Discover Matera and Taste of Salento Tour

Welcome to Italy! Upon your arrival at the airport, we will escort you to your charming farmhouse accommodation in Salento. After settling in, we'll take you on a tour of the farmhouse and its olive oil mill, where you'll learn about traditional oil-making processes and enjoy a tasting session. Before returning to the farmhouse, we'll visit a local winery for a taste of the region's finest wines. The day concludes with a delightful dinner featuring typical Salento dishes, made with fresh, organic vegetables from the farmhouse.

After breakfast, we'll head to Lecce, often referred to as the 'Florence of the South'. A professional guide will lead us on a walking tour of this Baroque capital, followed by some free time for shopping. We'll then enjoy a traditional Lecce lunch in the old town. In the afternoon, we'll visit the authentic Cavalieri pasta factory in Maglie, where you'll learn about its origins and have the opportunity to buy some pasta. We'll return to the farmhouse for a dinner featuring traditional fish dishes.

Today, we'll journey along the coast to the beautiful city of Otranto. Here, a professional guide will show us the city's highlights, including the Castle Cathedral and the old quarter. Depending on the season, we'll enjoy a seafood lunch in Porto Badisco or Otranto. Back at the farmhouse, you'll have some free time before we dive into a cooking class with Chef Emilio, where you'll learn how to prepare traditional 'home-made pasta salentina'. We'll end the day with a dinner featuring your handmade pasta and seafood.

After breakfast, we'll visit Santa Maria de Leuca, the easternmost town of Italy, where on clear days, you can see the Greek coast. We'll also explore the prehistoric Zinzsulusa Seacave. In the afternoon, we'll tour the glamorous town of Gallipoli on the Ionian Sea with a professional guide, followed by dinner at a typical Neapolitan pizzeria. We'll then return to the farmhouse for the night.

Today, we'll depart for Alberobello, a picturesque village known for its traditional Trulli, white cone-roofed houses. A professional guide will lead us on a tour of the village, followed by some free time for shopping and souvenir hunting. We'll also taste the typical food of this area of Apulia, known as la Valle dell'Itria. We'll then return to the farmhouse for some free time and dinner.

After breakfast, we'll drive along the Adriatic coast to the white town of Ostuni. A professional English-speaking guide will show us around the town. You'll then have some free time for lunch and souvenir shopping. We'll return to the farmhouse for some leisure time before our farewell dinner at the farmhouse.

Today, we'll leave Salento and head to the splendid city of Matera, the European Capital of Culture 2019. After checking into our hotel, we'll meet our local guide, Mr. Cosimo, for a scenic walking tour around the Sassi Area, including a visit to a Cave House, Hypogeum water collector, and other sites. We'll end the day with a tasting of local Materani products in an exclusive, private location.

Enjoy a leisurely morning before meeting our local guide, Mr. Cosimo, in the afternoon for a tour of the Murgia Muterana Park. We'll cross a Tibetan bridge over the Matera Canyon and explore some of the most scenic parts of the park, including a visit to a Rupestrian Church. We'll then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Today is yours to explore Matera at your own pace. You can use this free time to discover more of the city's hidden gems or shop for souvenirs. In the evening, we'll gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast at the hotel, it's time to say goodbye to your new friends and this beautiful country. We'll arrange a transfer to Bari Airport upon request. Safe travels!