostuni

This morning, you'll set off on a guided day trip to visit two of the region's most famous towns. First up is Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to one of Italy's most astonishing sights: hundreds of snow-white beehive-shaped houses (known as trulli) that look like something out of a fairy tale. Accompanied by a local guide, you'll tour the village's cobbled streets and notable sights while learning all about the history of these limestone huts, the oldest of which date back to the 14th century. 

Afterward, break for lunch and spend time perusing the town's charming boutiques in the Rione Monti district. Here, you'll find the greatest concentration of trulli clustered together on several narrow lanes on the hillside. Shop for souvenirs and pause for gelato before hopping back in the car, ready for your next stop. It's just under an hour's drive to Ostuni, and you'll see how the extraordinary city has earned itself the nickname of La Città Bianca as you approach the city's facade of tumble-down white houses.

Spend the afternoon wandering through the narrow medieval back streets and flights of steps, and take a moment to appreciate the panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea at the top of the village. Here, you'll find the town's 15th-century Gothic cathedral, known for its rose window and impressive collection of 18th-century sacred art. As the sun dips, enjoy the peninsula's dramatic scenery on the drive back to Andrano, where your hosts will greet you with aperitivo and a delicious dinner. 

Day 6: Authentic Salento Cooking Class in Maglie, Burrata Tasting

Today, you'll discover the best of the region's artisanal producers with a day trip to the small Baroque town of Maglie, 18 miles (30 km) south of Lecce. Immerse yourself in the region's specialties as you learn all about typical Salento cuisine and the centuries-old cooking methods still used today. Put your knowledge to use with a hands-on workshop where you'll master the art of several local dishes. You'll finish with a delicious lunch and sit down with your fellow chefs over a glass of wine and savor your creations.

Aside from its prolific olive oil production, Puglia is justifiably famous within Italy and worldwide for its Burrata di Puglia, a decadent cheese with a thin casing of mozzarella that conceals an interior of creamy stracciatella. You'll get to see firsthand how the artisanal cheeses are made with a tour of a local mozzarella factory. Learn about the techniques involved in creating this Pugliese delicacy, and enjoy the opportunity to taste the burrata during the different stages of production.

Later, you'll have plenty of free time to explore Maglie before rounding off your day with a wine tasting at one of the town's notable wine cellars, where you'll try a selection of Salento's finest white wines. In the evening, you'll return to your accommodation for a farewell dinner with your hosts.

Day 7: Explore Puglia's East Coast, Transfer to the UNESCO Town of Matera

This morning, you'll bid farewell to your hosts and meet your driver for a scenic drive across the eastern coast of Puglia. Your destination is picturesque Castro, a fishing village known as the "pearl of Salento." Backed by hills and in an area studded with pretty coastal towns, Castro's position on a rocky promontory that plunges into the turquoise surf is particularly captivating. Tour the medieval town above the harbor, grab a bite to eat, and when you're ready, continue your guided tour along the coast before crossing over into the Basilicata region.

Your final destination and home for the next three nights is Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's dramatic location within a rocky outcrop has long captured the imagination of filmmakers, most recently in the James Bond Movie "No Time to Die." Your driver will drop you at your accommodation in the Old Town, where you'll have time to relax before a hosted dinner at a nearby restaurant. 

Day 8: Discover Matera's Archaeological Wonders

Today is dedicated to exploring Matera's archaeological wonders. Fuel up on caffè and a delicious breakfast, then meet your guide for a private transfer to Murgia Timone. Spend a couple of hours hiking the paths and touring the archaeological sites of the rocky limestone landscape and discover ancient wonders, including the cave churches of San Falcione and the Villagio Trincerato (Entrenched Villages). 

Afterward, you'll visit the town's National Archaeological Museum to learn about the city's unique terrain and history as one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure. Enjoy a day of rest strolling the beautiful stone streets, historic sites, and charming shops. In the evening, choose a local neighborhood restaurant to dine in and sample the traditional tastes of the region. 

Day 9: Guided Tour of Matera, Hosted Farewell Dinner

This morning, you'll discover the city's famous cave dwellings with a private tour of Matera. First up are the two Sassi districts, Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, a complex of remarkable houses and structures carved into the mountainside and extended over millennia. These fascinating homes are considered some of Italy's first human settlements, and it's easy to step back in time as you meander through the maze of twisting streets, pale houses, monasteries, and palaces perched on the edge of a ravine. 

Next is a visit to the Palazzo Lanfranchi, a museum filled with medieval and modern artwork and notable for its beautiful architecture and views of the city. Here, you'll part ways with your guide and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring under your own steam. As dusk falls and the city's lights glitter, you'll join your hosts for a farewell dinner and toast your Salento adventures. 

Day 10: Depart Matera & Puglia

Sadly, it's time to bid farewell to Matera. After breakfast at your accommodation, your private driver will take you to the airport in time to catch your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels!

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