• 2 nights in Bari at the iH Hotels Bari Oriente – 4* or similar
• 5 nights in Martina Franca at Masseria San Michele – 4* or similar
• Car Hire Credit of $800
• Daily Buffet Breakfast
• 1 welcome dinner in a typical restaurant in Bari
• 1 Slow Food dinner at an “Osterie d’Italia” typical slow food restaurant
• 2 lunches at “Osterie d’Italia” Slow Food official restaurants
• 3 guided tastings of food and/or wines typical of the Apulia region
• Private full-day guided tour of Polignano a Mare, including boat tour
• Private full-day guided tour of Grotte di Castellana & Alberobello
• Private half-day guided tour of Lecce
• Private half-day guided tour of Matera
• Entrance fees in Grotte di Castellana and Basilica di Santa Croce in Lecce

Overview:

Fascinating Roman ruins, baroque architecture, charming white towns perched on top of the countryside’s hills, amazing food and mesmerizing beaches along the coast… Puglia has it all. Whether you’re after history, art, culture, food, wine or nature, this region will offer you all of it in abundance.

During this itinerary, participants will have the unique chance of sampling several Slow Food Presidia products (high-quality, traditional food and beverages at “risk of extinction”) and will taste authentic regional dishes at restaurants selected among those recommended by the Slow Food association in their “Osterie d’Italia” guide: small “trattorie” that still use fresh, local produce for traditional recipes.

Slow Food is an organization that promotes local food and traditional cooking. It was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1986 and has since spread worldwide. Promoted as an alternative to fast food, it strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds, and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem. It promotes local small businesses and sustainable foods. It also focuses on food quality, rather than quantity. It was the first established part of the broader slow movement. It speaks out against overproduction and food waste. It sees globalization as a process in which small and local farmers and food producers should be simultaneously protected from and included in the global food system.

Day 1 | Bari (D)
Arrival in Bari Airport and pick up of your car rental. Proceed to your hotel in Bari for check-in and relax. Enjoy your Welcome dinner with typical dishes of the area and then return to your hotel in the evening. Overnight stay in Bari at the iH Hotels Bari Oriente or similar.

 Day 2 | Bari – Matera Bari (B)
Morning departure with your car on today’s excursion to Matera, known as the “City of Stones”. At your arrival take your half day guided visit. This city is one of the most extraordinary and intact examples of a Troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region. The oldest “Sassi” (ancient homes carved into the rocks) are about 7000 years old. Free time for lunch. Return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Bari at the iH Hotels Bari Oriente or similar.

Day 3 | Martina Franca Polignano a Mare Martina Franca (B)

After breakfast, go south towards Polignano al M are, one of the most famous seaside resorts of Apulia. Meet your personal tour guide for a visit of the city and then enjoy a boat ride to admire the coast. Free lunch and afternoon at leisure. Continue to Martina Franca. in the heart of this region. Check-in to your Hotel enjoying the comfortable setting. Relax or take a wander around this white marble town. Overnight stay in Martina Franca at the Masseria San Michele or similar.

Day 4 | Martina Franca (B,D)
Departure after breakfast towards M artina Franca, in the heart of the region. Walk or drive to the centre of the town by car. Wine tasting of some representative wines of an amazing estate I Pastini (or equivalent) accompanied by taralli, typical friselline with tomato and basil, olives and dried broad beans. In the evening enjoy another welcome dinner at Ristorante La Tana (or equivalent). A truly special location which will be dedicated to the Slow Food Philosophy of Apulia. Return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Martina Franca at Masseria San Michele or similar.

Day 5 | The Murgia: Grotte di Castellana, Alberobello, Martina Franca (B,L)
In the morning depart by car. Meet your local guide in front of the Grotte di Castellana for a visit to the wonderful Castellana Caves located at a depth of 70 metres, along a stretch of almost 2 kilometre. After the Caves continue to the enchanting and fascination town of Alberobello for lunch. Here you will enjoy Murgia cuisine and the local specialities with their delicious dishes and wines served at a local “Trattoria”, part of the “Osterie d’Italia” Slow Food project (Slow Food is an organization that promotes local food and traditional cooking). After lunch, meet your local guide for a walking tour around the Trulli to visit the little shops, galleries and artisan laboratories selling homemade cheeses and Taralli – savoury crackers typical to this region. Return to Martina Franca for a relaxing evening. Tonight we suggest a stroll around the beautiful historical town centre, stopping at the Partenope pastry shop in the Corso Italia to try their famous cakes and pastires. Return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Martina Franca at Masseria San Michele or similar.

Day 6 | The Murgia: Cisternino, Ostuni (B,L)
After breakfast, departure towards Cisternino, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy by car. Visit of the old town centre, stopping to admire the little shops along the way selling a famous regional cured ham (called Capocollo), then finish the tour with another superb lunch at a typical restaurant where culinary delights such as Capocollo ham, along with the other dishes and local wines from the Puglia region, will be served. After lunch, proceed to visit the white village of Ostuni and its old historical centre. Short stop a a local dairy producer, to sample some of their amazing cheese. Back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Martina Franca at Masseria San Michele or similar.

Day 7 | Martina Franca – Lecce Martina Franca (B)
After breakfast, depart to Lecce by car. Meet up with your private guide for half-day private tour of the city to discover the so-called Baroque Pearl. After the tour taste the famous Pucce Leccesi (a traditional bread with olives, tomatoes and other toppings). Return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Martina Franca at Masseria San Michele or similar.

Day 8 | Martina Franca (B)
Breakfast Martina Franca After breakfast, check-out and departure.