In the afternoon, you will be met at the Brindisi airport. From here we will travel to our beautiful Masseria for the week. Masserias are farmhouse estates. Ours dates from the 16th century, renovated with all the comforts and then some.

After getting settled, walk through the property full of fruit and olive trees, enjoy the swimming pool and unwind from your travels. 

In the evening we will have a welcome reception on the terrace and a multi-coursed meal prepared by our private chef, paired with lovely wines of the region presented by our personal sommelier. This will be our introduction to the Puglian traditions and Mediterranean table. 

After a wonderful Italian breakfast we will depart the masseria for the Baroque town of Lecce. Often called the Florence of the South, Lecce represents the cultural heart of Southern Puglia. From Roman ruins, to elaborate churches on every corner and streets lined with artist boutiques, we will see what makes Lecce so special. And have a little time for shopping!

Today for lunch we will explore one of the oldest ingredients in Mediterranean civilization: wheat. Ancient grains, handmade pasta and traditional breads become the starting point for understanding why flour has always represented far more than food in Southern Italy. 

We will return to the masseria for an afternoon of relaxation by the pool before our first cooking class! We will learn about the evolution of the Mediterranean diet, family traditions and the remarkable simplicity of Puglian cuisine. 

Today we head north to explore the Valle d'Itria, known for its unique concentration of trulli, fields of ancient olive trees, and stunning whitewashed hilltop towns. 

We will visit an historic masseria known for its olive oil and enjoy a picnic lunch. Sure to be on the table are some of the family's oils and the crisp white wines of the area.

The afternoon will be our trulli expeience. Trulli are traditional huts with conical roofs and a unique story behind them. 

On the way back to the masseria we will have the opportunity to see where the famous pottery of Puglia is produced.

We will end our day with a dinner, celebrating the rural traditions in the Valle d'Itria.

Enjoy a free morning at our accommodations - sleep in, take a walk among the orchard and olive trees or spend the morning by the pool.

Next we will enjoy an art class in this tranquil setting. Then lunch alfresco with wine. In the afternoon, continue drinking wine with newfound friends, enjoy the pool, play some mahjong, read on the rooftop terrace...

This evening we will enjoy a delicious seafood feast prepared by our personal chef.

Today we will travel into the Salento countryside, known for its red varietals,  to meet a family who chose to return to their ancestral land and revive a historic farmhouse and vineyard. We will experience the native grape varieties of Negroamaro and Primitivo.

Inside the farmhouse kitchen, everyone will prepare a traditional countryside lunch using seasonal ingredients gathered from nearby producers, accompanied with the family's wines.

Return to the masseria for some time for relaxation and prepare for an evening of pizza and Pizzica, local folk dancing and traditional music.

After a hearty breakfast we will depart for our day on the sea!  Our private boat will take us along Southern Puglia's spectacular coastline. We will swim, discover hidden coves accessible only by boat, lunch on local seafood, learn about Puglia's fishing traditions and enjoy the beauty of the crystal clear water.

Tonight we will enjoy a slow evening at the masseria with great food, wonderful wine, laughter and conversation.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out to the enclave of Grecìa Salentina. Griko, a protected minority language derived from ancient Greek, is still spoken here. We will visit small farms and local producers and have a farm-to-table lunch in the countryside while we learn more about the agricultural traditions of this region.

Back to the masseria for one last afternoon to enjoy our surroundings. Then on to our finale dinner!

Enjoy our last breakfast and say goodbye to our new friends. Transportation to the Brindisi airport will be provided.